Welcome to my last-minute holiday gift guide for women! Yes, it’s that time of the year again where you have to scramble to find the perfect gift for your loved ones. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some thoughtful and unique options!
The Gift Ideas
Heaven-Inspired Jewelry & Gifts
First up, we have the Heaven-Inspired necklaces and gifts from the Crowning Jewels Company. These gifts are perfect for those who love to be encouraged in The Lord. How does the “Heaven Inspired” process work? Their website explains it this way:
How Does it Work?
Choose a style
Select your favorite chain color, size and tag options, if applicable
Fill in your name or the name of the person you’ll gift this to
Add to cart and checkout
We then pray for you or the person this is intended for and design a custom piece based on the promises we heard! Your jewelry will come in a beautiful velvet bag with an encouraging personalized card.
As you can see, this unique gift idea is a great way to show your loved one that you care about their spiritual journey, while also gifting them something special and heartfelt.
Planners, Prayer Journals, and Bible Study Gifts
Next, we have The Daily Grace Co‘s bible study, planner, or prayer journal. Because let’s be real, what better way to start off the new year than by getting organized and prioritizing abiding in The Lord at the same time? These gifts are perfect for the woman in your life who is always looking to grow and learn.
A Cute Beanie or Hat
Now, let’s talk about the stylish beanie/hat. The Carhartt ones are my favorite. Who doesn’t love a good beanie? It’s the perfect accessory to keep you warm and stylish during those winter months. Plus, it’s a great way to cover up a bad hair day. Trust us, your loved ones will thank you for this one.
The Famous Barefoot Dreams Blanket
Moving on, we have the Barefoot Dreams blanket. This blanket is the epitome of luxury, and it’s perfect for those who love to snuggle up on the couch with a good book or movie. Plus, it’s so soft and cozy that you might just want to steal it for yourself.
A Cute Coffee Mug & Stirring Spoon Gift Set
Up next, we have a super cute coffee mug, like this one!
Let’s face it, coffee is life. And what better way to enjoy your morning cup of joe than in an adorable mug? It’s the little things that can make a big difference, and this gift is sure to put a smile on your loved one’s face every time they use it.
Gift Cards for Pampering Herself
Gift Cards may just be the way to the heart of that special person in your life. A massage, a pedicure, a day at the salon getting her hair done- rest assured, we ladies LOVE to be pampered, so you absolutely cannot go wrong with this one. Reach out to her bestie if you’re not sure what salon to choose.
PS, If you’re feeling extra festive, tack on a Starbucks gift card so she can get herself a treat to enjoy while she is out and about.
Soy Wax Candle & Wax Melt Gift
Last but not least, we have a clean-burning soy wax candles and wax melts from Garden Ivy Soap & Candles. These products are perfect for those who love to unwind and relax after a long day. Plus, they all smell amazing, ha have incredibly long burn times, and are made with all-natural ingredients, so you can feel good about gifting them!
Gifts for the Limited Budget
If you’re working with a more limited budget than you were hoping, or you have a thrift-loving lady in your life, don’t discredit the power of shopping secondhand! For more ideas on what to look for, checkout my post here. I share some of my own thrifted finds and how I styled them in my home.
And there you have it, the last-minute gift guide for women. I hope you found this guide both helpful and thoughtful. Happy gifting!
PS, if you end up choosing any of these gift options, feel free to tag me on Instagram and share the recipient’s delight with our community! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Brunching like a boss? Yes, please! There’s nothing quite like waking up late on a Saturday, throwing on your comfiest clothes, and whipping up a delicious spread of yummy favorites. If you really want to take your brunch game to the next level, let’s discuss the ins and outs of hosting the ultimate brunch (like the true boss that you are!)
Make Your Menu
First things first, let’s talk about the menu. Brunch is all about balance, so make sure to include both sweet and savory options. Think pancakes and bacon, eggs benedict, fruit salad, and maybe even a breakfast quiche if you’re feeling fancy. And of course, don’t forget the fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee!
This savory goodness called Bacon & Cheese Quiche (I make my own gluten-free crust, but you could also use a tube of biscuit dough and lay in the bottom of the pan and pour the egg mixture on top! It is so flavorful and yummy. Add some spinach to get in an easy green, too!)
Biscuits and gravy, waffles, and toast with jam are some other favorites around our table!
Set Your Table
Next up, let’s talk decor. You don’t need to break the bank to create a beautiful brunch spread. Simple touches like fresh flowers, colorful napkins, and a well-arranged charcuterie board can go a long way in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Try placing some cut wildflowers in a small vase and placing it at the center of the table. Place on top of a cute cutting board or serving tray along with toppings and seasonings in matching bowls.
