Make Art Monday!

First, I thought that Photojojo’s Photo-opoly game would make a great Christmas gift, using photos and landmarks from around your own home town.  But then I started to think about it: wouldn’t you rather have a game that reminds you of a great vacation that you took?

I think the hardest time you’ll have is culling through the photos and picking only the best of the best…what a hardship that will be 

Still haven’t got something for Mother’s Day? Not to worry. I’ve got a frugal and easy gift to make that won’t take very long. In other words, you can STILL give it to your mom for her big day.

A few years ago I was broke. Broker than broke! I had no money for a nice gift, but I decided to let my mom know how much I appreciated her. I wrote out on plain white paper, little thoughts and memories from our lives. In some cases, I wrote quotes I really liked, or things I thought she’d find inspiring. I wrote out 30 of these little notes, then cut them up with scrapbooking scissors so they had a pretty edging to them.

Lastly, I wrapped with a pretty bow (that I recycled from one of my gift boxes) and put the entire thing in a small gift bag. She loved it! And she still has the pieces of paper to this day.

Image: sxc.hu.

Cyndi Safstrom, of Be A Doll, uses polymer clay to create one of a kind dolls. Here’s how it happened:

I create look alike dolls of everyday people from my studio in Vernon Hills, IL. I use polymer clay to sculpt faces for my clients from photos, then integrate the custom head into an 11″ vinyl body. Dressed in the clothing of their choice, clients will receive a “mini me” of themselves or of a loved one.

When I created an action figure of a fellow You Tuber for his birthday in 2007, I didn’t expect it to turn into a new career. I had lost my corporate job earlier in the year; Zipster08 put up a You Tube video showing off his doll, and the orders started coming in.

For the fist year, You Tubers kept me busy making action figures. Surprisingly, most of my business came from men wanting action figures of themselves. In early 2008 I created a website and opened my talents to the rest of the world.

I have now shipped personal dolls/action figures all over the world, mainly as gifts for wives, husbands, parents, siblings, and friends. I love doing something creative for a living and helping people express their love for each other.

UPDATED WITH A WINNER! Lucky #48, Marlene from Queen of the Click is the winner. This giveaway is now closed.

Our friends at Bagettes.com, who make the most amazing custom/personalized photo purses, are sponsoring a giveaway just for Weary Parent readers.

Bagettes uses a unique photo process that seals your favorite photos into its fabric without changing the fabric’s texture or the picture quality. Your personalized image won’t fade, rub, or peel off. It is the perfect gift for parents, grandparents, teachers, bridesmaids, and more.

The key/coin clutch that Bagettes is giving away to a Weary Parent reader measures 5″x3 1/2″ and is perfect for carrying all of your survival essentials - cash, credit cards, lip gloss and breath mints. This tiny giant can even hold an iPod. In mine you will find: Business cards, credit cards, some cash, breath mints, bandaids and some hair ties. Its amazing what you can stash in there - and it is so cute!

Entering to win is EASY! Leave a comment on this post telling me 5 essentials you keep in your purse at any given time.  Leave your comment no later than midnight on Friday, July 4, 2008 and you are entered. If you want a bonus entry, post about the giveaway on your own site, too.

Can’t wait to get your own? Bagettes has even created a coupon code just for Weary Parent readers that is good for 10% off your order until Sept. 30th, 2008.  Just enter mc2d96w at checkout.

PS - they are perfect for fundraisers, too!