Anyone start Christmas crafting yet? - Page 5

[operamommy]

Ack! I have to close my eyes so that I don't see all the great gift ideas...it's too tempting to keep adding more to my list!

Pumpkin Pie, how do you make pants so fast? I'd love to find a super simple method/pattern. My ds2 (hopefully!!!) will be potty-training this winter, so I'm planning on making him several pairs of elastic waist pants.

[NoliMum]

Originally Posted by operamommy

Ack! I have to close my eyes so that I don't see all the great gift ideas...it's too tempting to keep adding more to my list!

Pumpkin Pie, how do you make pants so fast? I'd love to find a super simple method/pattern. My ds2 (hopefully!!!) will be potty-training this winter, so I'm planning on making him several pairs of elastic waist pants.

I was wondering the same thing about the pattern. I'd love to turn some old tshirts into pants.

rere, Glad I could help. I think your print-out idea is wonderful. It shows that you appreciate his artwork AND his grandfatherhood.

I also like the spices idea. I have a cooking friend who just got married, and maybe I'll do that for her wedding gift....

[rere]

T shirt pants

I made my daughter a ton of these as pants and shorts.So easy!

[sarahn4639]

Originally Posted by rere

I started last week.

I started teaching myself to sew right before my grandma died.And during a visit with her I was telling her how I really liked the idea of using old clothes as sewing materials.So the next time I saw her she gave me some of her clothes to use.She died not too much later.I couldn't figure out what to do with the stuff she gave me until the other day when it dawned on me to cut it into strips to make patchwork scarves for all the ladies in my family.

So far I've only made two but it's early right?

I LOVE this!!! If I were your family member I would think this was the absolute best present EVER!! That is such a wonderful way to have a reminder of your grandma with you.

Okay, back to reading, I just had to comment on that.

[sarahn4639]

Thanks for all the inspiration! I am making my list now and gathering all my ideas so I can get started. Here is what I have so far:

For DD:
super hero capes with initials
ribbon wand
felt play food
aprons for Grace and I
tutus
felt board

James:
chew toys/dolls
Blanket

Nieces:
leg warmers and already bought a couple things on Target clearance
possibly also do a princess skirt for each

mom:
nightgowns personalized in some way
grocery bag

dad:
handkerchiefs embroidered-cabin, initials, grandkids

sisters:
grocery bags
wool dryer balls

I have many others on my list (we both have huge/close families) but these are my only homemade ideas thus far.

I need an idea for a special gift for my cousin. She babysits my kids for me a lot and I leave her some money sometimes but she won't really take it an I don't have tons to give. So I want to make her something special to let her know how much I appreciate her. I just don't know....I need it to be personal but I can't think of a thing! She is a larger woman so Im' thinking possibly an apron sized to fit her. Possibly some bath salts but she's got psoriosis (Spelling, I know!) so I dont' know how that would work. She is a typical loving mom, she gives and gives to everyone but doesn't do for herself. Any and all ideas are appreciated. I sew but don't knit or crochet.

[textbookcase]

Keep the great ideas coming!

[rere]

Originally Posted by sarahn4639

I LOVE this!!! If I were your family member I would think this was the absolute best present EVER!! That is such a wonderful way to have a reminder of your grandma with you.

Thanks!

It's nice to hear because I always second guess myself when it comes to the handmade presents.Uhg.So thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one who thinks it's a good idea.

ETA:My daughter loves the slide show of your sons birth.Thanks for sharing that.

[2 in August]

Originally Posted by Miss April

I'm making "family tree of life" pendants for my mom, mil, and step mom too. I got all the beads I need, just need wire (and to find my tools). Those will be pretty fast to make though.

Keep the ideas coming!

Oh, how are you making those? It sounds like something my mom would like.

[2 in August]

I'm trying to figure out how to make reuseable shopping bags. I don't knit or crochet, so I just took about 10 books on macrame and weaving out of the library. I figure I should be able to get something to work, lol. I've got to ask my brother if he and sil would actually use them though before I make them. I think it would be really neat if I could use old plastic shopping bags to make them from too.

After that, I'm lost. I always make 3-4 different snack mixes (chex mix type stuff, but different flavors). I do easy candies. I've also made mixes, one year was cup o'soup in individual baggies so they just had to dump it in a mug, add water and heat it up.

I've made purses out of shrunken sweaters, retro string art, home-made bubble bath, a book shelf made out of books and a shelf made out of records. Bought a sweatshirt and let dd color with fabric crayons then ironed it on for mil. Did the same with cloth hankies for my dad.

I'm running out of ideas and need new ones!

[sarahn4639]

rere, you are welcome and thank you! my dd just made us watch every birth video we have today. She loves watching babies be born! (Especially his since she's in it)

jen, macrame is a great idea. let us know how that goes! i was going to do something like this orthis. I don't know if you've seen this, it's a way to turn plastic bags into "fabric". They would be very cool reusable bags!

[lifeguard]

For my MIL & my Mom I'm going to make some shopping bags out of plain fabric & then when baby comes I'm going to put his footprints on them to decorate. My MIL in particular loves baby footprints & as we're living far away I figured it would work out nice & be practical.

[Mamafreya]

Hi Everyone. I'm a longtime lurker but I'm shy so I don't post all that often.

