The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Tuesday 5 January 2016

The Christmas Challenge.

Welcome to the Christmas Challenge!
If there is one thing I have learned the last few years it is to start making gifts in January and keep going! You really do arrive at Christmas with so many gifts and you have enough for all the other gift giving times during the year as well, birthdays, baby, engagements and what ever comes along.

Not only that you have spare gifts. You can give to someone in need, someone you don't know, a women's shelter or another charity.

You can also save a fortune. If you work out your savings you can count them in The Vicky Challenge! These challenges go together. Many people spend thousands per year on gifts. You may be able to spend a fraction of what you used to on presents but still give well. Truly, we can give thoughtful and generous gifts but being paying off the mortgage or stocking the pantry instead! This challenge could save you so much money.
There are other spin offs. Learning new skills can lead to other savings or even items to sell.
Busy hands really do make happy hearts! Truly, being busy at home on projects is lovely.
Learning to make something new is really fun! If I described to you how much fun I have on something new like a new crochet pattern you would laugh at me!

Next you do not have to be crafty to make your presents. Anyone can follow simple directions. You might have a talent already you can use and you might learn new ones. If you are a cook you have a whole range of presents you can make.
I hear people say they are not crafty all the time. They are people who have not had success before. Then they try something and miracles happen. A good example is Wendy (from My Abundant Life). Wendy decided to try card making. She took to it like a duck to water! I know it has brought her so much fun and happiness and now she teaches others!
So don't decide you can't do something. Use any skills you have and learn some more that appeal to you. It will make your year really fun.

Making things all year turns simple things into great gifts. One of my priorities will be to use up supplies we all have in our cupboards and available to us.

For this challenge it will be very helpful to have a work book. Week by week we will fill it with your resources, gift ideas, helpful websites and more. It is just handy to write things down right away before you forget them. I need to do this. Lots of times the photos I take serve as a reminder or I really would forget half of the ideas I come across.

This post is an introduction. Next week we will start working through ideas to make as much as we can from what we have.  Then we will go into lots of gifts to make, presentation, wrapping and tags etc.  Week by week we will make progress! At the end of each month there will be a show and tell post so everyone can see what we have been making.

I am going to post a lot of easy craft ideas and many will be paper crafts since so many gorgeous things are made of paper and these tend to cost very little. If you already make cards you will find these really a breeze!

After just coming out of a big gift giving season the number one thing I need is fresh ideas! Once I have inspiration I seem to be ok. Otherwise I can get kind of stuck.

Next I need to review what supplies I have. And also who is on my gift list, what birthdays are coming up and what to do first!

Another factor is what time of year we are in. Here it is summer. I am not going to start a heavy woolen blanket now. It's better to start this kind of work in autumn. I know we will have hot days and sometimes then I stay indoors and sew. So that is something good for this month. Be realistic about whats going on now and think about your year. In winter we watch the football. That is a lot of hours of tv. I crochet and do all kinds of things then. Just now we rarely turn the TV on. We have not turned it on for over a week now. We are outside in the evenings and go swimming. I am in the garden in the evening too. But on a hot day I will stay in and can sew. Also being summer I have fruit coming in. I can start on jams and some of these can go towards little gifts and hampers.
Over the whole year it works out!
If I am traveling I take something small to work on. If we are going a long distance and Andy is driving I crochet the whole way in the car! If I know I might be waiting for an appointment I will take something small to work on. Think about your time and when you have chances to work on something. Truly fifteen minutes here and there adds up! Over a year even ten minutes a day will give you all the gifts you need. If time is short but you travel on a train or bus everyday take knitting or crochet and use that time. Use the snippets of time you have. You will be amazed how it adds up.

So lets start with gathering ideas and inspiration. You cannot beat Pinterest for this.  You can search a subject of interest, just think of what you would like ie "easy teacher gifts" or "gifts from fabric scraps" and so on. The results are amazing! You Tube is amazing as well. You can learn just about anything.

I was lucky to get wonderful gifts of craft supplies for Christmas and also some gifts that inspired me and gave me an idea. I had moments where I was so excited as I spotted a big idea!
So far I have...

My SIL gave me this gorgeous bath mat. It is so nice!


I love crochet. I have never thought of crocheting an edging around a bath mat. I can do that! I could make pale blue, pale pink... I would like several more myself! Also these could be bedside mats. I love the idea. Now to collect some bath mats. I am thinking IKEA and Target etc. This mat is soft, no hard backing. You could use several different types of bath mat to do it. I will be making a heap of these!

