Each year for Christmas we try to stick to as much of a handmade Christmas as we can. We feel it makes it more special when added thought and effort are put into the gifts.
Hershey received this rag quilt made by me. She LOVES soft things!
Special Dark received a set of two shields and wooden swords from Mr. FR.It’s not fun to play if there is only one, right? He also received an ABC Gospel quiet book made by Truffle. He loved them both and even remembered to take his quiet book to church all by himself!
I forgot to get a picture of Cookie’s gift – a matching nightgown for her American Girl doll Emily sewn by Semisweet.
Fudge received a “hair station” sewn by Bon Bon. It has clear pockets to see all her pony tail elastics, barrettes, brush, and comb. It will hang on the wall below her own mirror in her room so she can do her hair in there every morning instead of endlessly waiting for the bathroom to be open. 😀
Truffle wanted slippers. Cookie picked out the flannel fabric for the outside and lining, helped cut out the pieces, and sat on my lap as we sewed them up for Truffle.
Brownie is quite an artist and is really into owls right now. When I found this customizable 2011 owl lover calendar I knew this would be perfect for her. Fudge chose which pictures to be for each month. Then we printed it out on cardstock, stacked the pages in order, and applied padding compound to the top as if we were making notepads. Brownie loved it! This one is her favorite picture.
Semisweet and Bon Bon both received tote bags. They are going to Spain in April with my parents and aunt and we thought they could use pretty carry-on bags for their stuff. Brownie helped me choose the fabric and did most of the sewing on Bon Bon’s bag, while Special Dark mostly watched while I sewed Semisweet’s. He did do the official wrapping though. 😀 I made up my own pattern but followed the directions here for adding the recessed zipper. The inside of each has five pockets – 2 larger ones on one side, 3 smaller ones on the other. Each girl also received a make-up clutch that fits perfectly in one of the pockets.
Brownie (remember she is quite artistic) received watercolors for her birthday which is exactly one week before Christmas. She tried one painting and was confident enough to do portraits of her cousins and Mr. FR and I as gifts. (And she even did a self-portrait!)
Aren’t they amazing? She just turned 12! I hope she will continue in developing this talent.
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Wow! Those are all awesome gifts…I especially like the paintings and the sword/shield! nice work everyone! Homemade gifts are the best!
These are wonderful gifts. I have one daughter that refuses to go along with the idea and has for most of her life. By next year I just may push to have the rest of the family do it and see if she will “go with the flow”!
Wow! What wonderful memory-filled gifts! How neat that they all were a part of making them for their sibling! I found your blog from a friend and I enjoy popping in! Happy New Year!
wow these put our homemade iphones and pet rocks to shame 🙂 awesome gifts and awesome mamma to be helping make all those :S I was tired enough from 2 scottie dogs, 2 iphones and 6 petrocks…
I should commission your girls for some of my gift giving next (this) year! They did an awesome job. I am loving the hair station…and I think a certain little girl will be getting one for her 7th birthday this spring! Thanks for the idea.
I love the idea of a homemade Christmas. I think we are going to do one next year. It will take some planning but I think it will make Christmas mean a lot more. This year my husband and I just felt overwhelmed by the commercialism of Christmas and want to change things for next year. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
These are some great gifts! With all my boys I like the sword and shield idea. And those watercolor paintings are amazing! Has she read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain? I really like that book
wow! that’s amazing. great ideas. can i be you in my next life? or at least have your talents? thanks!
Your guys are inspiring!
You have some amazingly talented children!! (I wonder where they got it from??) 😉
What wonderful homemade gifts. Your rag quilt is beautiful! I’ve only seen them done with squares before. I really like the look of your strips.