Anyone "Making" Christmas gifts this Year?

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Goofy4Donald-I don't have a link, but I saved the directions from the newspaper a few years ago. The pieces of fleece I bought weren't the same size, so I started trimming to make them exact, but in the end, I realized it didn't matter because the ties cover up any discrepancies. It really is easy.

Materials:
2 pieces of fleece, cut the same size (54 inches long for a children's throw, or 72 inches for an adult-sized throw)

scissors, straight pins and masking tape

1. Lay 2 pieces of fleece together, wrong sides facing in. Pin together with straight pins.

2. Cut a 5 inch square from each corner.

3. Use tape to mark a cutting line 5 inches from the edge all around the blanket.

4. Cut fringe, each strip 1 inch wide, up to the cutting line. Be sure to cut through both pieces of fabric.

5. Tie corresponding pieces of fringe all around the border. The ties will look like bows.

Thank you so much. This is something I think I can actually make.

 

[MsLeFever]

I don't know if this counts as "crafts" but my husband and I decided to pull out the dehydrator and make beef jerky for Christmas this year; a few different types. Teriyaki and BBQ or something....

 

[jchick]

Here's a few things I have done:

Homemade Kalula, I found the recipe in Southern Living, very easy. I bought bottles at Big Lots for $1 each, tied pretty ribbon to the tops.

I can paint, but even if you can't, you can probably do some of these with stencils, stamps, etc:
Treasure Boxes: I bought boxes with hinged lids at the local craft store,painted them inside and out. For boys, I have done a true "treasure Box" with brown painted wooden slats, then a skull and cross bones on the inside with something like "Ye Intruders Beware". For girls, I've painted to match room, pink with polka dots in different bright colors, etc.
Door Name Plate: Find those inexpensive wooden picture frames with no glass at the craft store for about $1, paint, add ribbon to hang.
Painted ornaments: You can buy those wooden craft shapes, drill a hole in the top, paint and hang with ribbon. These can be personalized easily with a sharpie or paint pen. This is super cheap...you can get these on a sale for as little as 6/$1 (Michaels, AC Moore)
Another way to do ornaments is to buy the frosted glass ones, write last name of receipent on it, add something Christmas-y like a holly berry wreath, something simple, ribbon

Recipe Books: I used my computer to print out favorite family recipes. I bought VERY INEXPENSIVE photo albums, put in the printed out recipes and added a note in the front that said something like: "These are some of our familie's favorite recipes, we hope your family will enjoy them too. There is plenty of room to add your family favorites in the back."

Painted Plates: (This is great if you have TWO children), get a white large plate (at Wal Mart), some enamel paint (you can buy it with the small bottles of craft paint, it costs around $2 a bottle) in brown, red, black. Dip your child's foot in the brown, place on plate, same with other child, use the right foot for each child. Paint antlers on each foot at the top, a red nose at the bottom, and eyes in the middle. Paint each child's name at the bottom of each foot, then put the year underneath

 

[writersblock42]

A few things that I have done include
making fudge
making candles and soap and soap salts
making sauces and jarring them like spaghetti sauce, honey mustard sauce and things like that

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I make something every year...So, far:
Quillows
Scrapbooks
Jewlery
Wine Glass Charms (this years gift-they are easy and quick..relatively cheap too)
Hope this helps!

How do you make the Wine Glass Charms??

 

[Chickysmom]

My kids received quillows from their gma when they were younger and still love them! They are great to travel with in the car!

 

[AdventureGuru]

How do you make the Wine Glass Charms??

Oriental trading co has the rings...Seed bead and charms...you can find the charms at either AC Moore...Oriental Trading co may have the charms...I'm not sure if OTC has them but they do have some identify-able larger bead...just make sure that no 2 charms are alike-that way guests can tell their glasses apart.

