The Best Homemade Gift Ideas Monthly Digest: free-gift-ideas-newsletter-January2009.html

by: Brenda Mullard

Table of Contents:

1. Spring has Sprung!

2. Spring Cleaning Ideas

3. Welcome New Subscribers

4. What’s new?

5. Reader Recipes

Victorian Spring Susan Tolle Mcclure

1) Spring Has Sprung! As I sit here typing I am currently on spring break from school. Oh what a great feeling it is to be home with my kids enjoying our time together. Sleeping in, baking cookies, and being a little lazy. Today is rainy which makes life even a little lazier! This time together really gets us primed for summer and makes the last few weeks of school hard to focus on. But we will certainly get there! It also gives me a chance to try to catch up on things around the house such as cleaning and even more important, my homemade gift ideas website. So with that, I bring you a new e zine! Happy Spring Everybody!!!

2) Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning often means cleaning your house from top to bottom. Out with the old and in with the new.

That might mean boxing up winter clothes, boots and shoes. Make sure that the storage containers and areas for storage are clean, cool, dark, and dry. This will keep clothing and other items in perfect shape for next winter.

Control the Clutter! Try making 4 areas to help figure out items that you want to keep, an area for the things you want to sell, items you would like to donate, and finally an area for items you want to throw away.

Tackle the Garage. Time for changing out the winter gear such as snow blowers and shovels and bringing back the lawn mowers and gardening tools. The easiest way to clean the garage that I have found is to pull EVERYTHING out! Sweep and hose the garage floor down and get all the dirt, salt and other things left behind by winter off the floor and out of the way. Then organize as you go to get your garage warm weather ready.

Picnic season is upon us. Don’t forget to clean and get the outdoor deck and patio furniture ready for picnic and party season. Clean, repair and paint and furniture that might have gotten a little shabby over those winter months.

3.Welcome New Subscribers

Each month my subscriber list grows for my monthly newsletter. Thanks so much to everyone for spreading the word about the Best Homemade Gift Ideas website and newsletter! This website wouldn’t be worth creating if it weren’t for my wonderful valued readers. Thanks for your continued support! It’s great to have you here with me. I love to find out where everyone is from and what it is you create and do. Please drop me an e-mail if you get a chance. I am always looking for new artists or crafters each month for this newsletter.

4.What’s New? I have added some new recipes to my Easy Home Cooking page I have also added to the Best Homemade Gift Ideas Blog!

I am always playing around with greeting card ideas and designs. I am adding new stuff all the time so keep an eye out for new card designs coming soon! A few of you have become members of my homemade gift ideas discussion forum Do you have a question about a gift idea? Need help? Ask and you shall receive! Come and join an existing discussion, ask a question or start a new thread!



Do you have a great craft idea? Are you an artist who wants to share your expertise?

Do you want to be published? Do you have a great gift idea you would like to share? Go to my share your gift ideas page and follow the directions on this page. Your idea won't only be used in my monthly e zine but you will also have a page published on my website. So what are you waiting for?


Do You like this newsletter/e zine?? VOTE NOW We are featured on the website Best E Zines!

7. Looking for reader recipes!

Do you have a great recipe that you would like to share? I know I am always looking for a super yummy recipe to take to the family gatherings throughout the whole holiday season. What about a family friendly recipe for Christmas cookies? Please send them my way! Here’s another yummy recipe from one of our valued readers!

Spring Spinich and Strawberry Salad

Salad Ingredients

2 bunches spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces. I usually buy the spinich in a bag. It is really a time savor!

4 cups sliced strawberries

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1 tablespoon poppy seads

Spinich Salad Directions:

In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and strawberries. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat. Share your favorite recipes too!

Do you have a talent, a passion or just know a lot about a certain subject? Do you want to learn how to make money by sharing what you know?