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Holidays:  Homemade Christmas  |
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LaceMistress
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
New York
USA
28 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 03:43:25 AM
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Before my grandmother died when I was 9, I spent many a Christmas helping her make ornaments for the tree, and I still have four of the ribbon scrap pinecones she and I made together. This week I found a gorgeous book of thread ornament patterns at JoAnne Fabrics and I am itching to get started.....I have my size 9 and 12 crochet hooks polished, about six balls of white crochet cotton, and am ready to go! I have so many plans for ornament sets......Pictures may or may not be posted later in the season, closer to December. :)
Does anyone else here go nuts with ornament making during the holidays?
Too much thread, so little time! |
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pinokeeo
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Phyllis
Oregon
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 09:18:19 AM
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I am involved with an ornament swap on another forum. We make ornaments and then send them to others who make ornaments and send them to us. It's a great way to give and get new ornaments each year.
I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
check out my artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/PiNOKEEOs |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 09:34:27 AM
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I too am making this a home made Christmas. So far I have some dish clothes done, 2 bread clothes are cross stitched, & I have some sewing to do yet.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2011 : 06:11:55 AM
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Yes, I am giving all home made Christmas gifts this year. I am going to get some baskets from one of the thrift stores in the area and putting the gifts in them to give baskets a new purpose :) I made 1/4 pints of jelly, going to make that pumpkin bread in a mason jar (the idea was given to me by a lady here in the farm kitchen forum!)and that is all I have so far. I'm thinking about adding in some crochet dishclothes or a dish drainer quilt and maybe even a repurposed tea cup candle. Of course it depends who is getting the gift basket and their likes/dislikes :) I am very excited! I also am going to make a garland to hang in the living room, and a 2nd one to hang in the entry way with glittered pine cones on it! I love picking out the pine cones and glittering them then tying them to a garland. It gives the house such a nice woodsy smell!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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nin1952
True Blue Farmgirl
269 Posts
Donna
Cedartown
GA
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2011 : 12:26:48 PM
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I have been making all of my Christmas ornaments for about 20 years. When my children were younger, I started sewing at least one outfit for each of them. It has grown since then. But, every year it gets harder and harder to come up with things to make. I am also in the Christmas ornament swap and have loved each ornament I have received. I have thought about the cookies in a jar and a sewing kit for each of my girls, Mom and neice. I made pear honey this year and apple jelly so I will probably give some of that. I'm still trying to come up with some more ideas.
Donna Farmgirl Sister #1487
Wheather therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Sabrena Orr
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Sabrena
Olympia
WA
USA
198 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2011 : 2:17:01 PM
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My family will be doing all-homemade Christmas gifts this year. We will be gifting with love canned PNW salmon, smoked salson, spicy dill pickles, homemade jam, apple butter, homebread bread and crackers. Can't wait to put our baskets together!
Sabrena, Olympia |
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vmfein
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Valerie
Dale City
VA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2011 : 7:12:20 PM
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I haven't made any homemade christmas ornaments, but perhaps I should this year. Most of my ornaments I received as gifts thru the years are at my parents house (which my mom uses to decorate the tree there). Last year though I did make all of my Christmas gifts for family members. I made table runners, wall hangings, and quilts. this year I am going to try to attempt to make all of my gifts homemade again.
Farmgirl Sister #2619
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vmfein |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 1:49:34 PM
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I made flour ornaments two years ago-I've used them every year and have always gotten compliments on my tree! I cut out horseheads, stars, cowboy boots-they were really cute!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 4:18:11 PM
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Oh Megan, they sound adorable!!! Somewhere I have a recipe for apple sauce cinnamon clay ornaments that I'm thinking of doing this year, we have a lot of traditional Christmas ornaments, but I feel like we need to "spruce up" the tree this year, pardon the evergreen pun 
I'm doing Christmas baskets for family and a few friends too and I've been saving big jars all year to make soup or cake in a jar gifts, there will also be some baked goodies and preserves, nice teas and coffees, organic cocoa and what ever other whimsy strikes me to add. Making gift bags and baskets with a just so person touch is so much more fun than standing in line at a mega store in some mall for some piece of over priced junk made in God only knows where. It brings back the fun of giving 
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 7:35:18 PM
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I love handmade Christmases (and gifts). Knowing that love and care (and time) went into everything makes it even more special.