Next I got a whole heap of ideas from Mimi. She always is inspiring and stylish.  A couple of ideas I will share are so clever.
Firstly Mimi decorated this folder for me (which I loved in itself)


She has placed pretty things under the clear slip cover of a three ring binder.
Inside the front pocket there are beautiful craft papers...


Then there are clear plastic pockets in the rings full of more pretty papers plus craft scissors through one of the rings...


This gift is a crafters delight. Imagine making up something like this for anyone who makes cards? Over the year you can add to it as you collect things. I have ambitions of finding old wall paper books and cutting them up into colour schemes people like and filling these... but also adding glitters etc. A friend who does scrap booking would adore this! 
You could also make them for children ie activity and craft folders of supplies and pretty papers. A perfect holiday gift or travel gift! 

This has so many possibilities! Just start with a folder with a clear cover and add plastic pockets. Imagine adding ribbons in one pocket. Glitter sachets in another, cut outs in another... my mind boggles! Personalize but making it up in someones favorite colours or themes such as roses, butterflies or whatever is most loved. This would be such a hit!

Mimi also made beautiful sheets of paper with script writing. Folded beautifully with a bow around them they looked divine. Also something for all occasions. You can see her original instructions here.
This is a gift anyone would like as we all use wrapping paper and lovely paper in my news agency is four or five dollars a sheet! 


I would need to practice my script admitedly! On a smaller scale french script could be printed onto A4 sheets via the printer onto any colour.... Lovely gift idea!

My sister in law then gave my Mum a gift that was another fantastic idea.  It was a set of microfiber cloths to wash yourself and take off eye makeup. They were pale pink and so soft. The body ones had a soft and a more exfoliating side. The eye makeup ones are thick round disks and in a pretty jar all stacked nicely.  Being a sucker for beauty and bath things I studied these up close! It was love at first sight basically.


To snoop further I went on to the company website and also saw the price. You can do the same if interested...
I can make these! And in pale pink, pale blue, lilac... any colour really. Microfiber is available many places and all kinds of thicknesses and quality. I just have to find the suitable material and then cut them out and sew them up. Microfiber itself is not expensive. It is great stuff and fine soft microfiber is good for makeup removal etc. (it is no good for irritated skin though). So sets of these are on my list of things to make! Tied up with a lovely ribbon I love this gift. I am also planning to make soap this year. This gift would go with my soap too.

My final Christmas inspiration comes from beautiful Fiona. She made me kitchen towels and embroidered my name and pretty edges on them. And one is a Bluebirds are Nesting kitchen towel!


I loved this so much! (thanks Fiona!) 
And it gave me so many ideas! Using machine embroidery or hand stitching it doesn't matter... monogram's, names on things, verses or sayings that are just right for a person can go onto a towel, pillowcase, bag, table runner....THINK of all the possibilities!

So I have some ideas and many more planned. Now I can't wait to get started. 

If you do one thing this week then go through what supplies you have on hand that COULD become gifts even if you don't know what you would make. We will get to that!
Next consider what you might have available to you. It might be that you have wood, fabric or a tree of fruit in the yard. Anything that is a resource, even if you don't know how to use it, note that down.
We don't have to start anything now. Come back next week knowing what materials you have and with some ideas of what you would like to make. This is a week to review and gather inspiration. Spend some hours looking. Try Pinterest for the first time. Or search crochet blogs or "...." blogs inserting something you are interested in.

I am off to pull all my fabric out of the cupboard and make a list... see you next Wednesday!



I must apologise to two people as I deleted two comments accidentally! If your comment didn't appear Monday it was my fault. I had a whole heap of spam and had a delete festival and then deleted two actual comments. Very sorry, if yours didn't show up please try again. Spam is a real pain. The maddest spam is comments that say do I have trouble with spam! How crazy is that? They are trying to sell everything from houses to viagra! So I do a lot of deleting! oops.

