There have been years when almost our entire Christmas was handmade and I have loved giving those gifts. But I also have a very distinct memory of crying, hunched over my sewing machine on December 23rd one year, exhausted and pregnant and my bobbin thread not making me feel very Christmassy.
Everything in moderation. Or at least get started in July if you’re going to make that happen.
All that to say, I really love making things for my kids. And I especially love sewing. Hazel’s big gift this year is a doll crib and high chair from the Land of Nod, but it needed bedding. Do you see where I’m headed here?
I spent last Saturday afternoon sewing while my family rested. (See how I got started in plenty of time this year? I’m learning!) And by the time I was finished, I had a little mattress, pillow and quilt with pom pom trim (to match her curtain project! smartsy!) for that cute little bed.
Do any of y’all like to add a handmade touch to the holidays? If so, when do you get started?
And, just for fun, a few of my favorite gifty projects in case you’re feeling crafty:
half apron (for little girls, doesn’t take much fabric!)
arrow and quiver (for little boys, inexpensive and super cute)
oven mitt (one of the my most popular)
mat your framed photos with fabric
camera strap cover parts one and two
bibs and burp cloths (with printable templates)
Or, just check out my tutorials page for more ideas!
That is simply beautiful. Nice work.
love it. hoping to give my sweet girl a gift like this in a few years. and @landofnod – that crib is vintage perfection! well done.
Thanks!
Stop it. So cute!
Love this Raechel! The fabrics you chose are adorable, and what little girl doesn’t love pom pom trim! So sweet.
Happy Holidays,
Danielle @ The Land of Nod
Turned out beautiful!
You did a great job!! This year I used your bibs and oven mitt tutorials to make some gifts. My co-worker loved her oven mitt. Thank you for sharing with me.
I really love that rich shade of pink. Well done, Mama! Her head will explode from happiness.
Love the fabrics! Would you share the name of the one with the girls swinging?
Thanks – I can’t remember off the top of my head, but I know it’s by Aneela Hooey!
SO MUCH ADORABLE. Loved looking through your old posts too… it brings me back to when I first met you. Or stalked you. Whatever. xoxoxo
Our family has had years, too, where we’ve done entirely handmade.. and while I love the idea of it, and the finished product of it, it can be very overwhelming! (3 am nights still at work in my Christmas “workshop.”)
Now we do a no obligation, anything goes gift exchange between adults in our family – and it’s super fun to make little homemade things to exchange with my sisters & mom.
This year some favorites were homemade totes, fun crocheted winter headbands, handmade scarves, homemade lip gloss – LOVE IT.
I’m working on a rug for our Lilly’s room.. I didn’t finish it in time, and I decided that’s perfectly ok. :) I could see I wasn’t going to finish it in time, and so I set it aside so I could finish the things I knew were possible.
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth mentioning again – I’m in love with Hazel’s room. Nice work!!
Hey Amanda! Thanks so much for sharing what your family does! And I’m so impressed/proud of you for giving yourself permission to not finish something “on time”. It’s a great example to your family and it speaks loudly about your priorities. Happy New Year!