Packaging is Everything

Years ago I used to take a lot of time to create special Christmas paper (brown Kraft paper that I stamped and painted)  to wrap my presents in and make elaborate bows with decorations, but in the past few years it's been purchase the bag at the dollar store and stuff the gift in with some tissue paper. Well not this year. Since this is a handmade holiday, I figure the bag needs to be handmade also. I got the idea from a Pin on Pinterest to the Purl Bee's blog where they featured a tutorial for a 20 minute tote. If you want the instructions, which I pretty much followed, check them out Here. My handles are a couple inches shorter and the bag width is also a couple inches less.

Here is a picture of their totes, great fabric by the way.

Here is mine. I used left over holiday fabric. I didn't want to have to go out and buy fabric just for a gift bag so am using what I already have. These are great as they can be used over and over.

My next special thing besides the totes are the embellishments. I had painted tags a couple of months ago, see post here, to use and now I just needed a little decoration/ornament type thing. These are so super simple to make and can be worn as a pendant, charm or hung on your tree.

Soldered glass charms. I used microscope slides that someone had given me along with holiday card stock and some vintage images. I'm loving the ones that are the simple gold glitter embossed paper and am thinking I'll just have to keep this one for myself.

I think I'm almost finished making presents, but you never know what I'll dream up to make next. 

If you want to follow me on Pinterest, just click the button on the right. If you don't know what Pinterest is.... well you can go to their web site and ask for an invite or just leave me a message and I'll send you one. It's a great place to get really cool ideas for decorating, cooking, crafts, art, you name it, and it is probably there but it is also a place for you to bookmark all those things you find on the Internet that you want to remember or share which is called Pinning. It is quite fun and now quite addicting.

Well I have lots more to do tomorrow and this week to get ready but when I have a bag all filled and embellished, I'll post another final picture for your viewing pleasure. Until then, have a great week.

Tangling with Zentangles

Okay, so now you are wondering what that title is all about, well Zentangles is a drawing art form and has a growing following. If you are a doodler then you are probably doing a form of zentangles and didn't even know it. Rick and Maria, the zen masters of this art form explain it as a method of creating beautiful images by repetitive patterns. There's lots of information on Zentangles out on the web but if you want to check out the official site, just go to zentangle.com.

So why am I talking about this now? Well I found a Zentangle instructor, Laura Harms who is celebrating her 200k hit mark and giving away 3 prizes of zentangle goodness. The prize packs are great and would make a wonderful gift for the holiday season to get someone started or for something special for you. Here is the link to her celebration post, just leave her a comment and you'll be entered. http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/2011/11/passing-celebration-on-to-you.html

Now I bet you are wondering what a Zentangle looks like, well here are a few of mine that I have done on ATC size paper. I'm not very good but hey you don't have to be good to tangle.

There are a lot of books out on the market to help you create the patterns. The one I have is called Totally Tangled by Sandy Steen Bartholomew.

I haven't done any tangles in awhile but I always keep my book, pen and paper handy.

So, what have I been doing, well making Christmas gifts. Here is a sneak peak..... no looking family members.

Since I know I can't trust my family members to not look, I won't say who they are for but I've crocheted several scarfs, made a jacket and aprons. I still have lots to do but I at least have a good start. 

If you are interested in crocheted items, here is a link to a quick and easy scarf.  http://craftdisasters.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-gifts-90-minute-scarves.html

The apron is a McCalls pattern and is really easy. Here is the link to the pattern but you can also find it at any fabric store that carries patterns. http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5366-products-5099.php?page_id=843

The crocheted hat is one I found on-line and is also super easy to make. Lion Brand Yarn lists several on their site as well as the one I used. It is call the Blue Tweed Hat.

I have a couple of other things I'm working on such as the scarf pins (still need to do that tutorial) and some coasters. Okay, so now would be a good time for those family members that have special requests to send me an e-mail or give me a call otherwise I can't be held responsible for what you will get.

Ready to Go!

Now that the holidays are coming to a close, how did you all fair? I did pretty good with getting items made for gifts even though I didn't start until December. Note for next year, start making gifts early. Maybe that will be one of my New Year's Resolutions. I had the most trouble with the guys in the family and the teens. The teens I just had to break down and buy them something so they got a sweatshirt and money (they are boys...really hard to buy for or even make something for that they will appreciate). Some of the other guys got quilted placemats and I made one an apron. Now they all want aprons....go figure, so that's what they will get for next year. The ladies received aprons and a diary from the Project Diary 2011 that I participated in. Both the aprons and the diary's were a big hit. If you want to know what the diary's are all about there is a link on the right hand side.

Now I'm thinking about next year, can't do the aprons again for the ladies so I'll have to come up with something else to make them. I can always fall back on jewelry or gem trees but I think I've given them plenty of that in years past. Maybe I'll take up crochet again, there are some great free patterns out on the internet these days. I did see a pattern for a fleece shawl/scarf but they didn't have it in stock when I went to purchase it so maybe if I hit the store early enough I'll find that again and make those. They looked warm and cozy.

So, did anybody else have a handmade holiday? What did you make a give? I would love more ideas.

I'll leave you today with one of my favorite photos of my little Leo taken a couple of days ago.