sailoreagle,

I love that little lion!

This year I made:

2 afghans
3 knit beanies
3 pair of earrings
3 tote bags
1 felted handbag and cellphone cover
3 knit heat packs
1 knit stole
6 sock monkeys - which is a whole other deal. I made one sock monkey "dressed" as Santa Claus for an office gift exchange - false beard , crocheted Santa hat, and jingle bell bracelets. Two of my office mates begged me to make some for their grandchildren, so now I have 5 little bodies sitting on my den floor with no arms or faces & they need to be finished today. So nice to have someone love your crafts, but it's about new projects so close to deadline...That will make 11 sock monkeys this year.

There will also be some candy and cookies to be made later this week to take around on calls Christmas Day.

I think I made about half of my gifts. Of the other half, about half were little token gifts for friends and office mates.

Thanks to glitterati for almost all of my ideas!!!

I *am* making a queen-sized log cabin quilt for my apartment secret santa. took quite a bit of time so far. It looks awesome though cause I dyed all the fabric.

I made paper doll and clothes magnets for my roommates for next year. Cutest ever. They each have a normal outfit and a fantasy outfit.

Marble magnets (first ones ever).

A birthday card organizer binder for my best friend.

Projects left to finish this Christmas break:
--A painting of a major building on campus that my boss is paying 250$ me to do, cause hes going to make it into magnets to hand out to everybody at orientation! Whoo hoo!
--Embroidered flannel pillowcases for my friends.
--Throw pillows with funky black and white photo transfers and dyed fabric strips

sailoreagle, i love! the stuffed animals!

I just discovered this place a couple of days ago so i haven't had really alot of time to be inspired, but so far I knitted a stocking for my boyfriend (i got him a ring that i am going to put in it along with other stocking stuffers). It was the first thing I ever knitted. I learned from the internet and it came out pretty good. I made a scarf for my sister and i operated on a large red tshirt (made it into a tube top, now am looking for straps) and stencilled it for my cousin.

I'm making personalized hoodies for my close friends. So far, two of the four are done. I used white fabric paint to decorate black canvas, which I cut into patches and sewed on. So far, everyone who sees them gushes over how professional they look. I'm very pleased with 'em. I just hope they get worn. (And done in time for Christmas!! Eek!!)

I knitted a scarf for one of my sisters. I knitted hats for my other sister and my brother.

I made gift baskets with handmade candles and soaps for my grandpa and aunt/uncle. Those went over really well, which I was happy about. I wasn't quite sure how they'd like a "made" present, but I decided that -I- like it, so I went for it!

That's about it so far, but holiday crafting is so much fun. It's a little stressful to try and find time for everything, but it's amazing to give something cool that you've done yourself.

the main thing I made was cd wallets ; I sewed together these cheap cloth envelopes ($1.95 for 25), attached them to coloured vinyl, and am sewing on stars, flowers, animals and such to decorate the front. I kind of ripped off the idea from queenbee creations (buyolympia.com) but i won't sell them, only give them as gifts...

otherwise I haven't made much so far...I frogged and restarted my boyfriend's scarf, so that's taking a lot of time. and i still have to make a hat and mitts! so now it's less glittering, more knitting!

edited to add that i made a bunch of mixed cds to put inside, since the cases are for folks who are either poor or far away, and don't have access to new music...

sadly a far cry from my big plans of silk-lined hats and mits for all. ah well.

i also <3 the stuffed animals!

i am NOT a crafty person! but i have been looking around like crazy for creative gift ideas for my boyfriend (and i am always reading the regular msgboard here cause it is about anything and everything) and I saw a link to directions on making a cd wallet
(jen.f1-comics.com/design.htm) and I made one for my boyfriend!

i am so very proud of it (but i am worried it is too girly? i am just gonna tell him that i will take it and use it if he doesn't want it, lol). my first crafty thing i have done! (well, by myself. my art major best friend invites me over to do lots of crafty things, but i have her semi-professional help, lol.)

i put a mix cd that i made inside. and i am going to buy him a t-shirt. the end. :)

Hrm, lessee...
*journal from a used romance novel for friend
*MacGyver journal from instructions from Dawn's site for friend
*another journal from Dawn's instructions with korean writing on it for my cousin(in progress)(I admit it! I'm addicted!)
*mittens and matching earwarmer for grandma
*notecards made from watercolors and watercolor paper for grandma (also in progress)
*envelopes to match the notecards
*book thongs for grandma and mom (just a piece of durable thread ((I used colored hemp)) with beads knotted at each end. saw them at the checkout at Borders for two dollars and went "I can make that!" and I did.;) )
*not really crafty, but I made some mixed tapes for various people

Usually I craft almost all of my gifts (as I am a poor HS student:) ) but this year my friends and I hit all the early-bird sales and came out with enough bargains that I didn't need to. Well, that and I've been insanely busy. Ah, well.

misshawklet,

Sorry if you already posted it somewhere else, but will you explain this box of sin?

