I thought this week I would show some of the great pictures I have been getting of many gifts being made. It is wonderful to see! Plus there are many ideas and inspirations!
Where to start...
Ok, firstly Rosanne has been making 100% cotton bath sets that include wash cloths and scrub buddies.
She makes sets in the colours she knows the person will love and a pretty box for it to all go into. Lovely.
Where to start...
Ok, firstly Rosanne has been making 100% cotton bath sets that include wash cloths and scrub buddies.
She makes sets in the colours she knows the person will love and a pretty box for it to all go into. Lovely.
Rosanne also makes heat packs with a removable washable cover for them.
She uses velcro then to hold them in place. Really good idea!
Kelly has been making beautiful pillowcases. She made a pirate themed one for her son as she already made him a pirate themed quilt!
And others for gifts ...
Jen showed me Christmas cupcakes she made previously. I had not thought of Christmas cup cakes! You could do any flavor even the fruit cake mixture this way. Look at her amazing presentation...
What a good idea. Beautiful! Jen has also been busy making many gifts. She made felt food which includes slices of cake that just blows me away! I love this...
I really want to make some like this for Harper when she is older. How adorable.
And these... the base is an embroidery hoop!
Also wash cloths... this one for a little Superman fan...
My youngest reader Emma wrote to me recently saying she really wants a pretty house when she grows up. Well, she is on the right track. Vicky is her Grandma and Emma is learning all kinds of stuff that will help her when she grows up. Here she is making the tulle vegie bags... and she chose bright pink for them! Respect.
Teri made a quilt for a man who is a big comic fan and the theme is Poison Ivy. She made it especially because this is what he loves and entirely out of things she had! What a good gift. A lot of time and love went into this!
Janine has been really busy. She has made the most of a resource near her which is a towel factory outlet. She is able to get hand towels and face washers at amazing prices. The lace was from her Mum's collection. Also the burgundy set is a large tablecloth, 6 serviettes, a table runner and two heat mats ALL made with an end of the roll purchase of fabric that cost $5 and she still had some left!
What a beautiful collection! And she is still making more.
Vicky M made these Sugar Cookie Sacks. How lovely. Perfect for neighbors, teachers and unexpected gifts. You can find instructions via her blog too Vicky's Kitchen and Garden.
Helen has been working on a rug... look at the lovely colors! (I just added this is for anyone wondering how they missed it!)
Thank you so much to everyone for showing me what you are making. It is so nice to see.
It took me quite a long time to feel that it was ok to give my own homemade gifts. It takes some confidence. But now when you see in stores that home cooking is sold at HUGE prices and sells like hot cakes it makes you realize cooking is loved! And when you see hand made clothes, home wares etc at great prices and know you can do at least as well then it all comes together... we can make our gifts and be confident in giving them. I think whatever gift you give there will be the occasional person that isn't grateful. Most people will be delighted and touched that you made something for them. Have you ever had it that you sent a lot of a gift and a great amount of trouble and it didn't seem appreciated or you were never thanked? Well, that can happen whether you bought a gift or made one. If someone is ungrateful they are just ungrateful. Don't be put off! Find someone else who will be grateful! Believe me, there are so many people who will be so thrilled with a gift you made with love and care.
And that is what next weeks post is about!
Helen has been working on a rug... look at the lovely colors! (I just added this is for anyone wondering how they missed it!)
Thank you so much to everyone for showing me what you are making. It is so nice to see.
It took me quite a long time to feel that it was ok to give my own homemade gifts. It takes some confidence. But now when you see in stores that home cooking is sold at HUGE prices and sells like hot cakes it makes you realize cooking is loved! And when you see hand made clothes, home wares etc at great prices and know you can do at least as well then it all comes together... we can make our gifts and be confident in giving them. I think whatever gift you give there will be the occasional person that isn't grateful. Most people will be delighted and touched that you made something for them. Have you ever had it that you sent a lot of a gift and a great amount of trouble and it didn't seem appreciated or you were never thanked? Well, that can happen whether you bought a gift or made one. If someone is ungrateful they are just ungrateful. Don't be put off! Find someone else who will be grateful! Believe me, there are so many people who will be so thrilled with a gift you made with love and care.