Our family and friends usually get:
~Home-Roasted Coffee
~Homemade canned goods (jams, jellies, chutneys, etc.)
~Homemade Marshmallows :) I have been making these for almost 15 years. I started after we were married and I found out that my husband loved marshmallows :)
This year my husband is making soap. We will be giving that as well.
I do want to try making some things from felted wool sweaters I picked up at the Thrift Store. I was thinking coffee cup cozies (using the sleeves), fingerless gloves (also using the sleeves), handwarmers filled with rice and maybe tea cozies.
Oh and I am going to try a Pear Honey recipe too Donna! This one has coconut in it :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Calicogirl on Sep 17 2011 7:39:11 PM |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 11:26:06 PM
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With the way the economy is going and just for the sake of being a farm girl, I like home made gifts as well. I need to get some gifts together VERY soon.
Any way in just doing some googling, I found some things I will FOR sure be making. For the fragrances I wanted, I did some more googling for more essential oil combos. I want to make a ginger bread essential oil scent I found for sure!
Here's the two sites I found. I will be making the all natural room freshener jellies for women, and the foot powder for men. I may make some bath salts for a few women too. But most the women I know take showers. lol So will have to figure out who will get those.
http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2010/03/17/homemade-essential-oil-air-fresheners/
http://www.aromathyme.com/recipes.html
I have a lot of people coming into town to see the new baby when he arrives, and would like to give them something to take home. I will buy small canning jars to put this stuff in, and probably tie a piece of twine with paper on it explaining the scent and ingredients.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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njaw09
True Blue Farmgirl
397 Posts
Annie
NJ
USA
397 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2011 : 5:57:59 PM
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Now that I am no longer working. I told myself this year I am not buying any mass produce Christmas gifts for anyone...including myself.
I am hoping to sew some coasters, trivets, place-mats, napkins, banners, clothing and etc. I have a long to-do list and need to tackle it soon.
blog: http://nj-nyc-3inna.blogspot.com/ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2011 : 7:28:02 PM
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These ornaments have been such a hit as instant gifts, package tie-ons, and ornaments, that I had to share! You can pick up containers of cheap, not very good for cooking cinnamon at dollar stores and the apple sauce just has to be pure apples, no sugar. Also, they have to be kept dry.
Apple-sauce & Cinnamon Ornaments
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.12) ground cinnamon
Mix applesauce with cinnamon to form a stiff dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Make hole in top of ornament with skewer or straw. Carefully lay ornaments on rack to dry. Let dry 1-2 days or until dry, turning occasionally. Hang with ribbon, raffia or twine. Makes 12-15 ornaments.
Smiles!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 12:13:55 AM
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I just went to the Fair last week and reminded of how much I love the glazed nuts, so I have another male/any one gift!
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,196,149161-240193,00.html
I am going to go to the warehouse store and hope to find large bags of nuts for a good rate. The only thing about this idea is it will have to be for sure for out of town visitors, as we have a nut store here with awesome nuts, that most people LOVE already! lol Expensive, but such good quality!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 08:13:39 AM
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I love glazed nuts too!!! I haven't found a recipe that comes close to the kind they sell at the mall during the fall/Christmas season. That is a fabulous idea! Doesn't Aldi get nuts in bulk when it gets closer to Christmas time? I thought I saw they had some last year for a great price. Guess I will have to wait and see but the big problem is finding a recipe. Got any tips Heather?
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 09:55:03 AM
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I have been googling, the above recipe looks like it may be something close, but I have no idea, I've never made them before. lol But, thought it sounded like a good idea. I am not sure about Aldi's either, I love them though but until this last year I have lived far away from their stores, so I am not so familiar with what they sell as I used to be. also I went to the nut house close to me's website last night and they are also selling chex puppie chow.....hmmm easy to make and I have all the ingredients at home already! So I may make it too!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Crystal Koelzer
Farmgirl in Training
44 Posts
Crystal
Cosby
MO
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 11:24:38 PM
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| This is our last year in Germany so we are going to do a Christmas Market Christmas. We want to get everyone one last thing German before we move stateside in the spring. Next year though we are making all our gifts. I have already started planning! |
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pinokeeo
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Phyllis
Oregon
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 07:51:24 AM
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For just glazed walnuts, here's a simple recipe.
