High & Lofty

Ideals are wonderful things. We aspire to them, fall in love with them, bond over them. And Bloom's post here (great post!) gave me a lot to think about this morning.

This year I set out to hand-make most of our Christmas gifts and have thoroughly enjoyed almost all of my creating. This wasn't an issue of principal for me; I wasn't fighting against the commercialization of Christmas or shunning less natural materials or even trying to bring our focus back to the true meaning of Christmas (I wish I could claim that one, though). Nope, nothing that lofty. We simply don't have the budget for a store bought Christmas and I set out to use only materials I already had on hand as much as possible (recall the strange color combinations on the felt bags in a previous post?). :)

And, to be completely honest, I didn't relish every moment of designing, cutting, sewing, decoupaging, or gluing. There were evenings after the kids went down and I sat down to work on a project without a whole lot of enthusiasm. Thank goodness for my sweet husband's appreciation and encouragement of my efforts or I might have given up. But once I got started I always found my groove and remembered all the reasons I had chosen a specific project for a loved one. I could imagine why they would appreciate the love and time I put in...I was off and running again.

But, for the record, I lovelovelove a good shopping spree at the mall. I mean, I really love shopping at the mall. A girlfriend and I (before kids) made an annual pilgrimage to the outlet malls and shopped through our extensive Christmas lists. Considering that there are now small children, shrunken budgets, and a new sort of self-consciousness about spending in this economy, it's not surprising that so many of us are finding ways to simplify Christmas. I did still buy the kids toys from the store because I know they'll love them. I might have time to make them a little something from Mommy to join the Santa gifts under the tree Christmas morning. But considering the fact that I make quilts, clothes & crafts for them, and spend all kinds of time encouraging their creativity throughout the year, I think it will be just fine that they don't get a 100% homemade Christmas.

In short, I hope you are able to enjoy family and friends, good food and laughs, maybe a few glasses of wine, and if you're so inclined even go to church this Christmas. We can always revisit principals in January. I'm off to eat a little too much, drink some wine, and have fun with the last couple gifts I'm whipping up. Pin It

Baubles & Bangles

As I mentioned a few days ago, I tried my hand at jewelry making on a whim. This is, as promised, the most remedial jewelry using stretchy clear cord and beads. But I think my sister will be happy with the set; I made 3 coordinating bracelets to be worn together or separately. The colors remind me of a morning by the ocean and are very soothing, perfect for my beach-loving, peace-seeking sister.


If you feel inspired to try your hand at jewelry making, this is a great first project: inexpensive, relatively quick, and easy to fix mistakes. I think these little numbers are rather addicting and plan to make some for myself after the Christmas craziness dies down...so much already on the post-Christmas list. Goodness. Pin It

Sister Sister

Our dear friends have two very sweet daughters in grade school who are less than two years apart. Wanting to make a gift for each of them, I knew I had to be fair since I know firsthand how siblings compare all their gifts, subtly or not so subtly.

I ended up making them both purses copying Anna's dimensions at Noodlehead, using this tutorial. The fabrics are Sandi Henderson and the colors just adorable.


The bags are different enough that the girls will be able to differentiate, but similar enough that they can't argue over who got more/bigger/better (maybe "can't" is a stretch, but it should at least be a lot less likely).

And really, what little girl can be unhappy carrying a pretty purse?

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Paper Bag Upcycle

I held onto this little J.Crew bag for the longest time because I thought I could do something creative with it. Yep, these are the thoughts that occupy what little free mind space I have... Well, today I made over the bag to hold one of my sister's gifts. I used scrapbooking paper and Tacky Glue (the roller adhesive couldn't secure the regular paper onto the glitter paper).

the goods

the front

the back

I absolutely love it and can only hope that she passes it on for someone else to love. One more Christmas to-do crossed off the list. Pin It

Wool Sweater into Ruffly Scarf

I just finished one of my last Christmas gifts! The list is dwindling fast! For this scarf I used a black 100% wool men's sweater that I bought at the thrift store and felted (washed and dried). In all honesty, I think it would have been even better not felted but the deed was done so this is what I had to work with.

