I have been busy!

Laura,
I have loads to share. Please believe me. Pics and posting soon!
Promise

Handmade Holidays

Kate,
I love this time of the year. It's all about family, cuddling by crackling fires, baking yummy goodies, good spirits, and best of all, giving. Each year my goal is to make gifts for everyone and each year I seem to come short. I run out of time, energy and ideas. This year I've done much more planning and preparing, in hopes that this holiday season will be a handmade christmas. I can't reveal all the gift ideas I have, since many of my gift recievers will read this blog, but I plan on making matching pajamas for the us and the kids (I have already started on V's!). I'm working on an advent calendar and I'd love to be able to make V and R matching christmas outfits. And of course, there are the knitted hats I've had on my to do list for a while now, which I'm still waiting to pick out yarn for.

Anyways, I have a dilema in regards to my handmade christmas plans. I love making gifts and I love getting handmade items in return, but I'm not sure everyone on my gift giving list enjoys handmade. I sometimes question my list of gifts to make, unsure whether all the energy put into it is worth it. I know my family really well, or atleast I like to think I do. In the past we have done handmade gifts to each other. I'm still new to my husbands family (even after 6 years dating and 4 years of marriage!), and don't know them as well, so it's harder to pick out appropriate gifts (and Greg is no help with ideas). It might just be easier to pick up something for the store. I've already questioned making the fabric dollhouse for V after seeing an adorable wooden one from Melissa & Doug toys. I picked up the wooden dollhouse, but still think I might finish up the fabric one too.

Ultimately I still hope to make much of the holiday season about family, giving and handmade crafts.

I think we need another craft day or multiple craft days soon!
Laura

Another purse! And more projects to come.

Kate,
I have been avoiding doing projects that would actually benefit me, like holiday gifts, and instead made yet another purse. Atleast I'm using up fabric and sewing scraps. I'm determined to down size some of my craft supply before buying more. I love crafting, but I don't want to be wasteful.

Remember Sarah's little bag she had at the homecoming parade? I loved the idea of a little bag that I can just throw my wallet, phone and key in and then toss in my diaper bag. So I copied her idea and made one! I wish it was just a tiny bit bigger, but other than that, I love it!

Now this week, I really am going to start on some much needed projects, including another 2 year old birthday gift and some holiday gifts.

I'm also excited about my upcoming Mom's Club project to make no-sew fleece blankets for Project Linus. I stocked up on some fleece when it was 60% off a couple weeks ago. I found some really cute fleece patterns. I have two dates this month when the Mom's Club will be coming over with the little ones to help finish the blankets. I love a reason to craft and to give back. I hope all the little helpers and hands won't be too crazy!

More to come soon,

Laura