Handmade Christmas

Some of the Christmas goodies the girls and I have been working on for their teachers, swim and gymnastic coaches, friends and neighbours. I love a bit of home baking, and what better way to show some Christmas spirit than with something handmade of the edible variety!



mini puds



Chocolate rum and raison cake -
my version of the Christmas Fruit Cake - yum!

Christmas cookie cutter shapes

I love to package them all up beautifully....

... with a little handmade card too.

Hope your Christmas is a little bit handmade too!

Handmade Christmas Swap!

Joide at The Haby Goddess recently ran a red and white themed handmade gift Christmas swap.

Here was my effort for Lesley....

 and then wrapped because I do love wrapping a noice parcel... complete with red and white candy canes....

and my lovely gift received yesterday from Cathy!

A good (machine embroidered!) tea towel is always handy. Gotta say I do love a Christmas one too.

I love the little paper photo frame for the tree, and of course no handmade gift is complete without the handmade card.

(Nb, I made my card above too!!)

Thanks Cathy, I love a parcel in the mail and participating in a swap is always a bit of fun.

Christmas dresses

A dear friend inspired me with some gorgeous patterns to make my girls some Christmas dresses. I must say I was quite pleased with the result. I have never really made clothes for the kids, these easy pieces have encouraged me to do some more.

First up, the Wrap Around-yet-elasticised-waist skirt (a must for tinsy waisted girls like her, and it's still a bit too big) for my Big Miss.... In Michael Miller Christmas Critters fabric and coordinating star inspired contrast fabric.

she clearly loves to model for me!

Then the reversible (I know!) Christmas pussycat dress for the Little Miss with cream and golden stars.

Version 1.0...

Version 2.0!

A closeup of my appliqued Christmas tree; the kitten placing the star at the top was a last moment inspirational choice!

not that keen on modelling, this one....

 This shot was the best I could get with many cranky expressions deleted straight from the camera!

and finally....

Ta da-aaa! See I can model when I want to Mum!

Made from patterns by Wink Designs

Before children...

These were the sorts of things I spent my spare time doing! These were all done from patterns, so I can't take credit for the design, but they were all painstakingly handmade by myself. I was decorating the house and reflecting on how many things I have made, so thought I would pop some of them up here.

 A flashback of craft if you like....

My Santa Swag, I still love them!

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My quilted wall hanging, all the panels are hand blanket stitched and hand quilted. It was not hand sewn together however! Every Christmas I hang it and remember how much work went into it.

* * *

Beaded and padded felt stockings. The nativity one was from a pattern, so was the Santa one, only I didn't buy the patten, I drew it up myself! Madly I did two of Santa and gave one away for a friend's son's first Christmas. Sadly her other children have missed out!

It's that time of year again!

To start hanging up your stockings....

Handmade cards

I attended a card making (stamping) class yesterday and these were the result. I used to do cardmaking and stamping years ago and am now keen to get back into it. These were very easy, once you have the design it doesn't take long to assemble at all. The materials and methods have changed so much since I started years ago, my enthusiasm is now renewed. I think it is lovely to make a card for special occasions like births and birthdays, although I am not sure I'll be making the swag of Christmas cards required for my ever growing list this year.....

I ordered a swag of new stuff to make my cardmaking life easier, so stay tuned for further efforts!