Anyway, wanted to sub to this thread as you guys all have great ideas. I try to make things for family and friends every year but I am running out of ideas. I always struggle with the adult members more than the kiddos. Last year I made totebags with special decals for all of my adult family members. I always bake stuff too. I was thinking about making picnic blankets this year. Also I might try homemade liqueurs.

I need an idea for a special gift for my cousin. She babysits my kids for me a lot and I leave her some money sometimes but she won't really take it an I don't have tons to give. So I want to make her something special to let her know how much I appreciate her. I just don't know....I need it to be personal but I can't think of a thing! She is a larger woman so Im' thinking possibly an apron sized to fit her. Possibly some bath salts but she's got psoriosis (Spelling, I know!) so I dont' know how that would work. She is a typical loving mom, she gives and gives to everyone but doesn't do for herself. Any and all ideas are appreciated. I sew but don't knit or crochet.

sarahn4639, what about a purse? I have really been getting into making them lately and at craftster.org there are some great free tutorials. Does she wear jewlery? Maybe a necklace or something.

[beansricerevolt]

OK, I have my list started! We usually do half handmade things for the DC and get a couple things used/made by others. But I need to write down our handmade list. It really helps to be organized

DD
*sewn doll and doll clothes
*Knit leg warmers
*up cycled felt bag

DS
*sewn doll and clothes
*up cycled felted robot vest
*Dress up outfit for his Christmas truck of dress up stuff

DH ?

SIL
*Poppet Doll, check out this tutorial! http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/...ult&video_id=0
*upcycled felted mittens
*screen print heart stuff

MIL
*Apron
*poppet doll

FIL
*upcycled felted scarf
*poppet doll

Both FIL & MIL
*calender of the family

Friends
*screen print goody bags

My mum and papa
*baked bread or other baked goods
*calender of the family

My sisters
*candles
*homemade candy

Nephew
?

Nana
*calendar of family
*baked goodies

grandpa IL
*calendar of family
*baked goodies


Phew! Most of the baked things i can knock out in a day with the kids. The screen print stuff I will do all at once too..maybe
Really its the sewing and the knitting that will take the most time
The calendars and poppet dolls won't take long either.

Many of my goodies will be made from these craft books. Just in case y'all want to check them out

Toys to sew
Warm fuzzies
New knits on the block

[sarah_bella1050]

Originally Posted by 2 in August

I'm trying to figure out how to make reuseable shopping bags. I don't knit or crochet, so I just took about 10 books on macrame and weaving out of the library. I figure I should be able to get something to work, lol. I've got to ask my brother if he and sil would actually use them though before I make them. I think it would be really neat if I could use old plastic shopping bags to make them from too.

After that, I'm lost. I always make 3-4 different snack mixes (chex mix type stuff, but different flavors). I do easy candies. I've also made mixes, one year was cup o'soup in individual baggies so they just had to dump it in a mug, add water and heat it up.

I've made purses out of shrunken sweaters, retro string art, home-made bubble bath, a book shelf made out of books and a shelf made out of records. Bought a sweatshirt and let dd color with fabric crayons then ironed it on for mil. Did the same with cloth hankies for my dad.

I'm running out of ideas and need new ones!

http://www.marthapedia.com/portal/si...RD&rsc=related If you sew some bias tape on them they look really nice. Also I suggest using small adult or large childrens shirts.

[2 in August]

Originally Posted by sarahn4639

jen, macrame is a great idea. let us know how that goes! i was going to do something like this orthis. I don't know if you've seen this, it's a way to turn plastic bags into "fabric". They would be very cool reusable bags!

Thanks for those ideas (and the t-shirt one too). Problem is that I don't have a sewing machine so I've learned from experience (on the felted purses) that hand sewing big projects are just too time consuming.

Today I was at hobby lobby and looked at knitting looms. The big ones I think I could weave a bag on pretty easily. I remember doing simple 4 peg knitting spools when I was a kid. I just found this bag made of bags which is exactly what I want to do. Problem is that the link to download the pattern doesn't work. I'm saving the page and if I can't find anything else like it I'll email her and see if the free pattern is still available.

So many possiblities!

[rere]

beansricerevolt,

love the poppet dolls!Thanks for sharing!

[chattie67]

Originally Posted by 2 in August

Thanks for those ideas (and the t-shirt one too). Problem is that I don't have a sewing machine so I've learned from experience (on the felted purses) that hand sewing big projects are just too time consuming.

Today I was at hobby lobby and looked at knitting looms. The big ones I think I could weave a bag on pretty easily. I remember doing simple 4 peg knitting spools when I was a kid. I just found this bag made of bags which is exactly what I want to do. Problem is that the link to download the pattern doesn't work. I'm saving the page and if I can't find anything else like it I'll email her and see if the free pattern is still available.

So many possiblities!

The person who created the design originally just changed the download link but you can still get the pattern/directions for it here: http://www.ravelry.com/dl/bee-happy-..._Carry_All.pdf
Good luck! I am going to try it too!

[NoliMum]

The poppet dolls gave me a good idea for making a little story book for DD, starring herself!

[rere]

Originally Posted by NoliMum

The poppet dolls gave me a good idea for making a little story book for DD, starring herself!

Fun!

[kmb9906]

For my in-laws, I'm putting together a "going green" gift basket for each couple. For the "basket" part of it, I am making reusable bags. I am also making felt flower magnets to add some prettiness. There's more going in them, but not that I'm making (other than homemade granola ... mmmmmmm).

I am also making a bean bag game board + bean bags for my nephews.