Gift – Francois et Moi

How to Tie the Perfect Ribbon Gift Bow (Video!)

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:08:41 +0000

In case you guys are wrapping up gifts this week, I wanted to share this fancy, but deceptively easy bow trick I picked up as a 16-year-old while working at a candy shop making gift baskets around the Holidays. (My second job ever!) I still remember the day I learned this. It was such an a-ha! moment, and I thought to myself ‘OHHHH so that’s how they do it! Weird thoughts for a teenager? Probably. What can I say though except: different strokes. While step-by-step photos do get the point across, I think it’s always easier to see a video of someone actually making it happen. So here’s a little hyperlapse video of how to create the bow. I’m hoping to start creating more quick and easy videos like these, so if you like the video, please hop over to YouTube and subscribe to My Channel. Materials: Wired Ribbon Scissors A Gift 1. Cut a long piece of ribbon and place the midpoint on the top of your gift. The length of this piece will greatly depend on the size of your gift. Wrap the ribbon around the gift and hook the two ends around one another until they […]

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A Handmade Apron for the Cook on Your List

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:27:14 +0000

A special someone on my gift list asked for an apron this year, and I was more than happy to oblige! My mom introduced me to a fitted and feminine apron pattern by Amy Butler a few years ago, and it’s been my go-to pattern ever since because the finished apron is quite professional looking (if I do say so!). It calls for top stitching on some of the seams (which you can totally skip), but I think those kinds of little details add that je ne sais quoi to handmade gifts. The pattern is Amy Butler’s Domestic Goddess Apron Pattern. And I’d consider it an intermediate pattern in terms of difficulty because of the darts and top stitching, but if I can do it, you can do it. For the non-experienced sewer (like me), it just takes reading the steps slowly (and a few times)! It’s totally worth the DIY though. The fabrics shown here are 100% cotton Riley Blake, “Delighted” in Cream and Green, available through Lee Lollipop Couture.

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{Handmade} Mermaid Tear Pendants

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:27:52 +0000

We brought home a handful of pretty mermaid tears (sea glass pieces) that we collected this spring on the beach in Positano, and since we’ve gotten home, I’ve been looking for the right project to put them to good use (other than looking pretty in a jar on our end table). So I decided to pick a few of my favorites and turn them into mini sea glass pendants. I didn’t want to have to drill into the pebbles since they’re so small, so I used wire and strong adhesive instead, and I love how they turned out! Materials List: sea glass pebble(s) 26 gauge brass wire gold toggle clasp & ring or gold lobster clasp gold jump rings 18″ gold chain clear drying glue 18 kt gold leafing pen wire cutter pliers Step 1. Cut a 10″ piece of wire and wrap around sea glass either creating an “x” with the wire, or wrapping the wire parallel. Step 2. Tightly twist wires around each other at the back of the sea glass. Step 3. Create a loop with the right side wire and tuck underneath the horizontal wire wrapping the gem. Tightly twist wire tail that created the loop with the other […]

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Handmade Gift Round-up

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 13:41:40 +0000

You may have noticed that I made an extra effort to make a lot of gifts, rather than buy them, this year. ‘Why,’ might you ask? Simply put; I just really enjoy the process. Everything from the ideation to the construction, I love the design challenges and the satisfaction of having something tangible to show for my time. It makes it all the more rewarding too, knowing that the recipient can actually use or enjoy the end result–and I made it! Knowing that I wanted to make gifts this year, I came up with a strategy, a schedule of sorts, mid-way through October as to when and how I could make them, so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed and overloaded with my hands thrown up in the air at the eleventh hour. I did my best to stick to the schedule, and it helped me keep my eye on the prize throughout the fall. In case you missed a post, or are just finding Francois et Moi, below is a collection of the gifts I made this year… From left to right, top to bottom: a. Indigo Tea Towels, b. Lavender Sachets, c. Salted Bourbon Caramels, d. Vanilla Extract, e. Paperwhite […]

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Paperwhite Bulb Kit

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 14:11:41 +0000

Last week, right after we turned the corner from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I stopped in to Trader Joe’s for my weekly grocery stop and was delighted by their newly staged Holiday floral section that greeted me as I walked in. Nestled amongst the fresh red berry branches and coniferous wreaths, were mini Paperwhite Bulb Kits that immediately caught my attention. The kits included everything needed to start a paperwhite plant and were enclosed in a pretty, mini metallic gold pot, so I thought I’d stock up on a few for quick hostess gifts this season. I always think flowers are a good idea when it comes to hostess gifts, as they are truly the gift that keeps right on giving. Below was my strategy for getting the bulb kits gift-ready. Materials List: Trader Joe’s Bulb Kit Rifle Paper Co Holiday Greens Wrapping Paper from Paper Source Gold Pen Scissors Black and White Baker’s Twine 6.5″ – 7″ Diameter Bowl T-square Ruler Step 1. Place bowl upside down on the wrong side of the wrapping paper, and trace around the bowl. Step 2. Cut circle out with scissors. Step 3. Place the gold pot upside down on the center of the circle […]

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Wrap Session

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:08:17 +0000

I have to say, I’ve never gotten into the Black Friday craze. Waking up at 4 am to brave the massive, cut-throat crowds for Holiday deals doesn’t quite top my list for how to spend a long weekend. Though I don’t partake in Black Friday, I do find great pleasure in finding clever and thoughtful gifts for those on my list, as well as finding festive ways to wrap them all up. Below are some creative gift wrap ideas I look forward to trying out this year. Enjoy the long weekend, everyone! Woodland Wreath Wrapping via Odessamay Society DIY Paper Feathers via Lia Griffith Tassles in lieu of Bows via MaeMae Paperie Winter White Monochromatic Wrapping via Chairo-Latte Lumberjack Plaid Wrapping Paper via Norman’s Printery Newspaper with Monogram Tags via Allora Handmade

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Indigo Tea Towels

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:23:55 +0000

When the Holiday party season takes full swing, I’m typically scrambling for thoughtful hostess gifts -something a little more creative than a bottle of wine. In all seriousness, a nice red tied with a bow is usually what I end up with, as it’s just so easy. This year though, I’m trying to think ahead. Since fun tea towels are something we don’t often buy for ourselves (but are so nice to have around), I’m thinking these little numbers might just do the trick! Materials: Indigo Dye Kit (Indigo Dye, Reducing Agent, Rubber Gloves, Rubber Bands, Wood Blocks) Flour Sack Cotton Tea Towels 5 Gallon Bucket Plastic Tarp or something to protect the ground below A Stir Stick long enough to reach the bottom of the bucket. I used a wood paint stick. It was just long enough, but I’d recommend a longer one if you have one. A String and Clothespins to hang your drying tea towels. Step 1: Setup your work area. Lay the plastic tarp down and string your clothesline. It’s best to do this outside. I set everything up on our apartment balcony. Step 2: Mix up your dye vat according to the kit instructions and let […]

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