Handmade Christmas Recap 2

A selection of things I made for friends and family this past Christmas.

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I only made the truck stencil, Ethan made the rest

The silhouettes were really easy and turned out great. Not sure why, yet again I sewed so many things when I hate sewing! I really like the look of hand sewn things. I think the coolest gift I made, was for Ethan, but I can't show it yet.

I have to fix it...oops!

Handmade Christmas Recap 1

Every year each of us in the household make a gift for each other. It doesn't need to be fancy or complicated, just a thoughtful gesture. As an example, Emma make her dad chocolate chip cookies. Ethan made a sign for his dad to put in the garage. I'll post later what I made but for now here is what my family made for me.

Ethan made me a Bat House with a cool wood burned bat design to hang outside in the spring


Emma made me a walnut Squirrel shaped Oven Rack Puller
(which is currently running across the kitchen chalkboard avoiding the monster! Run Squirrel!)


Mike made me a floor lamp to put next to my favorite chair.

Years ago I bought the cool wood surveyors tripod really cheap. It sat in the basement, waiting to be used. He turned it into an awesome floor lamp! I love all of my gifts!

Merry Christmas!!!

Playing with my iPod

Good Samaritan

I've been so busy getting everything ready for Christmas, I have yet again, ignored my blog!

Today, I drove back from a quick weekend visit to Iowa. It was just the kids and I. Well the weather wasn't so great. About 20 miles from my brothers house I ran into trouble. I hit a very slick patch, fishtailed, and went off the road. I wasn't completely in the ditch, just enough that I was stuck!

Luckily, two other vehicles stopped and with the help (and muscle) of four strangers, I got out! I wish I knew who these people were...I thanked them profusely and off they drove. So to all the nice people who will stop to help a stranger...

THANK-YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Library Project and New Work

Yesterday I taught a mini class at the local library to make the above ornaments/ necklaces. Everyone had the option to use family photos or vintage images to make their project.
Some made necklaces, some ornaments, or a little of each.

I had a lot of fun and I think everyone else did too! Of course I forgot to snap any photos!

I've been working so hard to get new artwork made that after the class, I ate lunch and fell asleep. I have nice kids that they let me sleep :-D

After a nice doze I went right back to work!
Next weekend my artwork will be at Lapaceks Orchard for their Handcrafted Hoedown for the Holidays. Visit their website for directions! They are only 30 minutes north of Madison.

Eventually I may actually get things listed on Etsy. Ya know I need a longer day or loose the need for sleep!

These are the new birds I've been working on. Each is a lightweight bird shape wrapped with fibers. Each is on a base of recycled and found objects. I can't wait to make more because they are sooo fun to create!

Swap Ornament

Ornament I made for a swap here.

Handmade Xmas Goodies and Happy New Year!

I made a bunch of gifts this year. First of all the kids, Mike, and I agreed to each make gifts for the others. That got me thinking of other gifts I could make.

I made these mittens for my mom from an old wool blend sweater lined with polar fleece. I saw ones I liked online, but I didn't see any free patterns. It took about 6 tries to get the pattern and process just right. But I finally got it. In the end, I had so much fun. I couldn't stop. I made a pair each for the ladies at the library, and for each of the kids homeroom teachers. I just forgot to take pics of the others!   :-)

I made this fabric tote for Ethan for, you guessed it, his army men. This was tough! It is ripstop nylon outside with black cotton inside. I used Peltex to keep it stiff enough to stand. OK not a WOW gift but he likes it...and it is filled already!

I made this sketching /art tote for my niece Lizzy. I should have made it a bit taller, it just clears the sketchbook. This is also the brand sketchbook I use. I fill a few a year.
I made Emma a cage cover for her budgie cage. She didn't have a bird yet, but we wanted to be ready. I had grand plans for applique on the felt. I was going to make it into a house, with windows, front door, flower boxes etc... I decided to make it plain felt. Emma is good at sewing little felt softies so I thought she'd like to embellish it herself. We have a stack of felt in tons of colors and coordinating floss. Emma loves the idea of finishing it herself. I did the hard part *grins* 

You can just see in the lower background a  framed card from the

 Etsy seller Smack of Jellyfish. Great animal illustrations, I own 4 of them.  

I can't remember the artist who did the parrot card on the top. Emma has a small collection of framed artist cards. An affordable way for her to add art to her room.

:-D

I don't have a photo, but I made for Mike two photo frames made from CD jewel cases. I've seen tons of cool desk calendars sold this way, but I mounted a selection of photos on coordinating paper so he can change them out. The clever bit was my addition of super strong  rare earth magnets to the back. So the frames can sit on his desk or stick to the edge of his cubicle walls. (Yes he has a cubicle...poor guy)

Merry Christmas!!!

Getting Closer

It's almost Christmas!!! Yeah!

Brrrr it's cold. Unfortunately that means ice. Yesterday I wiped out on a patch that was covered with a bit of new snow. Ouch! Yes I'm sore and bruised today, but It could've been worse.

I'm scrambling to get homemade gifts finished. And I haven't even sent out my cards yet. Ugh! 

More snow on the way....