Handmade gifts

[Unkle_John]

Seeing the holiday season is usually geared for money money money, we decided a few years ago to start making gifts from now on. If we buy for the kids it's usually somethign constructive (ranging from 1-8 years old, it's kinda hard at times). This year we are going to get tree ornament crafts the kids can make not just with us, but also to give to their parents. They will get enough toys and clothes from other family members, so they won't "miss-out". In fact, they may learn better about the seasons this way.

But usually we make something for the adults. We hit up thrift stores, garage sales and such for used baskets no one wants, or recycle the ones from last year. We usually fill the baskets with food (home made jellies, cookies, candies, etc.) and other items (a blanket or two, metal nut crackers, homemade hot sauce, etc.). This year we have thought about making "bath bombs" (I'll have to get the recipe when i get home to post here). But seeing it's getting close to the time of the money monster feeding frenzy, let us all share gift ideas and if you feel inclined, share your traditions or dishes as well. This would make a great section on it's own in the forums (seasonal).

[Hippie Staff]

Ask and u shall receive!! Great idea John :) :)

I have ideas to contribute...will be back shortly to share!

[Unkle_John]

Ask and u shall receive!! Great idea John :) :)

I have ideas to contribute...will be back shortly to share!

Great!

but I wonder.... should the name stay or should it be a more cleaver name like Seasonal gift ideas or green gifts or just leave it? It's nothing we should decide now.. perhaps have everyone vote on it.

[LIBRA]

cool thread!!!!

This year I am making my two best girlfriends quilts out of there old t shirts, like concert shirts they dont wear anymore, tyedies etc... only bummer is they know I am making something cause I had to get the shirts from them,lol

but I am excited, they will be more like a throw blanket not a hige quilt but they will be quilted.

Last year I made all of my neice and nephews snow man kits, got a lil tote or shoe box would do, I went to salvation army grabbed scarves, cool hats, mittens. Got some coal from my brother, bought a plastic carrot from the craft store. I decorated the lil totes too, it was a huge hit, they loved it!! And it was very inexpensive to do.

[hippielove]

I have three nieces and a nephew (all under 9 years old) that I buy for each year. I try my best to buy toys that are educational...but it is SO hard. Their maternal grandmother (these are my brother's kids) literally brings a van load over, then goes back for more! But, she normally throws in a few books along with all the toys...this year, I want to make my best friend a spa basket, because she just recently had a baby and has had NO time for herself. She would enjoy that so much more than a gift certificate to her favorite store or what not. For the husband, not sure yet. I would love to be able to learn how to knit and crochet, and make him a ski hat (we're going snowboarding this year) and some mittens for him to wear.

To me, it means so much more to make something that comes from the heart, and your hands, rather than waiting in line at 6am to catch a sale and some retail establishment... :hippie:

[Hippie Staff]

Ok, here are my ideas so far - but I am on the hunt for more.


My daughter really wants a doll house, and most are either super expensive (wood ones), or junkie (and expensive) plastic crappy ones.

I'm going to get a wood doll house kit and my husband will put it together, and I'm going to paint it w/ low VOC paint. I'm on the hunt for used, wood doll house furniture. I'll sew my own rugs, other little pookies for the house w/ scrap material - nothing major, as I'm not very good at it. I'll then make little red bows, and crochet out dark green links out our yarn, and decorate the outside of the completed doll house for Christmas. I haven't bought the kit yet - if I can find a used wood house that I can repaint, then I'll go that route.

Other gifts -I want to make felted purses for my friends. I am a novice in crocheting, but the felting process is pretty forgiving. Check out felting on Google if you want more info - the process makes really really nice 'fabric' and I think it's going to be huge here. Some people make felted jewelry, and I wouldn't mind learning that as well.

[PEACE FROG]

Okay if you want to bless someone this year with some handmade/homemade goodies. Check out Paisley Days. The cool ass terapin station hoodie seen on their add I think is mine :D I had made for myself, last year or two ago. Anyways, fine quality, made to order. Julie is really nice to work with too!! So check em' out yall'. They are the real deal!!! Two Peace Frog thumbs up. ;)

[Unkle_John]

Okay if you want to bless someone this year with some handmade/homemade goodies. Check out Paisley Days. The cool ass terapin station hoodie seen on their add I think is mine :D I had made for myself, last year or two ago. Anyways, fine quality, made to order. Julie is really nice to work with too!! So check em' out yall'. They are the real deal!!! Two Peace Frog thumbs up. ;)


LOL Plug!

Yeah she still hasn't made mine (he's going to be playing a washboard).

[PEACE FROG]

I am absolutely shameless :D

[Unkle_John]

You ought to post a pic of you in the hoodie.

