Christmas Craftiness Challenge

I got the latest issue of my CRAFT magazine subscription recently, and it's really inspired me to try to make some time to get crafty soon! I so love making things, but I've not been able to do as much as I would like to lately.

Every year I try to make something for all the members of my immediate family for their Christmas gift from me, and this year I am already starting to think about what to do. Now I don't support the retail world jumping on upcoming holidays way too early - but when you're talking about making things, it's imperative to start far in advance! ;)

I have also decided to add a new twist this year - I'm going to attempt to make all the gifts this year out of supplies and objects I already have, without purchasing anything new! I may make an exception for a notion or two if absolutely needed, but I have enough fabric and other materials as it is, that it really shouldn't even be that hard to accomplish. It just feels wasteful to buy any more stuff without using up some of what I already have, and it seems like a good year to spend less money where possible... plus, the challenge makes it extra fun!! ;)

If you haven't ever thought about making some or all of your gifts for the holidays this year, I'd encourage you, nay, I'd CHALLENGE you, to consider it! It's a lot of fun to exercise your crafty side, and gifts from the heart that are made with your own hands are extra special. :)

I obviously can't talk any more about my ideas for this year, as my sisters are frequently on this blog (obviously!) - so instead I'll leave you with some pictures of what I made for people last Christmas. Hopefully it will leave you with some ideas of your own, or inspiration to try making something this year yourself! You can do it! ;)

Purse for Vanessa:

A very roomy but lady-like pleated style in this awesome nubby pink upholstery fabric with a light pink taffeta lining. Pattern is {I'll add later once I find it}, although it's an older one now out of print; I actually really wanted this specific pattern bad enough to find it on ebay! I also pinned a sparkly brooch on the front for some old school bling...

MP3 player case for Christina:

Another upholstery fabric, this time in green (it's actually leftover yardage from when I reupholstered my kitchen chair seats!), and not using any pattern but just measuring the music player and making up an envelope type case. There was a split interior, for keeping her earbuds separate (and untangled) from the actual player. I also gave it a detachable wrist strap/key chain and a belt loop on back as well, for multiple options in carrying it with you...

Camera case for Mom:
Yet another upholstery fabric - I really love the stuff! This was a pink with fun grooves, and I used the same pink taffeta lining here as in Vanessa's purse. For this I did not use a pattern either; after measuring the camera and sketching out some ideas, I just kind of winged it. There were a few things I would change starting over, but it turned out super cute, with a perfectly sized battery compartment and an inside pocket for an extra memory card...

Dad is a little harder to actually make something for, so I gave him some stained glass window books, to further his new hobby and help him make something himself...

Finally, in the background of the first camera case picture, you can see the little containers of hot chocolate mix I made in bulk for many other members of my family and our friends. :) It was really delicious, and easy to make out of just a few dry ingredients! I made a big batch for us to keep as well; we're still using it now and it's kept fresh really well. There is no actual cooking or baking involved in making this gift, just some mixing of all the ingredients.

Here's the "recipe" I used, and I do recommend it:

~*~*~Batch of HOT COCOA MIX~*~*~

2 cups nonfat dry milk

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup powdered creamer

dash of salt
Optional: small marshmallows or chocolate chips added to mix; candy cane to use as flavored stir stick.

To serve: add several heaping tablespoons (or more like 6 if you're like me) to a mug of hot water.

Also, I melted chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave, dipped plastic spoons into it, then laid the dipped spoons on parchment paper and added some sprinkles on top, before allowing them to harden and then covering in a plastic wrap square tied with ribbon around base of spoon, to make chocolate covered stir spoons... yummy!

Now off you go - let's all get crafty this holdiay season! :)