79 comments:

  1. I am so excited to do this, Annabel! I actually started a list the weekend after Christmas, I was so excited! lol! Looking forward to next week :)

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    1. Dear Jenn,
      Starting now we will get so much done! Have a look and see what needs using up as that itself is a great money saver. I am quite excited too... I have so much lined up that I am looking forward to. There are not enough hours in the day thats the problem...
      Thanks Jenn, Love Annabel.xxx

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  2. I'm crocheting hot pads. My niece needs some to set hot dishes on, she also needs pot holder. Her kitchen is green and yellow.
    Sue

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  3. Taylor-Made Homestead has some Cute Repurposed Denim Fabric Baskets you might like
    Sue

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    1. Thank you Sue. Many of us would have a lot of denim at times ie old jeans etc. Thanks so much! xxx

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  4. Annabel you have given me a chore for today, sorting out the myriad of papers that I have and popping them into sleeves and folders (I have ample that I use to use for Guides).

    Getting things organised is my aim for this week. While doing this I am sure that I will think of a myriad of things to make.

    Lynette
    XXXXX

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    1. Dear Lynette,
      I have so many paper crafts coming up! I remember about your lovely supplies. There are just so many uses!
      I need to go through all my papers too. I am doing the fabrics first. I know I have a good stash and also was given some lovely good cotton sheets in pale pink with flowers! I have cotton voiles in floral prints and want to make pretty ladies hankies. Then I need to go through my card making things. I have masses of glitter etc.
      I hope you are having a good week. It has flown by... too fast! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. I managed to get 2 Lever Arch folders full of paper and cardstock yesterday, still have another collection to sort through (paper mainly from memory). I didn't manage to fit everything into the folders, have 2 small A4 size drawers full of neutral card stock (white, off white, black). The folders have all of the colours blocked together no matter if it is card stock or paper - thought that was the most sensible way to do it. 1 folder is neutrals and the other is colours.

      Like you I have sheets, lots of sheets and my mind is working on something to do with them - something pretty and useful.

      I still haven't found all of my craft supplies, they are in storage - I have glitter and stamps and stamp pads (will probably need renewing or replacing) and heaven knows what else - that is aside from some more fabric.

      The one thing I know I don't have I will have to buy, hopefully I can get 1/2 a metre because that will be ample for what I am going to do and then I need to find a particular gardening glove.

      Time for me to start making lists and continue with the reorganising, never know what else I will find.

      Lynette
      XXXXX

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  5. Annabel,
    I admit I am not that crafty, but I am following along to see everyone else's beautiful work like Mimi'a folders and Fiona the tea towels are beautiful!
    I love that bathmat!!!! For anyone who doesn't crochet maybe some lace or ruffles sewed on would be pretty.
    Maybe if I get one of those looms that comes with the bag of loops that's made for children I can make potholders! LOL
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Dear Vicky....
      Firstly to anyone reading Vicky makes Tutus for little girls, paints, quilts, does woodcrafts or is about to... sews etc!
      Ok back to you Vicky! Yes you are so crafty! The way you decorated your pantry storage with black and white vinyl was crafty! You are having I mental blank I reckon.!
      That is a very good suggestion re the bath mat... sewn on cotton lace would work exactly the same. Good thinking.
      We will all add to our Vicky challenges making gifts! With love Annabel.xxx

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  6. Annabel, I am excited too and like Jenn, I've already started my list. This year everything will need to come from what I have on hand but that part of my pantry is well-stocked so I have plenty of options. Right now I'm having fun learning to do crochet edgings ... thanks to your inspiration!

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    1. Dear Patsy,
      I would love to hear what you have on hand. I know you sew and this immediately gives a lot of options. And crochet edgings have so many possibilities. I am basically addicted to those. If it doenst move around here it gets a crochet edge.
      Thanks so much! with love Annabel.xxx

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  7. Love the crafters folder idea. Have decided to make fabric folder covers with pockets and applique. This is now on my list for this year. I already have a few tea towel sets I made prior to Christmas that I didn't gift to anyone. Bonus as the cupboard already has something in it. In my notebook I am using double pages. One side for the Vicki challenge and one for the Chrstmas challenge. My notebook came with a magazine that was given to me as a Birthday Gift from a neighbour. This is fun.

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  8. What beautiful gifts you received, Annabel! And such great ideas! I can't wait to see what you and everybody comes up with this year xx Fiona

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    1. Thanks Fiona. I love seeing what everyone makes. The before Christmas show and tells showed how clever everyone is.
      I hope you enjoyed your peaceful days! xxx

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  9. Fun! Great ideas! I can't wait to participate and read everyone elses ideas. I love it when crafters share! Ikea is a great place for little gifts to round out a gift basket. I bought some Ikea towels and machine embroidered them this year ~ .75 each! Frugal gift that turned out lovely.

