The craft post below got me thinking that we should share our handmade/homemade presents we're making this year. I know we've done something similar before, but I always like to hear what others are doing & get ideas!
A few lucky relatives are getting crochet hats & scarves.
And since we're not traveling up to see the fam in PA, I'm trying to send something easy to ship (ie... not heavy), mostly getting ppl gift cards and making them these bad boys:
I have never done this because I don't have a sewing machine, but MIL makes hot and cold packs. Basically, she makes a pocket, fills it with rice (for hot) or corn kernels (for cold), then closes it up. She makes them in various sizes and shapes to fit around the body, i.e. a small square for a shoulder, three larger squares sewn together for the neck, etc. They are really great and you can use any fabric to make them.
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These aren't crafts but they are handmade ;-) I'm doing Beer Bread Mix,
Herbed Butter, and Infused Vodka for friends that I don't buy for. I'm also doing peppermint truffles and home made cookies and stuff to give to family with their presents.
I have never done this because I don't have a sewing machine, but MIL makes hot and cold packs. Basically, she makes a pocket, fills it with rice (for hot) or corn kernels (for cold), then closes it up. She makes them in various sizes and shapes to fit around the body, i.e. a small square for a shoulder, three larger squares sewn together for the neck, etc. They are really great and you can use any fabric to make them.
Interesting, my grandma does this but she only uses corn kernels, no rice. It never occurred to me to use it as a cold pack, I've only used it as a hot pack.
I'm crocheting neck warmers (basically a short scarf) and a couple of hats for the few kids we are doing presents for. Also making cookie tins. DH says he is making a set of corn hole boards for some friends too!
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Re: s/o Handmade Holidays
Here are some of the projects I'm making:
https://makingitfun.blogspot.com/2009/01/kids-apron-chef-hat.html - making for my BFF's daughter (J's girlfriend!) for her birthday
https://one-hip-mom.blogspot.com/2009/10/childrens-tool-belt-tutorial.html - making one for J & one for our BFF's oldest boy
https://littlehandsbigwork.blogspot.com/2009/06/addition-to-busy-book-family-bitty-busy.html - making one for J with zippers, buckles, etc b/c he LOVES this kind of stuff right now
https://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/02/eye-spy-bags.html - maybe making one for our BFF's youngest (not sure yet)
https://theidearoom.blogspot.com/2009/05/picture-blocks.html - thinking about this for my parents...again, not sure
I'm also giving lots of canned goods from our garden & made calendars for my family (which I do every year).
A few lucky relatives are getting crochet hats & scarves.
And since we're not traveling up to see the fam in PA, I'm trying to send something easy to ship (ie... not heavy), mostly getting ppl gift cards and making them these bad boys:
https://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/how-to_magically_clean_eco_taw.html#more
I wanted to make mason jars w/ something fun in them, but that'd jsut be a nightmare to ship. Oh well!
Redefining Normal
Interesting, my grandma does this but she only uses corn kernels, no rice. It never occurred to me to use it as a cold pack, I've only used it as a hot pack.
Katie, Duke Gardens, 6months
Zach, Duke Gardens, 6months
Photo courtesy from the amazing Ever You Photography!
I've made some reuseable grocery bags using the Morsebags model: https://www.morsbags.com/
I also made some vanilla extract from some beans I got off ebay last month: https://stores.ebay.com/Vanilla-Products-USA/Make-Your-Own-Vanilla-Extract.html
In years past I've made chex mix and put them in nice glass storage containers from C & B: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=850&f=26185
Back, I'm stealing that Busy Book idea, I LOVE it!