Handmade Holidays 2012 - Page 2

[Imakcerka]

My sewing is Ok.  My 7 yr old is better than I am... no joke.  But I have time.  I can practice.  I think she would like a blanket.  She still sleeps with one of my baby blankets that she refuses to give back to me on account that she won't be able to sleep if she doesn't have it.  She's a turd.  But I love her.

[OkiMom]

Originally Posted by zebra15 

Heather- neither one of us finished the Eeyore pillowcases in 2011??  hummmm

hahah I just thought about that.. I want to get that done! Its becoming a thorn in my side, kind of like the bus sweater I still haven't finished.. 2012 is the year though, it WILL get done..

[OkiMom]

Originally Posted by Imakcerka 

My sewing is Ok.  My 7 yr old is better than I am... no joke.  But I have time.  I can practice.  I think she would like a blanket.  She still sleeps with one of my baby blankets that she refuses to give back to me on account that she won't be able to sleep if she doesn't have it.  She's a turd.  But I love her.

Blankets are really easy to make.. I made each of mine blankets in 2010.. Just two pieces of same size fabric (I used a meter of flannel and a meter of minky), put right sides together sew up except for a opening to turn it, turn it right side out then top stitch. Looks pretty good and mine LOVE theirs.. I made them quillows in 2011 because they loved holes into the ones I made in 2010 (my kids are hard on things and moving from one country to another didn't help).

You could also use bias tape.. Just put two fabrics wrong side together, stitch, then attach bias tape to the edge to make the edges clean. However, I HATE HATE HATE (did I mention HATE) bias tape.. I can't think of to many things I dislike in sewing but bias tape is one of them, so I avoid it. Id rather take a bit more time then have to deal with that stuff. Last time I used it I had to undo it and redo it at least 5 times and Im a decent sewer.

Edited by OkiMom - 1/2/12 at 2:12am

[Momsteader]

Grabbing a spot. I am going to try to do the 52 in 2012 so they are natural extensions of each other.

My January goals are to finish up a few little projects I didn't get done for this Christmas including stockings and an angel for our tree.

[Softmama]

I just finished up sewing the stars for the garland I am making for next season.  I used up a lot of scraps making them and they are so cute.  Now I have to figure out what I want to use as the base of the garland (and measure the stairs). 

Glad to have found this thread!

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by Softmama 

I just finished up sewing the stars for the garland I am making for next season.  I used up a lot of scraps making them and they are so cute.  Now I have to figure out what I want to use as the base of the garland (and measure the stairs). 

Glad to have found this thread!

You should post pictures!

[frugalmama]

Not sure what to make for DD - this year in addition to Christmas and her birthday I also need gifts for both Eid's, so I have double gift duty. DD will turn 6 in September and for far my ideas are:

DD:

Barbie dresses {super easy to make}

A custom patchwork quilt for her bed {I've done patchwork before, but never a full quilt. This would need to be either twin or full sized}

Dresses for either her bitty baby or for American Girl Doll - she wants an american girl doll but I'm not sure she's old enough to take care of it, so more likely it will be dresses for her bitty baby & maybe a matching one for her. 

Finish the mattress and bedding set for the baby cradle I got for the bitty baby - this was supposed to be for this past Christmas

My Mom:

I'm thinking of making her a new dress - I made her one last year and she really likes it, so maybe do a repeat of that. 

I'm open to ideas on both of these too - I'm really at a loss for for new ideas. 

[esg]

I'm going to join.

I'm doing a lot of money related challenges (not to mention getting myself out of debt) and was considering sticking to home/handmade for the upcoming holidays.

I have a few things on my list but I really need to do some brainstorming.

So far I have:

My sister's apron that I've yet to finish

A relaxation kit for a cousin who was a big help during my pregnancy. She has two very active boys and loves things that smell good.

I have a photography related gift for my grandmother and one for my son

I have a cloth toy to make for my son

I'm thinking of knitting a week set of cup cozies (whatever they call them!) for my sister who loves her starbucks

[Softmama]

Here is a link to the star garland I made.  I attached all the stars to simple string thinking I would like how "rustic" that would look but I'm not sold.  I might take them off and try and find a sturdy ribbon or something to attach them too. 

http://s742.photobucket.com/albums/xx64/softmama/?action=view&current=101_0581.jpg

Here is the advent calendar kit I made for two sets of nieces/nephews for last Christmas (posting here bc the 2011 thread has no more traffic).  I made the background for them and then put a picture of each ornament and all the little pieces they need in a baggie.  That way each ornament had it's own baggie and they just needed to go to town with fabric glue.

http://s742.photobucket.com/albums/xx64/softmama/?action=view&current=101_0555.jpg

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by Softmama 

Here is a link to the star garland I made.  I attached all the stars to simple string thinking I would like how "rustic" that would look but I'm not sold.  I might take them off and try and find a sturdy ribbon or something to attach them too. 

http://s742.photobucket.com/albums/xx64/softmama/?action=view&current=101_0581.jpg

Pretty nice, but I think you're right - they need a little something more. What about a thicker sisal twine or multi-colored baker's twine?

[OkiMom]

Everyone is being so productive! I love the finished projects!

[mamapigeon]

I'm in. I didn't succeed at making as many things as I wanted in 2011, so I'll be starting early (once I find my spare needles for my sewing machine, anyway)! Thanks kitchensqueen for getting this thread started!

