FATHER'S DAY GIFTS FOR THE WISCONSIN DAD

Father's Day is just a little over one week away, so if you haven't planned or bought some special surprise for your hubby, you should probably get to it! I am a big fan of planning special surprises for special days, but let's be honest - planning special surprises takes time and that is one thing a few of us run short on. So, here are a few ideas for the Wisconsin Dad - some that take time and planning and some that just require pulling out the credit card and clicking 'submit order'.

LINKS:

ONE: Father's Day Instagram Surprise

TWO: Plan a trip for just the two of you, which is probably my favorite gift to give or receive. IDEAS for places you can drive to from Wisconsin: Nashville, Door County, Chicago, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Dells, etc.

THREE: Louie's Finer Meats Hunter's Sausage. This has become a Father's Day tradition in our home. Logan's family owned a cabin in Cumberland, WI and his whole family is semi-obsessed with this stuff. I got Logan 8lbs of this stuff one year!

FOUR: Wisconsin Bottle Opener

FIVE: Image 3D Reels & Viewer - I think this is such a fun idea!
This little video gives you an idea of how it works:



SIX: Vintage Wisconsin Baseball T - From a great little screen printing shop in Spring Green, Wisconsin! Use code DADSDAY for free shipping until Father's Day.

SEVEN: Tree Hun Wooden Watches - This just miiiight be what I got Logan this year for Father's Day. Ok, yes I did and I already gave it to him b/c I was so excited. If you know Logan, this watch is very him. :)

EIGHT: National Parks Sticker Map

NINE: Stuffed Burger Maker - Logan's parents bought him one for his birthday and we LOVE it. Logan's favorite is a cheddar cheese and jalapeno stuffed burger, while mine is a basil, tomato, and fresh mozzarella stuffed burger!

TEN: Make him a simple video in iMovie. Here is the video I made for Logan on Father's Day two years ago. I wish I had the time to make him one every year. Since we went from one kid to two, these types of surprises have become a little less possible. That might explain why Ellis has a two volume baby book and I have only made milestone notes in my iPhone so I remember them when I actually get around to making him a baby book. Fingers crossed it actually happens. :/

2014 KIDS HOLIDAY GIFT BUYING GUIDE: ROUND TWO + A GIVEAWAY

Just in case you need a few more gift ideas for the little people in your life...

PLUS a fun giveaway from Educational Insights!

TWO lucky winners will a Magic Moves Electronic Wand! Enter below to win!

#1. JILLEE BEAN AND THE ONE GOOD THING CHILDREN'S BOOK: $13.00
An endearing story of a Dad that teaches his daughter all about serving others by doing one “good thing” at a time. A great message with beautiful pictures illustrated by a third generation Disney artist, this book would be a great addition to your child's library. Watch the book trailer HERE.  

#2. MAGIC MOVES ELECTRONIC WAND: $21.99
Living in Wisconsin, winters can be long... and hard... and boring... and filled with inside 'fun' for our kids, which can translate to a lot of screen time. Ugg. I love this toy bc it promotes active play indoors! It is one of Educational Insights best selling toys with fantastic reviews! Any toy that gets my kid up and moving is a win in my book! (WIN ONE OF TWO of these great toys - enter to win below!)

#3. MAGNA-TILES: $50-$120
These things are awesome. Even Logan and I can play with them for hours. We belong to the Children's Museum here in Madison and that is where we first saw them. They have a few sets in the arts and crafts area and Ellis will sit and build with them for a the majority of the time we are there. They are not exactly cheap, but they are worth the splurge!

#4. TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN WISCONSIN CHILDREN'S BOOK: $9.36
I learned about this book from my co-worker. She is pretty much the ultimate gift-giver, so I get a lot of ideas from her. This is her go-to children's book for the holidays. I bought it for Ellis and we have read it several times in the past few weeks. It sums up winter in Wisconsin perfectly!

#5. MR. (AND MRS.) FOOD FACE PLATES: $12
These ceramic plates, inspired by the famous Wooly Willy Toy, are such a fun gift! I got them for my niece and nephew a few years ago and they love them! They do encourage kids to play with their food, but I am ok with that! Half the time toddlers don't eat anyways, so they might have fun while you make them sit there. ;)

#6. FAMILY CHARADES GAME: $26
Living in a digital age, I sometimes feel like we forget how nice it is to play a good old fashioned game of charades. I loved charades when I was growing up. This game has separate decks that cater to all different age groups.