Once you get your supplies just "string" the beads onto the wire loops. Design anyway you want!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Oriental trading co has the rings...Seed bead and charms...you can find the charms at either AC Moore...Oriental Trading co may have the charms...I'm not sure if OTC has them but they do have some identify-able larger bead...just make sure that no 2 charms are alike-that way guests can tell their glasses apart.

Once you get your supplies just "string" the beads onto the wire loops. Design anyway you want!

great idea!! thanks

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I am so untalented so I thought these would be great to make. Does anyone have a link for the directions?
THANK YOU!!

I haven't been on the computer all weekend...Boy has this thread grown

Here is what I usually do.
Purchase 1 themed or decorative piece of fleece, and 1 that is a solid color that matches. Each piece is never smaller that 2 yrds. each. This way if your making them for children they can grow into them. Adults I do 2 1/2- 3 yrds. (I hate having a blanket that barely fits over me).

I don't tape or pin, I just spread the fleece on my living room floor and work that way. Make sure that the good sides of your fleece is facing outward. (the bottom has the good side facing the floor and the top piece is facing you) (hope that makes sense). Line them up so they are somewhat even. I like to trim anthing that is overlapping or if you can see and white trim. But, keep them even.
Now cut a 5 inch square out of each corner. Don't forget this step, if you do your blanket will be rounded. I cut a 5 in. square of of cardboard and use it as a templete.
Once you've done that you are ready to start cutting your strips (make sure you have good sissors). Make your strips 5 in. long. (this will match the size of the corners). And cut both pieces of fabric at the same time. If you cut it alittle longer don't worry you won't really see it once it's done.
Each cut is usually around 1 1/2 inches apart, but, I don't even messure. No one will even notice. Just try to keep them the same size give or take alittle. I finish all the cutting at once.
Now that the cutting is finished you can start to tie your strips together. I double knot each set of strips. Tie the first time one way and the 2nd the opposite way. The knot seem to come out looking better. When you get to the end of the first row, go to the opp. side to do. This way incase the fabric gets moved at all it will keep it somewhat even.
Keep checking to make sure your fabric is even, flat, and smoothed out.

You might want to get an extra cut of each pattern to do a pillow case. I forgot how much is needed for this. (ask where ever you buy your fabric from, they will know how much is needed). Tie 3 sides and leave the 4th open for the pillow to go in.

If I can do this, anyone can. I just got a request to do 3 of them for extended family members. Last year we made 40 something blankets, between 3 people. Once people knew we were making them, they asked if we would make them for them as well. If you are planning on making alot of them, save the 5 in. squares from them all. You can sew these together for another blanket.

Have fun in what ever you deside to make.

 

[ChristyJ]

We just bought some denim aprons at AC Moore for $2.00 each and are planning on giving them to each of the grandmas (my girls will be decorating these...).

A little off topic, but we also bought some aprons for my oldest daughter's birthday party. She's having a cooking party & we're making aprons, making simple chocolates & cookies. The girls will each get an apron & a cookie cutter to take home, as well as any goodies they cook up!

 

[lpbm4]

I make scrapbook calendars for the 2 sets of grandparents every year. The kids have full range on 1 month of the calendar. The grandparents love them.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I like the idea of wine charms and love the idea of the treasure chest filled with Jewels!! DD would LOVE that!!

 

[jennifer293]

I haven't been on the computer all weekend...Boy has this thread grown

Here is what I usually do.
Purchase 1 themed or decorative piece of fleece, and 1 that is a solid color that matches. Each piece is never smaller that 2 yrds. each. This way if your making them for children they can grow into them. Adults I do 2 1/2- 3 yrds. (I hate having a blanket that barely fits over me).

