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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Who has started on their handmade Christmas gifts?  |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 07:25:10 AM
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I have started my list and have begun to gather all the needed supplies. Once September hits, I start my projects for gift giving.
I have done a handmade Christmas for as long as I can remember.
The only store bought items are things like a Computer or Tv. . otherwise, handmade!
Please share what you can about your handmade gifts without spoiling someones surprise ( they may be reading this!! ) Have you already got some things done? Is it to early for you to be thinking about it? Will this be your first time making handmade gifts? Looking forward to reading what all of you are up to!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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JustAnAllAmericanGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
72 Posts
Jamie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 07:32:20 AM
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I love making homemade gifts for Christmas and have been thinking about what I would like to do for this coming Christmas. But I have to admit, I honestly don't know if the people I give them to like them and consider instead opting for something store bought. What do you do if you think you are the only one excited about the gift? Do you do it anyway or do you consider the recipient and buy them something instead. I feel like when I've made gifts they were always very nice, current and would retail for a larger amount of money then I actually would have spent on them had a purchased a gift. I wold love to make aprons for some gifts this year and was thinking of getting shells for my son to make refrigerator magnets (we live close to the beach.) Any insight would be great.
www.JustAnAllAmericanGirl.blogspot.com |
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farmallgrl
True Blue Farmgirl
483 Posts
Angela
Westminster
MD
USA
483 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 07:33:35 AM
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Oh Joanna, I have been working on my things since this past Christmas. I have so many nieces and nephews that I HAVE to start early! I have been doing homemade gifts since I was a little girl. Now they are just more complicated homemade things:)
I always make my nieces a babydoll outfit for winter with scarf and hat, and then I make my nieces a scarf and hat to match their babydoll. My baby nieces are getting knit teddy bears.
The adults I give to get a basket of goodies for their family. Fresh baked breads, my jams, jellies, oickles etc. so a lot of that is done also.
My son wants a fireman bear he saw the pattern for... that is done.
I made a lot of purses this, but have to put a stop to those, I can't afford the fabric!!
I have some slippers made for gifts but do not know who will recieve those yet.
We do not have tv so I use my nights before bedtime to work on my projects and am able to get a lot done that way!
Angela
Farmgirl Sister #337
Instead of telling God how big your problem is....tell your problem how big God is. |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 08:15:14 AM
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I don't have anyone to give gifts too, not will I get gifts. BUT might make something for moi lol
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 09:22:48 AM
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I grew up with a Mom who made Christmas gifts and so that's the "norm" around here. I LOVE making them because the whole time I'm working on something for someone, I'm thinking of him/her! My oldest daughter (17) has been making gifts too. There's just something extra special about homemade. I too give a lot of goodie baskets...everybody eats! We do jellies, jams, jerky, sausages, baked goods, etc. I make polar fleece socks and just last year put soft leather soles on them for slippers. Packets of greeting cards are received well too. Each year for the grandparents, I make a photo calendar of their grandkids and include dates and times of sporting events, dance recitals, etc. Oh yeah, and I start usually in January with planning.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 09:24:26 AM
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I will make handmade food gifts, but probably not anything of fiber (like knitting). It's too difficult with a 5 month old, working full time, etc...and honestly, I find putting a time limit on my knitting becomes more burdensome--two years ago, we were broke and I thought I'd knit my 2 bil's a really great hat with nice handspun wool. Because I put a "deadline" on it, I instinctively put off working on them! And, it made knitting no fun for me, so I think I'll stick to my homemade meat spice rubs, dried herbs and jams :)
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Jennifer Mulkey
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Jennifer
Arkansas City
KS
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 09:47:20 AM
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| Me too, started already that is. Have kitchen dishtowels crocheted and knitted already, will start sweaters and mittens probably within another month or so. |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 09:59:58 AM
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Shoot! I haven't even begun to think about Christmas this year. I am having trouble getting in the mood for the holidays. I kind of feel like I could live just as well without them.
