When putting things away themes do help. That is something worth thinking about. Even colour themes are lovely as then things look good together.
I am going to show you Kelsey's gift that was mentioned in her Feather your Nest Friday post as there were a few requests to see and she has sent me a photo!
Her friend was getting married so she made an apron for her, recipe cards and a rolling pin. The recipe cards are gorgeous ones you can print for free from Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth. This is the perfect example of a theme working so well. (A set of those recipe cards is a lovely gift for mailing someone!)
I remember Marion did this to great effect with a cookbook and an apron as well. These just seem so complete and lovely.
My gift cupboard has two main themes going. One is clean/cleaning as in soaps, power, powder puffs, towels etc. The other is Pantry... which is labels, jam tops, recipe books, Bay Leaves etc. This is good as any of these will go nicely with the cooking gifts I will be making soon and could go into hampers.
I have also saved small baskets towards making up hampers in December. These complete the gift. I have several little wooden crates for the same purpose. I do not want to be hunting for these things in December.
There is nothing wrong with mixing hand made with purchased. I have some heart shaped cake tins that were a huge bargain after Valentines Day. I have crochet edged kitchen towels. I am thinking to add some pretty cake sprinkles or make up some of Mimi's edible glitter. Then I have a theme and a complete gift!
If you have friends who bake then this Edible Glitter is so so pretty. Start saving lovely little jars to put it in and do a few colours. This is so cheap to make and yet tiny amounts of this are really expensive in the shops. It is a gorgeous gift! If you were feeling particularly generous you could write out the recipe on one of Jes' recipe cards and include it!
If you know what you already have in your gift cupboard then you can watch out for little additions that make you feel will finish the gift off. It doesn't take much. I always think good packaging is a big thing too.
This all makes a gift seem thoughtful and lovely! Working away all year really sets you ahead. This is really going to be paying off soon! And it is not too late to get a huge head start on Christmas!
The ultimate is having enough gifts for everyone and finding you have more than you need! I have been able to give something to a few extra people that I thought could really use some kindness and as well have had gifts for some Birthdays and other occasions well ahead of time. This is like your pantry. It's as good as or better than money in the bank!
I hope your week is going well! It is so cold and like winter again here. I am watching for specials on Christmas cooking ingredients. In October I make the Christmas cakes. So I know I need dried fruit, tinned pineapple and baking basics. Putting away the specials towards your Christmas cooking really helps. They are never on special at Christmas! All these little things save a lot and make December much easier. We want Christmas to be wonderful. Not a financial strain or stress, just beautiful! xxx
Hi Annabel!
ReplyDeleteYes, I like themes! I am thinking of pretty pink, white lace and tea cups! I suppose you could fit tea cups in with your 'clean' theme!! (I like Kelsey's baking theme, and think that apron would look rather sweet to wear. It looks like it has a large frill/flare panel, too! That's nice work, Kelsey!) Our bower birds have a lovely theme of collecting shiny blue things, and onion skins! I agree with you; themes can be very nice!
I particularly liked the crochet edgings in your first photo. How are they done to get those pretty baubles like that?
The steamed cup cakes are a success. My husband liked it!
The thoughtful things count!!
With warm regards,
Rachel Holt
Dear Rachel,
DeletePink is a lovely theme! And I think it is rather gorgeous that even Bowerbirds have clear favourite colours. Favourite colours make gift giving easy!
In the first photo.. after the foundation row this is just five double crochet into the same space. then three single crochet into the next three spaces... then repeat. The cotton was quite thick one so it looks full. A finer cotton will look more lacy. I hope that helps! It is really easy. Oh and on corners I will work some extra stitches so it will sit flat.
I love the sound of the cup cakes! Beautiful!.
I hope you have had a good week Rachel. Mine has gone too fast plus it is still cold! With much love Annabel.xxx
Annabel, everything you make just looks beautiful. Very pretty and girlie.
ReplyDeleteDear Wendy,
DeleteThank you so much! We are getting closer to Christmas now. I need to make some cards! With love Annabel.xxx
Themes help things come together and make purchasing and making so much easier and less random. This saves lots of dollars and kms spent trying to get something.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a beautiful large salad bowl, white interior and black exterior, for $5 and a large white ceramic casserole dish for $5.I got these new. This covered my sister and SIL. I have made some pot holders and a bench heat pad to go with the casserole dish, and I have a salad oil bottle I picked up in an op shop for the salad bowl. I'll add some of my dried herbs in little jars for both. Thanks to Kelsey I am also going to make a pretty apron for both and am hoping Bluey will be able to make me some salad servers. If he cant I'll pick some up to go with the salad bowl. Love themes.
