Santas challenge 2017

crazy-cat-lady_2

Yay for crafty presents and people. I’ve had some time to get more crafts done recently thankfully. Very thankfully as I was having withdrawals �� also to get on with my scarves for the homeless and cat blankets for the rescues for the year. Up to 5 of each now. So I’m ahead for now if I get stuck for time.
2 birthdays next month that I have to make for and not buy, as I have two lovely, amazing friends who wanted me to make something for them. THANK YOU!! Saves me a few quid. They’re going on a beach holiday soon. So I made a few seashell pendants and turned them into necklaces. I wish I could show a photo but I tried three times and honestly have zero clue how. But they’re up on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/designsbygemma (hope I won’t get in to trouble for posting that!) quite happy with them. My other friends are all evil and want things to be bought! I would love a crafty present exchange. So much more personal than a lot of things people give. I am guilty of the “emergency, general present” too though so I can’t say much. Thankfully no other birthdays that month. Dad afterthat and he always wants either amazon vouchers or a bottle of whiskey, so that’s easily sorted. Fairly quiet for a while then. I need to keep an eye on toys for toddlers and stockpile. My baby group has lots of kids all the same age as my little girl. Everyone has birthdays within a few weeks. So lots of kids to buy for. Unfortunately I missed the big B&M sale where all the 2 for £20 toys were £3 each. I wish I had known. It would have saved me a fortune.

chanie

My wrist warmers arrived today and I am very pleased with them.
https://www.turtle-doves.co.uk/products/classic-black-cashmere-fingerless-gloves

I also bought DD some slippers that were reduced from £10 to £3 in Tesco today. I sized up, so they should fit her by Xmas.

Happy_Kitties

Chanie the wrist warmers look lovely. I have nobody to buy any for unfortunately, but what a great present. U are doing really well on the present front.

I've actually sent the January present. Felt bad that I sent it so late. Now I am going in the opposite direction, preparing DSil birthday presents early ready for pick up. Even though her birthday isn't until next month, there is one very fragile item and I dont really want to be sending them plus it saves on postage.

Have been shipping out the charity 'neutral' stash that i have. It was overtaking the spare room which i need for medical supplies and just in case I'm out of action after surgery at Christmas, I've sent the organiser most of the items. Few more bits to send.
Also had a sort out and tidy up of my Christmas stash pulling out a few more neutral items and I'm happy I've cleared some space to pop things away for DD as I was struggling for space.

Went and bought DD an extra birthday present yesterday which is wrapped and on her bed ready for when she comes home. She pointed out to me that they were on special offer with £10 off, I didnt even know she wanted the item so went and managed to get one. Just have another present to wrap for her to pop on her bed. The rest of her presents are back with her at uni.

So I am slowly getting on track as next month the birthday presents really start to be sent out

squishylove1989

Hi All,

I'm a bit late to the party but hopefully will be able to start participating more from now on. Everyone looks off to a great start. I'm hoping to make as many presents as I can this year as I have lots of stash busting to do as well as skills I would like to learn/practice. I'm quite excited about it to be honest and am hoping to get lots of ideas from this thread as well as Pinterest (although I tend to find myself a bit overwhelmed from ideas on there as so many lovely things to make!).

Looking forward to keeping up with the thread and seeing everyone's progress.

Anglea

Hi to all the regulars, hi to squishylove1989, welcome to the group.

My Valentine's Day outing was a huge success, no jinxes, fantastic food, pirate pubs, geocaching (found 1 out of 3) we got home much later than expected as were having such a good time that we didn't want to return.

Friend really liked all my crochet gifts including the hand made card and small extra ones that fitted inside the big card.

I also brought along with me on my day out some decorated embellished padlocks (to put on bridges) and a painted stone but after initially not finding the right location to leave things I completely forgot about them and they were brought all the way home again. And I gave another decorated stone to a friend going to S. Africa to take with him to leave. He did this for me a few years ago as well.

I have no idea what to do now craft wise. Next birthday's coming up is Dad and I don't normally make anything for him although I could try a card.

On the subject of bargains, my friend stayed overnight Valentine's then left at 7 am to queue at a new store that was giving drastic bargains to first in line. She bought a £300 curved electric wall fire for £30 (it might have been even cheaper but I can't quite recall). She also bought other items with big savings.

crazy-cat-lady I like your crafts page.

chanie

Angela sounds like your crafting gifts were well received.

Squishy good luck with your efforts. I look forward to your updates.

I ordered a couple of bits from China, to make up a small hamper. The items are coming from China, so it’s a good 6 weeks before they arrive. If the quality is poor, I may use them in my link boxes (that sounds awful, but you know what I mean!).
Also popped to Home Bargains and bought a couple of candles for 59p each for my spare gift box. They had lots of unicorn accessories in, which would make good gifts.

chanie

A few recent purchases:


Gruffalo children's PJs - half price to £6.50 for a niece.


slipper socks half price to £4, possible for SIL, but otherwise I can keep them in my gift box.


I recently met up with some relatives and they gave me a stash of slippers from their recent stay in a hotel, which will go in my Link boxes.


Hope everyone is well.

crazy-cat-lady_2

Ooh. Where were the Gruffalo PJs from? If it’s somewbere I can get to and they have them, I might get a pair or two of those. Gruffalo mad in this house.

chanie

crazy-cat-lady wrote: »

Ooh. Where were the Gruffalo PJs from? If it’s somewbere I can get to and they have them, I might get a pair or two of those. Gruffalo mad in this house.

Sainsburys (they were on a reduced rack). I have seen other gruffalo items throughout the year, so keep an eye out. You could also check their 'work book day' section for costumes.

crazy-cat-lady_2

chanie wrote: »

Sainsburys (they were on a reduced rack). I have seen other gruffalo items throughout the year, so keep an eye out. You could also check their 'work book day' section for costumes.

Perfect. Thank you. I’ll have a peep. We already have the world book day costume sorted! Can’t wait for that.