And that is what next weeks post is about!
If you have pictures of what you have been making that you would share please email me at brinkzi21@hotmail.com I would love to see! I am thrilled to see so much beautiful work and what touches my heart is all the people who sent in photos have busy lives and they still manage to produce such wonderful things! This just makes me happy somehow!
Have a wonderful week! Wednesday is part 2 of the fruit season and how to make the most of all produce that comes your way. xxx
Have a wonderful week! Wednesday is part 2 of the fruit season and how to make the most of all produce that comes your way. xxx
This is a message to Kelsey... I accidentally deleted your comment on Friday! I had to cut and paste it back as I couldn't find the deleted one and so you may not have seen that I replied! I hate not replying and I hope you saw it! xx
Oh dear. I feel quite the rank amateur all of a sudden....lol! These are gorgeous Annabel, and you are so lovely to share them on everyones behalf. I can't choose a favourite.They are all stunning! Such beautiful work will surely be appreciated and loved for years to come. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Mimi,
DeleteIsnt it nice to see so many gorgeous things and ideas. I just love it. Plus I am getting so many new ideas for next year. I need to be writing things down in my notebook.
I hope you will have a good week. Things are starting to get busy. I hope exams are over there. With love, Annabel.xxx
It is so lovely to see what everyone has been making! Great job ladies! And wow Emma, it looks like you are doing so well with your sewing and learning lots from your Grandma, keep up the good work! Thanks Annabel for putting together this show & tell, it is inspiring to see what others are up to, and has spurred me on to get started on my next lot of gift-making. Good luck everyone, and happy making! Kelly :)
ReplyDeleteDear Kelly,
DeleteThank you for your photos. Really it has been so nice to see all of these! We all have skills we can use and skills we can build on. It is amazing what we can make. I love it!
With love, Annabel.xxx
thank you Kelly.
Deleteemma
What lovely gifts everyone has been making, Annabel. I plan to make some animal themed skirts for my granddaughters...not sure about the baby. The family won't be able to take much with them after Christmas as the car will be full with three kids and everything else. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDear Nanna Chel, It sounds like little gifts will be on your list! But really there are lots of things that are small and wonderful so you will find them. I understand how a car load of all the things you need with a baby and children is! But it will be wonderful! With love, Annabel.xxx
DeleteIt's great to see what others are making! Thanks for including me too! Now to look up how to make scrub buddies!
ReplyDeleteDear Vicky,
DeleteThank you for contributing! Also I love these cotton wash buddies. I am not sure what to call them. I will ask Rosanne more questions... also she makes them in the shape of roses. I will try and post a picture of one and a link maybe. I really like them and want to learn too! With love, Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw your reply to my comment! I always read through the comments and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to them all. I know it has to take time to do that, but it really is a blessing to see what other ladies have to say and to see you answer them back. You have built up a little community here and I'm glad to be a part of it :)
All of the gifts these ladies have made are fantastic! I'm especially excited to young Emma taking an interest in making things. She will be glad she learned such skills when she gets older, too. Thank you for sharing what others have done, and thanks to the ladies for sending in their pictures. It's very inspiring! --Kelsey
Dear Kelsey,
DeleteI did a list of dumb things last week which I will blame on my headache! Glad you saw it! I hate not replying or people thinking I didnt!
Little Emma is really cute. She has Vicky to teach her everything imaginable!