The nephews have bathroom bags with men's products in them. Bluey has just spent a month in hospital, after a month on the road and still has his bathroom bag. I picked up the men's products at the after Fathers Day sales. I have made them some shaving soap and I have Bay Rum aftershave brewing away. I have found a recipe for mens after shave moisturiser and am thinking of adding some jars of these. I plan to do something similar for my son.
Your towels and homemade soaps look very Luxe. So luxurious. I think I must have a look for the recipe cards and print a few off.
Life is good.
That's funny, Jane, that Bluey still has his bathroom bag!
DeleteYour home made products sound really luxurious, and so they should be!!
With warm regards for you both,
Rachel Holt
It is so good to read your post, Jane. We will continue to pray for both you and Bluey.
DeleteLove your latest post Annabel. Seeing that now I will be recovering from surgery in December and past Christmas I am more than ever determined to be very organised. My adult children are all receiving Bunnings Gift Vouchers for Christmas and to go with I have some Totem Tennis sets that I got for a bargain after Australia Day for $10 each. I also like to add a homemade gift such as a towel topped with some crochet for the kitchen/bathroom or something else that can be useful but also pretty.
ReplyDeleteSince my Granddaughter is the first grandchild on both sides she receives so very many toys and clothes that I have made her birthday gift for next year and her Christmas gift this year. I can be certain that it is not anything someone can buy for her and no one else in the family knits, sews or crochets.
God Bless and I pray you have a good week xxxxx
Mel
Dear Mel,
DeleteIt will be a big relief to have things organised so you are not stressing when you should be resting after surgery. I also think too many toys are never even played with and other things are better then. I am making little pram sheets, rug, pillow etc getting ready for a baby and pram gift!
I hope your week is going well! You are probably glad that you now know what the plan is and you can work around that. With much love Annabel.xxx
Your trims are always so pretty and I love that your putting them into themes. I found some Christmas kitchen towels in my gift cupboard and I'm going to put trim on them. As soon as I can get to the store to buy cotton thread!
ReplyDeleteDear Vickie, I am addicted to trims I think! it does make things look special. I hope you have success getting your cotton.
DeleteWith love, Annabel.xxx
Annabel, I need to get in my gift trunk and and do an inventory as well to see if there is anything I'm lacking. I love your edge trimmed wash cloths and soap theme and the apron/baking theme is a good one too. You know I am a big fan of edgings and one day I hope mine will look as pretty as yours! I am really enjoying your Christmas Challenge all year long ... I hope you will consider continuing it next year as well!
ReplyDeleteDear Patsy,
DeleteI am looking forward to seeing some of your crochet and edgings! I am so glad you are learning these as truly they give you so many possibilities!
I have been thinking about next year. I think we will keep going and start again in January. I have enjoyed the show and tells and I think that has helped us all get busy! Hopefully many of us have a good result and it all really pays off in many ways in December! With love Annabel.xxx
Everything looks beautiful as usual, Annabel. Have you found that your soaps are 'sweating' with all the rain around? I a a bit wary of wrapping mine because of that issue although it might be that the laundry where I keep mine is more moist that other rooms.
ReplyDeleteDear Nanna Chel,
DeleteI think maybe our climate is drier as we don't usually have humidity. My soaps are dry and really hard. I have kept them in a cupboard. I wouldn't wrap them until they feel properly tired out. Maybe yes the laundry has a lot of moisture...
I am going to make soaps again next year and have some new easy recipes to try. I am so happy I made all of these and you certainly encouraged me! Thank you! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteThe soaps and the trims are so lovely, as is the presentation of them. Having the Christmas Challenge has provided so much inspiration to me. I love it.
Kelsey's apron is beautiful, as is the theme of the gift. What a lucky friend to be receiving it.
My stash of Christmas gifts as well as other gifts continues to grow. I'm very pleased with how the soaps turned out. They are scented with lavender and I've dried lavender from the garden and made some little sachets to go with them. There are also quilts, fabric scrap bowls, quilted tote bags, scarves, and currently I'm painting notecards with roses on them for gifts and for myself to use. I found a fingerless glove knitting pattern for men and will be doing those. The refashioned cardigan sweater with the crocheted trim, a gift to myself, is finished and all that needs to be done is to weave in the ends. I always look forward to Wednesdays to see what beautiful things you and everyone else have created. Cookie XXX
Cookie, I would love to see a photo of your refashioned cardigan. In a recent auction purchase there was a 3/4 completed sweater (only needs the torso finished and the sleeves added) that requires steeking to inset the sleeves and I'm scared to death to try. Maybe if I try with a thrift shop sweater first and turn it into a cardigan, I'll get my nerve up.
