Handmade Love: The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide

Dad to the Bone Card from One Canoe Two
Blue Shaving Set for Dad from Miri Hardy Unique Handmade Pottery
Basil Lime After Shave Lotion from Botanical Naturals
You the Man Mug from Lenny Mud
Dirty Dishes Mature Beer Steins from My Only Regret Besides Dying
New Dad Race Car Playmat T-Shirt from Swanky Turtle
Nose Eye Glasses and Gadget Stand from Art Akimbo
Handmade Leather Credit Card Holder from by Asros
Woodsman Mason Jar Candle from Hello Sunlight

Gifts for the Dad Who Cooks
World's Greatest Daddy Grill Master Cutting Board from The Cutting Board Shop
Walnut Magnetic Knife Holder from Gifts For You Now
Industrial Rustic Kitchen Spice & Pot Rack from Keo Decor
Craft Beer Brewing Kit from Craft a Brew
Man Crush Monday Apron from Paris Chic Boutique
Personalized King of the Grill Tool Set from Gifts For You Now
BBQ Rub Sampler from Spice Expressions
Engraved Casserole Dish from Glass Blasted

Gifts for the Handyman Dad
Personalized Engraved Hammer from Creative Butterfly XOX
Any Design Custom Tool Belt from Looking Glass Memory
Hand Forged Garden Tool Gift Set from Homestead Ironworks
Vinyl Record Clock - Pink Floyd from The Vinyl Clocks

Gifts for the Sporty Dad
Personalized Golf Ball Marker with Case from The Landlocked Dog
Our Daddy Loves Hunting Burlap Sign from Burlap Blondie
Men's Football Cuff from Ruby Lavender
Customized Baseball Key Chain from
I Love it When My Wife Lets Me Watch Hockey Shirt from Unicorn Tees

Gifts for the Geeky Dad
Darth Vader Wallet from World of Leathercraft
Light Brown Bullet Bracer from Live Darkly
Men's Geeky Circuit Board Key Chain from ReComputing
Iron Man Bottle Opener Ring from NiqueGeek
Star Trek Comic Drink Holders 4 Pack from PDX Soft Goods
Dad Yoda Best Mug from The Mug Emporium
Game of Thrones Funny Father's Day Card from Everburg Design Studio
Gamer Dad and Newbie Shirt from Revolution 46

What type of dad do you have?

DIY: Handmade Sugar Scrub - Great Gift Idea!

Sugar may not be good for you when you eat it, but it's definitely great for your skin.  Sugar scrub is a fantastic exfoliation method, and personally, living here in Utah with a very dry climate, it's a MUST for my skin needs.  It needs to both moisturize and scrub away dead skin cells-and to be completely honest, it has to smell amazing at the same time or I want no part of it.

When Kristina and I got together to make our handmade bath salts last Christmas as gifts, it occurred to us that some of our friends didn't have bathtubs-so giving them bath salts would be kind of a crappy gift.  That's when the idea of putting together a sugar scrub came to life and it was almost as easy and inexpensive as the bath salts.  

• Sugar (white or brown)
• Base Oil (I prefer coconut, but Olive or Almond are also great)
• Essential Oil (make sure it's not just a scented oil-it needs to be essential so it's safe for skin and not chemical)

Your ratio for this mix is going to be 2|1.  2 cups Sugar to 1 cup base oil.  Coconut oil is pretty responsive to temperature so I had to heat mine up for about 30 seconds to make it mixable.  As for the essential oil it can take quite a bit more to stand out with this mix, so I put about 20 drops of essential oil in mine to make the smell stand out.  For this tutorial I'm using Lime, which goes wonderfully with the coconut.  I also threw in about 2 drops of food coloring.  I used green to match up with the lime.

When we picked did our bottles of sugar scrub in bulk for gifts we hit Costco and bought a huge bag of sugar (25lbs-I still have about a quarter of it in my cupboard) for about $10.  The Coconut oil was a little more money, we bought 2 giant jars of it for about $25 at costco, but I've since picked up some smaller jars (which are great for a batch or two) at Trader Joes for only $5 each.  They probably even out to about the same cost in the long run.

Olive oil was definitely cheaper, but it doesn't smell nearly as good.  However, it was totally necessary since I have a friend who's allergic to coconut and I really wanted to make her some sugar scrub.  I also used olive for my dad since it smelled a little more "manly."

Put it all together and mix it up.  It smells amazing and it's totally natural and safe-it's even edible, though I don't recommend eating it-it's not necessarily good for you even if it does taste kind of awesome.  Throw it in a jar and put it in your bathroom.  It has a shelf life of about 2 months (or more if you keep it in a cool dark cupboard so the oils don't sour) but you'll probably use it all up before that time.  It's so inexpensive and easy you can use it like crazy and not worry about breaking the bank.

