This year I decided to make as many Christmas presents as possible. I'd been inspired by so many amazing tutorials online and with the help of pinterest had started gathering them all in one place. It was so much fun to choose and create presents for people I love and I thought I'd share them here with you.
Our Mops theme this year is all about board games, so when it came time for Christmas gifts, I thought this little ornament would be perfect for our amazing and hard-working steering team. Thanks to Darin for his help on this little project too!
My sister-in-law had a scarf on her wish-list, and this little no-knit scarf had been in my bookmarks for a while. Darin actually did this one too. He was an awesome helper on my handmade holiday quest for sure.
My niece, Macey, received this friendship bracelet kit, which with several hours of TV watching was really easy to put together. I even included a bracelet for her on the front too.
3 young boys in our family received fort kits. I followed the directions and sewed strips of old t-shirt around sheets from the goodwill. We also included clamps, glow-sticks, flashlights, battery-powered candle and a rope. Darin designed the tag for the outside, so if you want to make one of your own let me know and I can share the tag with you.
We hung out with our almost-three-year-old nephew Caleb this weekend and he demanded we open up the kit and build the fort right away. All three kids (Daisy and Dani included) loved playing in the fort, especially when we turned off the lights and used the flashlight and glow sticks to light their way.
My high-school niece, Molly, received this ear bud pouch. Just don't look at it too closely. Even after my second attempt, it is a bit lopsided.
I enjoyed this easy project (used stickers instead of vinyl for the letters) of making "santa-tizer" for Daisy's preschool teachers. They loved them.
Three little ladies we love received crayon rolls (and coloring books). I had so much fun choosing the right fabric for each girl, and there was lots of sewing involved. I'm glad these were easy to make as I was battling a serious case of strep throat as I worked to get them finished and in the mail on time!
My sister requested a camera strap, which I was so excited to make. I combined this tutorial with this tutorial, and the ruffle from this tutorial to make what I think is one super cute strap cover.
My sister also sent me a link to this ruffled flower scarf when I asked for her requests for homemade presents, and since the camera cover was so affordable I decided to give a go at this one too. It's not perfect (don't look at those edges too closely, please) but I think it turned out really sweet. I'd wear it!
And while not quite homemade by me, I ordered a jewelry kit from this etsy shop for my neice Maya, so she could make jewelry and hair accessories of her own. (I ordered the bright colored one, and loved that it included a mini bottle of glue too. The deal I used to purchase it is back, if you want one for yourself, click here.)
Our neighbors received bins of homemade carmel corn (Darin makes this too) but I don't have a picture of that.
Oh, and Darin made my teenage nephew a duct tape wallet, but no picture of that either. It turned out really cool though.
I was also inspired to do a little fun wrapping too.
Yup, I think I like me some kraft paper!
How about some free tags?
You can follow along my pinterest "gift" board as I gather more ideas for birthdays throughout the year, and Christmas next year of course. And if you need an invite to pinterest, let me know.
What about you? Did you make or receive any handmade gifts this year? What do you think of handmade gifts?
Grea! So glad you are making use of the sewing machine!
Love, Mom
And sorry you didn't get my name!
Posted by: Mom | January 05, 2012 at 02:42 PM
Deanna these projects all look amazing! You are inspiring me to be a little better organized (and creative) for next Christmas. I think Emma will be old enough by then to participate a bit more, too!
Posted by: Rae | January 09, 2012 at 11:58 AM