[NCW_Woodnymph]

I'm crocheting beanies for all the guys I know and making personalized journals for my girlfriends. They're cheap enough that I can give gifts to friends who usually only get a card so I'm really excited. I am also making beanies for all the kids in my neighborhood. They are so excited they keep asking when they will be finished.

I'm also making gift baskets for our family. So far they are going to have pearbutter, blackberry syrup, and chunky applesauce. I want to add some kind of easy bread mix if anyone has any suggestions.

I think this is a great way to enjoy the holidays rather than dread them. :D

[Unkle_John]

Woodnymph, I posted a bread recipe in the food section. See if that will work out for you. :D

[PEACE FROG]

You ought to post a pic of you in the hoodie. Okay I will when Justin gets home. :)

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Thanks Unkle, but I was looking for the kind of thing that they would just have to add a few wet ingredients and throw in the oven. I'm thinking maybe a beer bread. That does sound like a good bread recipe though. I'm gonna try it.

[Unkle_John]

MMM beer bread. Hey could you post that recipe in the other thread?

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Yeah I'll post one in the food section as soon as I test it. :) Nothing better than warm beer bread with hot home made soup. Yummy! :D

[PEACE FROG]

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee55/PeaceFrog_2007/IM000204.jpg Here's my hoodie. It was made by Julie at Paisley Days. like I siad Two Peacefrog thumbs up! :D

[Hippie Staff]

Awesome hoodie!!!!!!!!!!

[LIBRA]

Sweet hoodie!!! Love it!!! And Ed SMILE :D hee hee just picken!!

[PEACE FROG]

Actually Hon I was standing there watching my little boy fumble with the camera. I was wondering if I was going to have to show him where the button is again. ;)

[Unkle_John]

WOOT! :bud: :cheers: :animal-sm

[Hippie Staff]

Ok, I'm getting close to getting my handmade gifts together..at least enough to show you all soon. (will take a pict.)

My handmade gifts will now consist of felted bracelets, cranberry/apple preserves and cranberry mustards, and some handmade sachels w/ organic lavender in them. I ordered bulk organic lavender at mountain rose herbs online - surprised how inexpensive it was, and now i'm sewing the little sachels w/ funky fabrics I have around. This is the extent of my sewing ability..but they look cool.

I thought of the sachel, because I was making one for my daughter's room. Sometimes her room gets funky smelling. haha..is it me, or do kid's rooms just get this way? I think she spills juices and things, and then wa - la..funkiness. Anyway, I hate room sprays for the most part, so natural lavender seemed like a good solution. So, I decided everyone needs one - so their room is not funky. Aren't I thoughtful? haha.


Anyone watch the debates tonight?

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Sachels are a great idea! I might have to try that next year. I always have a ton of lavendar. Last year I made neck warmers with lavender in them. They were really easy, just a long skinny pillow filled with rice and lavender. They're so nice for relaxing on a cold winter day. :D

[lynyrdskynyrdgirl]

At Christmas time my mother and I make homemade bath products for the family as well as candles
we save up all the melted adn otherwise wasted wax from all the other candles throught the years and make new ones
we use jam jars and preserve bottles to package the bath milks and salts.
we have so much fun
as well last year I made my mother a quilt from all of my old jeans as well as hers and my lil brothers .
I have also decided this year to find some old windows from torn down barns adn houses and put together collages of myself and our group of firiends to give to them for christmas.
not too much information to give but its a lil
have a great day guys and have fun recycling and being creative
:group_hug

[Hippie Staff]

Digging the barn window idea! Where do you get them?

[Unkle_John]

lynyrdskynyrdgirl, you should post how to instructions on making bath stuff and candles. I'm sure a lot of us would like to know how. If I can convince Julie to get on and post, she'll post instructions on what she can make.

I know she's reading.. hi sweetheart, here's a heffalump chorus line.. they need to do jazz hands: :heff2: :heff2: :heff2:

[aunt_juju]

Hi all! I am posting new, but have been abreast to all that happens here thanks to my wonderful soulmate unkle_john(thanks for the heffalumps, Baby!) I'm doing ornament and photo frame magnet crafts with my nieces and nephews for yule this year. I thought they might as well get in on the fun since I always make things for them. It helps that they are all old enough to participate...well mostly. And goodie baskets of homemade jams, jellies, cakes, and candies for all the adults. Hope everyone is having fun getting ready for their winter celebrations!

:ufo:

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Nice to hear from the much mentioned Aunt Ju-Ju. :) Would you mind giving a little more info on the oraments your making. I've been trying to think of some to make with my little ones.

[lynyrdskynyrdgirl]

UNkle John
I certainly can I will bring all of them with me tomorrow and I will fill you all in
I was wondering guys does anyone know where I can order organic dried lavender ? and does anyone know do they make milk powder from anything other than cows milk? as I am making bathmilks for Christmas and I would rather not use cows milk. :hb:
as well I am from a small town in New brunswick Canada so I quite literally went into a field adn took them from an old barn! but I am sure that you could score some at a flea market
I cant wait to get started on them so much character
yay
:)

[Unkle_John]

I would like to know how to make powered milk. I never thought about it being REAL milk. But i bet if you know how to do that, you could try with rice or soy milk.