What flavor would you want to make/use?

Friday Favorites: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

ONE. Chalkboard Lettering Mother's Day Card from Lily & Val.
TWO. Funny Mom Mug from Lenny Mud.
THREE. Rosemary Mint Hand & Cuticle Balm from Stella Kenton Body Shop.
FOUR. Mom Faceted Custom Bar Necklace from Hole in Her Stocking. → Take 20% off with code MOM20 at checkout!
FIVE. Funny Mother's Day Card from Row House 14.
SIX. Leaves Pattern Wooden Necklace from SimplistiCreations. → Take 15% off with code MOMDAY15 at checkout!
SEVEN. Personalized Mother's Day Cutting Board from The Cutting Board Shop.
EIGHT. Mother's Day Coffee Gift from Apropos.
NINE. Wooden Barrel Tricycle Flower Planter from Make Wooden.
TEN. Cucumber and Mint Scented Intense Moisture Body Cream from Parlo Cosmetics.
ELEVEN. Mother's Day Personalized Photo Charm Bracelet from WiReD Boutique. → Use code FREESHIP for free shipping!
TWELVE. Chalkboard Three Slot Mail Organizer from Southern Woods Style.
THIRTEEN. Time for TeaFloral Printable from A Little Loka.
FOURTEEN. Layered Sunshine Mom Necklace from Your Charmed Life. → Take 10% off with code mother05 at checkout!
FIFTEEN. White Tea & Berries Masion Jar Candle from Hello Sunlight.
SIXTEEN. Premium iPad Cutting Board Stand from Alaina's Adirondacks.

What are you getting your mom?

DIY: Make Your Own Bath Salts - Great For Handmade Gifts!

Making your own bath salts is not only inexpensive, but it's a relatively quick and easy process to do. Last Christmas, Kristina and I got together and made a ton (like 50 or more jars worth) in many different scents and colors to use as holiday gifts.  I mean we did Lime (which I called Margarita), Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Orange, Mixed Citrus, and lemon grass.  We even took the time to think about who would like which scents better and I made adorable little labels for them.  They were a huge hit! 

• Epsom Salts
• Sea Salt
• Essential Oils (don't just use scented oil, it needs to be safe to put on your skin)
• Food Coloring (optional)

For this tutorial I decided to go with Jasmine.  It's one of the few scents I don't use a lot, and I thought it would be lovely to have at least one floral thing in my bathroom for when the mood strikes.  Honestly, the scent I use most is Lavender for relaxation/sleep, but Jasmine is great for mood boozing (it's an "antidepressant" scent), and it's great also for relaxation and relief of sore muscles & cramps.

No, I'm not going to sell you essential oils-seriously I bought this one for $5 at a health store-there is no need to spend $30 plus on essential oils for this project.

Your ratio for the salts is going to be 1|1.  1 cup Epson salt to 1 cup sea salt.  We went to Costco and bought in bulk-I think we paid about $6 for several pounds (more than enough) of Epsom salt and $3 per large jar of Sea Salt (it took about 3 jars of Sea Salt for each bag of the Epsom salt-but was still inexpensive.) I think to make about 50-75 jars cost s around $30 in salts and oils.  The jars were another story, we picked up a bunch at the dollar store which was nice.

So a single recipe is 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup Sea Salt, 8-10 drops of essential oil (more or less-some scents will be stronger and some will need a few extra dashes to smell like you want them to), and about 2-3 drops of food coloring.  Doubling or tripling is easy-we did a lot of that with big batches.  Pour it all together and mix it up well.  Your house is going to smell amazing.

Here are some of the cute gifts we gave out for the holidays-they were a huge hit.  We put some ribbon on them, matched them up with some handmade sugar scrubs (recipe coming soon!), and put these cute labels on them.  The labels were just in the printer section and I used markers-they're not waterproof at all, but they worked just fine for a gift.

Which scent would you want to make or bathe with?

 

Holiday Hot List: Handmade Gifts for Animal Lovers

1. Deer Painting from In Amelia Art
2. Clay Cat Stocking Ornament from Ryan Conner's Original Cat Folk Art
3. Pig Watercolor Painting from Water in My Paint
4. Throw Pillow Featuring an Adorable Dachshund from Blue Giraffe Art
5. Labrador Retriever Wooden Art Sign from Going Places 2
6. Cat and Yarn Stemless Wine Glasses from Mary Elizabeth Arts
7. Vintage Camper Birdhouse from Strictly for the Birds
8. Smiling Day of the Dead Pit Bull Necklace from Pretty in Ink
9. Hedgehogs in Love Painted Mug from Le Gris Lapin
10. Silver Fox Earrings from Black Rabbit Studio
11. Vintage Bambi Oval Pendant from FMJ Creation
12. Penny Bunny Coin Purse from Pitchitude by Tamara Kraft
13. Cat Life Brooch/Pin from The Tiny Hobo
14. Purple Paw Print Scrabble Tile Charm from WiReD Boutique

Are you an animal lover? Which item is your favorite?