DeleteThank you! Jeanette
Dear Cookie,
DeleteYour gifts all sound gorgeous and you have made so much! I also want to see this cardigan! I really think I would like to do this with a crochet edging...
And the painting on the notecards! Oh my goodness I love the sound of these!
Thank you for your encouragement on the Christmas Challenge. I am so glad you have enjoyed it! It has helped me get heaps done! With love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteYour gifts are beautiful and co-ordinate so well - having a theme certainly helps.
Kelsey's wedding gift was truly a gift from the heart. I know she mentioned that she was a bit nervous giving the gift, however, something so useful will never be forgotten. When we getting married my grandmother made us a gift basket - a laundry basket filled with everyday items which included dish detergent, washing powder, floor cleaner, air freshener, furniture polish, pegs a pile of cleaning cloths and so much more. These were all things she'd bought bit by bit (from the time we were engaged) when she did her own grocery shop. It was the best gift!! They were things we would never have thought of buying until they were needed and we never had to buy a cleaning product for the first year we were married. Of all our wedding gifts, this is the one I remember even after 40 years. I'm sure Kelsey's gift will be remembered in the same way.
Enjoy the week,
Janine
Janine, I got the same gift from my MIL and I agree with how useful it was. It was all tucked nicely inside of a white kitchen trashcan. We're still using that can after 23 yrs.
DeleteDear Janine,
DeleteI love your Grandmothers wedding gift! Really thats a very loving and useful gift. Thank you too for your encouragement to Kelsey. I think many of us will be using this gift set idea its so lovely!
With love Annabel.xxx
Beautiful gift ideas! Your pink array of goodies will make anyone happy! And Kelsey, I love the idea of the recipe cards being given with the handmade apron! The rolling pin is also a darling touch! Thank you for the inspiration ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Jes,
DeleteThe recipe cards make me sigh I like them so much! I did buy one rolling pin from the thrift shops on our trip. Now I wish I got more. I saw three more! The art of putting things together that tell a little story I think is lovely! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear JES,
DeleteThank you! You have helped me twice with wedding gifts this year, as I made your lavender cleaning products for another couple. Thank you for supplying such lovely printables for us to use!
Love, Kelsey
Kelsey, your apron is lovely and the blue is so pretty. I would love to receive these gifts!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, your style is always so glamorous and lush! I still haven't tried my hand at making soaps, but I want to. I'm keeping my eye out for molds that I can use, keeping in mind how Mel used the tool casing to make the chocolates for her husband for Father's Day.
I'm very behind the curve as I'm still deciding on gifts to give to everyone, let alone made them!
Fond Regards, Jeanette
Dear Jeanette,
DeleteThank you... I want you to try soaps! I wrote up a tutorial earlier in the year... I liked the one that uses soap flakes the best by far. It was soap flakes which is LUX here and powdered milk. They are beautiful. BUT next year I think Jan or Feb I will be making more! I have some more really easy recipes ready to try!
Even now if you make one thing a week you will be doing well. I tend to make things in batches and have spares and this helps get more overall gifts.
I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx
I just love looking at all the lovely things the ladies make. Would so like to be able to do those crochet edgings! Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, thank you so much! If you can crochet chains, single and double crochet then you can do the edgings. I posted a simple tutorial a few weeks back. If not these three stitches are quick and easy to learn on you tube. A little practice then you are ready to go! Very worth while and good fun too! If you need any help let me know! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteGorgeousness! I'm glad for this post today. I'm on target with savings for Christmas but do not have much else accomplished. This inspired me to set aside time this weekend and next week to get busy BEFORE it gets too busy! Thank you for sharing Kelsey's apron gift. So pretty, practical, and I'm sure that gift will be loved and well used. A woman is a bride for a day but a wife for life, and all of the cooking that goes with it!
Love, Colette xxx
Dear Colette,
DeleteWise words! Yes all that cooking! Boy it is a lot!
Well I remember how busy it was in December with school kids... there were always so many things on and presentation nights and so on. It was really hectic. Those were the days I learned to get everything done well ahead of then!
