Homemade Gifts

phizzimum

queenie, I'm inspired by those hand tied fleece rugs...are they really that easy to make? Two of my friends are due babies soon so I think I might have a go at making blankets for them. I think my ego has recovered from my phase of making homemade cards...not one person commented on the cards I made them, until one friend thought my daughters (then aged 6 and 3) had made them! I didn't think they were that bad, but I can take a hint!

where did you buy the fleece from, is it quite easy to find?

Queenie

phizzimum wrote:

queenie, I'm inspired by those hand tied fleece rugs...are they really that easy to make? Two of my friends are due babies soon so I think I might have a go at making blankets for them. ...
where did you buy the fleece from, is it quite easy to find?

Yes, they really are that easy to make! Also, because they are tied, they are really cosy because of the double thickness, but, can be untied to have a lighter cover. The one's I made all had a black fleece for the back because it was more economical to buy one lot for the backing to suit the 3 different coloured fleece's I was using for the front.

When I bought fleece for a baby project I bought it from a local store. But then discovered some online fabric stores and bought what I could in the sales to reduce outlay.
The three different online shops I bought from were:-

Planet Fleece
Cheap Fabrics Online
Fabric UK

Just as with any purchases, do shop around to get the best deal possible. Also, do you have a self healing mat and rotary cutter? I couldnt' have worked them up so quickly without my quilting mat/ruler/rotary cutter!!! The first one took the longest (don't they always :rotfl: ) but by the 5th I was whizzing along so speedily I surprised myself

countrymusicfan

Every single year, I swear I am going to give my best friend, Trevor a calendar a picture of him for each month of the year. Last year I couldn't find the software. This year, I found a place that would do it for me, but because I was using a new camera, I put too big of a memory card in it so didn't have pictures. This year, come what likes I am making him one for 2009.

Louweasel

I have given HM gifts and they have been well-received - I'm quite crafty and have made earrings and necklaces very simply and quite cheaply out of wire and beads; you only need a couple of tools (and you can probably borrow them from DH's toolbox!)

scrimpingbadger

My family usually get a pair of knitted socks from me (although I do give 'em other stuff). I make jam or chutney for neighbours and other rellies. No one ever complains - no one's been rude enough yet!.

whitewing

I'm on writing on here so I can find this again! I love those knotted fleece throws and I'm going to make one for my mum and one for my sister this year. I am determined.

NickiM

Sorry, not read all of this, but I sometimes make montages/collages for friends with photos, glitter, nice bits of fabric, quotes and things and put them in a nice frame

Also have made biscuits for people in the past.

I have to think of something to make a really good friend of mine. It's her Christmas present, but we both agreed that we'd give them to each other after Christmas. Can't do any foody things as she's allergic to a lot of stuff and have to post it.

Sweet_Pea_2

I have knitted some of those nice fluffy scarves for relatives this Christmas, but no-one has commented or even said thank you. Miserable lot, Im going to put my efforts where they are appreciated, DD2 has requested a knitted teddy with some lovely golden coloured fluffy wool I found so thats next on my list and the rellies will be getting something shop bought instead next year.

NickiM

Aw, Sweetpea, silly relatives, I bet they look fab!

Found some more links:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/christmasfood/r/bl31116d.htm
http://www.craftbits.com/

G-G_4

I made shorbread for a few people this year and that went down great, got a lovely jar from tescos for 99p each, they can re-use them for lots of things once the cookies were gone!

I also made my own chocolate mug gifts. 6 x spotty mugs from Wilkinsons for £2.99. Two boxes of chocs 2 for £5 and some cellophane off eBay for £3, wrapped the mugs that were filled with chocs with the cellophane and added some ribbon that I twirled with the scissors (if you know what I mean!) and they looked great! (well, I thought so anyway! haha)

This year I am making scarves, hampers and more cookies or brownies.. and lots more ideas from this site hopefully lol

I also make my own cards..

Woo - I love homemade gifts, no-one ever gives them to me tho..