A Couple of Completed Gifts

I have way too many unfinished projects going on right now, but these two were quick and easy to complete in one sitting. Hopefully they'll be headed to the post office today.

These quilted notecards are for my husband's grandmother, who is the only person I know who still sends a handwritten note for no special reason. I love it. I would say it's something I'm going to start doing, but who am I kidding? I'm just going to keep sending facebook messages to my friends. Gross but true.

Fantastic way to use up some of my mountain of scraps. And I always love a project that doesn't require careful measuring and cutting of fabric. That is my least favorite part of sewing.

Also made a couple of these for 2 little artists I love. These are so fun. I'm thinking I need to make a crayon roll version next to stick in H's diaper bag.

This is the third Christmas since I've started sewing, and gifts are definitely my favorite thing to make. It's nice to think that these kind of gifts won't be the ones going to Goodwill in a year or two... I would hope. I also love that I am hibernating up in my sewing room instead of navigating snowy, crowded mall parking lots. Ugh. But no matter how you are gifting this year, I hope it is fun and stress-free!

Wrapping Paper Painted by Toddler

First, decide that an unnecessary Christmas craft with your toddler is indeed necessary because, well, we are starting traditions here.

Then, put on Justin Timberlake's Justified album. You might think you would want a favorite Christmas album here, but you would be wrong.

Next, prep:

I used those little fisher-price shape blocks as patterns for cutting out my sponges. Some very washable kid's paint- check. And for the paper, I used some blank newsprint sheets. Someone gave me a TON of it a while ago and it is handy for many things. You could also use butcher paper, recycled paper bags, also those rolls of banner paper from the craft store would be good.

Next, go to town. Go there with jingle bells on. But no pants. (He did get the stamping thing, but I admittedly did a bunch of the stamps too. Duh, he's one.5. He really liked pressing the sponge down after I put it on the paper, using his big muscle grunts and everything.)

 Aftermath.

Out to dry.

Clean up.

Don't forget the lips, if said toddler maybe tried to eat a little paint.


Clean up on the kitchen floor wasn't bad either, I just had to spot clean with a clorox wipe. Of course, if you have a kid who actually enjoys the feel of paint on their hands, it might require a full mopping. We lost interest after just 3 sheets, but hopefully that's enough for the grandparents' gifts. Really, who will love this more than them anyway?

Yule-y Smells and Tastes

Made some more of these yummies this past weekend. They always disappear very quickly, but are also very easy to make more of. This week I want to try it with dried apricots. I don't think they'll be quite as good as the juicy clementines, but I'm big fan of apricots too. 

+

= Mmmmmmm

This time I decided to put all the peels to use too. I put them in a pot with a little water, cinnamon, and ginger and simmered them all evening. I also threw in a few craisins. You could use cloves, vanilla and cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, whatever wintery things you have on hand. Half my apartment smelled like winter tastiness and the other half like winter woodsiness from our tree. Also, it's fun to say you are "mulling" things.