Handmade Holiday

The Handmade/DIY Holiday started with this idea I saw on Pinterest for a Snowman Wreath.  Ryan and I went down to Houston one weekend to see Kevin and Steph.  The boys went to some beerfest thing... they had a good time, I think. Ha.  Steph and I went to Michaels then did some crafting while Cason napped, then we picked the boys up.  What started as three little cheap wreaths and some yarn...

Ended up this cute guy on my door!  Thanks for helping me wrap the wreaths, Steph.  It was way more time consuming than we though, but a perfect task to sit, chat, eat cookies, and craft.  Very mindless.

Then, Whit, Steph and I decided we'd do a handmade holiday theme for our gifts to each other... we all have a crafty side and with the help of Pinterest, I think our "to do" lists have gotten really long.  I was excited to try some of the things I had pinned.

I started with these necklaces made using Mod Podge Dimensional, scrapbook paper and little pearls.  It took me a couple of tries (you can soak the Mod Podge off and start over) but finally got it right.

Then I added these dishtowel aprons... mainly because I found the super cute black, yellow and white fabric and wanted to use it.  The inspiration was from this blog. I loved the idea of using a dishtowel because you can just wipe your hands right on your apron.  This should be an easy project... just add some trim and a waistband... but it was not as easy as I hoped.  Mainly because dishtowels are not perfectly made... the edges aren't straight.  It wasn't difficult but it wasn't a 30 minute project like I hoped. I never got a picture of the apron on because, well, I'm pregnant and it didn't fit.  Ryan's mom got one too!

I also made these, but forgot to take pictures.

Then, the theme continued with the men in Ryan's family.  I'd seen the idea of a "Year of Yum" on Pinterest and knew Ryan's dad and brothers would appreciate some of my baked treats.  I found these cute tins at Container Store and added the foam scrapbook letters.  We gave the boys a note with the "rules"... essentially they could get unlimited refills all year by returning the tin to one of us... Of course, Ryan's dad had a special rule that he couldn't return it to Ryan at work because, well, that could get out of hand!  :)  I filled the tins the first time with iced sugar cookies, chocolate covered pretzels and peppermint bark.

My brother also got in on the handmade holiday... again thanks to Pinterest.  I guess I never saved the idea, but it was for a Lego belt.  Lego's have a deep history in my family.  I have lots of memories of me and James building whole cities in the hall of my parents house.  He still, to this day, LOVES Lego's and has shared that love with my niece.  Ryan loves Lego's too and Cason is falling in love himself.  We are a Lego Family.  I knew, of all the men in my life, James would appreciate and wear this belt.  I just got a basic canvas belt from Target and spruced it up with some of our childhood Lego's, dirt and all!  Ha.  James recognized the pieces as part of my old Hospital set.  He's correct.

And last, I was at a loss for what to get my Mom.  She likes to knit but I know nothing about knitting.  After some suggestions from some knitter friends, I found the idea of a case for her needles... and all the ones I saw I thought "I could do that".  So I started searching for tutorials.  I didn't find anything exactly what I wanted so I just took a few different ones and made it on my own.  Again, with that super cute yellow, black and white fabric that I'd found at Wal-mart of all places.  This project was super easy, a variation of the crayon roll I've made before.  Mom loved it!

Okay... one more... And not necessarily part of Holiday gifts, but I wrapped up my season of sewing with Curtains and Baskets in Claire's room and these fun aprons for my "sprinkle" hostesses... made using this tutorial (minus the pocket because I don't really ever use a pocket on an apron).  I bought three coordinating fabrics and mixed and matched, using muslin for the back side.  After the 3rd one, I had the process down pretty good and can see myself making these again in the future.  It was a fun, not too difficult project with good results.

Whew... now I know why I've been so tired... between Cason, Claire, Work and all these projects... I've been busy.