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    1. Dear Donna, That is a great idea! I really love IKEA and I need to do a trip there as I have a list and a voucher. I will look at the towels. I love what you did! Great gift. Fiona has impressed me so much with her machine embroidery I think what a great way to make gifts.
      So glad to have you here. With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. I love the inspiration. I will put together a notebook and gather ideas and I will make an aim to do at least one thing a month. That is where in my season. I only have about 12-15 people including my children on my list. Although, I always have like to have extra goodies on hand.

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    1. Dear Chrissy,
      You will be so glad come next December but also during the year birthdays etc. Another thing that can be handy is if the church or a charity has a fete or fund raiser we have things to donate ie a stall or a basket being made up for someone etc. I love having spares on hand for those times and having them ready and waiting.
      I hope you find lots of ideas you can use. With love Annabel.xxx

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  11. What wonderful ideas you have; am trying to have a year of being thrifty and using only the supplies I already have. Very thrilled because I saved $80 today at the pet shop by buying close to expiry date dry food for my cat and dog - you've inspired me!!!

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    1. Dear Sarah,
      Well done! That is a lot in one day!
      If you have any particular supplies on hand and want ideas at all please ask. I really love using up what we have. It turns stuff in our cupboards into wonderful gifts and big savings. What a help!
      I hope you have a very thrifty year. You got off to a good start! With love Annabel.xxx

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  12. Hello Annabel, I am in. Oh how I love that folder, now that is my kind of gift!. I love your blue birds are nesting kitchen towel too, there are so many clever and creative people here. Thank you for this challenge Annabel, I am aiming to make more gifts for Christmas this year than I did last year. I look forward to seeing more ideas and sharing ideas too. Thanks again Annabel . Love Barb

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    1. Dear Barb,
      I knew you would love the folder. It is what I meant when I said to you there was something you would like! If you have card making friends it is a perfect gift.
      There will be lots of gifts using paper/cardboard which I think you will enjoy. I hope so! Thank you so much for joining in and your support! With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. Old calendars are useful for pictures. I also like to get the department store magazines for inspiration. This year for Christmas I cut out a picture of a bottle of Chanel perfume and framed it up with a nice backing and gave to one of our girls. She loved it. bj

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    1. Dear bj, What a lovely gift! Mimi would love this too! That sounds so stylish and I never thought of that. I made cards once with jewellery, shoe and perfume ads. They looked quite glamorous. Also I have used lovely magazine pages as wrapping paper for small gifts. I love your idea thank you! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. I love to use seed catalogs to make seed envelopes for those who save their seeds. (Or use my seeds in them.) The color photos folded into envelope shapes really turn out beautiful. I just pop a white sticker on it to label it.

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  14. I think I jumped the gun. I started making presents last week. I've made 22 hand towels with pretty fabric sewn on. I will try to slow down and I really look forward to your challenge.

    I'm hoping to make more soap this week

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    1. Dear Wendy,
      You have inspired me to get soap making. I am ordering some pink colouring too which I have never used before... pretty excited.
      Dont slow down! I love that you have made a great start. I love that you have got ahead... it means if you have a busy time then you are ahead and already have all those hand towels done. And soap next. And they go together too.
      Hope you will post plenty of pictures on your blog as you go along. With love Annabel.xxx

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  15. I really enjoy your posts and its so nice how all you blog ladies are so kind to each other. What lovely gifts you received. Love the bath mat and Mimis pressie. Wonderful from Julie xx

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    1. Dear Julie, thank you and welcome! The ladies are wonderful. They will help with any question I have found.
      Lynette suggested that lace could be sewn around a bath mat to the same effect (cotton lace would look much the same) for anyone who doesnt crochet. I cant wait to do these!
      Thanks so much, love Annabel.xxx

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  16. Ooh I would love to give soap making a go. I too am wanting to use up what I have on hand as much as possible, I have some lovely fabric scraps and dried lavender so will make some lavender sachets this month I think. I was in a gorgeous shop just before Christmas and they had tiny lavender sachets that would have been no bigger than 5cm x 10cm for $6 each. I think I will make them a bit bigger, and will probably gift 2 or 3 together.

