Crafting Update

So remember that Holiday Table Centerpiece I put together for the Relief Society Progressive dinner that I hosted? It didn't last long as a centerpiece. I needed a quick gift, so the centerpiece (or ex-centerpiece) came to the rescue. The gift is a variation from an idea at Shanty 2 Chic--one of my favorite new craft blogs. Basically, I just used the frame from the centerpiece, backed it with cute scrapbooking paper, used hot glue to attach clips, tied ribbon to the clips to dress it up a bit, then added a picture of each of my adorable kiddos. Easy, inexpensive, and personal. Doesn't get better than that!

After receiving a couple of handmade gifts from my mom this Christmas (pictures to come), and realizing how much that handmade touch meant to me, I decided that from now on I would give at least one handmade gift to my kids each Christmas. I totally wimped out this year as far as my kids went, but I did manage to fit in an attempt for my niece. This is the small I-Spy quilt I put together. The squares were 4"x4" and at 24"x16" it was the hardest sewing project I've put together in a long time! No, seriously. I couldn't get anything to work right. The seams wouldn't match up, I cut the backing too small and had to sew two pieces together, and my sewing machine kept coming unthreaded. This little quilt took me ALL DAY LONG. I had to settle with it being a gift made with love rather than a gift made with skill. Oh well. She seemed to like it. Of course, she's only one, so that helps. :)

My second attempt at a handmade gift was for B.'s sister and family (luckily we had all our family parties and gift exchanges after Christmas or all this handmade stuff never would have happened!) I made some counting cookies that I saw on Counting Coconuts . Of course, I forgot to take pictures before gifting them. This picture is of the originals. They were easy and fun and I'll have to make some for my kids soon. I can't miss out on the felt food craze! :)