[Hippie Staff]

I can't believe it..I got an email from Martha Stewart .. and she had a good idea for old burned down candles(which I have a gazillion of) & teacups (could use any container though). This is an easy one.. I hate her. Did I say that?

here is the link (http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=8707d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCR D&xsc=eml_msl_2007_11_29&popup=legacy)

[lynyrdskynyrdgirl]

:hippie: UNkle JOnh
I discoverred yesterday that you can use coconut milk as opposed to cows milk and you can order it through any natural foods store!
I am very excited about this yay
I will let you know what it tursn out like !
I think that it being coconut milk he will be much softer for the body as well
:hb:

[Unkle_John]

I can't believe it..I got an email from Martha Stewart ..

Are you sure it wasn't really her Lord and Dark Master, Satan?

lynyrdskynyrdgirl, Yes coconut products rock... and smell great!

[LIBRA]

Gotta love Martha, she always has great ideas, well except for that whole stock bit,lol

My aunt collects tea cups and she would love this, and I always find cute tea cups at salvation army.

[Hippie Staff]

I think jail did Martha some good..I think she learned how to fashion a shiv from leftover soap bits... :p

[browneyedgirl]

Those teacup lights are really cute. Our older daughter is getting married in June. They could make a nice party favor for her shower. Thanks for the link Hippie Staff. :)

[Hippie Staff]

Cool..glad u like! I always see cool solo teacups at the thrift stores for like .50 or so. I think these would be GREAT shower gifts! Add your own essential oils too.

[browneyedgirl]

I've seen them at thrift shops too. Can't beat that price! Are essential oils something that will make the candles scented?

[Hippie Staff]

Absolutely!


Here's something I snagged on Google

Paraffin wax, by its own nature, is odorless. Therefore, unless you add a scent to it, you will smell nothing. On the other hand, beeswax has a natural honey scent already in it but you can add essential oils to beeswax if you want.

Generally speaking, you only need a few drops of a fragrance or an essential oil to add a nice aroma. Most people tend to think they need to add a lot, but a little does go a long way.

Lavender and Patchouli are both easy to do..

If you want to do florals like rose, etc., you'll have to hunt down those oils.

Mountain rose herbs out of Oregon sells organic essential oils and their prices are good. I just ordered a bunch of lavender from them - very fragrant!

[browneyedgirl]

Hey thanks for that info. Oooo, lavender sounds great! :)

[LIBRA]

Coffee body scrub. Its so great!!!!
Coarse ground coffee grounds, raw sugar or seal salt, few tsp of oil, olive or jojoba or something like that, mix it up and put it in jars. I will get the measurements later and put them up.

I am making a few of these to give out too.

[NCW_Woodnymph]

That sounds great! Are those fresh grounds or used?

[LIBRA]

That sounds great! Are those fresh grounds or used?

fresh ground coffee, I bet used would be ok too. Im gonna adda wee bit of honey too. Im going to start tonight, I will let ya know how it turns out!!

[LIBRA]

I tried the scrub this morning and it works well as far as making my skin feel great, but boy was it messy,lol I had it all over the shower,lol
Im gonna put a warning label on it, caution messy....

[Hippie Staff]

That sounds yummy. Will the coffee scrub wake me up? A little transdermal caffeine action? ooh yah...

[Hippie Staff]

Alright..show and tell time!! Here are some of the things I'm giving this year.

Felted beaded jewelry, 'smelly' monsters..used left over felt and stuffed w/ beans and organic lavender, and cranberry orange preserves Also doing cranberry mustard, but already packed up the first batch so didn't have any to take pict. of

[Unkle_John]

FAR OUT!

Julie plans on making candy this weekend (I talked he into making me a BIG batch of chocolate covered pretzels). Oh I may have mentioned, but if not, thrift stores are a great way to find unwanted baskets to recycle each year. My family gives back the basket when they clean it out of goodies and we re use them. But sometimes you have to replace them and a thrift store is a great place to find them on the cheap!

[lynyrdskynyrdgirl]

:hippie: yay
So this past week me and one of my friends finally made our homemade soaps!
it was so much fun
to make the scents and colors we used herbal teas ! the leaves work as exfoliants adn the smells are amazing.
we are also making loofah soaps I will let you know how those turn out
have a great day guys :)

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Staff,
I love the "smelly monsters"! Those are so cute and original.

[5littlehippies]

Okay...I need a couple of recipes for goodies to bake this season. I don't want the traditional holiday faire though. Anyone got any unusual or overlooked recipes to share?