    I am so looking forward to being a part of this challenge Annabel! I really loved seeing everyone's gifts last year and know each months show and tell will be inspiring :)

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    1. Dear Jen,
      I was just saying to Bev that I used to make soap but havent in ages. Nanna Chel (Going Grey and slightly Green) has good tutorials on her blog. She and Wendy have been making soap and I thought I need to start again. I still have my favorite recipe. I will do a tutorial as I make it. It is much easier than you think. I do the caustic soda part outside but really that is the only thing that is something once you do it once it is easy.
      Lavender sachets will be gorgeous and so pretty. Little fabric scraps can even go on cards in card making. I will try and add suggestions as I know I have a link that is just crafts from pretty fabric scraps. Ill try to find it!
      Thanks so much for joining in I cant wait to see what you make! With love Annabel.xxx

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  17. some great ideas already, making soap is on my learn to do this year list,
    so I'm already excited about doing it with others, apart from Christmas my next projects will be for Valentines Day,
    Easter and 3 three birthdays, can't stop smiling and planning.
    Cheers all, Bev

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    1. Dear Bev,
      I havent made soap in years and it is on my list this year. Nanna Chel on Going Grey and Slightly Green has quite a few soap recipes. She and Wendy both have inspired me to get going again.
      It is intimidating re the caustic soda. Well that intimidated me. But its really easy. I think I should do a step by step tutorial as I have a really lovely recipe that uses goats milk and olive oil. It is a beautiful luxurious soap. But I will try some other recipes too...
      You have reminded me of Valentines Day! I better get thinking on that! Thank you for joining in it is lovely to have you! With love Annabel.xxx

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  18. Oohh all sounds lovely ,like the gifts your received Annabel.Ive been writing down ideas but not started on anything yet.I had an idea for a Feb birthday the choc fudge and baths salts as I have a lovely good size glass jar with lid for the salts .I know the recipient will like these, I just have to get over not buying a gift and feeling that this is good enough.

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    1. Presentation is everything! These sound like lovely gifts and I really hope doing this will build up your confidence by being a great success!
      I was given some wonderful gifts that were hand made and I loved them all. And I gave out many handmade gifts and that went pretty well too. It really took me ages to feel confident in this. Once I was selling things in shops I realized it would make more sense to make my own gifts... and so I got going.
      I would love to hear how you go or see if you will take pictures as we will have a show and tell at the end of the month. Good luck!xxx

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    2. Apologies Annabel I forgot to sign off with my name , Love Maria xx

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  19. this was the post i was keen to see, and it was a lovely surprise to see my Teatowels too. i was excited to start thinking about the gifts we need over the year. i need more time from my surgery, but there's no reason I cant think and plan. i loved Mimi's pressie, how very 'her' and the bathmat too. lovely post Annabel, you do such beautiful presents and I am still smiling over the gifts you sent me. fi xx

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    1. Dear Fiona,
      I love all the tea towels you made me but the Bluebird one is my favorite. Andy is putting up shelves for me. When they are up I will take a photo as this will be on permanent display!
      Thank you so much! I cant wait for you to be back to sewing! With love Annabel.xxx ps while you cant sew look at pinterest and plan! xxx

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  20. Count me in Annabel.

    I have so much in the way of sewing bits and pieces, that I think this is where I need to concentrate my efforts this year.

    I tidied my sewing area over the Christmas/New Year break, so this week I'll gather some fabrics that will be suitable for gift making (I plan on making some bags this year).

    Christmas just gone I made an activity book for my 2yo grandson that was well received, so I need to make another this year for his sister (she'll be 18mths at Christmas). I miss calculated how much time these take, so I must make an early start.

    Thank you for organising this challenge and encouraging us to feel good about giving something we have made ourselves.

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    1. Dear Janine,
      Next week I have some links of ways to use fabrics bits and pieces for lovely gifts. I have lots too and I start with the bigger bits and make them up and work my way down to tiny scraps which might go on cards and tags. It is so good that you have supplies on hand.
      Activity books are a lot of work! It will be great to add to it as the year goes on.
      Thank you so much! I am glad to have you aboard! With love Annabel.xxx

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  21. Happy New Year Annabel! Thanks for starting off the year in such a fun and inspiring way with this great challenge. It is really great to hear all of your ideas on giving handmade, and how to plan for it and turn those plans into a reality. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's creations. That's another great thing with handmade gifts, they are truly unique and can be tailored to very different recipients equally well - just like the folder idea, perfect for a crafty card maker, but also what a great idea you suggested to adapt the same idea but for a childs art supplies folder. Love it! Goodluck to everyone, this is going to be super fun! Kelly

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    1. Dear Kelly, Sorry for such a slow reply!
      Thank you so much! I am proud to give homemade gifts now after a slow start. I love crafty gifts for children. When I was little if I had glitter and glue I was 100% happy! Many thanks, Love Annabel.xxx

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  22. Lots of ideas t get me thinking. One thing that can be done this week is to make Christmas gift tags from your Christmas cards. I cut pretty sections out and punched them and added red and white twine to each one. I got 32 and bagged them up and tucked them away with my Christmas wrap to use when the wrapping starts. The twine was a freebie so these cost me nothing.