I often use things like:
Salt & pepper shakers
A butter dish with spreader
Jam in a remekin with a spoon or knife
Shredded cheese
Crumbled bacon
Extra Icing
Chocolate Chips
Salad dressing
Coffee Creamer
Make sure every place setting has a plate, fork, knife, spoon, cup, napkin, and mug!
Ace Your Aesthetic
The key to acing your aesthetic is keeping it simple. For me, I like the neutral look. Bright whites, warm and rich earthy tones, and when it comes to “pops of color” I like to use natural elements like the bright redness of a strawberry, the beautiful yellow of a lemon, or the vibrant hues of wildflowers or greenery, like eucalyptus.
I find it most simple to use all white dishes. Serving dishes, dinner plates, ramekins, etc- I use all white. They are easy to come by in thrift stores, too, making for a totally affordable aesthetic for hosting brunch!
Don’t just think dinner plates and serving bowls. Those little ramekin dishes, trays, and trivets are wonderful for adding different heights and sizes to your table, while keeping everything accessible to all guests.
Invite Your Guests
And finally, let’s talk about the guest list. When it comes to brunch, the more the merrier! Invite your closest friends, family, and maybe even a new neighbor or two. Brunch is the perfect opportunity to catch up with loved ones and make new connections over delicious food and drinks.
I have been hosting “Brunch & Bible Study” for our college aged kids every weekend for the last several weeks. Everyone enjoys the fellowship and food. Once we finish eating, we are energized and ready to open the Word together. It has been a fruitful time, literally & figuratively!
Set Your Brunch Apart
One hosting tip for making your brunch stand out above the rest is this: pay thoughtful attention to detail.
Try personalizing name cards for your guests’ place settings or labeling your items with cute labels from the craft store.
Get my free Brunch Blessings printable cards with you here!
Once you have cut the Brunch Blessing cards out (on cardstock preferably), place them with your place setting. For an extra feminine touch, you could tuck the card into your napkin with the silverware, add a small floral element, and tie some twine or cute ribbon around it all and lay it on the center of the plate!
Hosting brunch for a co-ed crowd? Another nice, more gender neutral place setting idea would be to place the utensils and napkin into a coffee mug, like this:
So there you have it, folks. The ultimate guide to brunching like a boss. Just remember, the key to hosting a successful brunch is to keep it fun, relaxed, and filled with good food and good company. Happy brunching!
Where are my frugal ladies at? Do you want to add a little personality and pizzazz to your home decor/furniture but can’t (or won’t) pay the Anthropology or Pottery Barn price tag? Well, have no fear. This Easy-to-Follow Guide to Chair Reupholstery will have you turning someone else’s “trash” into your treasured piece of furniture in no time! And the best part? Your friends and fam will be blown away when you tell them how much money you saved doing this seemingly-difficult-but-actually-simple project at home!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosurehere.
Inspiration
Check out these inspo pics (& price tags) below:
I truly love the look of all four of these, but there is just no possible way that I can afford to spend $369-$519 on a single dining chair! Especially when I need a minimum of 6 (but more like 8) chairs for my table! That would be somewhere in the ballpark of $2,214 to $4,152 just for chairs!
Believe In the Impossible
If you are feeling the same way I did about those prices, you may be thinking “I am never going to be able to have that bohemian-meets-modern-farmhouse style table & chairs without selling a kidney!”
I am here to tell you friend, that you can have your dream chairs and more for a dramatically lower price. Eek! I am so excited to share my latest chair reupholstery project with you.
Bargain Hunting
It’s true that you need to have patience and a little bit of a skilled eye to walk into a thrift store and see the potential in something. Thankfully, I have honed that skill over the years so I am prepared to share with you everything I know about picking up thrifted pieces. Here is the thought process I go through when prepping to thrift:
The Goal
Are you looking for a particular piece? Do you need a certain number of items?
Jake and I went to multiple thrift stores with the goal of finding new dining chairs. We knew we would need 6, so this was risky, but we believed we could find them! And we did!
The Vision
What is your inspiration? For me, like I shared above, it was the Anthropology/Pottery Barn look without the price tag… I knew that if I wanted upholstered chairs, I was going to have to look for something that was already upholstered. The likelihood of finding exactly what I was looking for already is very slim, so I knew I would probably have to reupholster whatever I found.
Chair Reupholstery- Say What?
Before you start panicking about the difficulty of this task, let me reassure you that chair reupholstery is easier than you think. All you need is some fabric, a stapler, and a little bit of patience. If you have a sewing machine, that can be very useful, too. I did use one for this project.
Trust me, if I can do this, so can you!
First things first, choose a fabric that speaks to you. Whether it’s a bold print or a soft neutral, make sure it’s something you love and will bring joy to your space. I knew I wanted a thick, neutral colored, canvas-type fabric. I also wanted to spend as little money as possible, so I opted to purchase these 9×12 foot drop cloths on Amazon and I am so glad I did. One drop cloth was able to reupholster nearly four chairs!