Holiday Hot List: Handmade Gift Ideas for The Wanderer

1. Wilderness is a Necessity Wall Art by The Heartwood
2. Road Trip Pendant Domino Necklace from WiReD Boutique
3. Decorative Rocky Mountain Pillow from Brittany Bellows (I have one, and I LOVE it)
4. Born to Roam Wrap Bracelet from Whispered Truths
5. Wanderlust Travel Custom Painted TOMS from I Bleed HeART
6. Wanderlust Rings from Belle Hibou
7. Printable Wanderlust Travel Poster from Minnesota Print Co.
8. 2015 Wanderlust Desk Calendar from Eye Poetry Photography
9. Adventure Awaits Necklace from Livin' Freely
10. Heart Travel Passport Cover from Two Polka Dots
11. One Heart Custom Map Location Print from Jess Vartanian
12. Mini Perfume Set from Wylde Ivy
13. Buddah Diary in Mint from Indian Journals
14. Our First Date at the Eiffel Tower Necklace from FMJ Creation
15. Skyline Embroidery Hoop from Made in Neverland
16. Adventure Awaits Typography Window Decal from Overly Attached Decals
17. Seek Adventure Throw Pillow from Vintage Skies
18. The Dylan Tee from Skyline Fever
19. Tribal Envelope Clutch from Oyeta

What item is your favorite?

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts for Geek Guys

1. Computer Connections Bow Tie from A Little Geeky
2. Have You Tried Turning it Off and On Again T-Shirt from Android Sheep
3. Game of Thrones Houses Etched Shot Glasses from Nexus Glass
4. The Working Dead Ceramic Travel Mug from Lenny Mud
5. Bazinga Big Bang Theory T-Shirt from Stoyko Ts
6. Doctor Who Print All 12 Doctors from The Joyful Fox
7. Star Wars Vinyl Record Clock from The Vinyl Eaters
8. Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy Don't Panic Towel from Seams Geeky
9. LOTR Map of Middle Earth Messenger Bag from The City Girls
10. Steampunk D12 Dice Keychain from Mage Studio
11. Star Trek Ring from Zealot Designs
12. Bane Mask Crochet Beanie Hat from Sun's Fashion
13. Nintendo Controller Soap from Digital Soaps
14. Caffeine Molecule Coffee Mug from Moza Gifted Gifts
15. Justice League 5 Minimalist Posters from Cult Poster
16. Techie Circuit Board Cuff Links from Techcycled
17. Harry Potter Book Scarf from Rooby Lane

So what item do you think your geek will like?

Guy or girl. We're not sexist here-there's room for all!

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts for Geek Girls

1. Lord of the Rings Coffee Mug from Le Gris Lapin
2. Princess Leia and Han Solo Dolls from Misfit Menagerie
3. Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster Nail Polish from Literary Lacquer
4. Star Trek Enterprise Necklace from Carcosa Cat
5. Night Fury Illustration Print from Nan Lawson
6. Bazinga Wall Hanging from Made in Neverland
7. Game of Thrones Kahleesi T-Shirt from Trending Shirts
8. Heart of Tardis Light Up Bottle from Light Up Bottles by Live Steamy
9. The Dark Knight and Boy Wonder Cling Earrings from Nerdy But Still Girly
10. Timey Wimey Doctor Who Glitter Polish from Digital Nails
11. The Brightest Witch of Her Age Signed Print from Megan Lara
12. Nintendo Flying Attack Shell Necklace from Oh So Kawaii
13. The Fairy Tale Who Notecard Collection from Karen Hallion
14. Hayao Miyazaki Totoro Collection Throw Pillows from Homederful
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Skirt from Corsair's Boutique
16. The Princess Bride As You Wish Button/Magnet from Oh Rocky
17. Heart of Gold Heliotrope Mineral Eye Shadow from Printcess

So what does your geek girl heart adore most?