I don't tape or pin, I just spread the fleece on my living room floor and work that way. Make sure that the good sides of your fleece is facing outward. (the bottom has the good side facing the floor and the top piece is facing you) (hope that makes sense). Line them up so they are somewhat even. I like to trim anthing that is overlapping or if you can see and white trim. But, keep them even.
Now cut a 5 inch square out of each corner. Don't forget this step, if you do your blanket will be rounded. I cut a 5 in. square of of cardboard and use it as a templete.
Once you've done that you are ready to start cutting your strips (make sure you have good sissors). Make your strips 5 in. long. (this will match the size of the corners). And cut both pieces of fabric at the same time. If you cut it alittle longer don't worry you won't really see it once it's done.
Each cut is usually around 1 1/2 inches apart, but, I don't even messure. No one will even notice. Just try to keep them the same size give or take alittle. I finish all the cutting at once.
Now that the cutting is finished you can start to tie your strips together. I double knot each set of strips. Tie the first time one way and the 2nd the opposite way. The knot seem to come out looking better. When you get to the end of the first row, go to the opp. side to do. This way incase the fabric gets moved at all it will keep it somewhat even.
Keep checking to make sure your fabric is even, flat, and smoothed out.

You might want to get an extra cut of each pattern to do a pillow case. I forgot how much is needed for this. (ask where ever you buy your fabric from, they will know how much is needed). Tie 3 sides and leave the 4th open for the pillow to go in.

If I can do this, anyone can. I just got a request to do 3 of them for extended family members. Last year we made 40 something blankets, between 3 people. Once people knew we were making them, they asked if we would make them for them as well. If you are planning on making alot of them, save the 5 in. squares from them all. You can sew these together for another blanket.

Have fun in what ever you deside to make.

I make these all the time...they are great gifts for new babies as well....I love them. Everytime I make a new one my girls want that kind too..LOL They each have 2 of them on their beds and they snuggle with them every night. I need to get some fabric and make a larger one for me to cuddle up on the couch with.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Bring on more ideas!! this was a great thread!!!

 

[disneydream'n]

OK... I have a question about the decorated plates.... I thought this would be something nice I could do with my two neices to give to Nana and their mom.... If I buy plain white plates or coffee mugs what kind of paint do I need for them to decorate with??? Also do I need to do anything to make them ok to use?? Thanks..

 

[FlyingBelle]

OK... I have a question about the decorated plates.... I thought this would be something nice I could do with my two neices to give to Nana and their mom.... If I buy plain white plates or coffee mugs what kind of paint do I need for them to decorate with??? Also do I need to do anything to make them ok to use?? Thanks..

I think places like Hobby Lobby sell a plate kit. They give you a round piece of paper to put your design on and send it in - they transfer it to a food-safe melamie plate.

My uncle bought these for us when we were kids (about 30 years ago!), my brother & I drew on them, my little sister just put her handprints. My mom still has them and pull them out for my nieces & nephews to use!

BTW - I've even seen a Mickey Mouse plate kit where Mickey & Friends are on the edge of the plate - you can submit a photo or something for the middle! (see link)

http://www101.iprint.com/cgi-shl/index.cgi?level=30009989&ad=729AU100B14&source=GOOG&keyword=Mickey+mouse+plate&gclid=CNTs0Pe-s4gCFSjOJAodsmLEhw&date=2006%3A11%3A06%3A14%3A52%3A00&shop=100

 

[carissanboys]

I love the idea of the tied fleece blanket. But after the directions I still wasn't getting it. So I went looking for a picture and found this:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/diy_kits/article/0,2019,DIY_13787_2276464,00.html

Hope it helps someone I'll be making some for Christmas!

 

[grlpwrd]

Lots of ideas here:

http://craftster.org/

Careful though...I've spent tons of hours there!

I love that site, too!

Here's another:

www.mormonchic.com/crafty Yes, it is a Mormon site.

Link to fleece projects with pictures: www.mormonchic.com/crafty/fabulous-fleece.asp

 

[rie'smom]

This is good for an older child who like crafting. Buy an inexpensive bulletin board and then buy some of those foam cut outs,and glue-voila a bulletin board kit. I bought a bunch of bulletin boards and a tub of cut outs that I divided to use as the treats for girls who attended my daughter's birthday party. It really was a hit.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Wow. What great ideas.

I love the Wine Charms and the Fleece Blankets.