I made everyone on my list a little bowl o' craftiness (at least beginner craftiness)

*record bowls
*glittery red paper boxes full of marble magnets
*four different soaps
*three different lip balms
And then I sent along with it a box of fudge (2 kinds), macaroons, pappermint bark, shortbreads, and truffles.

I managed to finish MOST of my intended crafty gifts. Those making the cut:

* fleece hoodies for my nephew and honorary niece
* fleece baby buntings for my niece and another honorary niece (lotsa babies!)
* marble magnet sets in tins for co-workers
* ribbon belts for sister
* retro-style apron from my other sister
* record bowls for brother
* wax-dipped pinecone firestarters for Dad
* cookie mixes in jars for sister-in-law

Nearly finished projects that may or may not make it in time:

* monogrammed canvas tote bag for sister
* flannel PJs for Mom
* quilt-rimmed tablecloth for a friend

I still have a few days to finish the rest of this stuff, right??!

I started out pretty ambitious this year but ended up buying for all of the kids. I was planning on starting a Christmas tradition, where I was going to make a decorated box for each niece/nephew and fill it with little fun gifts and treats, and have a not in each that explained that once the boxes were empty, they were to start filing it again fora certain person (which I would randomly assign) for next years x-mas. but I got a second job, and ran out of time. so I bought for all of them. I made:
**bath salts, fizzy bath salts, and lip balms for my co workers(4) and my fiance's co-workers (9)
**those knotted fleece blankets (I can't remember where I saw those) for my sister's hubby, my brother ,my best friend, my SO's brother and his wife. and my brother's GF.

I guess that was it
**oh ya and little sets of (5) wine glass charms to go with each set of bath salts and stuff for my co-workers.

I actually did more than I thought I would!
*2 record sleeve boxes (man of la Mancha, and some Orchestra plays Tango. Too cute!)
*a package of 8 cards for my friend who loves stationery
*package of 25 cards for my Mom, who complained that she spent $6 on a card (with an stamped image on Sculpey on a card), and I knew I could make some that nice. She has TONS of people she sends card too- 18 grandkids!
*2 big heat bags
*10 pairs of mini heat bags that I called 'pocket hand warmers.' They went over so well with my co-workers, that everyone else I knew asked for some! So fast! Used up fabric scraps!
*The quilt (which I must finish tonight, because I have to give it this evening) for my best friend that I hope she loves. Her family is from the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and one side of the quilt has red and white toile, but of a palm tree/ beach scene. The other side is the flag of Trinidad (which is red, white and black). I must remember to take pictures.
*Tried to make lip balm and failed.
*Decorated a diary that I bought to become a dream book
I actually got quite a bit done. Thanks for the inspiration glitter gals!

Every year I swear to myself I'll start earlier and every year I freak out anyway. But my last gift was mailed Friday and already arrived, so hooray!

I made almost everything this year:

* tiny journals made from vintage playing cards
* microscope slide necklaces
* mix tapes/cds with decoupaged labels
* record bowl and box
* felt stormcloud necklace
* 2 knitted hat/scarf sets
* 2 sparkly scarves
* the kitty hat and devil hats from S'n'B
* embroidered underwear
* decorated hurricane lamp
* all my holiday cards and gift tags
* triple ginger cookies
* popsicle stick ornaments
* army man ornaments

I'm tired.

