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Christmas!or any other December(ish)time gift giving celebration!

31K views 649 replies 61 participants last post by  IntuitiveJamie 
#1 ·
This thread over here really got me excited!But since I don't have a big bunch of tuts,patterns or "how tos" to share I thought I'd start a thread over here.

So...Have you started?Are you planning?

I started on one thing and have a few plans.I'm going to make teacup candles for the ladies in my family.Thankfully there is a Good Will by my house that usually has lots of teacups.

As always I'm short on ideas for the fellas.


So what are you all up to or planning?
 
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#379 ·
That is very cute!
So cool everyone makes so much stuff. I sincerely hope it is appreciated. I have had a couple of experiences where they were not as appreciated as I hoped, but I continue to make gifts. One, because I love to. And two b/c it is out of necessity. I also use stuff I have accumulated (not always, but def. this year I am). Being able to make many things for very little money is so awesome. I love upcycling and reusing too, so it makes me happy all around.
Onto some more things this weekend. I would love to see more FO's. I'll prob. post mine all in one shot. But I don't make as much as you do
 
#380 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by takebirthback View Post
So cool everyone makes so much stuff. I sincerely hope it is appreciated. I have had a couple of experiences where they were not as appreciated as I hoped, but I continue to make gifts. One, because I love to. And two b/c it is out of necessity. I also use stuff I have accumulated (not always, but def. this year I am). Being able to make many things for very little money is so awesome. I love upcycling and reusing too, so it makes me happy all around.
Onto some more things this weekend. I would love to see more FO's. I'll prob. post mine all in one shot. But I don't make as much as you do

I have definitely had some bad experiences.One year I gave an aunt some napkin ring holders with some cloth napkins.She looked so horrified when she opened the present that there was this awkward silence in the whole room.She was a pretty yucky person all the way around though.

I always second guess myself but I keep going.I try my best to make thoughtful gifts and that's what it's about right?Being thoughtful.Plus I couldn't afford to buy all the gifts that I make.

I'd love to see more FOs too!
 
#381 ·
My first christmas of crafting didn't go over so well. I made all the women in our family gift baskets with handmade soaps, a really cute felt pin and screen printed postcards with lovely art deco prints. I even packaged the soaps in beautiful ribbon & fabrics. Most of the women were grateful but I could tell they just weren't into it. When I handed out the baskets, they would say thanks & wouldn't even bother to look in them. When I gave my sister her basket, she asked if my DD made them
 
#382 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
My first christmas of crafting didn't go over so well. I made all the women in our family gift baskets with handmade soaps, a really cute felt pin and screen printed postcards with lovely art deco prints. I even packaged the soaps in beautiful ribbon & fabrics. Most of the women were grateful but I could tell they just weren't into it. When I handed out the baskets, they would say thanks & wouldn't even bother to look in them. When I gave my sister her basket, she asked if my DD made them

What is that about?I've been thinking about the subject a lot this morning.I guess I'm just dense because I can't figure out that reaction.I mean would it have been different if you went to a store and bought premade gift baskets?How is money better than time effort and thought?

I guess I'm also a bit dense because it never occurred to me to think about the presents I make as having monetary value.And it never occurred to me until this year that handmade = cheepskate and that's why some people don't appreciate the handmade.Uhg,my brain is spinning.I need to go make something.
 
#383 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by rere View Post
I have definitely had some bad experiences.One year I gave an aunt some napkin ring holders with some cloth napkins.She looked so horrified when she opened the present that there was this awkward silence in the whole room.She was a pretty yucky person all the way around though.


I would have cried! Seriously!
 
#384 ·
Well shoot! I didn't mean to bring this thread down!! I'm so sorry. No more thinking about unappreciative people. We know the joy and meaning behind our homemade gifts. We know the love we put into them. And actually for me, after the first time I had a downer reception to my gifts, every year after things started to get better. I guess people expect if from me now? I dunno. But I haven't had a bad reaction in a long time.

Poo poo on me for talking such nonsense! Go craft something wonderful, come show us pictures here so we can ooh and ahh. Enjoy yourselves!!

Here are some of my FO's to get us back in the mood!!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3397.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3395.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3393.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3388.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3399.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3398.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3392.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3391.jpg

There, that's all I got for now. Making more things soon.
 
#385 ·
I too, am feeling like it's a waste to spend a lot of time and money making stuff for extended family. So, we're working hard on things for our kids, helping the kids to make special things for their grand and great grandparents, and am just making loaves of Christmas bread to send home with everyone who comes for our Christmas Eve feast (aunt, uncle, many various teen cousins). Although, if I get the chance, I may be able to make some pretty toys, too.

