Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Christmas crafting.....

So with only five weeks today (yes - FIVE) to go until the big day I've finally gotten myself organised and started making gifts. I've taken the handmade pledge as you can see in my sidebar but to be honest I'm struggling with this for a few reasons. Firstly, I'm out of ideas for SUPER hard people to buy for - my parents, sister and nephews - because they have everything. I mean everything that anyone could ever want for and so I'm stuck. Last year my sister and I got mum a digital photo frame. It's never been used. I knitted a bathroom set for her. It's never been used. For Mums 50th I knitted her a stole and not just any stole but one that really pushed my buttons. It's never been out of the drawer. You get the picture so I'm reluctant to spend much time crafting for those who don't seem to appreciate it. So my new pledge is that I will give at least *one* thing which is handmade to each peson on my gift list.

This fabric was once the liner of a magazine rack and I'm bummed that I didn't remember to take a piccie of it before I pulled it apart. Anyway, it was chopped up, added some black lining from the fabric stash and turned it into a satchel style bag for her....

I'm also knitting her perhaps one of my very favourite knitting patterns - Fetching. I have made quite a few pairs of these now but they have always been for gifts or swaps - eventually I'll make myself a pair! The yarn is Vera Moda Cupcake and although the meterage for one ball is lots more than the pattern I quickly realised (after I'd almost finished the first one!) that I was going to run out of yarn. Never fear I thought - Ravelry is here! And it came through with two lovely knitters sending me a ball of the same yarn so I can finish her gift. This yarn suits the pattern beautifully - the stitch definition is fantastic, they knit up to be quite a thick fabric which I like and they are so snuggly soft! I've added a cable repeat at the finger end because I think the original pattern is quite short. Given that this one took me two evenings to complete I'm fine about spending a short amount of time on something that will be lost/damaged/in the bin before next winter comes around....

I had planned on making her boys sock monkeys but due to an unexpected visit they have already got them! Bugger! In saying that, 'Fred', the monkey for Mr A has been to bed with him every night since he got it and has been going to kindy as well. Seems the little guy is attached to the little guy. They are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 respectively so I've decided to make them little drawstring backpacks so they can carry things around for themselves. They both love the green bags from the supermarket so hopefully these will be just that bit nicer. Oh and a pair of PJs - I'm going to do a reverse applique singlet with a star on it to match as well.
The other nephew will get the same set but the fabric for his bag is lime green spiders and turtle fabric for the PJ set. There are plans for coasters, place mats, shopping bags and quite a bit of baking but - strangely - I'm feeling prepared and excited about this christmas! Anyway, off to sew another backpack...

6 comments:

Michelle said...

You're an inspiration, Bec! I'm limiting my Christmas present buying to handmade and/or local, so people might be getting a bit of Clonakilla wine and local jams this year.

I love that your little nephew is taking his sock monkey to bed with him every night. And the drawstring bags are an excellent idea - I might have to steal your idea for my nephew.

Leonie said...

You have such a list to get through, I am in awe. If I wasn't so long term sleep deprived I might be able to do about a quarter of that but since I am, it won't be happening. Kinder teacher christmas ornaments and socks for my Nan are going to be it for the knitting! I wish you speedy crafting for the next few weeks :-)

Lea said...

You astound me - I am so stuck for ideas that I know I will end up buying stuff for some people. fetchings are about as far as I have thought - and felted bags. Maybe some of olivias felted pods, and I have the think sewing - so much faster.

you have slate too! glad to see yours in on the floor

Bells said...

I'm with you on not going overboard if you're not sure your gifts will be appreciated. That's why I'm doing mitts, too. I've discovered fetching converts quite nicely to a boy pattern, too.

Georgie said...

You are kicking butt there Bec! All that and brake pads too....no stopping you!

Crazy Mumma said...

I love the Fetching. Will send the pattern to Mum (she is the knitter not me!). You have a great list there, and i'm certain you will breeze through it :) Can't wait to hear more about it all as you get cracking.