Challenge: Handmade 2010 xmas

gingerandrubarb

Hi everyone,
I wondered if anyone wanted to join me in a handmade 2010 xmas?
Babies and children are excluded as i don't imagine they would be too impressed although making handmade for the kiddies can be added in with their items..

...So who's with me?

Please add your tips, what your going to make and inspirational ideas or tutorials here.

The money you would have spent could be added to something special or to pay off debts.. How much will you have saved?

knithryn

Now sure if this counts, but I've made 12 jars of bramble jam which is designated for Christmas presents, plus I have raspberry gin and blackberry whiskey started, also to give away.
Last year I made some friends knitted neckwarmers which proved very useful in the icy spell that we had, and were very gratefully recieved.
I'm going to try and make/bake/create pretty much everything.
Next on my list is using a whole load of apples to make herb/chilli/spiced apple jellies to add to the store.
Ladies will get two jars of preserves, gents will get a bottle of booze.
To be honest I'm not doing this because I am skint, I could easily afford to go out and buy them presents, but I never know exactly what they would want, and I know everyone will appreciate the time and effort that has gone into it.

Oh and my very elderly neighbour (who is thrilled that her Bramley tree has managed to produce a load of fruit) will get a box of wrapped apples from her own tree as well as some bramble jelly I made especially for her (she doesn't like the seeds). I might also knit her another neckwarmer or two.

lizalloareds

Fab ideas, how do you make raspberry gin

midnightraven3

:j

homemade here too

well apart from teens main present

i have 9 elderly-ish aunts
my mother
3 teens
& OH

9 aunties get a hamper
homemade relish & chutneys, homade soaps & bathbombs, snowman soup, mug and HM choclate stirrers
and this year flannel cupcakes, & a HM wooden hanging kitchen sign

teens are getting a christmas ever hamper
(which i have a spread sheet for)
i am mid making them a fleecy backed patchwork quilt each
(why did i think that was a good idea!!)
have bought their boxes (bargains at dunelm)
and jammies, socks, slippers, dressing gowns, making them sock monkeys, ( i do this while they are at school as well as the quilts)
ordered boxes for retro sweetie boxes

ummmmmmmmmmm
lots done, lots to do:D

mary-op

Here's my list:

Notebooks for shopping lists (cheap ones covered)
Pens I covered with matching paper for shopping lists
Gravy tubs covered with snowy type paper to hold white marshmallows (snowballs) -popped couple of kiddy wash mitts on top -penguin and polar bear
Pamper tubs - last years twiglet tubs filled with freebies of face creams etc.
Bag charms - made them from old necklace I dismantled..........not perfect though -must try harder...........lol
Painted ''smile'' on four pebbles to give to people
Post it notes stuck on coasters with bulldog clip so they hang on the wall
Button necklaces -made from mums old buttons
Specs cases - foam and fabric from charity shop
Key rings with pebbles on -found some in the garden with holes in them
Flannel snowman -cheap flannel, baby's mitten for hat and soap inside
SOS boxes for my two sons........cheap little tool/craft box filled with stuff they might run out of, batteries, elastoplast etc.

Can't think of anything else at the minute.........:)

dramarama

Can i join?!
I'm always looking for crafty christmas ideas. I think I'll try making some raspberry/blackberry vodka and christmas bark for my besties.

For family, most are in couples so I'm making up either retro sweet jars/boxes or cosy night in hampers!!

Can't wait to start crafting!!

chasingsunshine_2

Ah you're all doing well!
So far I've got 2 sock monkeys, and one in progress
Half way through a knitted blanket for my DS
Doing chutneys and pickles (and was planning on doing a jam) to give as gifts. Thought I'd started them today but a huge load of ingredients ended up only filling 3 jars took about 3 hours all together and didnt make much but its luvvverly! At least I know now how much I need to make when I do it properly. Thinking I'll wait a month, test out the chutney and then get some more on the go!
Also doing HM truffles and liquor choccies.
Done a jewllery set for DHs nanna.
Think thats it. I'm doing hampers and flannel reindeers etc too. How exciting

midnightraven3

you are also doing well chasing sunshine

you dont get a lot of jam for your fruit
i use smaller jars for jam than i do marmalade
as it gives a higher yield

i have made 3 fruits marmalade (pink grapefruit, lemon & orange)

and i shall make lemon curd nearer the time, its easy & quick to do
and i have already dried lemon slices to tie round the necks of the jars with rafia (again these i do in smaller jars)

TeegansNan

SOS boxes for my two sons........cheap little tool/craft box filled with stuff they might run out of, batteries, elastoplast etc.


Girly SOS boxes too.
Needle and thread, few buttons, plasters, savlon, blister patches, those gel insoles-'party feet', safety pins, screwdriver???, pair of scissors, few pens and pencils etc etc...

babyshoes

We have been doing HM stuff to supplement Christmas pressies for a few years now, and we are just about at the limit of our creative talent! This year so far we have done jam/jelly and are doing loads more fruity booze, as the damson gin went down really well last year!

Have previously done soap, bath bombs etc and choccies, mince pies etc! Can't draw, paint, sew or knit well enough to make pressies, so really am running out of ideas - shall be watching this thread with interest!

stardrops42

I'll be making handmade soap and bath bombs this year. Never tried making bath bombs before but I've made quite a few batches of soap already and I would never go back to shop bought