Handmade Holidays 2011!!! - Page 4

[OkiMom]

For the guys check out Marthastewart.com I the Christmas gift section there are a few ideas.

Rere- I thought about doing seeds inside but I'm worried they will die in the move (Florida to north Carolina so a 15 hour drive with three kids, a dog, and a cat. Maybe I will try anyway, wouldnt be the first time I killed a plant.. I'm still learning the fine art of gardening.

[rere]

Originally Posted by OkiMom 

For the guys check out Marthastewart.com I the Christmas gift section there are a few ideas.

Rere- I thought about doing seeds inside but I'm worried they will die in the move (Florida to north Carolina so a 15 hour drive with three kids, a dog, and a cat. Maybe I will try anyway, wouldnt be the first time I killed a plant.. I'm still learning the fine art of gardening.
 

Maybe you could do some herbs.That way you could use them before you move and then all your daughter's gardening efforts wouldn't die in the move.You could even do something like lavender for drying out and bringing to the new house.
 

[joyfulheart]

Originally Posted by Softmama 

can you post pics of decorated jars?  I made jellies as gifts last year but was stumped on the decorating part and mine didn't look so good :(

I am not techincally advanced enough to post pics...but I will tell you what I do.  I make a circle of fabric cut with pinking shears.  I place it over the jar and place a rubber band around.  Then I add yarn, jute, or hemp string depending on what looks good.  I cut pieces of funky paper and write the contents and date on them, hole punch them, and place the yarn through.  I bet you've seem jars done this way??
 

[Softmama]

Originally Posted by joyfulheart 

I am not techincally advanced enough to post pics...but I will tell you what I do.  I make a circle of fabric cut with pinking shears.  I place it over the jar and place a rubber band around.  Then I add yarn, jute, or hemp string depending on what looks good.  I cut pieces of funky paper and write the contents and date on them, hole punch them, and place the yarn through.  I bet you've seem jars done this way??
 

yup.  I think I might google and see If I can find images. I am best with visuals, lol.  I can copy just anything, but have a hard time coming up with my own stuff.

[cocoanib]

[cocoanib]

Originally Posted by Softmama 

can you post pics of decorated jars?  I made jellies as gifts last year but was stumped on the decorating part and mine didn't look so good :(

Originally Posted by joyfulheart 

I am not techincally advanced enough to post pics...but I will tell you what I do.  I make a circle of fabric cut with pinking shears.  I place it over the jar and place a rubber band around.  Then I add yarn, jute, or hemp string depending on what looks good.  I cut pieces of funky paper and write the contents and date on them, hole punch them, and place the yarn through.  I bet you've seem jars done this way??
 

I did my jars like this one year.

http://andeverything-in-between.blogspot.com/2009/12/granola-great-holiday-gift.html

[cocoanib]

i kep trying to post a pic, but for some reason its not working :(

[Softmama]

Originally Posted by cocoanib 

I did my jars like this one year.

http://andeverything-in-between.blogspot.com/2009/12/granola-great-holiday-gift.html

those look great!  I am going to try and work on my "presentation" more this time around.

[Kim Allen]

So what would you ladies suggest for a......

4yr old DS:

2yr old DS:

8month(will be 8 months by Christmas) old DD:

?

I want to make DD a topsy turvy doll. I also want to make the boys something meaningful.

I am thinking for DS's I can make a pirate kit (treasure box,hat,sword,eye patch,etc. )

Then I thought I could make some more kits after that. Wood working is not a problem here as my dad is a wood carver and woodworker. He has a shop with everything I could think of and can make just about anything as long as he has a picture to go from. I believe he is making DD a baby cradle.( His intentions was to make one for her to use but he didn't get it finished in time so I told him I wanted it anyways because she can use it for baby dolls when she is older.

Any ideas? I would like to start now since we have three kiddos and my dad likes to procrastinate lol.

[triana1326]

Can you explain what I Spy bags are? It sounds interesting!

Originally Posted by curiouscanadian 

I need to start focusing on gifts as well, so here's my list to start:

DH -

DS (3yo) -

Dad -

Step-mom -

Mom -
Step-dad -

Brother - Scarf (started)

Nephew R (5yo) - I spy bag

Nephew A (2yo) - I spy bag

Nephew P (2yo) - I spy bag

Cousin M & wife 1 -

Friend H & husband -

Why does it always seem like a ton more than just those?!!!

For the IL's I won't know until October/November as traditionally we draw names.

We may also be drawing names with my Mom/Step-dad for that whole side of the family (which would also include my Step-sis, BIL, Step-bro and brother in that case)

I learned to knit last winter though so that opens up a whole new range of handmade things I can make!

[triana1326]

Homemade caramel popcorn is a huge hit in my house, and my friends houses too...