Next, remove the old fabric from the chair using a flathead screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Try not to destroy the fabric during removal as you will need to use it as a template for your new fabric. Cut the new fabric to size and start stapling it onto the chair frame.
If you are able to use a sewing machine, use your seam ripper to undo the sewn aspects of the original material. I found it helpful to use a sharpie and label each piece of fabric so I knew (for pattern purposes) what parts I was tracing.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But Molly, what about the corners? Won’t they be difficult?” Ah, yes, the corners. But fear not, my friends, for I have a trick up my sleeve. Simply fold the fabric over at the corner, creating a neat and tidy fold, and staple it in place. It’s as easy as that!
Not only is chair reupholstery a fun and doable DIY project, but it’s also a great way to breathe new life into old furniture. Plus, think of all the money you’ll save by not having to buy those new chairs!
So, grab your fabric, your stapler, and let’s get to work. Your old, tired chairs are about to become the treasure of your home decor.
My Easy-to-Follow Guide to Dining Chair Reupholstery
Out with the Old
Using a flat head screwdriver and needle nose pliers, remove all staples and fabric from chair. Be careful not to rip or ruin the fabric if possible as you will be using it for a guide later. This is a very tedious and time consuming process. I suggest putting on your favorite playlist or binge watching a show to pass the time. It is also helpful to have a second set of hands from time to time, so grab a friend to join you!
Once all of the upholstery has been removed, carefully remove or hammer in any staples that have broken off or are stuck so you don’t hurt yourself. (I learned that lesson the hard way!)
Trace Your Pattern & Cut
On a large, flat surface, lay out your fabric. Press any wrinkles or creases and use something heavy to weigh down any turned corners. On the back side of the fabric, trace your pattern pieces, face down. You want the traced side to be the side that no one will see once the project is complete. Make sure to trace all pieces the same way!
If using a sewing machine, continue reading. If not, continue to stapling!
Pin right sides together, bottom sides facing out. Carefully sew along the edge using 1/4 inch seam allowance and be sure to backstitch for extra durability.
Once you have your pieces pinned and sewn, make sure to trim excess strings, look for any missed stitches and verify that your work is durable and complete.
Some Assembly Required
Place fabric over chair in appropriate spots, making sure that pieces align properly before stapling.
Carefully start stapling, pulling the fabric tight as you go.
When you get to the corners, fold the fabric and make crisp, clean edges, and continue stapling.
For the chairs I did, I had to add a back piece using upholstery tack strips like these. You will want to measure your piece to know what size you will need. For what it is worth, I recommend buying new tack strips rather than trying to salvage old ones. Hammering out the originals can be time consuming and cause them to break. Using a new strip will provide significantly less of a headache for you.
Once the reupholstering was complete, I added the black netting fabric back to the bottoms of the chairs and my husband reapplied the bases to the chairs as well.
Money, Money, Money
For this chair reupholstery project, we spent:
$80 on six chairs
$20 on Drop Cloths (I did need two 9×12 cloths but had one on hand already so I only had to purchase one).
In total, we spent $100 (and about four days) making these beautiful chairs! That is a savings of about $2,114 to $4,052.
I told you it would be a dramatic savings!
I hope you will try your hand at some reupholstering! If you do, be sure to tag me over on Instagram (@mollyfinneganblog) so I can cheer you on and celebrate with you!
This one is for all my crafty ladies (& gents!) who are wanting to learn how to make your own custom .SVG or .PNG cut files for Cricut in Canva!
If you’re just looking for this simple freecut file, you can find that (along with several other fun freebies) here!
If you’re here for a tutorial on how to make your own cut files, have no fear! The time has come. I will be using the design above as my example for this lesson. Now, without further ado,
Let’s Jump into our Lesson on How to Make .SVG or .PNG Cut Files for Cricut in Canva!
So, you want to create a .png file in Canva? Congratulations, you’re on your way to becoming a graphic design pro! But before you get too excited, let me warn you: creating a .png file is not for the faint of heart. It takes patience, skill, and a good sense of humor. Lucky for you, I’m here to guide you through the process with a little bit of wit and a lot of sarcasm.
Quick Disclaimer: I do use the paid version of Canva, Canva Pro. You should be able to complete all steps of this tutorial without having to utilize any of the paid app features.
Step 1: Create a New Project in Canva
Open Canva and choose the type of design you want to create. Do you want to make a social media post? A flyer? A business card? The possibilities are endless! Just kidding, they’re actually quite limited. But that’s okay, because Canva has a lot of templates to choose from. Just pick one and move on to the next step.