#7. BUGNOCULARS: $9.99
I loved catching bugs as a kid. Fireflies were my specialty. I love these bugnoculars b/c not only can you catch the bugs in it, but you can view them through the two magnifying glasses in the top! Ellis had something similar to this last summer, but it was from the dollar section at Target and lasted a whole two days. In those two days, I drew a bunch of bugs on cardstock, cut them out to make pretend bugs, and hid them around the house. She would search for them and put them in her 'bug house.' She loved it and would do it over and over. It was a great way to keep her entertained!

#8. DISCOVERY KIDS FORT: $19.99
What kid doesn't love a fort? We don't have a huge house, so it is nice that the fort can be put up, but easily taken down for storage. Plus, the kids can put it together several different ways!

#9. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BLOCK SET: $100
I am in love with these blocks! First off they are wooden, which I love and second they are great for toddles when they just want to build and then serve as a learning toy as they get older. Each block features information such as the state capital, motto, flower, bird, and tree. They are handcrafted in Michigan and made of Basswood grown in the Great Lakes area!

#10. JULIA, CHILD CHILDREN'S BOOK: $12.30
This story is about two girls, Julia and Simca. They are two young friends who agree that you can never use too much butter -- and that it is best to be a child forever. Sharing a love of cooking and having no wish to turn into big, busy people who worry too much and dawdle too little, they decide to create a feast for growing and staying young. A playful, scrumptious celebration of the joy of eating, the importance of never completely growing up, and mastering the art of having a good time, Julia, Child is a fictional tale loosely inspired by the life and spirit of the very real Julia Child -- a story that should be taken with a grain of salt and a generous pat of butter.

#11. ROWDY HORSE: $49.95
This thing is so darn fun! It has nearly 700 reviews on Amazon with 4.5 star rating. Our friends have one for their two boys and every time we go over to their house, Ellis loves hoping on it. She falls over half the time and it is hilarious! It is just a funny looking thing and I love it!

Enter to win one of TWO Magic Moves Electronic Wands from Educational Insights.

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DIY: STATE TO STATE PILLOW

I am SO excited to share this DIY with all of you! As you know, Jodie and I just got back from celebrating Kate's 30th birthday in Ohio. It is kind of a tradition of ours to make each other our gifts. Everyone knows that the best presents are not bought, but made!

Jodie found a pillow similar to this one on Etsy, but for almost $70!!! My first thought when she showed it to me was "Oh My! That is perfect!" My second thought was "I can totally make that!" I seam to have thought #2 quite often. I secretly think I can make anything. ;)

So that is what we did! We made it! Here is the complete tutorial with way too many pictures.

Step #1 - Download & print this FREE map image. It is sized to fit an 11x17" piece of paper,
but can be downsized and printed on an 8.5x11" to fit a smaller pillow as well.
DOWNLOAD HERE 

I used a Lands' End 14x22 pillow insert, but you can use whatever size you have/want.
It explains on the pattern how to adjust the size of your pattern to fit your insert size.

These are the fabric markers I used.

Step #2 - Using a pencil, draw your cut lines onto your fabric. (See measurements below)

Step #3 - Cut out your panels.

Step #4 - Iron the inside edges of the back panels. (see below)
Flip over once (about 1/4") and iron. Flip over again and iron so that no raw edges are showing

Step #5 - Sew the edges you just ironed. (Sorry, I forgot to snap a pic of me actually showing this) You could either zip zag stitch the edges or double stitch them like I did. (See Image in step 11 for a close up.)

Step #6 - Set up for tracing your image onto your front panel.
Place something soft down on the table first.
(I used a piece of felt doubled up, but you could also use a tablecloth or towel folded a few times.)
Then place your front panel fabric down and then your map image printed on thin paper over that.
Pin all pieces together at the top corners to prevent slipping.
(Look at the picture above to see how I pinned the top corners with straight pins.)

Step #7 - With a ballpoint pen, begin to trace over the map. Make holes in the paper (slightly ripping through) to transfer some of the ink onto the fabric. Keep flipping up the paper as you go to trace the image with the fabric pen onto the front panel of your pillow. This step will take you a little time. 

Step #8 - Cut two small hearts out of your red felt.

Step #9 - Using your pink embroidery thread, sew the two hearts and the path onto your pillow.
(make sure they are on the correct states!! lol)

Step #10 - Get your pillow ready to be sewn. Lay your front panel down on the table.  Place the two back panel over the top panel so the raw edges are facing up and the panels are overlapping.

Step #11 - Pin and Sew your Pillow.  Double stitch all around the edge of your pillow. (See below for a close-up.)

Step #12 - Turn your pillowcase inside out and stuff your pillow insert inside! DONE!
You have yourself a 'State to State" Pillow to mail off to your favorite long distance friend! :)