Originally Posted by rere 

Anyone have any food gift ideas that they really like?

[curiouscanadian]

I Spy Bags are fabric (usually fleece) bean bags with see-through windows. Each bag is filled with plastic pellets or rice with trinkets hidden among them and then sewn shut. The "game" is for children to search for each item by manipulating the bag to move the pellets/rice and the items. They're great for waiting/quiet times when little ones need to be occupied (Dr's waiting rooms, restaurant, in the car...)

Disclaimer here, although I did consider making my own, I ended up buying these back in Feb.  I ended up getting 6 - two for dayhome friends who were leaving, one for DS, and one each for the nephews. That's how great I think these are!

[curiouscanadian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim Allen 

So what would you ladies suggest for a......

4yr old DS:

2yr old DS:

8month(will be 8 months by Christmas) old DD:

?

Do your boys have a play kitchen? Maybe some felt food (and/or a kitchen if you don't have one)? Trains/train set? DS is obsessed by trains. What are yours interested in at the moment?

The pirate kit idea is definitely cool though. I wish I new someone who did woodworking like that!

[rere]

Originally Posted by curiouscanadian 

Quote:

Do your boys have a play kitchen? Maybe some felt food (and/or a kitchen if you don't have one)? Trains/train set? DS is obsessed by trains. What are yours interested in at the moment?

The pirate kit idea is definitely cool though. I wish I new someone who did woodworking like that!

I agree about the play kitchen.Every kid who comes to our house loves to play in the play kitchen.

Also if you have a wood worker handy,what about some sort of doll house...farm...castle...tree house type of thing?There are some good tuts out there for making bendy people.

Or what about playstands?

[rere]

Originally Posted by triana1326 

Homemade caramel popcorn is a huge hit in my house, and my friends houses too...

Mmmmmmm!

[Kim Allen]

Originally Posted by curiouscanadian 

Quote:

Do your boys have a play kitchen? Maybe some felt food (and/or a kitchen if you don't have one)? Trains/train set? DS is obsessed by trains. What are yours interested in at the moment?

The pirate kit idea is definitely cool though. I wish I new someone who did woodworking like that!

No we dont have a play kitchen although I am wanting one. Maybe Thats another idea.

ODS is obsessed with Power rangers........ lol. I have no idea why but he loves them.

YDS loves anything really. Hes not a picky kid. He just follows his big brother around doing everything he does.

I looked up some things and sent a list to my dad yesterday. He says he can make everything so I guess were pretty much set if he will just start working on them now and not wait till November.

Anyone have any tips on making a play teepee one like this?

Also anyone make one of these before?

[cocoanib]

Originally Posted by triana1326 

Homemade caramel popcorn is a huge hit in my house, and my friends houses too...

I did 2 no sugar popcorn snack mixes last year for FIL who is diabetic. Love the caramel popcorn idea for others. Maybe I can make a batch and put them in cute brown paper bags. I saw someone made cute bakery type bags out of cut up trader joes paper bags on a blog. 

Originally Posted by curiouscanadian 

I Spy Bags are fabric (usually fleece) bean bags with see-through windows. Each bag is filled with plastic pellets or rice with trinkets hidden among them and then sewn shut. The "game" is for children to search for each item by manipulating the bag to move the pellets/rice and the items. They're great for waiting/quiet times when little ones need to be occupied (Dr's waiting rooms, restaurant, in the car...)

Disclaimer here, although I did consider making my own, I ended up buying these back in Feb.  I ended up getting 6 - two for dayhome friends who were leaving, one for DS, and one each for the nephews. That's how great I think these are!

Like this idea for DD. Although, she might get mad if she can't get whatever it is out of there.

Originally Posted by Kim Allen 

Also anyone make one of these before?

I plan to make on of these for DD's room when we move. Don't ask me how though, I have'nt figured that part out yet!
 

[Kim Allen]

Originally Posted by curiouscanadian 

I Spy Bags are fabric (usually fleece) bean bags with see-through windows. Each bag is filled with plastic pellets or rice with trinkets hidden among them and then sewn shut. The "game" is for children to search for each item by manipulating the bag to move the pellets/rice and the items. They're great for waiting/quiet times when little ones need to be occupied (Dr's waiting rooms, restaurant, in the car...)

Disclaimer here, although I did consider making my own, I ended up buying these back in Feb.  I ended up getting 6 - two for dayhome friends who were leaving, one for DS, and one each for the nephews. That's how great I think these are!

Hmm this will be a great way to use up the 10lbs of jasmine rice I had bought and forgot about in the cabinet. lol
 

[rere]

Bought some journals from the craft store yesterday.I have another hour before it's time to go to the farmer's market.Off to try to get some covers made for the journals...

Yes,I'm posting this to try to make myself do it.

[rere]

Finished the journals!