Just having cards, paper, tape... everything like that purchased and ready is a help.
I hope your week is going great as I love your Friday report! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI really like the theme idea. Aprons and recipes are a wonderful gift. Your soaps and crocheted edgings are beautiful.
I haven't made much this year. My intentions were very good when the year started, but life happened, and I managed very little time in the sewing room. There's always next year; hopefully.
Everyone does such beautiful work. Congratulations to everyone for all of your efforts and hard work; the recipients of your beautiful gifts will be (should be) very touched with your thoughtfulness.
Love and hugs,
Glenda
Dear Glenda,
DeleteMany times my success is just what I get done in the evenings when the TV is on or when Andy gets home from work and he wants to talk about his day and I do some handiwork. These times add up and I also have intentions of sewing days etc but days like that are not very many! They are harder to get it seems!
I also love the kitchen theme gifts. They are lovely! I hope your painting is going well! With much love Annabel.xxx
Annabel, I would be tickled to receive such a lovely gift. Beautiful! I embroider flour sack towels for my friends every couple of years because they love them so much. Different themes. This year is Herbs.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Debbie. I love the sound of the flour sacks! And the herb theme! I would really love you to send a photo in to show and tell or a link. I will announce the next one next week. With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI must be going crazy, cos I can't remember if I posted here yesterday. We have just waved goodbye to overnight visitors which was a lot of fun (included a trip on Puffing Billy) so busy and can't remember if i posted. I read your post in bed late last night and I drooled over the edgings. I must must must get onto that. I had a try last year and it didn't come that easily but as part of my new mantra I will try some more new things so will get cracking. You just make mundane things like towels, face washers, tea towels so beautiful Annabel. They become things of great beauty.
ReplyDeleteLovely apron Kelsey, it’s a really nice colour and a great gift idea. Jane your mens gifts are wonderful, and very impressive that Bluey is able to make salad servers. I saw a joke the other day it was a For Sale advert, it said “Didgeridoo for sale, needs work”. Was just a lump of wood. I think you had to see it to appreciate it but it was quite funny. Was the length of a digeridoo but still just a block of wood. Hope Bluey is managing and not driving you too mad, some men can be impatient sickies, just wanting to get up and moving.
Jeanette I have been making soap for over 10 years and originally I used a big casserole dish but since then have just used the two litre fruit juice cartons, the waxed ones. Just wash thoroughly and open up the top and pour in. Gives nice rustic sort of blocks. Easy to cut up too. I have one soap mould but much prefer the chunky look. You could always do that and if you enjoy the process, buy a mould but this is a free way to suss it all out. Nana Chel, I don’t keep my soaps in the laundry because they do get moist. I keep them in the linen press. I just put them in a couple of small wicker baskets dotted around. No sweating there.
Its freezing and raining here so the fire is going and three dogs stretched out in front of it. I am going back to look at more of your crochet things Annabel and then have another try. It’s just the weather for it. Fi xx
Dear Fiona, Yu aren't crazy, you messaged me elsewhere earlier so I think thats it! Sorry for slow reply. I am running but not getting anywhere today and yesterday!
DeleteI really like useful things. So prettying up pillowcases and towels etc appeals to me. We have to have all these things so they make good gifts!
Your soap is really a wonderful gift and talent. Thank you for the tip for Nanna Chel and about the linen press. I like that too as the linen smells so nice!
It has been cold here all week too except today is not bad. Some actual sun. Fi if you can do double crochet you will be totally fine on the edgings and its something to do in the evening. With lots of love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing my apron photo and thank you to all the ladies for their kind comments! I'm glad if the idea has helped someone.
I love themed gifts. They just make sense when putting things together and it is fun for the recipient too, as whatever the theme is, they are all set!
I love your edgings and soaps. Seriously, everything you do is gorgeous and looks luxurious! I like your idea of using wooden crates for packaging, too. I can use this for man gifts as well as girl gifts.
I am glad you want to continue the challenge next year. It has given all of us so many ideas and so much inspiration. I have given more gifts this year than I ever have because I have the confidence that homemade is good enough (better I think!) and it is also more budget friendly. I am hoping to do even more next year since this has been such a busy year for us. I would like to put together some laundry hampers, try making soap, maybe even crochet edgings! Thank you for encouraging us!
