{last minute neighbor gifts}

I've come up with a fun, last-minute neighbor gift

that is so versatile, and can be

personalized any way you'd like

and best of all it's {cheap} and {easy}

hoop-art ornament

1. start with your embroidery hoop,

the smallest hoop you'll find is 3 in and that's perfect

for a little personalized ornament.

2.  cut out your background fabric and leave

some extra fabric around the edges for later on.

{i used a linen blend for 2 and a cotton pattern for 1)

3. next i "google imaged" the shapes i wanted to work with

and simply traced those onto paper

(or if you're awesome and can free-hand any drawing, that's easy too)

4. cut out your desired shape and pin to felt

and cut out your felt piece

5. simply glue the center of the shape onto

the fabric in the hoop

(fabric glue works wonderfully)

I chose to do 3 different ornaments

an apple for my son's teacher

a "T" for a family friend

and a star for a neighbor

this is the fun part,

the possibilities are endless

a "1" for a couple's first Christmas

or a baby's first Christmas

a date

2011

an initial

a snowflake

the word "JOY"

etc

etc

6. with cooridinating thread

hand-stitch the outside of the shape

7. lightly glue your leftover threads

out of the way of the edges, like the above picture

8. next, glue around the inside of the hoop

around the back and tuck in your fabric

9. cut out a small felt circle and glue to the back of your hoop

this way the thread's stay in place and it gives it a nice finishing touch

10. that's it.

you have a cute, personalized ornament

to gift to someone

...last, but not least

tie some twine, ribbon, thread or yarn

to the clasp at the top.

that way it can actually hang

like an ornament

I'm attaching my hoop ornaments

to little jolly treat bags

and spreading the joy of Christmas

need some treats to fill it with?

go HERE for a yummy gingerbread cookie recipe!

Happy Holidays,
     Gentri

gingerbread cookies

i love all things Christmas

and these are definately my go-to cookie to bake

the smells that will permeate your house

are enough to be your favorite too

give some to neighbors, friends and family

or bake them for your cookie exchange

also

...I've heard Santa loves gingerbread cookies

{Ingredients}

3/4 cup shortening *

1 egg

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

2 1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

{Directions}

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream shortening, egg and brown sugar.

Add the rest of ingredients.

Then add the molasses.

Roll into teaspoon size ball and roll in sugar.

Push down with fork.

Bake for 10 minutes, do not overbake.

Once out of the oven, dot with butter.

Eat hot.

*this recipe calls for shortening, but I substitute butter

in its place. Just melt 3/4 cup butter and let cool.

Add an extra 1/4 cup of flour to cookie dough.

If dough seems too soft, just cool it in

the fridge for a bit.

{new holiday items}

our holiday items

are now listed in our shop

so come on over and stop by

a few things for this wonderful time of the year

{handmade wreaths}

{yarn-wrapped holiday letters}

{crochet flowers}

here's just a few of my new holiday colors

these can be put on a stretchy headband,

plastic headband, alligator clip, pin

or they're darling with a magnet on the back

email me for any price information

or check out our etsy site

littlelulusnest{at}hotmail{dot}com

happy holidays and happy shopping!