A handmade Christmas

Dave and I chose to make most of our gifts this year. We love to make handmade gifts for friends and family, and there are always a few at Christmas, but this year we were able to make something for almost everyone. There were many late nights leading up to Christmas eve, but we finished just in time. I have the crown yet to knit on a hat for Dave, and Elliot's doll is still without a body, but with all the other projects out of the way, those should be done in no time.

From the woodshop came a sweet little table, two amazingly beautiful clocks, a thread holder, 2 cricket xylophones, and a set of tree blocks...

Everything was so beautiful, and skillfully built. I am so blessed to have Dave for a husband!

and from the sewing room...

I was hooked on making fabric cuffs for all the girls in my life... I think I made 7 or 8 total. Knitted (most of) a hat for Dave, puppet theatre for the boys, doll for Elliot, pillowcase for Elliot, and my big project was a Quilt for Dave's mom.

The center of the quilt was made from squares that she cut out years ago, but never got around to quilting. I came up with a design that would showcase them, and was inspired by this quilt when deciding how to quilt it. I also incorporated a drawing that Owen did into the back of the quilt. After many set backs and much frustration with my first quilt, I completed it about 3 hours before she opened it.

I was very happy with how it turned out, and I think she was too!

Well that is the line up. I think we will continue to make handmade gifts for Christmas... maybe an earlier start next year.

I will be back soon with pictures of the doll...

k

Joy

Much magic is happening here this morning!

Merry Christmas to you, and may your day be filled with joy and laughter...

k

busy, busy...

As I look at the four little mittens left hanging, I am wondering if I will make it through all the crafts yet to make! I have seen 12 am way too often these last couple of weeks... but there is progress being made!!!


Most of them I cannot post (yet). But here are a couple that are finished, or in the works, that I thought you might enjoy seeing.



First is a puppet theatre for the boys. This is so easy to make, and you still have time to make it, if you are looking for last minute gifts for a little one. I am stitching a colorful pennant banner to attach to it.

I am attempting a simple Waldorf style doll for Elliot... with a knitted hat. (The hat has been complete since this photo shoot.)

A set of bean bags for friends...

and I told you I had plans for Elliot's painting... a little decoration above our new organization spot...

So much more is happening, especially in the garage. Dave made a cute little table for the boys' play kitchen, and a set of tree blocks.

Can't wait!

k

Colorful morning

Nothing brings joy to my heart like watching my little ones enjoy arts and crafts. Owen has always been hit or miss with painting and art projects. He often comes out more colorful than the paper. He goes through phases with the watercolors, and I try to keep them out and close so as to encourage him to sit down with the brush. For a while now Elliot has been keeping an eye on Owen's notebook, and watching intently when Owen does decide to paint. A week or so back he spoke up and let me me know that he would like a turn, and oh was he delighted! He has been asking every few days, and today he started the day pointing to the notebook and banging at the art cabinet door. "Paint, Mommy, Paint!" (my interpretation of the grunts).




I think those little chubby fingers were just made for a brush, don't you?



Back to my crafting...
(and I have some plans for that beautiful painting.... I'll be back with that later in the week)

k

snip, snip, snip

Yesterday was haircut day for the boys, and it was Elliot's first one. He was sportin' some super cute curls all summer, but as the drier air of fall settled in, his cute curly look, started looking more like a mullet. Now I am of the mind, that you have to be at least 5 or so to call the short up front/long in back look at mullet... before that it is just baby cute. Elliot seemed to be doing all his growing in the back, and none up top, so call it a mullet or call it "baby cute", but either way it was due for a trim.

Our favorite hair gal, Kara was up for the challenge of Elliot's first cut. I was not sure if he would just wiggle the whole time, or cry. He had been needing a little extra Mommy all day, but suddenly became like super glue when we got to the Salon. He sat in my lap for the entire cut, with his head on my chest, as Kara skillfully tamed those sweet golden locks.

I was not ready to go for the full little boy hair cut just yet, so he has a slightly neater version of his baby hair - with a little kick of curl in the back.

(brotherly love)

Thanks Kara! (and thanks for having a super fancy iphone, since I forgot my camera on an oh so important day!)

k

A little Advent Craft

Blogging has taken a back seat to my 48,754,893 Christmas crafts, but I thought you might like a little sneak peek of the action. Since I really can't post any of the gifts I am making (readers=recipients), this is a peek at a craft for our home.

I wanted to make a special advent craft that would help us connect as a family and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I have tons of fabric scraps sitting around, and decided to make a little dent in the stash by making 24 little mittens. These are all made from "warmie" fabrics - cords, wools, etc. and blanket stitched with a contrasting thread. They are still in the making, but as long as I have one done by the end of each day, we are in good shape.

I have been stuffing as I go with a little baggie of chocolates, gummy bears and dried cranberries, so we can all have a little treat after reading a story, bible verse or doing a little holiday craft.

Good Christmas fun!

What is your family doing to celebrate the season?

k