This year I think I did pretty good with my crafting and the holidays. Every crafter out there has a list longer than Santa’s when it comes to the crafts they want to make for all their loved ones. Time, opportunity, resources and goals never equal each other. This year I think I was less ambitious because of little C. Nothing can really give you a reality check like a lively nine month old. I knew that crafting could only happen during nap times that I was not at work, not doing other necessary things around the house and actually in the mood. I will admit, when the heat was on and I only had 48 hours before loading up the car and actually leaving, AND the list of to do’s on the chalk board far outweighed the time I had, Jay jumped in willing and ready to help! I always get myself into these problems and time after time he bails me out. So this was my run down for this holiday season. My goal was that each person that we buy for had a homemade gift and a bought gift. I started the holiday crafting extravaganza with crayon letters to all the teachers on my team at school. They were super cheap, easy and quick! The most difficult part of the whole project was trying to rid the cutting board and chopping knife I used of the crayon chards after seven of these bad boys!
We had cloth rings for Honor and Charlotte. If anyone wants the pattern that I made, send me an email. I found one for twelve dollars but was far too cheap to buy one! Jay tried to explain to me that it would be only six dollars per girl, but I was still determined to do it myself. These were not as simple as I thought they would be. I found only after trying to turn a unstuffed ring inside out for about fifteen minutes, that it is impossible and that the only way to finish them is to hand sew them closed...boooo! It went quicker than I thought it would and I slowly got more skilled at sewing those tight little circles.
A project that I started on back in the fall was the last to get finished! I knew that Benjamin is getting to the age of letters and numbers and words, so the teacher in me needed to make him an educational gift. For the little man that is growing up so fast, I made a letter board and cloth magnetic letters. I used a big fat font to trace the letters onto fabric and then decoupaged them to a roll of magnetic paper. I also had Jay create a poster with the ABC’s and a cute little saying, cut out all the letters (this is where Jay saved me big time...he did all the cutting) and decoupaged them to a car oil drip pan that I got from Walmart for super cheap. Now he can play with his letters with his magnetic board and spell cool words like “BOARD FUN”!
For the grandparents I whipped up two quick blankets. I bought two fleece blankets that were on sale from Target and then personalized both with phrases that I thought both sets would enjoy. “Cuddles at the Cabin” for my parents and “Cuddles with Grandpa and Tiki” for Jay’s parents.
The last project that was completed was the easiest and maybe the cutest, in my opinion. I saw this idea on pinterest and knew that it was a must at some point for our little family. I found the puzzle, explained it to Jay and he completed the whole thing. Finding the pictures, getting them printed, cutting them out into the correct shapes, and decoupaging them onto the board.
I really love making gifts for Christmas. What would the holiday season be without me having all kinds of ideas, trying to get them completed last minute and having Jay bail me out every year! I most likely will do this every year, I just love crafting too much. Honestly, I think Jay likes to swoop in and save the day every year as well! I hope you had a great time giving or receiving some great homemade gifts this year!
-melissa