But the big news is, someone just gave us a scroll saw for free! With only scraps in the garage I've been working for a week on amazing things for DS1: wooden animals (sheep, stag, and fox; holtzinger style) and wooden fish and a fishing pole, now I just need a magnet I can tie on a string and there's a fishing game, and the lime and oxides for my milk paints and shellac wax stuff to seal them.

I want to find some cherry or maple wood to make wooden teethers for DS2 like http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/...ngle%20Teether or http://www.rosiehippo.com/p-1774-bird-teether-new.aspx

DH is building a train/play table, with drawers. It's really awesome and is going together quickly since our shop in a garage is well equipped now.

I sewed an elf doll for DS2 and when I get the chance while he sleeps, I'll sew a pig doll for DS1 (copied from his customized pet on an online facebook game).

We made ornaments of DS2's handprint in lightweight air dry clay yesterday and today, next we need silver paint and nice red ribbon and they'll be ornaments for grandparents.

We bought watercolor paper, I'll have DS1 make some nice artwork to send all the grandparents. That's about 7 households...my mom, my dad, dh's mom, dh's dad, my grandma, his grandma, his grandpa
 
#386 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
I would have cried! Seriously!
At the time(and for quite awhile)I felt really stupid.Not because it was a bad present but because I spent my time and energy making something for a miserable person.For me I feel a bit vulnerable giving someone something I made and I felt like I should have known better than to trust her with any of my feelings.I do think that was the last present I ever gave her and it was towards the end of our relationship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by takebirthback View Post
Well shoot! I didn't mean to bring this thread down!! I'm so sorry. No more thinking about unappreciative people. We know the joy and meaning behind our homemade gifts. We know the love we put into them. And actually for me, after the first time I had a downer reception to my gifts, every year after things started to get better. I guess people expect if from me now? I dunno. But I haven't had a bad reaction in a long time.

Poo poo on me for talking such nonsense! Go craft something wonderful, come show us pictures here so we can ooh and ahh. Enjoy yourselves!!

Here are some of my FO's to get us back in the mood!!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3397.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3395.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3393.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3388.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3399.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3398.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3392.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_3391.jpg

There, that's all I got for now. Making more things soon.
Nice pics!

You really didn't bring me down.Just thinking.Actually I was inspired to price the items I made.I looked on Etsy for similar items.It was sort of empowering.I would have spent $800 if I had bought all of what I made(and I priced things low).

Anyway here are some fabric balls to go in the fabric bucket and a silly monster shirt(although I think he might need some fangs).
 
#388 ·
Here is a couple FO.

My MIL crochet hook clutch. I have to redo the button

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7129.jpg
And the altered crochet hooks were done by an MDC mama. We swapped our crafty goodness

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7130.jpg
I have to admit that if I were to make another clutch, I would pick a smaller button. For some reason the button hole ended up being giant but I still love the look.

For my MIL from the littles. Not handmade by me but still handmade. I could have easily done this myself but got a steal (only $4!) & would have spent more money on the frame alone. I just wanted to share just in case you all are looking for some easy gifts for the grandparents
http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7132.jpg

Im in the middle of a few gifts but will post more FO pictures as soon as they are done
 
#389 ·
Rere, what a good idea to price your stuff on Etsy to see what you would have spent to buy the stuff! I want to do that, too. (Uh...if I ever get a crafting break!)

I got "hired" by an internet friend to make a few gifts, which I'm really excited about. I had most of the materials I needed for a lot of gifts, but I had to buy some stuff, particularly for the kids' wooden play kitchen. So we spent about $70 all together for all materials for everything. My friend paid me $60. (Actually, $45 plus a $15 gift and shipping for something I would have bought my daughter for Xmas.) So does this mean I spent $10 on all my xmas supplies?


Last night I made two felt poptarts and four fried eggs. Today I cut out and sewed on felt lettering for the four mailbags I'm making. Tomorrow I'm going to sew up the bags, and Sunday I'll make the felt mail envelopes to go with them, and then on Monday I'll make a dolly.

I have to re-do the bassinet I made for my DD.
I tried to cheap out and use regular batting that I already had, instead of the high-loft batting the tutorial called for. It's so floppy it won't stand up at all, and looks terrible. On the plus side, it was super, super easy to make, I did it in just a few hours and I think the next one will go together even quicker.
 
