Hehe I love the alliteration 🙂
So here’s the deal, I know August is not when most people start to think of Christmas but I want to make the majority of my gifts for people and there is no way I would be able to get all that done between Novemeber to Decemeber (which is when I usually buy gifts for people). So I’m starting now in the hopes that between now and December I can get gifts complete for about 14 people. I started off by making a list of people and potential gifts then I tried to think of things that-
1) They would like
2) They would actually use
3) I’m actually capable of making
4) Would use fabric and notions from my stash
I think Christmas has become to much about impressing people and less about giving gifts people would use and oh say actually need. I want to give people useful objects of art, aprons that they can wear everyday and smile when they put it on etc. At the same time money is a concern for me and so is my oversized fabric stash. I have plenty of fabric that I could and should use before I buy anything else. Now I’m not saying I won’t be buying fabric in the next couple months but I want to make these gifts as much as possible from fabric I already have. If I need to buy fabric or notions that’s fine but I’m starting with the stash. It isn’t just my fabric stash I intend to use it’s also my craft books, cookbooks, and the hundred of free tutorials, instructions or inspiration projects I have starred on my google reader or favorited on flickr.
As usual I’m going to take all my fabulous readers along for the ride you can look forward to more pattern reviews, fabric shop reviews (listen I’m a realist!), and my own tutorials. If I make something from a book I also intend to find similar free tutorials or ready made items for purchase. After all we don’t all own the same books and we don’t all have the time, inclination, or skill to make gifts for everyone on our lists.
What are your goal (crafting and otherwise) for this Christmas?
I always try to make my Christmas gifts. One of the things I love about crafts is that they are useful art forms. I try to make at least one gift a month starting in January and then add some more as and when I can. Now I am sewing more I hope that my gift making can speed up a little.
I have just one definite handmade Christmas gift on my list. Since I have six other project to complete before the end of October, I’m hopeful that this one can get finished in time. I’ll be finishing a quilt that my aunt began before she passed away. She completed all of the blocks, but the rest is up to me. Then, I’ll give the completed quilt to her husband. I hope that he’ll like it.
hi what is that thing above in the pic? love it..
I’m going to try to make most of my gifts also. Pillows, placemats and embroidered pillowcases are high on my list of makeable and usable gifts. I hate to give knick-knacks that the person is obligated to place in their house and dust. I have three babies due in the family too and baby quilts are quick and fun and totally doable.
Thanks for getting me thinking about this today! I’ll appreciate it in December.
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I am also working on my Christmas list and have about 10 gifts I”d like to make but realize it will probably end up about 6 and would love to go “along for the ride” and watch what ideas you come up with. I have been working on embroidery projects all year in hopes they will all be ready to put into a project in the next month or two. Thanks for all the inspiration and motivation!
I love this: “I want to give people useful objects of art, aprons that they can wear everyday and smile when they put it on etc. ” I think those are some of the best gifts!
It’s a Christmas tree skirt I found on Flickr. Someone made one ring of the Denyse Schmidt Single Girl Quilt and turned it into a tree skirt.
Ah Christmas…I have one friend I always try to give something homemade. This year it is almost done! I made Wonky Trees and Liberated Stars and it will be a 9 block wall hanging or table thingy…it is yet to be quilted…that is next! Love your tree skirt… you have a really cool blog! Pam in Chico