I actually did a lot more than I thought I would:

Christmas tree skirt for mom
Christmas stocking for niece
Lavender salt scrub for mom
Grapefruit vanilla soap, salt scub & bath salts for step mom
grapefruit vanilla soap for cousin
peppermint bark for male co-workers
cinnamon vanilla soap for female co-worker
decoupage trinket box for friend (using flowers from an art calendar)
marble magnets for aunt, friend
marble pushpins for friends
tinted lip balms for secret santas
catnip pillow toys for the cats of friends/family (I grew the 'nip, too!)
painted glass ornaments & vase for me
plaid patchwork flannel neckroll & square pillow for friends
makeup brush rolls for friends (from place mats -- so easy)
wine charms for hairstylist & another friend

I need to learn how to knit.

argh! the photos i was going to put in the box for my SIL didn't work! :( they would have been gorgeous, except something happened to the film in the time that it was lost. it developed some sort of bubble emulsion, so now all the photos have this odd cobblestone effect. it actually looks pretty cool, but i can't give them as a gift. i will be able to craft them into other stuff though, so my money wasn't totally wasted. except now i have this empty box with a cushion in it. i need something to put inside. my SIL is in her late 20s, and is the super-conservative accountant type. maybe a little handmade coin purse (i have all the supplies) with a pair of nice earrings inside it? or a nice pen or something? help!

I feel very accomplished, as I made all my non denominational holiday presents except one and that one was really thoughtful so I feel very giving. Anyway, here's the list:
*halfway finished sketchpad with drawing pencils in an old edition of Indian in the Cupboard for brother who's into art
*I'm attempting to bake my mom's favorite cookies for my mom
*A shirt that says "My conscience is on drugs" for my best guy friend
*A record clock of I am woman by helen reddy for best friend.
*A wallet made out of comics for..? I'm not sure yet.

The only thing I've gotten made are about half of the Christmas ornaments. Tomorrow is going to be spent baking cookies and finishing ornaments.

favorgrl

Duct tape wallets
Duct tape make up bags
Ebayed everything else, so I tried to stay out of the buying new stuff thing, except for toys for the nephews and niece. Then I had to get remote controlled fighting robots. A 6 year old boy -might- like a scarf, but dollars to doughnuts, he'll take the robots over something handmade. Unless I made robots...hmmm...

I am so impressed by everyone's craftiness!

I have made:
* scarves (4) for friends, my little cousin, and my dad (who is apparently jealous that the girls in the family all got scarves last year and he didn't)
* knit hot water bottle cover -- ALMOST done (will finish tonight) for my grandma (I had to search all over for inexpensive hot water bottles, but I bought a bunch so that I can make covers for the others for later gifting)
* cookies and cranberry bread for friends and coworkers

sprung:
here is the link to the box of sin.
I'm giving it to him tommorrow, to save us both embarassment from the family.
enjoy!
>http://discuss.gromco.com/mwforum/topic_show.pl?id=36091#406130

I've made:
-record bowls filled over the brim with Xmas cookies and accompanied by cards cut in the shape of winter stuff (mittens, starlight mints, etc.)
-3 screenprint tees, one for my SO and for my two brothers.
-a gorgeous print of my SO to give to his mom (thanks to being ahead in my photo class!)

I bought earrings for my SO's sister and my mom, which I suppose I could have made cheaper, but I didn't mind, they were purchased from another crafter (none of that retail shiz for me!)

And I'm on my Xmas break as of today and will probably have plenty of time, so I plan on whipping together some "supplemental post Xmas gifts" for my friends (who splurged and got cookies in return, bleh.) My plan:

-porn necklaces and other jewelry (paper beads are the best!)
-record cuffs and whatever else I can bend one into
and I might use some of the ideas on here... I like the diy magnetic poetry idea... hrrrmmm... planning. (thanks!)

twas the nite before christmas and i'm almost done making all of these things:

*button earrings/bracelets
*denim/flannel throws
*fleece/canvas throws
*felted/fleece scarf

there's some other stuff i can wait on for after xmas, but this is what is actually not just objects in my head but actual shapes in reality.

byw....you guys are my heroes..so much done!!you should be very proud. and what a year for the record bowl!!! who knew? are they pretty easy to make?

Here's my list to the best of my memory . . .

- bottle cap magnets (sets of 4)
- one record bowl
- eye pillows (as seen on Glitter!)
- collaged card sets (sets of 5)
- chenille toothfairy pillows
- decoupaged cigar box complete with polyurethane coating
- one mix CD
- button ornaments (ala Martha Stewart)
- hot pads (trivets) and oven mits
- backpack for a kid
- small-ish zipper bags containing small gifts
- decoupaged boxes, also containing gifts

Wow. . .what am I doing on the computer? I still have 12 hours and I could be making!
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