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    1. Dear Lana,
      The tags sound lovely. I really love that tags can be used on gifts on on food items like jam or biscuits as pretty labels. They are really handy.
      That is a very good start having that many made! Love Annabel.xxx

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  23. Count me in as well! My comfort areas to work in are fabric/quilting and pantry/food gifts! I have abundant supplies of each and wouldn't have a major capital outlay. With 50 gifts (hubby + 11 kids + 8 spouses + 31 grandkids), starting early is essential! There's a Habanero apricot pepper jelly I want to try to can and some chocolate orange sauce and maybe a quilt for everyone?
    Oh, the ideas!!! And I'm anxious to get lots of great ideas from each of you as well!!

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  24. Love this for year-round gifting too! :) Hope your new year is off to a wonderful start my friend!

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  25. Dear Annabel,
    This looks like it is going to be so much fun. I can tell from the comments that there will be a lot of ideas shared. Bj said she cut out a picture of perfume and framed it. Well as I was cutting out pictures from one of my thrifted rose books, I thought to myself that some of the pictures were beautiful enough to frame, so that's what I'm going to do. You also mentioned having items to donate to a fundraiser. Every year, my husband's family has a reunion and they hold an auction to help pay for the building rental and some of the food. We can't really afford to bid, so I always donate a jar of homemade apple butter and sometimes cookies. You would not believe how high the bidding goes for homemade goods!
    I have so much fabric, so that will be mostly what I use for the challenge. I also have some paper crafting supplies. I got a gift card from my sister-in-law to the craft store (perfect gift for me) so I will be using that to supplement my supplies. I'm just waiting for what I need to go on sale :) For the U.S. ladies, Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, and Hancock Fabrics all accept each other's coupons.
    The gifts you received are just beautiful! Mimi's is so creative and Fiona's is special and personal. And the bath mat, well I like it so much that the ones I have in my bathroom are almost identical to it :) Thank you for putting this all together. Love, Kelsey

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    1. Dear Kelsey,
      You got a lot of replies and comments in The Vicky Challenge post. You have won a lot of admiration and respect for your maturity and attitude. Especially from me!
      I always found I got regular requests to donate to stalls and various fund raisers. I kept a basket for things from jars of jam to bundles of magazines, anything suitable and I would waltz in with my basket of donations, adding last minute bunches of herbs etc. This was a big help! We need things to give other than gifts really. Ultimately being productive gives us goods we may also be able to trade or sell. I think way beyond just the people on my gift list. I should say this in a post...
      Thanks for the tip for the US ladies on the gift cards.
      Thanks so much Kelsey. With love Annabel.xxx

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  26. Hi Annabel,

    Thank you so much for hosting this challenge...I am very excited to be working on presents all year round. I have already started, like some of the others, here, and have a pair of socks knitted and in the "gift tub" for next year. I have to be careful about clothing gifts; they have to be done for growing people a little closer to Christmas or their birthdays, or I risk things not fitting. But I am really looking forward to trying my hand at making cards this year.

    A quick craft my husband and I made for our oldest (15 year old) daughter for Christmas this year was a bulletin board out of an old embroidery hoop. This was inspired by your past bulletin board projects! I spray painted the outside of the hoop after removing all hardware. My husband cut a 1/4 inch thick oval piece of plywood to fit inside the inner hoop. Then we glued two layers of cork tiles (from the Dollar Store) over top the wood. I covered the whole thing with a piece of fabric that I pulled taut and stapled (with a regular stapler) to the back of the wood, and then put on the outer (painted) hoop. She loves it! The fabric I had on hand and is covered with images of vintage postage stamps, and as she has several international (snail mail) pen friends, she plans to use it to pin up postcards and pictures from them all! The hoop was given to me for free, but was too fragile to use as an actual hoop, so this was a wonderful use! Size of the hoop was 12"x20", so it's a perfect bulletin board size. Thanks for the inspiration, and am really looking forward to this challenge as a way to keep me motivated and on track! Jen in Nova Scotia

