The Best Homemade Gift Ideas Monthly Digest: free-gift-ideas-newsletter-May2009.html

by: Brenda Mullard

Table of Contents:

1. Happy Mother's Day!

2. Mother's Day Breakfast Ideas

3. Welcome New Subscribers

4. What's new?

5.Crafter/Artist Interview of the Month

6. Project of The Month

7. Reader Recipes

Mother Bear's Love I Makiko

1) Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Out there who are already moms or will be soon. Those of us who are moms know that being a mother is one of the hardest jobs we will ever have. But it is the most rewarding job we will ever have as well. Never did I ever think that I could love someone as much as I love my three kids. They are my world! Make sure you make that special phone call to your mom, or your grandmother, or anyone else you know who is a mom. Wish them a happy mother's day and say thanks. Let them know how much you appreciate them for everything they did and still do everyday. Moms aren't just those gals that do the birthing—they are also the stepmothers, mentors, teachers, friends and people who do the nurturing and loving. I am talking about the women in our lives who teach, care, listen, act, hug, wipe away the tears, tell us everything is going to be all right, say no, say yes, guide us and have faith in us.You may even get a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies out of the deal :0)

Click here for some great Mother's Day gift ideas

2) Mother's Day Breakfast Ideas

a) Well, the easiest idea is of course take mom out to her favorite restaurant for breakfast. There's no cooking or clean up.

b) Make mom breakfast in bed. Make some pancakes and sausage and serve it with some orange juice and coffee. Yum! Make sure Dad is there to help with the cooking part!

c) Smoothies are another great simple breakfast item. Blend some vanilla yogurt along with some fresh or frozen fruit and a splash of orange juice. Serve in a fancy glass. Make sure to make extra so you can enjoy a healthy delicious treat too!

d) How about French Toast with maple syrup and fresh fruit? Set the dining room table and make it fancy! Add fresh flowers for you centerpiece. Mom will feel like she' s going out to eat without even changing out of her jammies.

e) Buy mom some yummy flavored coffee along with a special flavored creamer to match. Make a delicious breakfast bake that can be made the night before and popped in the oven n the morning. Always ask for an adults help when using the stove or oven!

3.Welcome New Subscribers A big welcome goes out to all of my new subscribers! 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? Check out the homemade gift ideas on the Mother's Day page. You will find many different and easy ideas that you can make. Your Mom is your friend too!! I also have different ideas on my gifts for friends page I have also added new card to my paper greeting cards shop I am also adding frequent posts to my Best Homemade Gift Ideas Blog

5.Crafter/Artist Interview of the Month

My name is John and I am a self taught artist living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I call my art Feral Glass because it has escaped captivity and runs wild in your lawn or garden. I like to put art in unexpected places. I got started doing garden glass because I have wonderful gardens that went to sleep half the year. It seemed a shame to waste all that Winter sunshine. So I began to experiment with panels of colored glass placed in my yard and garden. I learned a lot about wind resistance. I decided I could make my glass like little fortresses, fighting the elements, or I could go the other way and adapt my art to be in tune with Nature. My open lace designs allow the wind to pass through without effect. I have spent years making my art so that it is wind and rain proof and provides year round color. You can leave it outside all year. I have a studio in my house that has two walls of sliding glass doors, looking out into the mountains. The Appalachian Trail follows the ridgeline in my view. I have hiked and camped in most part of the US and a few other parts of the world. My pieces are mostly inspired by wildflowers I have seen or places I have camped or SCUBA dived. I am also doing a series inspired by the great rivers of the world. I get to thinking about a theme and cut shapes that seem to capture the spirit of the moment. I sometimes use graph paper to design, but most often I just "go with the flow". I have an on-line shop you can visit at www.feralglass.com In Spring, Summer and Fall, I do juried craft fairs in Virginia and North Carolina. I will also be featured in the Tulsa, OK Garden Tour this coming fall, with my pieces nestled into the plantings of the premier gardens in town. Be advised that it is a more expensive hobby than you ever imagined. If you do get into it, take the safety seriously. Wear gloves and a respirator when appropriate and wash your hands every time you leave the studio. Getting cut is not an issue if you are careful. But the chemicals and fumes used when soldering should be taken seriously.

Thanks so much Clare for sharing your ideas and talent!!!

How To Make A Candy Bouquet

7)Reader Recipes

Blueberry French Toast Bake Ingredients: 12 slices (thick) French bread. (If using thin-sliced bread, double the slices). For top cut up 6 slices into cubes) Cream cheese (about 1/2 of 8oz. Container) more if desired.

1 1/2 cup of blueberries (fresh) or frozen when not in season)

8 eggs

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 cups milk

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

Dash of nutmeg

Directions:

Spread cream cheese on 6 slices of the bread. (If bread slices are large, cut size to fit pan, save cut off pieces for top). Arrange bread slices in buttered 9 x 13 pan Sprinkle blueberries over cream cheese Arrange bread cubes over the top of blueberries. In a large bowl mix the eggs, milk, syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg, whisk well and pour the mixture over the bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning take plastic wrap off. Pre-heat oven to temp.350

Serve with maple syrup or your favorite blueberry sauce


Share you ideas This new page makes it easy to submit a project idea along with pictures and instructions!

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

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?