Thank you for being part of this little group. I think of everyone as such a good friend and so encouraging it makes my days lovely! With love, Annabel.xxx
Thank you for sharing all these lovely handmade gifts! And thanks to all the ladies who contributed. Finishing my son's quilt in the midst of applesauce making. :) Will be working on Christmas gifts soon. With 8 children, I work in the Fall to tackle projects before my holiday work sets in. It works for me. And posts like this one fuels my creative juices.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
Dear Leslie,
DeleteAhh multitasking! I know it well! Truly it is such a help to work early and all year round. With eight children I admire you and know you do very well. Christmas at your home would be so exciting! Thanks Leslie, Love Annabel.xxx
Annabel,
ReplyDeleteHow great to see everyone's work! Such lovely gifts and so much talent from all the ladies! Truly it is all amazing. My Emma will be learning so much I just know she'll have that pretty house she wants! Thank you so much for sharing her and with her. This Grandma has tears sniff, sniff.
XOXO
Vicky
Dear Vicky, Tell Emma if she makes more things she can send me pictures again. Dont underestimate what she will remember all her life from what you teach her. Things my Nan taught me I seem to remember every detail. And especially when I crochet flowers I think of her so much! Then I passed these skills onto the girls.... so Nan lives on. What we do truly influences the generations.It is so important. With love, Annabel.xxxx
DeleteI was so inspired by everyone's creativity! I find myself with lots of time and little money around the holidays this year, but I can bake well so most people are getting baked goods and some handmade wreaths that I am working on.
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
DeleteBaking is a wonderful gift. And wreaths sound beautiful too! Yes time is a great asset. Things we can make from what we have and simple ingredients... with time there are a lot of options! I am glad you are putting the time to good use too.... a lot of the time that is the problem, good ideas and not enough time to get them all done! I am sure your gifts will be a bit hit! With love, Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, thank you so much for sharing this "show and tell" post!! Such lovely gifts and inspiring ideas!! :) Thank you to all you wonderful ladies who shared pictures! Homemade gifts are the best!!!
ReplyDeleteEmma, I'm so happy you are learning to sew! And pink tulle! Beautiful! Learn all you can as these skills will serve you and others well in the future!! :) Your grandma is a great teacher!
Have a good week, everyone! Love, Teri
Dear Teri, thank you for your photos and your encouragement to Emma. I think we will all have a busy year next year with plenty of ideas! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx
Deleteteri thank you. I like learning to sew and I love pink grandma says all ladies should have something pink. and sit with my legs crossed. emma
DeleteI just love seeing people's craftiness, I find it so inspiring. How lovely that so much thought has gone into the gifts above. Thanks Annabel for putting them all together, and for including mine :)
ReplyDeleteWe are being bombarded by tv ads and junk mail at the moment, with hundreds of ideas for gifts. I can honestly say nothing I've seen for sale compares to these handmade gifts.
Emma, how wonderful you have a grandma teaching you to make such beautiful things!!
Dear Jen, Thank you very much! It was lovely to see your beautiful work!
DeleteI have been looking in catalogues too and I kept one that was a french provincial store one... just for the ideas! But not to buy! We can do better for much much less!
Thank you so much! With love, Annabel.xxx
jen thank you I love pretty things and grandma is helping me make my own. I can make presents now too. emma
DeleteHow lovely Annabel. I am the same Mimi, I cannot choose a favourite! How kind and thoughtful of you Annabel to take the time to upload and share. I am so impressed. Everyone's work is just beautiful. Anyone would be delighted to receive these gifts, they are just so lovely. I am only beginning in my DIY gifts. I have your delicious Christmas cakes to give and also I'm endeavouring to learn how to crochet...I'm not sure if that will be good enough yet lol however at least I'm getting practise! I love this little community Annabel, thank you for creating it. It feels like the world is a good place, when I am here. Love, Bridge
ReplyDeleteDear Bridge,
DeleteYou have done very well I think especially with a baby. You are trying a lot of new things and learning a lot and thats what I am doing. I am amazed what I learned this year! Keep crocheting as there are so many gifts that lends itself to. You can be in the Christmas show and tell next year! With love, Annabel.xxx
I like seeing what real homemakers make too! Thank you for showing these. I would be thrilled to get any of these gifts.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about comics or the Poison Ivy one but the quilt made with on hand supplies is just amazing.