You girls have some great ideas though, and I am writing down the ones that appeal especially to me. :D
Thanks for sharing!
hugs
Jessie
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 10:08:10 AM
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Joanna,
You read my mind. I was just about to post if anyone has started on their Christmas gifts or planning yet. :)
I'm not sure what to make this year. I guess it depends if I can start sewing (it's been since high school)
We usually send:
~Homemade Jams, Jellies, Mustards
~Home Blended & Roasted Coffee
~Homemade Marshmallows (they have pretty much become a trademark gift as well as the coffee :))
~Handmade Ornaments
We have done Baking Spice and Spice Rubs too.
Last year the ladies got knitted shawls. I am thinking about making the slippers in MJ's mag for this year. Or maybe taking felted wool sweaters and making fingerless gloves out of the sleeves and embellishing them.
I need more ideas :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 10:27:57 AM
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You know Jamie, I have wondered about that same thing when making gifts. Now most of my family are easy to please as they put in their requests early for their homemade Christmas gift. But my Pappaw is a quiet man. Never says much in the positive or the negative. So I just had no idea if he liked the Christmas cookies and candies or not. I have been giving them to him for probably almost 10 years now. I just found out last year from my dad that Pappaw is crazy about my goodies. I'm glad he said something cause I was just about ready to try to find something else for Pappaw.
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 10:34:52 AM
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I was hoping to have some things started by now. I have one gift almost done. I found a foil engraving kit at Jo-Ann's. I just need to find a frame for it now.
These are some other things I hope to get done~
Goodie baskets- cookies and candies
Snowmen with wreaths
Wreaths
And Fleece Throw blankets
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 10:49:33 AM
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Sharon, Can I get on your gift giving list???? Any item of your list:
~Homemade Jams, Jellies, Mustards
~Home Blended & Roasted Coffee
~Homemade Marshmallows (they have pretty much become a trademark gift as well as the coffee :))
~Handmade Ornaments
...is fine with me!! LOL You sound like a one-woman Santa's Workshop!
I was just generating a list the other day. Hoping to get started soon....
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 10:54:30 AM
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My family isn't much for home made things so no home made gift giving here... but I was just going through all of my craft patterns yesterday =)
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1672 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1672 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 11:26:47 AM
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I always make homemade Christmas gifts. 98% of the time everyone just loves them. When you make a gift it's from the heart. As my mother always said "it's the thought that counts". Which is true. I remember my neighbor's little girl who is know a tenth grader. I made her a doll for her birthday when shen was five and she still has it. I have already canned some pears, canned peach jam and raseberry jam I'll make some hombakes goodies and I make them into gift baskets. I was thinking of making bath salts, etc. and make gift baskets also. In the past I've made lap quilts, sewn shirts for the guys. And they seemed to have liked them.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 12:04:40 PM
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I think Laurie is absolutely right on that. Y'all will probably laugh, but a friend of my Mom's made me this adorable rag doll bunny rabbit. She has sewed everything herself right down to the panteletts.:) I was 9 when she sent it to me for my birthday, and I am 28 now, and I still have it. It still is in great condition. It was just so pretty and even at 9 years old, I knew what sweet effort had gone into it, so I always kept it nice.
hugs
Jessie
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 4:17:58 PM
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I have trouble with wondering if the recipient likes the gift also. I have given handmade scarves and hats, only to see them stuffed in garage sale boxes later in the year. That hurts my heart, but I don't want someone to wear something they truly don't like just out of guilt. I try to judge, by the recipients tastes now. I know, for example, not to make any kind of clothing for my grandsons because my oldest daughter won't let them wear them. I can make them costume type items, superhero capes, etc. though. I can make my youngest son (Cody) anything knitted or crocheted and he will not only use it but brag about it everyone he knows. I went to a meeting with him last time I was in Jackson and a woman came up to me and said "Oh, you're the one who made Cody those wonderful socks!" Everyone is different and I think you kind of just have to think about the recipient and their tastes and attitudes about such things. I love making gifts and receiving handmade gifts, but not everyone appreciates them.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Visit my online store at:
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 4:22:42 PM
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I just thought of something else - it helps if the recipient has some sort of connection with the materials - for example I just gave my DIL a handmade Sunbonnet Sue doll for her birthday. She really, really enjoyed it when she recognized that the apron was made out of an old quilt block that she and I had found when we were shopping together. If you can include a material or such that means something to the recipient, they will almost always love it. I made my oldest daughter a pillow when she graduated from high school, out of all the fancy fabrics I had used to make her prom dresses all through high school. It was crazy quilt style, embellished with embroidery - and I believe she really enjoyed it as she could look at it and remember the dances that each fabric represented.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Visit my online store at:
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 6:08:40 PM
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I too have spent a great deal of time on a gift only to have it "tossed away". I made a niece a Raggedy Ann and even found an older copy of the book to go with. I found this very cute Raggedy Ann/Andy large tin and arranged the doll (fully jointed) so that when she opened the tin, the doll popped out with her arms opening wide. Got the weak thank you and the doll stuffed into a bag. I think my nieces really prefer "name brands" and items from the "mall". Lesson learned. My boys do appreciate hand knit socks though. And, I've made warm fuzzy tied blankets that have gone over well too.