Ingredients
2 cups walnut halves
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
Directions
1.Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a 1 quart glass measure, combine walnut halves, sugar, and water. Cook in microwave oven on high setting for 8 to 8 1/2 minutes, or until sugar has caramelized. Stir several times during cooking. Pour out onto prepared baking sheet, and separate into pieces. Let cool completely. store in an airtight container.
For something a little spicier, I like this one.
Ingredients
1 egg white
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 pound walnut halves
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2.In a large bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and vanilla. Add nuts, and stir to coat. Spread evenly onto prepared pan.
3.Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until well toasted and golden brown. Remove from oven, and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
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I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
check out my artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/PiNOKEEOs |
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buffypuff
True Blue Farmgirl
1183 Posts
Claudia
Deer Park
WA
USA
1183 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 2:12:28 PM
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Annika and pinokeeo...thanx for the recipes. I have some of my favorite recipes on my word program. I think I am going to make another folder labeled Christmas gifts. Your ideas are really helpful. Since my daughter and family moved to Tampa and will not be able to make it home this year, I decided to take several of the ornaments that were on the tree when the kids were small, & start sending them to my kids for their own tree. I know it will bring back memories for them.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2011 : 7:10:19 PM
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| Annika we did the cinnamon ornaments last year. They smell wonderful! |
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Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2011 : 11:09:24 PM
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Oh Crystal, Germany, wow, I have always wanted to go back there. I am an army brat and was born in Germany(Heidelburg)...I sure would love to go back and see some of the places I have a vague memory of...Have a same trip back to the states.
Annika, thanks for the recipe from me too...lol
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2011 : 07:26:37 AM
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Penny and Crystal, I'm an army brat as well, and have all of these pictures in my memory of my childhood in various cities! Germany is lovely at Christmas time! Have a happy German Christmas and safe journey back to the states!
Anyway, here is a quick recipe that is delish throughout the holidays to make for family and friends. Because it has real butter in it, you need to keep if refrigerated.
Here is a recipe for Spicy Orange Butter, it makes a nice gift and is just yummy!
3/4 Cup of softened butter
1/3 C Powdered sugar
3 T Light Rum
Grated rind of a small Orange
1 t of orange juice
1/4 t ground ginger
1/4 t cinnamon
1/8 t grated nutmeg
Mix together until blended, put into jars and refrigerate until needed
* This doesn't make much, so if I'm giving it as gifts, I make it in batches.
Hugs
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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pinokeeo
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Phyllis
Oregon
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2011 : 08:05:02 AM
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Oooo. This sounds yummy. Thanks, Annika.
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I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
check out my artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/PiNOKEEOs |
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Starbright
Farmgirl in Training
17 Posts
Marie
Van Buren
AR
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 7:07:48 PM
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Yep, me too. I am making as much Christmas as time will allow [what with working 2 jobs] But, on a quiet night I will sneak my sewing maching up at work and sew! I love it! I am making jackets,gowns/pj's, place mats,jars of 'instant soup' or 'instant brownies/cakes/hot cocoa', baskets of goodies to eat [homemade pretzels & dip, jam and bread, etc.], baskets or just jars of herbal salts, oils, and sprays,knitted dish cloths...whew~! Some are started already. I plan to make a list next weekend when it is quiet up here [and Halloween costumes are finished, ha!] and see where I am on my makings. Fun, fun! :D Now, add to that list the Spicy nuts and Orange butter [with a small loaf of pound cake?] Thanks, farm girls!
Starbright |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2011 : 09:01:28 AM
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super easy ornament to make--- the expense is wirth it.
clear glass ornaments
food colorring, fine glitter
squirt the inside of bulb with food coloring---twirl it either solid or to your liking.......sprinkle in glitter....shake......easy,fun....get creative-----I've done 2 tones and solids.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 07:39:58 AM
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I have a jewish christian friend who I am making a book tree with...remember back in the 1950's thur 1970's when you would take books & fold the pages?...anyway instead of traditional christmas orniments done in felt & paper..I am making a star of David out of sterling silver for the top & doing shadow faces for the girls & boys of the family, plus the animals...so that even though its a tree it will not be so much about Christmas per-say but about the family.....which reminds me I need to go get green spray paint...lol.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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Holidays: Homemade Christmas |
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Homemade Christmas
