Gift ideas: Cuteness overload with PetitAmi

Ready for a cuteness overload?
In continuing my locally sourced gift idea series, I stumbled across the CUTEST little crocheted plushies , Seriously looks like little North West would be clutching one of these on a play date with Blue Ivy….. (except the prices are affordable for us mere mortals, hehe)
 

 
 
I asked the designer/maker/mind behind the idea a few questions, here is what Justine had to say πŸ™‚
 
 
Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a stay-at-home mom to a busy, happy, little two year old and a wife to a wonderful husband. I love being a mom, but I also have a passion for all design and art.  I completed an architectural degree and worked for a couple years as an architectural technologist.  When I became a mom I decided to stay at home and discovered my passion for crocheting. 

 
Where does your business name come from?

Petit Ami, which is French for ‘little friend’, was inspired by my mother who is French. It is a sweet name for a little creation that often becomes a little ones cuddly little friend. 

 
How did it come about?

After teaching myself to crochet, I decided to tackle a pattern to make a little bunny for my daughter. I then made one for my niece which led to my sister-in-law ordering some for her friends! From there I began developing my own patterns and so my business began. 

 
Why these cute plushies?

 I enjoy creating something which brings so much joy to little ones. I also love the fact that I’m creating something with my own two hands, and love that each little creations ends up being unique. 

Do you design yourself?

 I started working from patterns which where created by some amazing designers. But most of my creations are now my own patterns or inspired by other patterns. 

 
Where do you draw inspiration from?

 A lot of my inspiration comes from other crochet toy designers. I also get inspiration from customers who ask me to create something unique. 

 

How long does it take to finish one?

On average it can take about a day to complete one little creation. 

          (Ella : HOW ON EARTH , it takes me a week to crochet a flower, I’m jealous)

What to you is a job well done?

It is when I see the joy and delight on a customers face, and when I hear that my creation is loved and appreciated. 

 
What are your dreams for your business?

My goal is to grow my brand, continue creating new toys and expand my range. 

Where can people get hold of you?

They can visit and message me on my facebook page, or email me at PetitAmiCreations@gmail.com

Justine Geminiani
Petit Ami❀️

Make your own gingerbread sugar scrub

I make all natural body scrubs, I love it! I make it for BEAUTY WITH A DIFFERENCE SPA and for friends as a special treat and for myself when I need a treat πŸ™‚
So I’m being super nice and sharing a Christmasy gingerbread sugar scrub recipe with all of you … because : Tis the season to smell like cookies, falalalalalala la la la la
 
 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
1 1/2 tbsp. ginger
1 1/2 tbsp. mixed spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
Sealed Container

HOW TO

mix everything together, inhale the amazing smell and package.
I printed out a free tag from HERE it just makes it that much more awesomer, hehe
Use a spoon or spatula to take scrub out of container…water in the scrub can reduce shelf life, as it is has no preservatives, all natural and what not πŸ™‚

Thanking teachers at the end of the year

The year is rapidly drawing to a close… This is the first time Aidan has been “at school” not surprisingly as he is only 19months old, hehe. His educare teachers have been so amazing with him and we have gone from tears as you walk away to a wave goodbye.
They embrace his individuality and have all the patience in the world with him.  Having grown up with a lot of teachers in my life – I’m pretty sure I know even more now – I know that it can be a thankless job so I thought it might be fun to give them a little something to say that we recognize their hard work and appreciate it…  Here are some ideas I found on the interweb… click on the picture for link….

www.eighteen.25.blogspot.com
This one is so cute but a little tricky if you don’t know the teachers dietary requirements.
Don’t want to be the one who poisoned the teacher with the nut allergy…oops

http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2012/05/01/teacher-appreciation-ideas-bites-from-other-blogs/
This is great if you have more than one teacher to thank, ALSO I can’t resist a pun

feltsocute.wordpress.com
I would opt to put a class picture in this, with the date…because an individual photo would put unnecessary stress on the teacher “Teacher why is only Aidan in your frame, where is my picture”

http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/08/03/teacher-gift-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-104553
Because you cant go wrong with stationery…and I love puns

 http://craftingmom.com/pencil-cup-back-to-school-teacher-gift/

 http://craftingmom.com/pencil-cup-back-to-school-teacher-gift/
Both these containers made from pencils/crayons can brighten anyone’s desk and they are so simple to make

casualfridays-laura.blogspot.com
You can’t go wrong with a little handbag essential like this…

I have not included what I will be gifting, simply because I haven’t put it together yet  and it would be kinda awkward if they read it here, hehe πŸ™‚

Do you give teacher appreciation gifts? What is your go to?

Practically instant brag wall – diy

 
 
Aidan has started drawing pictures at home and at school and is very proud of his “trees”, “cars” and stamping.
I thought it would be a cute idea to create a space in his room to show off some of his masterpieces (seeing as we have a tiny fridge overrun by my magnet collection) 
 
Yes, that’s Aidan’s head in his play house and no the room is not usually this cluttered looking, cleaning lady has a tendency to stack things that have no business being stacked so everything in the right hand corner isn’t usually there, neither is my hair iron, hehe
 
Wall is really just pretty pegs stuck with prestik, it looks cool and can be removed whenever I feel like it πŸ™‚
 
 
The super simple how to…
 
 
 
WHAT YOU NEED:
 
Pegs, I got a whole bunch of bamboo ones on sale, they are smaller than usual size and great for crafting
Washi tape (oh how I love this stuff)
Prestik
 

 
 

 
1. Get supplies
2. cover one side of peg with washi tape
3. put prestik on other side
4. stick on wall
5. get to bragging with your kids art πŸ™‚
Aidan’s work with stamping markers – he had a blast! would still be stamping if I let him.

Make ghostly treat boxes for Halloween

Although Halloween isn’t very big in South Africa and some people say it’s evil, I like it. Mainly because I can’t resist anything with dressing up or candy.
Spending Halloween with my friend Hein *from these funny guest posts* and his family has become a little bit of a tradition and this year is no different. I decided to make these treat boxes for the kiddies…Rob says my ghost face drawing could do with some work, but I’m pretty sure that once I fill the boxes with sweets the kids will think I’m quite the artist…

What you need
Toilet roll tube
White paper
Scissor
Glue stick
Marker/crayon

1. Cut paper to fit tube
2. Draw a ghost face
3. Stick paper around tube
4. Bend in the openings to form a box (this takes a little practice)
5. Fill boxes with sweets

DIY a PomPom Tassel bookmark in minutes

It’s only three months to Christmas and the perfect time to start crafting some stocking fillers…
I like giving bookmarks when I give books as a gift and think this tassel and pompom bookmark is a pretty unique one… all you need is wool/yarn and scissors
Here’s how to:
* Wrap the wool or yarn you would like to use for the pompom around your fingers (the more fingers the bigger the pompom)
* Slip off your fingers and tie middle like a chubby bow
* The picture of cutting the sides seems to have disappeared, but this is when you stick scissors into each side and fluff it out
* After fluffing and cutting off strays you should end up with a pompom (could so use this when wrapping a gift)
* Do the finger wrap thing again, but this time for the tassel
* Put a extra piece of wool/yarn through the top, this gets attached to the pompom so make it fairly long
* Tie off the top
* Cut through the bottom and tadah!!! a tassel
* Attach the two and you are done
* Seeeee a pretty book mark πŸ™‚