#390 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
Nice FO everyone!

rere, how do you make your bucket & balls. I may do this for the new bean in our family instead of the changing pad & stuff. After talking to my sis over turkey day, she may not like the diapering idea

I started by tracing a plate to make the bottom.
I cut out 2 circles of fabric and one circle of batting.Sewed the batting to one of the circles.

Then I cut out 2 fabric rectangles that were 8"(the height I liked)by 26"(the circumference of my plate)and a batting rectangle of the same size.Sewed the batting to one of the rectangles.

Sewed the two rectangles into tubes.

Pinned each tube to each circle bottom.Sewed the circle bottoms to the tube sides.

Then I put the inside layer and the outside layer together right sides facing each other.The handles end up sandwhiched between the layers.Sewed them together along the top edge leaving a gap.

Pulled the layers out through the gap.Shoved it all together the right way.Ironed the top edge.Then top stitched all the way around the edge closing the hole.

For the balls I used a template that I found on line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
Here is a couple FO.

My MIL crochet hook clutch. I have to redo the button

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7129.jpg
And the altered crochet hooks were done by an MDC mama. We swapped our crafty goodness

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7130.jpg
I have to admit that if I were to make another clutch, I would pick a smaller button. For some reason the button hole ended up being giant but I still love the look.

For my MIL from the littles. Not handmade by me but still handmade. I could have easily done this myself but got a steal (only $4!) & would have spent more money on the frame alone. I just wanted to share just in case you all are looking for some easy gifts for the grandparents
http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7132.jpg

Im in the middle of a few gifts but will post more FO pictures as soon as they are done

Love the clutch fabric!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenelopeJune View Post
Rere, what a good idea to price your stuff on Etsy to see what you would have spent to buy the stuff! I want to do that, too. (Uh...if I ever get a crafting break!)

I got "hired" by an internet friend to make a few gifts, which I'm really excited about. I had most of the materials I needed for a lot of gifts, but I had to buy some stuff, particularly for the kids' wooden play kitchen. So we spent about $70 all together for all materials for everything. My friend paid me $60. (Actually, $45 plus a $15 gift and shipping for something I would have bought my daughter for Xmas.) So does this mean I spent $10 on all my xmas supplies?


Last night I made two felt poptarts and four fried eggs. Today I cut out and sewed on felt lettering for the four mailbags I'm making. Tomorrow I'm going to sew up the bags, and Sunday I'll make the felt mail envelopes to go with them, and then on Monday I'll make a dolly.

I have to re-do the bassinet I made for my DD.
I tried to cheap out and use regular batting that I already had, instead of the high-loft batting the tutorial called for. It's so floppy it won't stand up at all, and looks terrible. On the plus side, it was super, super easy to make, I did it in just a few hours and I think the next one will go together even quicker.
Wow!You're busy.It all sounds great!


I spent some time working on a calendar for my mom this afternoon.I'm about half way done.I need a break but I think I'll try to get back to it later tonight.

Tomorrow I'm going to my sister's house to start on my husband's present and help her figure out some presents to make.
 
#391 ·
Those are really great. I love the crochet hook clutch. I saw that tutorial and wanted to make it, but I did not have any cute leftover fabric. In fact, my supply is low and I don't have any cute stuff leftover really. But back during Mothers day I made my mil one from fleece. Here it is as another idea of anyone.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_2744.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...t/IMG_2746.jpg
I obviously did not do a wonderful job keeping my lines straight, but I always tell people my crafts are "Perfectly imperfect" and thats the way I like them!


I also like the monster Tshirt..I dont think it needs fangs, I think it looks cute!
I'm going to see if I can find this idea I want y'all to see for using embroidery frames and white fabric to make designs on a wall. .it's out of Southern living this month. So cute..off to find it.
 
#393 ·
Wow! Everyones stuff looks great!!! Just what I needed to push on!

I just finished the main part of the hat for dh's cousin's ds.(mouthfull) now I have to think if I want a brim...this is the pattern http://shadkittypatterns.blogspot.co...buggerloo.html

It looks an awful lot like a beret w/out the brim..and it's orange..is that ok for a boy? My son wears orange all the time

I've realyl got to work on dd's doll! That's what I'm doing as soon as I sign off!
 
#394 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by caiesmommy View Post
Wow! Everyones stuff looks great!!! Just what I needed to push on!