It was a men's large which gave me a lot to work with. I cut off the sleeve and cut 6" strips from them. Then I cut off the bottom 6" of the sweater. I took my four 6" lengths and joined them together in one lone piece. Then I ruffled the edges with a zigzag stitch and gathered it down the center with a straight stitch. I'm really happy that it's girly and will actually be very warm for the Northwest winter it's being shipped off to.

Hope you're enjoying the season amidst all the stress. Even if it takes an extra glass of wine like it does in my house. :) Pin It

Girls Night Ornament Swap

I made my first ornament of the season...perhaps the only one since I don't have any others on my list. Last night my girlfriends and I had our monthly Girls Night and our hostess had the fabulous idea to do an ornament exchange. Of course, I was the only who showed up with a handmade ornament, which made me nervous that mine would be the ugly duckling of the bunch. I am happy to report that my little creation held its own.

I used blue and white felt, made a little bird, mixed hand-stitching and good old fashioned Tacky Glue, and on the back I put my gift label and embroidered "2009."

Here's the little felt number with her new owner.

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Christmas Ugly

I made up these little felt bags the other night real quick (cranked 5 out while my sweet husband get our oldest ready for bed) and was pretty pleased with them...until I opened up the photos in Photoshop. These look terrible in the photo above and I almost scrapped the post. They just look ugly. Let's be honest. But I figured that crafty is often imperfect and we've got lots of imperfect around here. The only redeeming factor here is that the bags were filled with homemade cookies and jar mixes for friends and neighbors.

Hopefully, you can pick better felt and ribbon to make them more appealling. People should actually look forward to the gift inside the packaging rather than question the giver's taste. Just a thought.

Rather than punish you with more images of the same ugly I've just jotted down some quick directions.

1. Cut a rectangle of felt based on your finished dimensions. Even my diagram is a little ugly...
Length = bag height doubled +depth
Width = bag width + depth + 1/2"
2. Fold your felt right sides together and sew up the sides using a 1/4" seam allowance.

3. Box in your bottom corners without being too concerned about accuracy.

4.Turn your bag right side out and push out your corners.

5. Snip small slits at the center near the top of your bag on both sides.

6. Run a length of ribbon through both slits and tie up your little bags of love. Pin It

Dear Santa

The other day we wrote our first official "Letter to Santa" and I am in love. Who knew that handwriting resembling that of a crazed madman could so completely melt my heart?? So I bring you my 3 year old's Santa letter. By far, my favorite handmade goodness of the season.

I truly hope you are finding time to enjoy your loved ones and the many small joys this December.


ps: we have no idea what he means by a "pod" and are trying to coax it out of him under the guise of making sure Santa knows what he wants... Pin It

Beer Me

These are safe to post since none of our guy friends have even the least amount of interest in reading my craft blog. :)

I don't know about you, but it is a lot harder for me to come up with great handmade gifts for the men on our Christmas list than the women. I was about ready to give in and just buy something for the guys when I had a revelation the other day. I spotted this tutorial (want to make some for our house now) on One Pretty Thing and it got me thinking...and after running through several different variations I came up with the idea for beer coasters (using the tried and true ceramic tile+Mod Podge method...the tiles were only 16 cents each at Home Depot!). I backed the tiles with felt squares using Tacky glue.

Even my husband said they were cool so I definitely have a winner with these.

Tip: I would use matte finish Mod Podge on these if you make them. I used glossy on some and matte on others but the matte was much better as the felt backing didn't want to stick to the others when stacked.

And, of course, I couldn't stop there so I made a couple of other variations based on friends' particular interests. My sewing table is now a coaster making assembly line. And I love it. Hopefully, the guys will, too.

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Santa's Little Red Bag

I branched out and made some jewelry for Christmas gifts. And, let me be very clear, it's the most remedial jewelry since I have basically no experience. But I was wandering through Michael's the other day and was inspired to give it a try. So fun!