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    1. Dear Jen,
      I love your bulletin board! Really that is a great gift for a teenager or for a friend also. And I love the theme and that your daughter has pen friends!
      I love that you are up and running too. I have made some card making tutorials but will be doing posts on cards and I will link to them then as well. Its easy and packs of cards are also a gift in themselves. So glad to have you in the challenge! Love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Dear Annabel,

      I am looking forward to your posts on cards... I have read many of your older posts on making cards, which is why I am so keen to start making them, too! I went into town today to our local thrift shop and found some good glitter dots and some card stock for a fraction of what the Dollar Store charges, and this way my money goes to a good cause, too. Love that.

      I have often thought that the way you write your blog is very much like a good letter from a friend; I think it's one of the main reasons why I love your blog so much!

      Cheers! Jen.xx

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  27. Dear Annabel, Thank you for starting this Christmas gift making challenge! I'm delighted to join in the fun! I am determined this year to make catnip cat toys for all the cats in my acquaintance (a great many) earlier in the year rather than the 2 weeks leading up to the holidays. I will try to think and plan out what other nice things I can make as gifts this year too. Thank you for the lovely ideas, everyone!

    Kind regards, Midori

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    1. Dear Midori,
      Welcome I am glad you are joining us!
      Truly making things all year gets you so far ahead. And Christmas itself is a really busy time so that becomes free to enjoy and relax too.
      I hope you find lots of things you think are suitable and good to make. With love Annabel.xxx

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  28. Dear Annabel, I have never been part of a challenge before and am very excited. I am learning to crochet edge from the computer and have started a face washer to practice on. Thank you for such an inspiring blog. Lyn

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    1. Dear Lyn,
      I am so pleased to have you aboard!
      I love online tutorials, you tube etc. I have found a few teachers that I understand. Also I cant read patterns so I have to see to learn. Then Im ok!
      This is my little instructions on my edgings I mostly use. Im not sure it is helpful as it is written in my way not proper crochet directions!
      http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/simple-crochet-edgings-and-things-you.html
      I probably should have put it in the post. I have used it on so many things. On pillowcases it is lovely!
      I find face washers good as they are soft to get the needle through for the first row. Good luck! Everything takes practice. I have had many messes but get it eventually! Then you are set for so many lovely gifts! With love Annabel.xxx

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  29. Annabel, how blessed you were with beautiful gifts. Your gift ideas and the suggestions given here are great. I tend to lack inspiration however from what I have noted today, there will be many things that I will be able to make. Thanks sincerely both to you and all doing the Vicky Challenge. I'm sure that I am going to have a very productive year. I just have to learn that "it will be good enough" to gift. Christine xx

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    1. Dear Christine,
      Thank you! I hope over the weeks as we go you will find loads of things you will feel you can make and are suitable. And that you will have fun doing it too!
      I am hoping you will grow more confident too with giving these gifts... I have a lot of posts planned about that ie presentation etc that makes things look beautiful! That really helps.
      With love Annabel.xxx

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  30. These are all great ideas Annabel! I am very excited about this challenge. My mom and I decided to tackle a project together each month. I've been scouring Pinterest and already have at least a dozen ideas. This will help us save money and have some time together as well. I can't wait to see what everyone creates. Melissa

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    1. Dear Melissa,
      How lovely to do projects together with you Mum! Pinterest is fantastic for ideas. We need more hours in the day to do them all but it is really helpful!
      Sometimes I go and sit and crochet with my Mum and a lot of talking happens too!! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  31. I thought I had commented on this post but can't see it so maybe I meant to but didn't get around to it. I love the folders idea. I have lever arch folders that I made fabric covers for and have never thought to add this to my Christmas list. I have now. I love the idea of a crafters folder so will be on the lookout for bits and bobs for these. The tea towels you received are just gorgeous.i have added applique tea towels and bath towels to my list. I picked up bath towels at Spotlight for $6. Two have been made into hooded baby bath towels and have been put away for our grandbaby. The others will make lovely gifts with a bit of applique and trim. With the challenge I have a double set of pages in my notebook. One side for the Vicky challenge and one side for the Christmas Challenge. The notebook was part of a package with magazine a friend gave me for my Birthday. It is pink with little birds flying over it. Perfect for a challenge put out by you. Life is good.

