1.04.2010

Homemade Christmas

As I've alluded to in previous posts, it is my pattern every December to put myself through much stress and late-night sewing in order to complete my Christmas-gift-project list. This year was no exception though I did finally succumb to my husband's good advice and crossed several potential projects off my list. Just scratched them off and felt no guilt. Ahh.

I ended up making at least 1 homemade gift for most of the family members on my list. Unfortunately, I was in such a rush I didn't get photos of all of them.

As the pictures posted here show, I made some throw pillows for my gramma's new couch, reusable produce bags for my mom (from an old set of sheer curtains), a flannel nightgown for Chloe, and also for my mom I did a custom-stenciled t-shirt with a silhouette of her beloved grandbabies.

Gifts not pictured were a set of cloth napkins for my sister, an mp3 case for my father-in-law from a thrift store necktie, and two sunglasses cases for my nieces also crafted from neckties.

All the projects were fun though my favorite to create was the stenciled t-shirt. Freezer paper has got to be the craft world's best kept secret! With freezer paper (as with vinegar) you can do a multitude of amazing things. I think what I like best about the freezer paper stencil technique is that the finished product looks so dang professional. The lines are incredibly crisp and sharp making this NOT look your run-of-the-mill homemade clothing item.

I wish I could claim these ideas as my own. But alas, I have and always will be a copy-cat. :) Tutorials for the aforementioned gifts can be found online:
Matt joined in the making of gifts this year crafting personalized journals for almost everyone in our family. He is one talented man!

Now that the holidays are over and done with I'm giving my sewing machine a much-needed rest. Did you tackle any homemade gift projects this season?

8 comments:

Kelly Glupker said...

Good for you, Alicia! You're very thrifty, a true Proverbs 31 woman. I'd love to see a picture of one of Matt's journals!

Mary Ann said...

Great job, Alicia! Alas, I handcrafted NOTHING this Christmas. But I was gifted with a sewing machine so it can be all different this year :-) I love the reusable produce bags. I never use the plastic ones & I think cashiers hate me for it as my apples roll all over the place *giggle* Maybe I'll make some of those...
Happy New Year!

Heather said...

WOW!!! Those are some great gifts! I agree with Kelly you truely are a Proverbs 31 woman.

Unknown said...

Kelly & Heather: Nope, I am most definitely not a p31 woman. Can't seem to get the rising early part down . . .

Mary Ann: I'm the same way with most of my produce! Can't wait to see what projects you make with your new machine! I'm sure you could teach me a LOT. I'm such a sewing hacker.

ruth said...

Nice job! I realy like the stenciled t shirt.

the johnson crew said...

wow, alicia, i am super impressed. i love being artsy, but haven't touched any projects (besides coloring and teaching kalynn to crochet) for 2 years or so...

the johnson crew said...

.

Unknown said...

Janelle: I think I'm subconciously doing all these crafty things now because I know I'll be sleep deprived and not interested when baby #3 arrives this spring! I'm very impressed that you're teaching kalynn to crochet. Wish you could teach me!