So far my ideas are:

Mug cozies for my parents

Ornaments for DH, DS, and DH's neices and nephew

Food/Beer baskets (meant to do this for 2011 but never got around to making the beer...)

I want to think of some gifts that require sewing so I can improve my skills... And I need to learn to knit this year.... something that doesn't have random holes from dropped stitches.

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by mamapigeon 

Thanks kitchensqueen for getting this thread started!

Glad others are finding it useful. :-) All I know is I can't do another frantic, cursing, last-minute crafting bonanza in December again! No way. I actually want to enjoy making gifts for everyone this year! 

[rere]

My list:

Husband-(finished)

Daughter-DC(finished)

Mom-wine cork wreath(finished),calendar(finished),and journal(finished)

Stepfather-toffee(finished) in a market bag(finished)

Sister- advent calendar(finished),star garland(finished),and ornaments(finished)gratitude journal(finished)

Bil-bike bag

Nephew-car traveler(finished)turtle costume(finished)

Brother-mug(finished) with hot cocoa and marshmallows

Mil-framed photo(finished)

Uncle-pillow(finished)

Man friend-paper mache sugar skull(finished)

Lady friend-wrap skirt(finished)

Teen boy friend-band dolls

Teen girl friend-left handed wallet(finished)and matching pouch(finished) jewelry making supplies

Super crafty man friend-mugs(finished)

Family of 5 friends- mugs(finished) and a bag(finished)

Family of 4 friends-painted globe(finished)

Neighbor friends-market bag(finished)and food

16 felt birds for co-op families(finished)

gift bags

Edited by rere - 12/20/12 at 1:14pm

[mommy22IN]

I'll join... I will need the motivation I jsut decided to make my kids Chirstmas gifts along with some other things and will need most of the year to finish it all.  Here is my list so far

Gifts:

DH ?

DD: waldorf doll, diaper bag with acessories, diapers and wipes, blanket (for doll and her), pajamas, and clothes for doll

DS: blanket, pajamas, and?  still working on him

bro#1

bro#2

bro#3

sis#1

sis#2

sil#1 cooking gift basket with homemade vaialla extract

sil #2 same cooking gift basket

mom

dad

mil

fil

brother girlfrien

grammy

papa

grandpa lap blanket?

step-grandma

grandma

step-grandpa lap blanket

goals;

make 4 stockings for each of us

make a new tree skirt

garland for the tree?

make an advent calendar

[kitchensqueen]

I decided on a gift for husband - a jar shelf. But I'm going to use one of those free-standing over-sink shelves (like this one - though I'm certain I can find one for much cheaper; pretty sure I've seen one at the dollar store). For the jars, it dawned on me today as I was about to throw out a Better Than Bouillon jar that they would be perfect to use. They're just the right size, the jar is plain and they have black lids. It will be the perfect shelf for him to have on his hobby desk - he's maxed out on space so this will give him more storage area, and he's got all sorts of small things that could be contained in jars. I just need to remember to start saving the jars now... 

[triana1326]

I'm in! I am stealing the fort kits idea from last year and giving them out to all my friends' kids. Another friend just blessed me with a tote of her fabric stash, which I've been poring through happily...

I just got done sewing my first item on my list - a family present of sorts, something I'd been promising to do for years, but never had the time, space, or fabric to do it...

I MADE GIFT BAGS!! 42 of them, in various shapes and sizes. A ton of different patterns...drawstring tops.

So there we go - one down, A LOT more to go...

[revolting]

I won't do handmade for everyone, but I want to try to do some handmade. I just ordered yarn to do this sweater, but I'm not sure how to replace the H with a T. I'm doing it in the Child S size. Any suggestions?
 

[kitchensqueen]

Alright Ladies, it's scare tactic time. Four months, give or take, until Christmas. I know that none of us are putting ourselves through last-minute all-nighter crafting again this year, right? What have we all got working? Let's get accountable. :-)

[34me]

#1 niece - ruffle scarf : done and delivered
#2 niece - ruffle scarf : done and delivered
Sister - shawl : yarn bought, pattern chosen done wrapped and delivered with 2 inches of her shawl left she told me she wants 5-6 drawstring bags of various sizes! Fabric bought- I will use some microfiber dishcloths from the doller store and scrap fabric!
BIL - BBQ rubs and tie dyed apron ?

MIL - ruffle scarf : yarn bought done
FIL - ???

MOM - shawl : done, wrapped and delivered
DAD - BBQ rubs and tie dyed apron

DH - ?
DD - ?
DS1 - ?
DS2 - dead fish hat. The only thing it needs are the eyes

I give all my instructors a holiday gift as well. One year I made 15 simple scarves, one year I sewed tea bag caddies out of old jeans and t-shirts. I gave then handmade lotion bars a couple years ago for valentines day. Still figuring this one out. Edited to add: Maybe I will give them all homemade vanilla; everyone can use that.. Or wool dryer balls.DH wanted me to make all his employees pencil rolls like the one he has. So I bought a ton of masculine and feminine colors and cut them all out. What he didn;t tell me is he wanted his in his logo colors. So I am doing a "Blizzard Boredum Buster Box" for my employees and co workers. Pencil rolls, note pads, Farkel and puppy chow in a drawstring bag.
Edited by 34me - 11/19/12 at 4:00pm