You have images of your human family members in your home, so why not your furry family members? What you need are pet portraits!

Chances are you call a pet a member of your family. According to Gallup, 6 in 10 Americans have a pet; and among pet owners, 73% own a dog and 49% own a cat. There’s certainly a lot of rabbits, gerbils, ferrets, parrots, chickens and more that we call family members out there, too.

Pet portraits make for meaningful and thoughtful gifts. According to artist Lindsay Gilmore the majority of her customers purchase a custom portrait as a gift for a friend or loved one.

“Sometimes it’s tempting to think that creating art doesn’t hold a whole lot of meaning in the grand scheme of things,” says Gilmore. “But I often hear that my work captures the spirit of a pet, a person, a memory or a place and usually ends up bringing the recipient to tears. I absolutely love being a part of meaningful gifts that people will treasure for years to come.”

Now’s the time to start putting a plan into action to gift pet portraits to everyone on your holiday gift list–or at least the 60% that have a pet!

13 Personalized Pet Portraits

1. Fabric Pet Portraits

A detailed fabric pet portrait painted using fabric paints, sewn onto natural colored fabric and framed in a wooden embroidery hoop.

2. Pet Pillow Cover

Of course you need pillowcases that feature your pet!

3. Pillow Head

Ever wanted a disembodied pillow plush of your pet? Your wish is granted.

4. Watercolor Portrait

For those with a softer side, a watercolor portrait of your furry friend might be more to your taste.

5. Portrait Tote Bag

Show off your pet, even when she isn’t with you, with this cute tote bag.

6. Personalized Paint by Numbers Pet Portraits

These customized portraits are colorful, a little quirky, and super unique. What a great idea for a gift for a pet lover.

7. Embroidered Pet Earrings

What’s better than hand-embroidered custom pet earrings? Not much. Not much.

8. Cubist Portrait

Love this modern styled cubist portrait.

9. Custom Pet Portrait Illustration

Turn your pet family into cute illustrations!

10. Needle Felted Portrait

This is a made to order needle felted pet portrait. Can be made from a picture you supply of your sweet kitty or pup.

11. Custom Pet Silhouette

Beautiful simplicity and a wonderful way to memorialize your best friend.

12. Pet Portrait Mug

Just what you need when your pet wakes you up at 5 am to be fed.

13. Custom Pet Holiday Ornament

Another great idea for the pet lovers on your holiday list.

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Get started on your handmade holiday gifts with these free embroidery patterns and projects.

The holiday season is once again upon us (unless you pay attention to the Christmas music playing at every retailer, then it’s been Christmas since early September), and that means it’s way past time for you to start making your holiday gifts.

For the crafty among us, we don’t shop at the mall for holiday gifts. Instead, we craft our own handmade gifts. And whether you’ve taken a stab at it before or not, embroidery patterns and projects are perfect for handmade holiday gifts. Hand embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlecraft are an lovely evening pastime while catching with the latest episodes of “Empire” or “Scandal.” Embroidery patterns and projects can also be as complicated or as simple as your skills allow.

Take a look at these embroidery patterns and projects for everything from embroidered holiday tree ornaments to cup cozies to get started on your homemade holiday gift list–and don’t forget yourself too!

Embroidery Patterns and Projects Homemade Holiday Gifts

1. Snowflake Embroidered Hoop Ornaments – Turn embroidery floss, linen or muslin, and glitter into pretty snowflake ornaments with the basic backstitch. Make one of these up for everyone on your list or decorate the tree with them.
2. Easy Embroidered Table Runner – Repurpose a plain table runner into a thing of holiday cheer with this easy project using the backstitch and the French knot.
3. Free Christmas Embroidery Patterns – Choose from Santa, snowmen, the cutest chickadee in a hat ever, and other Christmas-themed patterns that you can embroider on everything from napkins, t-shirts, pillows and more.
4. Embroidered Wreath – Forego the real greenery this year for an embroidered version instead. Use floss, ribbon, and seed beads to make a gorgeous piece for you and your giftees. This one will take more time, so you better get started.
5. Felt and Embroidery Cup Cozies – This project is so super easy that you can make them for everyone on your list. Simply cut cup sleeves out of felt and embroidery with simple designs like a backstitched heart, French knots in a pattern or simple stitched X’s.
6. Hanukkah Coasters – Make a set of Hanukkah coasters for someone (or yourself) from thread and felt. Simple and practical!
7. Embroidered Holiday Gift Tags – To top off all your gifts make these easy embroidered holiday gift tags. Make monogrammed versions or general all-purpose tags decorated with a star, tree, snowman and more. Get creative!

Related on EcoSalon:

CreativeBug Workshop: Learn the Basics of Embroidery

10 Deceptively Simple Ideas for Last Minute Homemade Christmas Cards

9 Homemade Hostess Gifts You Can Make this Holiday Season

Image: ThistleThreadDesign

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Make your own homemade hostess gifts to say “thank you” this holiday season.

Every holiday season you vow to make homemade gifts to gift to friends and family who open up their homes for all those holiday parties, dinners and get-togethers. You realize that because your family and friends hosting these get together means that you don’t have to! And that’s huge. You don’t have to clean your home in preparation, make tons of food, come up with a holiday cocktail to wow guests or clean up a huge mess after everyone leaves. You get to have fun instead. The hosts of all your holiday fun really do deserve a sweet thank you gift for all their trouble, don’t they?

To make your life easier, we have put together a roundup of easy ideas for homemade hostess gifts that you can make ahead of time for the hosts of your holiday parties. They can also double as gifts for all your regular giftees as well. And don’t forget your child’s teachers and coworkers!

9 Homemade Hostess Gifts for the Holiday Season

1. Cranberry Lime Infused Vodka – The perfect holiday hostess gift for those adult holiday parties. Crantinis, anyone?
2. DIY Terrarium Kit – A clever gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Gift to a plant lover.
3. Teacup Candles – Use vintage thrift store teacups for a twist on homemade candle gifts.
4. Homemade Vanilla Extract – It’s actually pretty simple to make your own homemade extract, but it’s also pretty impressive. Don’t forget to gift it in a pretty jar.
5. Natural Branch Coasters – Everyone needs coasters and you need creative ways to use those branches you cut off this fall.
6. Infused Olive Oils – Make and gift your own lemon, garlic, chili and rosemary infused olive oils and make the day of your foodie friends.
7. Pumpkin Spice Bar Soap – Make your own pumpkin spice soap for gifts in under 10 minutes according to this how-to.
8. Photo Magnets – Use photos of family and friends to make meaningful photo magnets.
9. Homemade Heating Packs – Fill these homemade heating pads with lavender for a thoughtful and great-smelling gift. They can be used to warm sheets on a cold night.

Related on EcoSalon

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Top Image: myofficeaz.com

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