I just finished the main part of the hat for dh's cousin's ds.(mouthfull) now I have to think if I want a brim...this is the pattern http://shadkittypatterns.blogspot.co...buggerloo.html

It looks an awful lot like a beret w/out the brim..and it's orange..is that ok for a boy? My son wears orange all the time

I've realyl got to work on dd's doll! That's what I'm doing as soon as I sign off!
Cute!I think orange is good for boys although I particularly like orange.But all the small fellas that I know wear orange.

I started back on the calendar but uhg.I'm burnt out on it.I did get a bunch more of it done than I thought I would so that's good!

Now I'm waiting for my husband to go to work so I can gather up the supplies to bring to my sister's house tomorrow.
 
#397 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
Finished my MIL's coasters! Made with my felted sweater stash.
http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=IMG_7134.jpg
DH and I also finished our calendars (4 of them!
) We ended up going with snap fish. Not the cheapest but pretty easy & all their calendars are 30% off right now.
I like them!They look like slices of tree trunk.


Uhg!Last night I thought more than once that I should have gone with a printed calendar(what I've done in the past).I wanted the calendar to be really colorful so I decided that each letter and number should be on it's own little square of paper.What was I thinking???

Quote:

Originally Posted by beansricerevolt View Post
Thanks a bunch for the help with the bucket & balls! I am very excited to make these.

 
#398 ·
i started sweat shop style crafting yesterday. 8 pairs of baby/toddler wool slippers dwn. just need to make anther pair for my ds2. they are like these..

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php...age=5&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

but flannel lined. I needle felted on a few of them.

3 of the pairs are for my cousins girls who have hardwood floors. I do need something more exciting to give with them though. I was thinking doll clothes for thier babys. My mom gave me a bunch of cute panels that I could use with relatively little thinking.

1 pair is for my neice- but I am not too sure- my sister is pretty picky about clothes and whatnot for her DD- but she did say she liked my babys wool shoes.

1 pair to swap
1 pair for a new baby in town
and the rest for my kids- who loved them so much they had to wear them to bed.

I used felted sweaters from goodwill and scraps of flannel and an old leather coat I bought at the thrift store. I have loads of sweater felt left and didn't come close to using the whole coat- but overestimating in cost would be around $14 in supplies for 8 pairs.

OH- and I have DH's birthday sweater over half done! I am knitting on the sleeves now- the rest is put together. But sleeves 2 at a time take for ever.
 
#399 ·
I was doing good on the doll's hair last night then my needle broke yet again! That's THREE needles!
So I decided to just cut and knot all the hair so when I get a new needle I can just go at it.

I have FINALLY decided what to make my M-I-L! Sew Mama Sew had a link for cute drawer smelly things so it got me thinking I could make her some for her closet/drawers and a rice bag all using the same fabric and this yummy lavender I got from an organic lavender farm this summer And since I have tons of fabric I won't have to go to the store
I'm going to go through my fabric stash and wash something up today
 
#401 ·
Okay everyone. You totally rock!!

First CM- I love orange for boys and that hat is too cute!

BSR-LOVE the coasters!!! Those are really awesome.

IO- Is that your Etsy shop, or were you just inspired by those booties? Either way they are really awesome and now I'm wanting to make some. Please, please post your FO when they are done.

I've decided to try to crochet myself some very basic slippers. If all goes well, and they do up as quick as I hope, I might make several as gifts. All with leftover yarn. I've had a sucky time getting things correct with crocheting lately, so we'll see. I have a very difficult time reading patterns. It gets all jumbled in my head. I hate it. But I keep trying. This past summer, I totall screwed up one purse I was trying to make and one beach bag. I was so bummed, I put it all down for awhile. But the slippers are here and they look very simple:
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/slippers1.html
I mean seriously, how can I screw that up, right? RIGHT??!! LOL
I know they are not the cutest things on the earth, but I gotta start somewhere. I really need to take some crochet classes to get better.

So another question for my fellow crafters. Do you ever make something for yourself? I rarely do. Almost never. Well, that's not true, I have made many things for my house, so I guess those are for me. But I usually don't make anything specific for me, kwim? Like slippers. I think it will be nice to use a project I make for myself.
 
#403 ·
I do some crafting for myself but not often. Most of the stuff I make for myself are things for the house too like cloth napkins, wash cloths, medicinal things like tinctures & tea. The last thing I made that was purely for pleasure was a pair of shorts. They are very yummy and I still wear them in the cold only with black tights underneath them. They are simple dark gray stretchy cotton shorts that I re-purposed
Nothing special.

I finished DD's wrist warmers.
http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...urrent=arm.jpg

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/b...rrent=arm2.jpg
 
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