All that said, this post is not about the jewelry. It's about the little bags they're being delivered in...as if I could give a gift without a little sewing involved. I was digging through my overflowing scrap bag the other day and came across the sleeve of a red cashmere sweater...that sounds so bizarre. But I had used a thrifted cashmere sweater to make a snuggly hat for my mother-in-law last year when she started chemo and had the good sense to hang onto the remaining sleeve from the sweater. You just never know what you'll need when, I guess.

So, the moral of the post is: if you have a tiny gift to give, it's quick and easy to whip up a recycled sweater bag for it. :)

Enjoy your festivities as we count down! Pin It

Little Gifts for Little Ones

If you need a sweet gift for the little ones on your list, I highly recommend Amy Carol's art smock from Bend The Rules. It is an easy project with lots of cuteness. I love the green bias binding with the print on this one. And I was lucky enough to have a scrap of fabric just the right size for a pocket (which was stuffed with a pack of markers).

That's it for today. Hope you are enjoying these weeks leading up to Christmas!

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Under the tree

I am dying to show off the details on this Christmas gift, but I can't ruin the surprise. Argh. So I bring you a great combination of fabrics and a wonderful post-wash texture. Mmmm...

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Paper? Or Plastic? I'll take flannel.

If you use this tutorial, I'd love to see your creation! 

Feel free to post it to the Handmade Mommy Tutorials Flickr Pool.

Rummaging through my stash the other night looking for a certain fabric, I came across a Christmas print flannel remnant I had buried. I have never known what I would do with this fabric...one of those fabric purchases that makes no sense whatsoever. You know you have them, too. But suddenly I realized it would make great drawstring gift bags for kids' gifts.

I thought someone else might benefit from my little project so I put together a how-to. I whipped these up after the kids went down so the how-to photos aren't so pretty (I sure do love natural lighting...sigh). But the photos hopefully get the job done. These are not blue ribbon winning pieces, just a way to give cute (and environmentally friendly!) gift wrap while using up some of your stash.

First, figure out how big you want your finished bag to be. Then, add 1/2" to the width and double your length + 2 inches for the piece you cut. For example, if you want your finished bag to be 10" wide by 12" long you would cut a piece of fabric measuring 10 1/2" wide by 26" long. Cut said piece of fabric.

Next, fold your fabric wrong sides together along the length.

Sew a 1/4" seam up both the sides.

Fold your top edge down about an inch. Keep in mind that someone is just going to LOVE getting handcrafted gift bags and don't be too concerned with the accuracy of your measuring. Your loved ones will never notice the difference between 1" and 3/4", I promise.

Sew around the top of the bag leaving about a one inch gap at one of the side seams.

Now turn your bag right side out and push your corners out. I love this little tool and highly recommend it if you don't have one. Just a tip.



Thread your cord/ribbon/etc. through the casing at the top. Again, I have a little tool recommendation: the bodkin. This little thing has saved me much frustration in the past and you might like it, too.

Now you're done! Stuff your bag with thoughtful gifts for loved ones, and know that they will be most impressed.

Oh, and if you get a little carried away, it's okay to make a couple...or eight in a batch. Please don't judge me. It's a problem, I know.
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Manual Labor

We don't have washing soda yet but I was running low on detergent and made up another batch this morning. By the way, does anyone else feel like half their day as a mom is spent doing laundry? It's always amazing to me how much laundry 4 people can generate...

But, I decided to use my cheese grater for this batch and it was a success. As much as I adore my food processor, I really don't adore washing all the pieces parts. And if you thought you could put your soap covered food processor parts in the dishwasher, you would be wrong. What happens is all your other dishes get a nice Ivory residue on them. Just saying.

Oh, another change I made was grating the entire 3 bars of Ivory soap in a pack. I evened out the proportions of the recipe by using heaping cups of Oxi-Clean and Borax. It is laundry detergent, after all, not rocket science. Hopefully, precision isn't terribly critical.

In case you were wondering, here's what a cheese grater full of finely grated soap looks like...

And this is the Oxi-Clean, Borax, and soap all stirred together. After putting it in my container, I gave it a good shake and it looks almost exactly the same as the first food processor batch.


The best part about today's experiment? I only have to wash this tiny stack of dishes, which is a little victory in my house.

Off to do more laundry... Pin It