Thanks Rhonda, I have found it really inspiring too and making plans for next year! Xxx
DeleteWhat a great joy and blessing to see what everyone has been making.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful items and such great ideas here! I just love everything and would be overjoyed receiving such lovingly made items. You hit the nail on the head, Annabel. Grateful people would gratefully receive these handmade items. "If someone is ungrateful, they are just ungrateful" sadly so very true!
To dear Emma, I can see how much you love pink and you rightly look very pleased with your sewing. It is lovely that you are learning so young and have a wonderful grandma to teach you. Well done sweetie. xoxo
Dear Kaye,
DeleteVicky and Emma are you and your Grand daughter in about six years!
This is our chance to teach and pass on so much. I think its so exciting.
I love making things for people I know dont get much, dont get much attention or favors. I love it. They are always so thrilled.
Hope you are having a good week! With love, Annabel.xxxx
kayeb thank you. I was so happy grandma Vicky is teaching me I get to try other things later. emma
DeleteGreat job everyone!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lana! xxx
DeleteLots of lovely work and good ideas! Thank you for sharing. I am planning to make a few rice hot packs, a dolly blanket and some food gifts such as pumpkin bread and fudge. I have been gathering the materials and selecting from the stock I have on hand. I've also been able to use some discount coupons and good sales to pick up a few gift items. It is such fun making or selecting and wrapping the gifts! Have a lovely week! Elaine
ReplyDeleteDear Elaine, I love hot packs. I couldnt live without mine so they are a good gift and here they are at least $30 in stores. usually ugly too!
DeleteI also want to make fudge this year.
I am glad you are enjoying it! this is part of the fun of Christmas! With love, Annabel.xxx
Such talented people in the world. Thank you Annabel for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb! We all have skills we can use and grow. I am thinking about what to make next year, will be all different! Quite exciting! Many thanks. Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI have made many donuts, pieces of cake and long johns to be used as pincushions and have given them to all my quilting buddies. They turn out so cute. I love all the ideas and am thankful that you share them for all to see.
ReplyDeletePaula in Kansas
Dear Paula,
DeleteThat sounds wonderful. I am in love with the slices of cake idea. Take a photo as I would love to see! Your quilting friends would just love these gifts! Thank you so much for commenting! With love, Annabel.xxx
Annabel thankyou for sharing everyone's creations I love seeing what others do.
ReplyDeleteI have spotted some food for thought and while we are not near a towel factory outlet there are times when towels are cheap so like you must start making a note of what I need to be on the lookout for.
I have a valance that needs to be pulled apart, the box it was in bled a bit when it got wet on Saturday as we were moving things across from the storage shed, there is a patch on the skirt of the valance that hasn't washed out (white hail spot fabric) but the lace is fine so that will go into my crafting box ready for next year and I can use the undamaged fabric for something else.
I am still waiting on the tea towels to arrive, I know that there are a couple that have spots on them which I will use for practice before I print off the actual ones for the girls.
I need to start my book on gift ideas too.
Lynette
XXXXX
Dear Lynette,
DeleteI am a saver of fabric that can be reused to. And lace! I have bought things just to cut the lace off them too and it can be very worth it.
I would be very interested in what a towel factory outlet sells! Janine got the end of the roll of burgundy material and that was amazing and she said she had two choices of colour in hand towels and face washers at the price she got them. But the prices were amazing! Plus there are many projects to make from toweling.... I thought all the ideas were fabulous. Now onto planning what to make starting in January! Hope you are having a good week! With love, Annabel.xxxx
It is wonderful to see everyone's work. I can see the love that has been put into every piece.
ReplyDeleteEmma, your Grandma has to be so proud of you, I surely would be if you were my Granddaughter. You are doing excellent work and learning great things from your loving Grandma.
I thought this year I would make (some) Christmas presents that were personal, I pray they are appreciated, if not, oh well, I did my part of making and giving some of me to others.
