Gonna bump this up from last year... was reading some on the Christmas thread that Lee started and remembered all the awesome ideas here! Ok, money is going to be tight this year for us, tighter than I had planned So I'm trying to get creative with gifts and realized DD's Cabbage Patch Dolls have no extra clothes.. so I just spent about an hour hunting for patterns online to knit and crochet (I have TONS of yarn stashed away), so I will begin this afternoon putting some clothes together for her dolls. I am not sure beyond that what to make for her (thought about some knitted/crocheted food for her kitchen). I have no clue yet for the boys.. but I'm sure something will come to me soon. I think I will have hubby come up with something he can make for each of them (a doll house for DD would be great.. but sadly last year I bought her a Loving Family one, in hopes that she will keep playing with that through the years of Barbie.. and I don't have to give in since I can't stand Barbie..lol). Anyone want to do a craft along with me to keep us motivated to get some great homemade gifts under the tree? Also, what ideas do you have for great homemade gifts for kids, or anyone for that matter. I am pretty crafty (I can knit and crochet, sew.. really do anything I put my mind to)
I was in a hand made swap earlier this year and I recieved a tied fleece blanket........ I love it. I know I've seen pillows like it too, I think people were talking about it last year but I really didn't understand how easy it was until I got one....... mine is solid on one side and pattern colors on the other side( stripes)
I'm doing homemade presents this year, too. I'm doing homemade candles, with candle holders I'm decorating myself; probably some 'Recipes in a Jar'; and maybe some homemade soap or bath salts. Each household will get a gift bag or basket with that stuff. I have no idea what to do for the kids, though. I can't knit or crochet. I can sew, but have never really enjoyed it much. A few years ago, I did hand painted trinket boxes for dd & all my nieces. Last year I painted & decorated a jewelry box for one of my nieces for her b-day. The tied fleece blanket sounds pretty cool.
We have a tied fleece blanket here that oldest DS got for Christmas a few years ago.. the kids actually untied it, so now we have 2 fringed fleece blankets.. but they do love to cuddle up with ummm it/them..lol. They are very very easy to make, I'm sure there are some directions online.
Oh you need Kris on here. Her girls sent my girls fleece tied blankets that were so adorable and my girls love them! Maybe you could make smaller ones for the Cabbage Patch Kids.
We will join you!!! We always make ornaments, cards, candles, and lip balm along with other crafts. This year I want to focus on burned paper angels. I made some before but they are time consuming so I promised myself to get started early!!!! How fun this will be! Thanks!
Knitting dish cloths is VERY easy! A friend made me some last year (interesting timing, as I was just contemplating going out and buying some!), and I found I liked them SO MUCH better than bought ones. I made three for my mother for Mother's Day, and Rachael made three for the 4-H Silent Auction.
How do you make lip balm, Patty? That sounds like a great gift! I'm going to try to make lotion to give for all those little gifts that pop up. I'll look for pretty, but inexpesive bottles to put it in.
Pam, here are some recipes. These are not my all time favorites, though. I had a recipe that I concocted because many recipes that call for bees wax come out to hard when they cool. So I came up with something soft and moist but lost it when my computer died. It is posted somewhere on this site. I will try to find it. I started making lip balm about two years ago and it is easy and fun. These recipes are from the web. As I said, they call for a lot of beeswax. So you can play with the recipes to make them your own. I add less bees wax to get a creamier balm. I also like to use extracts instead of real juices. They just smell better. Shortening can be substituted for petroleum jelly but I do not care for it. It is too heavy on the lip and tastes bad. When melting, always melt the bees wax first, on low heat, and then add other ingredients. Blend well. After everything is melted you can add flavored oils, cosmetic glitter dust, and color. You will need a dropper and plastic lip balm tubs or tubes, which ever you like best. Peppermint Lip Balm 2 tablespoons petroleum jelly (I like to use Olive Oil instead but the petroeum jelly works great and is cheap. You can get a big container at the $1.00 store.) 1 teaspoon beeswax 10-14 drops peppermint essential oil Milk Lip Balm 8 oz extra virgin olive oil 2 oz beeswax 4 oz cocoa butter 1/2 vitamin E capsule 1/2 teaspoon cream (I leave this out) 1/2 teaspoon honey Creamy Cocoa Lip Balm Ingredients: 4 oz extra virgin olive oil 3 oz beeswax 1/2 vitamin E capsule 1/2 teaspoon cocoa
Pam, I can't find it!!!!:? Basically, I mixed petroleum jelly, olive oil, Shea Butter or Jojoba, bees wax, and an extract. I added a tint to some and left some plain. Since I do not have the recipe anymore, my suggestion is to start off with the beeswax, then add the other ingredients, minus the extract and tint. Allow it to harden. Then you can see if you like the consistancy. You can use any of the above recipes as a basic guide. Just add less beeswax unless you are looking for a solid balm. Michael's has a lip balm and lotion kit in one. This is how we started. Ems wanted to make some and we loved it. If I remember correctly, it was $20. and the kit allowed you to make six balms, 3 tubs and 3 tubes, plus lotion. It came with the lotion base, fragrance, and dye. Good luck!
You can get it at Michael's. I think it is $14. or $15. but with a 40% off coupon, it is worth it. You can use bleached or yellow but I make sure it is not chemically bleached. I think Michael's bleached beeswax is sun bleached. You will get about one pound. Or is it four pounds? But it goes far. I tried to get it off line but with shipping it was still cheaper to get it at Micheal's with the coupon.
Beth, I am glad they enjoy them, we had so much fun making them. Crazymama make a blanket and pillow for her dollies. The boys make them each a pillow to sleep with. or what about knitting some slippers those are always nice. Well I guess I will let you all know how crazy I am I have started Christmas shopping already for the girls. Got about 3 things each. Not big ones little. But, it's a start. We are making alot of our own too. WE love doing the recipe in jar. Last year we did a couple jars with noodles and sauce on the size. Went to Goodwill found jars to use and filled them. everyone loved them. go to Sam's buy the big items of noodles and sauce and your done, oh don't forget the red bow or whatever color you want.
I got my first 2 Christmas presents today! Our Walmart has lots of toys on clearance, and I got 2 small gifts cheap!!
Lot's of store have toys and stuff on clearance to make way for Christmas inventory. There are great deals to be had. I hope all the hand-made crafty gifts come out great. I'd love to see some pics of thing you have made.
We got two. A digital camera they had on sale for a really good price for Faythe, and a basketball hoop we bought at a garage sale for all three kids.
I have both of the girls big presents. I am so proud to actually have bought something already. I don't usually get started this early. I almost bought a video game for one of the boys tonight, but Emily was with me.
I am having the girls make felt calendars for the Grandmas this year. I'll be making some American girl doll clothes and afghans. I need some motivation!