With love, Kelsey
Dear Kelsey,
DeleteThank you for that photo! I love the gift! Yes the wooden crates are great for man gifts. Old pallets etc can be good to make simple crates if you are ok at work work or know someone who is :)
Kelsey what I have coming in a week is sooo soo budge friendly for your gift making and pantry that it will open up a whole new world for next years gifts!
I am behind on my replies sorry for the delay! With love Annabel.xxx
Annabel, Sorry to keep bothering you. Yes, I can do those stitches although have not done it much but think I could do it. The dumb question is how do I do that foundation row? As you can tell I have not done much of this type of thing but would love too. Thank you so much. Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, I am glad to help. This post helps you with that foundation row...
Deletehttp://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/simple-crochet-edgings-and-things-you.html
And this one is more recent....
http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/the-christmas-challenge-tutorial.html
I hope these help. Will you let me know how you go? Please feel free to ask as I would love you to enjoy this! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, first of all thankyou for mentioning my edible glitter! Whilst it's not quite as good as the real cake decorating stuff, it's certainly equal to the supermarket version, and you can make it any colour you like! This is a very tidy way of coming up with gift ideas. A theme helps you focus on what you can effectively make yourself, and what you can then go on the hunt for to marry with it. I love your ideas as always, and will add that other good themes are travel, sport, and emergency packages. One thing I thought of recently, when a friend was hospitalised unexpectedly, is that so many of us do not have what would be required in that situation. She certainly was not prepared, and her husband was in a mad spin, trying to find respectable nightgowns, slippers, a toiletries bag, and even something to read. It ended up costing the poor man literally hundreds of dollars! So for all that trackpants and old tshirts may be suitable pyjama wear at home, having a few nice things for this sort of 'emergency', can be really handy. My list would include 3 light nightgowns (hospital wards are always climate controlled), a light dressing gown (kimono/robe) to wear over them, slippers or other slip-on style footwear, a drawstring style toiletries bag filled with miniatures of favourite items, and including deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, dry shampoo, brush and hair ties, and light makeup items for when you're well enough to care! I'd also have a good book, some magazines, and perhaps a phone charger. Honestly, that's an easy list, and it would save your loved ones a lot of energy, worry and money, to have those items permanently assembled in an overnight bag. We all think 'it won't happen to me', but the thing is...it does! Light cotton nightgowns like the ones you found for Cath are often available at thrift stores or on sale, or alternatively, they are such an easy thing to make. Likewise a kimono style robe is basically two rectangles stitched together halfway (see Pinterest for this idea), and you can even make your own little slippers if you're clever. Miniatures of toiletries are often available at thrift stores and pharmacy sales, and likewise for books and magazines. Just because it's not 'new', doesn't mean it's not 'new to you'. I hope these are helpful ideas. Lots of love, Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Mimi, I love the glitter and it is a perfect example of just how inexpensive something stunning can be!
DeleteI have thought of this hospital issue! I had a near miss a couple of times of being admitted and this was my panicked thought... I want my... long list of stuff! Perhaps I should make up a fast exit kit. Plus what you said about night gowns. We have stuff at home that might not be right for in hospital. When I have Lucy the woman next to me had come in unexpectedly early. Her dressing gown was filthy. I felt so sorry for her, She ha nothing really. And Chloe only this year visited someone in hospital. He had no clothes or toiletries. He had been in an accident and everything was destroyed. She went shopping for him. At times like these basics are huge blessings! You have given here a very good set of ideas for gifts for those in hospital when they weren't planning to be! The gift of help is the best of all!
Many thanks for these thoughts. With love Annabel.xxx
Hi again Annabel, You are so sweet to take your time to try to help me as I know you are busy! I looked at your post last night and still could not figure out the base row. I will study those two sites you listed and if I can't figure it out I will do tHe blanket stitch for the base row. Maybe after I see one done it will all come together better. It will be a bit before I can show you the hopefully finished project as we sold our house in June, living in a small apartment until our house in built which will be two or three months yet. My crochet hooks are all in storage but I can shop for a towel and look at the yarn as have mostly used the thicker knitting yarn. I did buy a hook and am crocheting a granddaughter a neck scarf. It is giving me practice now. I look forward to your Christmas challenges to get ideas and it just dawned on me I should be making a list of the things I want to try when we get moved. You and the ladies so talented. Love how your things look so pretty and feminine. Thank you for caring enough to share! Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, It will be lovely getting into your new house! Try this video... it is basically what I do...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juZXAGx9hzI
Sometimes seeing it in action is much easier! With love Annabel.xxx