One of the things I think all women crave more of, especially women that love to create, is time. And if you’re a mother of young children, this rings even more true. My husband always seems perplexed each year as to what to get me for Mother’s Day, and I’m admittedly not much help. But this year I created in my head what the perfect gift would be. An afternoon off, to sit around and make stuff. Projects I’ve been meaning to get around to, new beads I’ve wanted to play with, pretty paper that’s just itching to be used. A crafternoon if you will, made even better by a box of plenty, filled with fun and pretty items to craft and create with. It doesn’t get much easier or convenient than that, right? Below is what my perfect crafting box would look like, and how I created it, but really, you can adjust it to the needs and interests of any special woman in your life.
You begin of course with a lovely box. Add some shredded paper so items don’t shift all around, and then layer a few sheets of tissue paper over that.
Begin filling the box with your items, largest at the bottom, and build up from there. The color scheme of this box was based primarily off this nautical themed paper I found at Paper Source, with rich shades of navy, crimson and jade, offset by a soft shade of pool blue. Paper crafting is an easy and stress free way to spend the afternoon, so the majority of the items in the box center around paper crafts, with a few fun extras throw in.
Stamps and stamp pads are an easy and inexpensive way to create personalized stationery, so several of each were added in, as well as a stack of simple white card stock and kraft paper envelopes.
Gel pens in coordinating colors and a genius of an invention, the glue pen, were included. Personalize your note cards by writing a message with the glue pen, then sprinkling some glitter on top. The aquatic and polka dot paper is cut out and used to line envelopes, a simple, yet festive touch.
A few added odds and ends include bottles of nail polish, glitter, and some interesting beads, just in case I want to do something different. The beads are used to make a funky keychain so I can find my keys in my purse, and why yes, a manicure with a bit of glitter is called for. And if you have a keen eye, you might have noticed the wrapped coffee gift card up top. A good coffee drink is essential for any creative afternoon.
In case you do want to create a box similar to mine, here is a list of resources:
- Letter Box, Tissue & Shredded Paper – The Container Store
- Paper Products – Paper Source: nautical wrapping paper, dots wrapping paper in pool; A2 note cards & envelopes in pool, persimmon & peacock; acid free stamp pads in sweet melon, robin’s egg & midnight; sea shell, mermaid, octopus & school of fish rubber stamps
- White card stock and kraft paper envelopes – Bessotted Brand
- Staples Gel Pens
- Sakura Quickie Glue Pen
- Martha Stewart Glitter
- Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple, Going Incognito & Geranium
While this box was pretty much made for me and my interests, you can create something with just about any theme in mind. Specialty spices and non-perishable food mixes from Williams Sonoma for the foodie in your life. Fabric swatches and coordinating thread and a new sewing pattern for the seamstress. For the gardener, you could even think outside the box and give a pretty terrarium filled with all the necessary items to create one like Nicole’s. Whatever is in the box though, it will surely be appreciated if given with the promise of just a little extra time to herself.
29 comments
Kelly
Awesome gift idea!
Nancy Comelab
What a wonderful gift idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
Heather @ Glitter and Gloss
I adore this – such a clever and thoughtful gift!
Hither&ThitherGirls
Yous a crafty lady, and what a most excellent idea! I think my Mom would be pleased with a huge cup of coffee and the time to nap! Maybe I would give her this gift and then yoink it for my own crafternoon…either way, it’s superb.
-hannah
Susan Hazel
Best idea ever! I would so love to get a box like this!
Heather
I love this!! I want one!
Ellen
What an awesome idea for anyone who loves to create custom stationery!
Anne-Marie 10 Rooms
fantastic! really good :)
Sara Rose
(Myself included) I know SO MANY women who would be thrilled by a gift like this, coupled with an afternoon to DO all this fun stuff. Because if you are at all like me, accumulating fun, cool, crafty stuff isn’t too hard. It’s usually a TIME thing. I actually have something similar planned for my Mothers Day afternoon. I picked up the stuff for a fun art project for my daughter (she’s 6) and I to work on. Hopefully, I sleep in a bit late, we make brownies, and nosh on them that afternoon while we craft up some fun. :)
Michael - Innkeeper
Wow, what a great idea! And beautiful presentation! Love this!
Kayla
“Crafternoon”!!! Genius! That is exactly what I’m asking for next time my fiance asks me what I want as a gift!! All of these items are just bliss!
Melissa
I want one just like this! (definitely going to look into that glue pen!)
Andrea Howe
The glue pen is genius – an inexpensive must have for any crafter :)
kimberly
I LOVE the addition of Andrea here! She is a nice complement to your skills, Nicole!
Andrea Howe
That just made my day Kimberly! Thank you :) I’m honored and thrilled to be here!
Making it Lovely
I’m glad to hear that! I think she’s fantastic.
Kathryn Humphreys
Perfect!
Jen @ RamblingRenovators
This is a brilliant idea. I’m always stuck on what to get my own mother. One thing I’ve noticed over the past year is how much she enjoys crafting with my daughter… making felt ornaments, helping with decorations for Chloe’s birthday parties. I think grandmother’s would love this gift too… I think we women love to create, no matter what our age!
Karena
Andrea a wonderfully personal idea!! Love it! It would be so fun to put this together for a girlfriends birthday also!
Lisa
I love this idea! The gift of a lazy afternoon. Plus there is room for infinite customization, and it is so nicely packaged.
Jules
Great ideas, Andrea. :)
Marisu
What a brilliant and elegant idea! Thanks so much for sharing.
Erika
This is a fantastic idea!!! It kind of reminds me of an Easter basket, but in a MUCH MORE REFINED way!
I am in charge of my boyfriend’s mom’s Mother’s Day gift, and will be using this idea – a cute coffee mug, some specialty coffee, some gardening magazines and maybe another little something.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Ashley {GirlyObsessions}
I love this idea!! It’s so thoughtful, unique and personal (and useful for making pretty things)! Thanks for sharing!!
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