Handmade Gift Ideas for Book Lovers

1. Reading Hangover Cure Mug from Lenny Mud
2. Cobalt Blue Mr. Darcy Proposal Scarf from Brookish
3. Mysterious Irrevocable Sacred Nail Polish from Literary Lacquers
4. 2015 Great American Authors Calendar from One Canoe Two
5. Book Nerd Poster from Get Your Nerd On
6. Outlander Book Inspired Candle from Book Scents
7. A Cup of Tea and a Good Book Sweater from Monday Girl Apparel
8. Poppet Reads Neil Gaiman Figurine from Poppet Planet
9. Jorge Luis Borges Quote Library Necklace from MnLFarm
10. Unravelled by Anna Scanlon
11. Story Book Necklace from Khaotic Cupcake
12. Once Upon a Time Mineral Eye Shadow from Printcess
13. The Fault in Our Stars Inspired Bow from Nerdy But Still Girly
14. Aristocratic Black Script Domino Necklace from WiReD Boutique
15. Read More Books Typography Print from Raspberry Finch
16. Zippered Pouch from Oyeta
17. The Reader and Cats Folk Art Throw Pillow from Ryan Conner's Original Cat Folk Art
18. Love is a Book Illustration Print from Nan Lawson
19. Encouraging Message Hand-Drawn Journal from Made in Neverland

Are you a book lover?  What items are your favorite?

Handmade Gifts for Mom and Dad

It's that time when you should be started Christmas shopping, and as always, I'm a HUGE supporter of buying handmade.  If you're not making it yourself, you can still get something with that handmade charm and support a small business owner at the same time.  Win and win.  

Today I've collected a list some of my favorite things you could give your mom and dad.  Hope you enjoy!

1. Brown Sugar Fig Mason Jar Candle by Mason and Wax
2. Hanging Teardrop Terrarium by Moss Terrariums
3. Little House and Home Embroidery Hoop by Made in Neverland
4. Stylish Monogram Necklace by Sincerely Me Personalized Jewelry Designs
5. Personalized Photo Charm Scrabble Tile Bracelet by WiReD Boutique
6. 2015 Letterpress Calendar with Wood Stump by One Canoe Two
7. Mom Mug by Mary Elizabeth Arts
8. Home Sweet Home Chalkboard Print by Lily and Val
9. Violet Floral Clutch Bag by Oyeta
10. 3 Circle Custom Necklace from Khaotic Cupcake
11. Royals: Mauve Matte Mineral Eye Shadow from Printcess
12. Vintage Flower Hair Comb from FMJ Creation
13. Bamboo Cutting Board with Recipe in Mom or Grandma's Handwriting by 3D Carving
14. Cookie of the Month Subscription from Sugar Plus Spice
15. Original Mini Green Pear Oil Painting from Cynthia Haas Fine Art

1. Rubs of the States BBQ Gift Set from Gusto's Rubs and Spices
2. Men's Wild Man's Beard Grooming Gift Set from Wild Rose
3. Deluxe Popcorn and Popcorn Seasonings Gift Set from Dell Cove Spice Company
4. Leather iPhone Wallet Case from Joo Joobs
5. Set of 3 Striped Lavender Sachets from Made in Neverland
6. "Fore You Dad" Golf Marker from Pure Impressions
7. Faux Taxidermy White Faux Deer Head from Near & Deer
8. Coolest. Dad. Ever. Tee from eBollo
9. The Grill Guru Master Kit from Purpose Design
10. Handmade Leather Beer Holster from Quiet Unique Leather & Wood
11. Hot Cocoa Scented Soy Candle in Mad Elf Ale Bottle from B's Wax
12. Dino Leather Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag from Lifetime Leather Co
13. Savannah Style Dirty Dishes Lion Mug from My Only Regret (Besides Dying)
14. Personalized Gunmetal Pocket Watch from My Personal Memories

What are you getting the moms and dads in your life?

Gift Idea: Personalized Signature Necklace

Finding the perfect holiday gift for someone special to you can be so difficult.  You want something that they're going to love, something unlike any other gift, and something that they'll think of you every time they look at.  Jewelry is always a great idea, especially personalized jewelry, because they can wear it and think of you each and every time they put it on.

When Centime contacted me for a review, I was overjoyed-I mean their work is extremely beautiful and I immediately coveted a custom signature necklace.  The work in their examples were lovely and I was curious about how it worked.  It was so simple!  They had me sign my name a few times on a piece of paper, snap a picture (or scan it), and email the file to them.  That was then transformed into a stunning silver (you can also choose gold) necklace!

  

The turn around time was much quicker than I expected also, and the necklace arrived so perfectly presented that it felt like I was opening a gift from Centime.  It is so beautiful and I'm going to treasure it always.

Centime offers lots of other wonderful gift options that would be perfect for any stocking stuffer or meaningful personalized gift.  Gorgeous items such as name rings-how great would that be for a mom gift?  She could stack her children's name on her finger!  There is also gorgeous Russian Ring Necklaces, Coordinates Bracelets, Roman Numerical Rings, and so much more!

 

There are so many fonts, options, and other beautiful customs available, and they're now taking orders for the holiday season! The turn around time is about two weeks, plus one for shipping, so if you plan on ordering for a holiday gift, please make sure to get your order in by December 1st!  Readers of My So-Called Chaos get 20% off their orders before November 30th with code CHAOS20OFF at checkout-don't miss out on this great deal for a great gift!