Are you having a crafty Christmas?

Well, I guess it is getting to be about that time to start seriously thinking about Christmas gifts. Now that I sew, I am trying to think of gifts to make for people, rather than buying. Making your own gifts can be cheaper (or not, depending), more original, and hopefully more meaningful than store bought gifts. Last year I made tote bags and box bags for the ladies and my nephews. I also made my dad this log carrier.

I am trying to come up with some ideas for this year now. For people at work I usually bake a variety of cookies and small loaves of quick breads. Then I package them up in pretty gift bags or tins. Food items are easy and cheap!

I have compiled a small list of some DIY Christmas gifts that I think you may like:

Homemade Doggy Treats These will be perfect for my coworkers who have dogs!


Pie in a Jar These are too cute. You could give them frozen, or cooked.



Quick Bread in Bottle Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread Photo from Sunset Magazine

Simple Fleece Scarf These look quick to make...sew just 2 straight lines!

Flat Iron Cozy Works for a curling iron too. Great for travelers!

Fabric Doll House Great for a boy or girl!


You can also check out the Sew, Mama, Sew blog, as they are hosting their 3rd Handmade Holidays, with new posts every day.

Craft Fair Finds

I thought I'd share some things I found at a craft fair this past weekend:

1. Birdie clothespin clip
2. Two tiny cross stitched ornaments (for an ornament exchange)
3. Three multi-colored crayons (I imagine they melted down broken crayons and put them in molds)

What fun things have you found at craft fairs recently?

Ribbon Taggy Monster

How freaking cute is this? I saw some similar taggy toys online and knew I had to make one. This is another great project for scraps, and the monsters can come in varying shapes and sizes depending on the scraps you have. I will be making more of these, so if I know you, and you have a baby, watch out! You may find a monster on your doorstep! (this one now lives with Elena)

Cover for KitchenAid Stand Mixer

My sister requested a cover for her KA stand mixer so it wouldn't get so dusty in between uses (a sign she isn't using it enough). So I had this idea in my head about how to make one, but it wasn't very well thought out. I kinda just jumped in and started sewing. It wasn't until I was almost done with it that I draped it over my mixer and saw how saggy it was. I hadn't thought to line it or use interfacing. Well, I wasn't about to start over, so I added interfacing for some stability, which wasn't easy at this point. But anywho, here it is:

I used scraps from Lizzy House's Red Letter Day collection. Perfect, since my sister's kitchen is green and orange! I have a pocket on one side for the KA manual.

I used bias tape for the edges. I really wanted to use piping, but the store didn't have the right colors.

Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars

A coworker brought some of these to work and we were all dying for the recipe. I made some this weekend for Elena's baptism party.

Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars

1 c butter, softened
2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 c chocolate chips, divided
140z can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add flour, sugar and salt until crumbly.
2. With floured fingers, press 2 c of crumb mixture onto bottom of greased 13x9 inch pan. Reserve remaining mixture.
3. Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
4. Warm 1 1/2 c chocolate chips and condensed milk in a bowl (microwave 1 min). Stir until smooth.
5. Stir in vanilla.
6. When crust is done, poor chocolate over the hot crust.
7. Stir together walnuts, remaining chips, and remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle over chocolate filling.
8. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until center is set.
9. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut while warm.

*I left the walnuts out.

Shop Swap and Blog: Inki Handmade

I recently participated in a Shop Swap and Blog event. Crafty shop owners were paired up, swapped items, and then blog about each other. My first partner is E, from InkiHandmade.

Vitals:
Shop: http://inkihandmade.etsy.com/
Email: inkihandmade@yahoo.com
Blog: http://inkihandmade.blogspot.com/
Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/inkihandmade-handmade-goodness-/61984158088

Here is the package I got in the mail...from Switzerland!

About E:

"I grew up in Switzerland, then moved to America where I spent most of the latter half of my life. This past year, I moved back to Switzerland with my husband and our three cats. We've been settling in, enjoying the scenery and of course, crafting!

Besides crafting, I also enjoy hiking (it's Switzerland's national sport, lol), biking, reading a good book, and hanging out with friends."

What made me start my business:

"I've always had an affinity for the arts and crafts, starting from when I was little. I would doodle horses on paper, the wall, anywhere I could. My mother would crochet fancy dresses for my Barbie dolls, I loved them! When I eventually re-discovered crocheting in Los Angeles, I found many more crafts that I liked, including sewing and paper crafting. Starting an online business provided a way for me to share what I've made and help with the costs of obtaining supplies to continue to craft."

Super cute, stamped gift tags, and her business cards.

What I get most out of having my own business:

"I love having a creative outlet and being able to bring my crafts to a wider audience. Having a tiny business also gives me the motivation to improve my crafts as well as discovering new avenues of expression."

My favorite independently owned online shops:

"Right now, my favorite store is http://www.sweetambs.etsy.com/ She makes the most delish-looking cookies. I've spent many a nights just drooling while looking at her creations on etsy."

Stamped notecards. They read: "What pair of spectacles is here!" - Shakespeare

Upcoming promos:

Free Worldwide Regular Shipping until November 26th.

Get your Christmas shopping done in one spot. All items are beautifully packaged, ready for gift-giving. Support handmade, buy inkihandmade!

The Weekend, In Photos

- baking -

- Elena was baptised. My mom crocheted the gown. -