For my design example, I am going to select “Create Custom Size” and set the dimensions to 8 in. x 8 in. Your Canva canvas should look something like this:
Step 2: Design Desired Cricut Cut File
Add your design elements. This is where the fun begins! You can add text, photos, illustrations, and more. Just don’t go too crazy with it, or your design will end up looking like a hot mess. Unless, of course, that’s the look you’re going for. In that case, go wild! *NOTE: For you beginners out there, or for those of you who are technologically *ahem* inept, I suggest starting with single color designs. The simpler the better. Simple words. Simple shapes. You get the idea!
Adding Shapes
I am starting with the square border. To do that, I will follow this sequence: Elements > Lines & Shapes > View All > Rectangle (or you could just simply type “Rectangle” in the search bar under the Elements tab.)
From here, I will set the color to “No Color” and then select the “Border Style” button. I chose the solid line design and set the Border Weight to “25”, like this:
*Pro Tip: If you pick up the shape and move it slowly toward the center of your canvas, a snap grid will appear. When the solid pinkish/purple lines show up horizontally and vertically, you will know your image is perfectly centered! We love precision over here.
Next, I am going to add the text!
Adding Text
For this design, I wanted something bold that would stand out against the vibrant tie-dye, so I chose the bold, blocky, sans serif font called League Spartan. To add a font, I simply clicked: Text > Add a Text Box and then customized my font. When I put the text inside of the border, I felt like it was too close together so I just adjusted the letter spacing to “105”. This helped to fill out the box a bit better (and will make for super easy weeding when the time comes!)
*Another Pro Tip: If you can’t find a font that works for your design on Canva, checkout dafont.com or fontsquirrel.com to browse hundreds of free downloadable fonts!
Step 3: Export to .png or .svg for uploading to Cricut Design Space!
Export your design as a .png file (or to .png (or .svg/ .jpg/ .pdf/ etc.)
This is the moment of truth. Will your design look as good outside of Canva as it does inside? Who knows! But you’re about to find out.
Just click the “Share” button, select “PNG” as your file type, check the button marked “Transparent Background”, select “Download”, and cross your fingers!
Step 4: Celebrate!
Congratulations, you’ve created a .png file in Canva! Wasn’t that easy? Okay, maybe it wasn’t easy, but at least you can now add “graphic designer” to your resume. Just don’t ask me to critique your design, because I’m not sure my heart can handle it.
Your next step is simply to open Cricut Design Space, select “Upload” > New Design > select your file, create a “Cut” file, and add to your canvas! PS, if you end up making this design (or other shirt designs) DON’T FORGET to mirror your image before cutting!
Don’t worry sis, I’ve got you.
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and tag me on Instagram so I can see your mad new design skills!
How To Make .SVG or .PNG Cut Files For Cricut and Silhouette on Canva
Materials
Tools
Canva App
Instructions
CREATE A NEW PROJECT IN CANVA
CREATE DESIGN
EXPORT DESIGN WITH TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND TO .PNG OR .SVG
UPLOAD TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE AS A CUT FILE
ADD TO CANVAS AND ENJOY!
Notes
LESS IS MORE! SIMPLE SHAPES, SINGLE COLORS, BOLD FONTS, ETC. THE MORE INTRICATE THE DESIGN, THE MORE DIFFICULT IT WILL BE TO WEED LATER.
I don’t know about you, but I love a good freebie! Here is my gift to you; a mini (yet, growing) library of custom cut files to help get your creative juices flowing. Enjoy these free .png Cricut & Silhouette cut files.
How To Download Cricut Files from Free Library
All you have to do is simply right click and save these images to your device! They are all set and ready to be used! Happy crafting!
Free Kid Design Cut Files
Hold My Juice.png
Little One.png
You Are Capable.png
Made with love.png
Free Mama/Mom Design Cut Files
Sorry I’m Late.png
Mama to Bruh.png
Retro TS Mama.png
Mama Era.png
Free Fall Design Cut Files
Fall Vibes.png
Magic of Fall.png
Sweater Weather.png
Fall Foliage.png
Free Thanksgiving Design Cut Files
Thankful.png
Count Blessings.png
Give Thanks.png
Gobble Wobble.png
Want to Create Your Own Cut Files for Free? Click here.
Looking for More Designs and Tips? Checkout the amazing Jennifer Maker’s YouTube channel here.
Let’s Connect!
So glad you’re here!
Hey friend! Molly here. Just think of me as a Tennessee troubadour with a heart as big as Dolly’s hair. Serenading souls, one note at a time. Crafting, gardening, baking, and spreading the good word about Jesus in between. Proud wife, dog mom, foster mom to several, and forever momma to baby Easton in Heaven. Lover of laughter, healthy boundaries, and songs that make you feel something. Read more about my story here.
