A Homemade, Crafty Christmas

Homemade Christmas Gifts for 2013!

Since I've been on maternity leave this holiday season, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to snuggle my boys and get some crafting going! Huge post here....

1. Bird's Nest Pendant

 (inspired by Pinterest)

2. Handmade monogram stamp and note cards

(above and below) Handmade monogram stamp and note cards. The monogram stamp was made from an eraser (a technique I used in undergrad and recently saw again on pinterest). The cards are each unique; sewn and stamped. 

3. Dinosaur Tail

Idea from Pinterest/Running With Scissors blog

4. Balloon Ornament

Balloon Ornament:

Includes handcrafted clay balloons with thread strings, suspended by clear fishing line.
In the bottom are matching pink sequins

5. Eggshell Pendant

A design I plan to list in my Etsy shop soon! This pendant is made from a red solo cup and crushed eggshells. One person's trash is another person's treasure!

6. Keep Looking! Game

Inspired by the popular "Find It!" games

7. Photo Wreath

I'd seen a similar idea on Pinterest, using small photo frames. This wreath was made from a pool noodle, brown paper (originally packing material from other gifts and supplies I'd ordered for Christmas!), printed photos, and outdoor mod podge.

8. Fleece swirl scarf 

Another Pinterest idea! Made two of these :)

9. Seaside Wreath

Made from a pool noodle wrapped with twine and decorated with sand dollars, seashells, and a starfish

10. Super Hero Capes!

11. Survival Kit

Makeup bag filled with items that may come in handy!

Includes: First aid kit (30 Sheer Adhesive Bandages, 3 Clear Adhesive Bandages, 3 Fabric Adhesive Bandages, 2 Non-Adherent Pads, 3 Alcohol Pads), Sewing kit (Needle Threader, Needle Compact, Tape Measure, Straight Pins, Assorted Buttons, 5 Assorted Spools of Thread, Thimble, Scissors, Safety Pins), Nail kit (Nail Clippers, Nail File, Emery Board, Cuticle Scissors), 15 hair elastics, 12 snap clasp barrettes, Travel toothbrush and toothpaste, Dental floss, 2 combs, Krazy glue, Carmex lip balm, 12-in-1 screwdriver set, Travel size acetaminophen, Ink pen, Post-it note pad, 50 sheet notebook, 2 tampons, 2 feminine pads, Multipurpose Pocket Survival Tool (can opener, knife edge, screwdriver, ruler, cap opener, 4 position wrench, butterfly wrench, saw blade, etc.)

12. Tour of England and Ireland bracelet 

Portions of map printed and set in bracelet bezels, then painted with mod podge
(mixed with a small amount of instant coffee for an aged effect), topped with dimensional mod podge. 

13. Goodies to supplement gifts! :)

Potato soup mix (recipe from: mycardparty.com)

Brownie in a mug mixes

Oatmeal, craisin, dark chocolate chip cookies, placed in cans

(formula cans that had expired, used a pampered chef can opener to open the bottoms and empty, then put the cookies in a treat bag in the cans and resealed, then covered)

people chow/mud buddies/whatever other name you call it,

and a rice krispie treat... i mean... cornflake treat wreath...

didn't get pics of the sugar cookie truffles, red velvet cake bites, oreo balls....

did my jeans just get tighter typing that???

 14. Fireworks ornament

In memory of the baby my parents lost on the fourth of July in 1976

15. Herbed rice neck wrap

This was a really quick one, nothing fancy, but I love these! It's made with just a rectangle of fleece fabric, filled with a mixture of rice, lavender, mint, and cloves (to be heated with a cup of water in the microwave to prevent the rice from drying out... great kept in the freezer too). So easy but so relaxing. 

15. Magnetic Makeup Board

Inspired by pinterest

16. Rainndrop Pendants 

(not showing the actual ones though because they've not yet been received! hehe!)

17. Flowers for Carys

I know, it's odd to find a cemetery arrangement in a post about handmade Christmas gifts... but she's my baby girl, and it's hard to find anything that looks Christmasy for a child's grave. So, I found some pretty, soft greenery at Hobby Lobby and used the same ornaments I used before. This time, though, I put the ornaments on shish kabob sticks and covered them with floral tape. Instead of floral Styrofoam, I used a small section of pool noodle and the rest went for one of the wreaths above. Pool noodles have tons of potential!

I know I'm missing at least one gift, but it hasn't been given yet, and if I post it, it will be obvious whose gift it is. :) But anyway... may you feel inspired to go forth and create!!

Happy Crafting!

Don't I have a cute little dinosaur??