Sherri love the pillow idea. What a wonderful gift! I think you are right about having to have a "connection" to the gift. |
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keyboo
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Lucy
Cambridge Springs
Pa.
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 6:48:02 PM
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I have a few pair of knitted slippers (felted), and have a few sewing projects going too. I also make homemade soap every year. I am making my kids journals also. I always give my homemade jellys, pickles, tomato soup, etc. too! I even made a couple of cobweb brooms from broom corn that i grew in my garden last year. Always something new to get myself into!
Lucy |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 07:31:27 AM
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Thank you for sharing with us!! It warms my heart to think of all the handmade gifts that are carefully being planned for this holiday season.
I am working on a special totebag for my MIL. She loves to go to yardsales, so I am making her totebag so it holds her money in a special pocket. Also making a pocket to hold those pop-up wipes.
Different size pockets both inside and out to hold her treasures as she makes her purchases. A long adjustable strap to go over her shoulder comfortably and carry handles for when she does not want the shoulder one. My FIL will be a challenge this year. Still doing some thinking on him. . . his eyesight is failing and many things he would have enjoyed he no longer can. So this will take me some time to figure out what will be "just right" for him.
Keep posting what you are working on, I love to hear all about what you are up to!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 07:40:58 AM
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You know, I would NEVER throw away a gift made with love :) The maker has put his/her time and love in every handmade gift, too precious to throw it away. EVEN if it wasn't my "taste" or flavor or scent. I would just treasure it. CALL me sentimental :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 08:24:27 AM
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I am making things now. Crocheted potholders and wash cloths. Some placemats out of some great fabric. I am also making fleece hats for the nieces and nephews.
I found cute patterns here:
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/holiday_gifts_ms/
We are also making a modified cornhole game for the kids. We are making just one box with a coule of sets of bean bags to toss and painting it to that the hole gets points and different painted spots on the board gets points.
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CathyM
True Blue Farmgirl
344 Posts
Cathy
Tulsa
OK
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 11:22:53 AM
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I once made a hand designed hooked rug as a wedding gift. When I went over to see the home, there was the rug in the kitchen, (right where I had intended it to be), BUT it was for the dog. YES they gave it to the dog to house train on. And they made no apologies for it either. Since then I am very cautious about who I give homemade gifts to and what I make them.
"Not all who wander are lost"
JRR Tolkien |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 12:51:39 PM
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--Amen to that Dutchy! I LOVE homemade anything and I keep all of my handmade gifts too. Suppose that's why I have a box filled to the gills with pictures made by the kiddos.
--Cathy that breaks my heart. All that time and love you put into that gift. What a shame. I would be so ecstatic to receive such a gift. Ecstatic is probably putting it mildly. I would have been crazy happy to know someone thought that much of me to put all that love and time into a gift just for me. But I guess not everyone out is like us gals on here.
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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aunt boby
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
toby
polo
illinois
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2009 : 2:40:52 PM
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My MIL makes everyone in the family flannel pajamas every year. We get them on Christmas eve. Then on x-mas day we host a big breakfast at our house with everyone wearing there new pjs. It's a tradition we love!
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Who has started on their handmade Christmas gifts? |
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Who has started on their handmade Christmas gifts?
Living the farm life in my heart.