I will take another picture of the roses I am making and add the extra instructions of what I added to them. I seem to keep finding more ideas, thanks to Annabel sharing everyone's and from the internet. I have already started a binder of ideas for next Christmas. I'm thinking I have to start in January, LOL!
Annabel, thank you again for including my work.
Love Rosanne.
Dear Rosanne, thank you so much for your photos! I love them! I would love more pictures of the roses and will post those.
DeleteI have a lot of ideas for next year too! Will be busy! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxxx
thank you Rosanne. and thank you for saying I did exvellent. emma
DeleteThankyou for sharing everyone's photos Annabel. The presents all look wonderful and so thoughtfully made.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of sewing lace to a hand towel. I have lots of hand towels stored away to make presents so I'll pinch this idea.
Dear Wendy,
DeleteThank you! I have see your lovely face washers... So hand towels is just a little different but they look beautiful decorated too. Plus you can do hand towel and face washer sets which is nice. Plenty of ideas!
Hope you are having a good week! With love, Annabel.xxx
I've loved looking at everyone's work - you've been very generous Annabel, sharing your blog like this. Thank you everyone for the great ideas.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great seeing skills passed down the generations. Some of my fondest memories are sewing with my grandmother and I'm sure Emma will remember her sewing sessions with love.. Emma has done a great job and her enjoyment is obvious.
Dear Janine, I have sewing memories with my Nana as well. She had a treddle sewing machine then later an electric one. I liked the treddle one best and it sewed very well! Thank you, I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing and amazed. Some of these ladies have big families and are so busy but still get all this done! With love, Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel
ReplyDeleteSorry it has been a while since I have posted but life has been very busy here. We have been helping organise the end of year school Christmas concert and also the town Christmas Fair but I have been eagerly reading along with your blog.
There are some wonderful Christmas gifts featured in this post. Well done to those who have been busily making items.
For the first time in ages I have a whole day (other than school drop off and pick up) home tomorrow so I have soaked the fruit for you Christmas cake recipe.......and whilst doing this I thought of how proud you would be of me....I was told that we had heaps of sherry left so did not need to buy any, well I had about 3/4 of a cup left, so I found one of those little bottles of whisky that took me to a cup so then I found the bottle of rum and it almost made the 3/4 mark, so yes I compromised as I can not just run off to the shops.
I also hope to start on some of my sewing or putting together some of the gifts I have tomorrow as well. I have started Christmas crafts with DD5 and she has also done her Christmas cards and is almost finished them. We will be putting up our tree on Sunday as this is the last weekend that DP will be home till the middle of Dec and he would love to share in the joy that it gives to DD5.
Thank you so much for going to the trouble of sharing the gifts others have made.....it is such a delight to see
Love
Aly
Dear Aly,
DeleteI have used left over bits and pieces to make up the alcohol part of the cakes! It all works out. Whiskey is good and I have used just that for Andy which he liked!
It is a busy time of year! I think crafts are great fun now that DD is old enough to be doing lots of things, she would be loving it.
I am glad you can all put up the Christmas tree together. These are the things that create special memories.
I hope your sewing goes well. I tend to get it done in short bursts. My sewing machine will be back out soon as I have all kinds of ideas and plans!
I think it must be getting pretty warm there, it's hot here today and tomorrow but so far not too bad. With lots of love, Annabel.xxxx
Dear Annabel and Friends, What a bounty of beautiful heartfelt gifts from the hands of your readers. I was absolutely charmed by them all.
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone who sent in the photos to share, and Emma, you are doing a beautiful job with your tulle bags!
Love Helen
thank you Helen. I really like fabric. emma
Deletethank you very much Annabel for showing my sewing. I love seeing every week. you have pretty stuff and grandma shows me how to do lots of things she gave me my own apron for getting the eggs and is teaching me how to hang washed clothes outside. I like the pins. I like to see the gifts you make they are so prettyand I like all of friends on here they are very nice. love emma
ReplyDelete