12/17/09

Life as a Christmas Elf

Today I mailed off my last packages. Here are a few things that I included as handmade gifts, some of which might be quick for you to make as last minute gifts if you need ideas! (If you're a family member and have secretly discovered my blog, I guess your surprises are ruined! ;-)

Desk calendars for those with office jobs (4x6 inches), using wallet-sized prints of my flower photos and free yearly calendars downloaded on the web.

Beaded earrings - copper, glass, minerals, sterling silver.
Guilty pleasure - pretzels in almond bark with sprinkles.
Typed, printed, and bound booklets of the favorite family recipes my MIL wrote out by hand for our wedding.
Herbal sachets (many of these are for my own closets, fabric stash, etc.) They do contain lavendar, but also whole cloves, thyme, mint, and rosemary. They smell wonderful! I tried out a few decorative stitches on my sewing machine for embellishment, and even broke into my vintage hankie collection for a few of them.

I also did some simple scrapbook pages, easy cookie cutter clay ornaments, pottery for one lucky person, and made a pile of photo notecards. I haven't been able to craft much this year with study and travel, so it has been rather fun to get back into it. The hardest part of Christmas prep remains: cleaning and straightening my house before visitors arrive! I hope your Advent season is going well.

7 comments:

Pres. Kathy said...

Great ideas and thanks for sharing your pics.

Cindy said...

I'm inspired! It's too late to start with gifts like that for this year, but I'm adding the ideas to my file for next year.

elizabeth said...

Nice! I admit that as usual I don't have the time to do such things or the right circumstances, but what you made is beautiful and lovely. treasure this time for you!

Martha said...

Wonderful homemade Christmas gifts! I'm trying to as much as I can homemade. It's been fun crafting...

Shawna said...

oh i really love the sachets. and i've been meaning to do a calendar, i just don't know anyone with a desk job, haha. thanks for all the great ideas. it would definitely be nice to be on the receiving end of your holiday gifts. someday i'll get it together and be the awesome gifter, too :O)

Meadowlark Days said...

Thank you, everyone!

Mimi said...

Beautiful job! Thank you for posting photos!