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    1. Dear Jane, I thought you commented to, it must have been The Vicky Challenge?
      Yes I think the folders have many possibilities. Like also filled with a card supply!
      The notebook with birds on it is very suitable! I smiled about that! You are off to a good start too with your Spotlight purchases. It sounds like a good week! Thanks Jane, Love Annabel.xxx

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  32. Hi Annabel, im also going to try to keep up (somewhat) on this gift challenge to. Ive just completed my very first gift of the year and im very happy with it. Im not sure how or when to post it to you so for now i'll just post it on my blog. Thankyou for starting this, i can see a fun year coming up with lots of gifts to make xoxo

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    1. Dear Karen,
      I will put up my email address and how to send photos near the end of the month so please take photos! Anytime also photos can be added on Bluebirds facebook page. I love to see what you have been making and learning. Im excited about your crochet!
      It will be fun, you will be amazed how much we get done in a year! With love Annabel.xxx

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  33. HI Annabel, either I was one of the posts that you deleted accidentally, or I didn't hit the publish button. Firstly, great post as always and a bit of excitement as I scrolled through and saw my tea towels. not doing anything yet as still recovering, but that doesn't stop my mind going into overdrive. don't know if this is relevant, but i'd love to not only know what people are making but what their craft rooms look like. love Fi xx

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    1. Fiona I think you just hit on a great post for during the year!xxx

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  34. So many fantastic ideas Annabel. I will be sure to note the bathmat with crochet edge and the microfibre cloths as brilliant gift ideas!

    I love the tea towel that Fiona made for you, it looks fantastic!

    I am slowly getting back into rhythm. Hubby has returned to work after nearly three weeks at home on holidays. I have got so out of routine lately so this gift making idea is something I must do. Life for me is so busy from November through to January...

    Hopefully I will be able to do a blog post tomorrow, I have so much to catch up on, so there will be lots of photos.

    Lots of love,

    Tania

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    1. Dear Tania, As your place gets back to normal I am sure you will have many things to do. But once work routine sets in I am sure you will get back to gift making etc.
      I will go see if your blog post is up. I missed them a lot but understand you cannot do everything all at once. With lots of love Annabel.xxx

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  35. I wish you well in your endeavors. I'm not sure what I'll be doing for Christmas.

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  36. Thanks Laura. You have lots of time to plan. Have a great 2016xxx

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  37. I wonder if you have thought of making sleep masks - my daughter loves them and you can make them simple or out of very luxurious fabrics. There are many simple tutorials online. She got one for Christmas and doesn't know it yet but is getting another of her birthday in March!

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    1. That is a lovely idea! And very glamorous. I would love to see the end result when you make yours! With love Annabel.xxx

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  38. Have you thought of making sleep masks? These can be very simple or very luxurious. My daughter loves them. You can find very simple tutorials online. Dawn

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  39. Dear annabel,
    I love this idea! I have only just read this challenge last night and I must say I already have 5 things written down on my list of gift making/crafts I have plenty of things on hand I also have storage tubs filled with gifts ready for people on special occasions. Need to think more for men too. I find that I have more gifts for women and girls rather then males haha

    Anne

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    1. Dear Anne Marie,
      I am glad you like it! It is kind of motivating to go along together and compare notes! I got so much more done last year as I started in January and just kept going! I am glad you have come up with ideas!
      I think I will do a post just on ideas for mens presents! I have the exact same problem! thank you for mentioning that! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Hi annabel,

      I'm glad I'm not the only one with gifting men issues LoL... Id love to see everyone's ideas for men's gifts thanks annabel
      Anne

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  40. Hi Annabel, I have been using these school holidays (our homeschool break) to make gifts. I have already started a few hand stitched items and mentioned this in a comment to Wendy, who referred me to your blog and told me about your challenge. I would love to join in! Also, I love the idea of the microfibre face wipes. x

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    1. Dear Mel,
      Welcome! I am so glad to have you join in.
      Wendy and I have a lot in common! that was very good of her. I have found some of the microfibre for the eye makeup remover pads, I just need some more. When I do them I will post pics of them too. Welcome it is good to have you! with love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Thank you!I was sorting out my linen cupboard today and found a medium sized microfibre towel which was free when I joined a gym a few years ago. It will be perfect for face wipes :) Id love to see how you make the discs x

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