Crafting for Christmas 2009, let's begin again.......

mary43

Some people just don't appreciate that time is more important than money -well in my book it is anyway.
And times are hard for a lot of people - far better to put time, effort and love into something than run up huge credit card bills,

Oh and talking of time - just realised that I've got to sort something out for a chaps birthday early February - not a clue what to get him other than something in the 'top gear' line.........maybe the magazines on offer and an 'I am the stig' mug -and maybe a t-shirt - have to check the prices on those and maybe go raid Rusty's top gear list................lol

she_grinch

This is a useful idea for recycled containers to keep yarn clean and tangle free http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycled-Container-Portable-Yarn-Holders---Sewusef/

sethsgran

My daughter did snowman soup cones with a mug for her little boys key worker at nursery, he loves her. Then for the other staff she did homemade chocolates in Ikea ice cube trays, one favourite one was a little melted choc then let it set then put about 1/4 tsp of Carnation Caramel, available in supermarkets, on top then top up the mould with more chocolate so that the caramel is sealed inside. These were delicious, the scales proved it so after christmas.

she_grinch

This is an idea for travel games but is very simple in style as it was designed and made by children, it could be made as it is or you could step up to the challenge and create a more polished finish! http://www.momsminivan.com/sew-travel-game.html
also handmade skittleshttp://londonmummy.typepad.com/london_mummy/2008/09/sewing-tutorial---handmade-vintage-style-fabric-skittle-gift-set-for-kids.html
this is one of the easiest games to make for the youngest members on your list of things to make using wooden squares and paper or fabric scraps http://schlosserdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/11/tutorial-tuesday-handmade-memory-game.html

she_grinch

and gift ideas for crafters or indeed for yourselves ladies! http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=235
and really simple baby hatshttp://radicalcrossstitch.com/2007/08/21/easiest-baby-hat-ever-tutorial/
and lots more ideas if you go to the list at the bottom of this linkhttp://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=228

mary43

Thanks. Some super ideas on those links. Found one section 'for the House' on the list at the bottom and there was a rug similar to the one that gave me blisters............lol

Lucy_Lu_4

As well as Thomas the Tank Engine ice cube trays, Poundland also do Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore moulds. Lakeland do Christmas ice cube moulds of snowflakes, Christmas trees, stars and snowmen and they might be reduced now. Making Christmas chocolates might go well with snowman soup?

Talking of snowman soup, Poundland also do a box of 40 mini candy canes and the best before date isn't until 2010.

Yes, I am obsessed with Poundland! It's such value for money though which is the ethos of MSE! :money:

I've had some ideas of things you could add to the 'be prepared' and 'emergency kits' Mary43 was talking about... wet wipes, paracetmol, lemsips, strepsils, mini sellotape, batteries and a lightbulb (we never have any spares in our house!).

You could also do themed emergency kits, for example:
A car one - torch, disposable camera, notepad, pen, mini A-Z, a fleece blanket (although that won't fit in the gravy tub!) and breakdown assitance and mechanic phone numbers.
A girly one - wet wipes, emory board, make up and nail varnish remover wipes, a mirror, taxi phone numbers, a spare pair of tights.

sharon59

Love the ideas on the thread and have been inspired to make sock monkeys-am nearly finished my first effort-he's quite cute- but have seen some dressed up on here and wonder where you get the ideas and patterns from please.

mioliere

I read your thread every day with great interest. You all come up with lovely ideas! I've just found this http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html. It has great but simple toys to make out of paper or cardstock, as well as boxes and gift bags and so on. Lots of printable downloads, too. Many of the ideas are quite old-fashioned - ideal for getting back to Christmas as it used to be years ago!

Edited to add this for any knitters - a gorgeous reindeer pattern http://www.lulu.com/content/1339201.

mgardner

mioliere wrote: »

I read your thread every day with great interest. You all come up with lovely ideas! I've just found this http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html. It has great but simple toys to make out of paper or cardstock, as well as boxes and gift bags and so on. Lots of printable downloads, too. Many of the ideas are quite old-fashioned - ideal for getting back to Christmas as it used to be years ago!

Edited to add this for any knitters - a gorgeous reindeer pattern http://www.lulu.com/content/1339201.

Many thanks for this. It has a lovely printable bunny basket. Just what I have been looking for. I am busy crafting for the Brownies Easter Fair