The trick is to make something with what you already have around. Make a gift for yourself or someone else.
I made a dish cloth for myself by crocheting string. I have this big cone of string and was playing around with it. I made a square and tried it out on the dishes. It worked better than I thought because this is just plain cotton string. But the cloth turned out looking really nice. I worked on it a bit each night while watching tv. I'm going to make a few more for gifts.
I also have some pretty chop sticks that were give to me. I never had a use for them though. The other day I was using a pencil to tie up my hair and thought of these. They are too long but I'm getting honey to cut them down and sand a bit.
See two gifts only they are for myself.LOL
Anyone want to try making a gift with stuff you already have?
I inherited a huge fabric stash which I am using to make gifts. My dad is getting pillow cases and DH is getting fleece jammie pants to name a few.
I also inherited a huge amount of other high quality items that were never used. I am "regifting" them to coworkers including a small waterford crystal clock, lenox crystal snowman figurine, and phenomenal body scrubs. All of these items match my co-workers tastes. I feel kind of guilty but I have too much stuff.
I have lots of cotton yarn, for dishcloths
some wool yarn to make a scarf for DD
I have some fleece, I will make each nephew a pair of sock/slipper
Or I will make them rendevous shirts.. I have the materials for both.
I am making jams and jellies as well.. the only thing I might have to get would be jar lids would only need one more box.. but might have enough
I have the week of thankgiving off so I will try to have the sewing stuff ready to sew on Monday and Tuesday.. of that week..
use the ingredients I have in my cabinet, and make cookies, for a cookie sale at dd's daycare. They have a sale annually, and I always get included in the 'make me some cookies' invites. I usually spend a fortune buying ingredients ...........I may need some flour, but I am not buying any other ingredients to make cookies.
to make. That is what I did at Halloween for work. I made the caramel corn from the TWG, just put it in sandwich bags. Cost, well not really 0 since I did buy the stuff before. But I didn't go and buy Halloween candy like last year.
One of my Christmas gifts will be the caramel corn in quart canning jars. This size is too big for me to use and the bonus, I get to use the recycled lids. I'm also using them for a cereal mix. Another gift I'm doing is cookie/treat of the month. I almost always can find a recipe to match the stuff I have around. So this gift shouldn't be tough to do.
My sister always sends mail in decorative envelopes. I saved a couple and will paste parts of them on a 3 x 3 tile that I have and paint that stuff...I can't think of the name...over it to seal. Maybe she will use it for a computer table coaster???
I am so bad at thinking I am going to use what I have around here but then I am missing something so I run to the store and buy other "cute" things to go with the project that I really didnt need but wanted....UGH!!!
SO I love this challenge. I am going to dig around to see what I can find. If I have enough felt/fabric I am going to let the kids make their own stockings. If not, that project will have to fit on another thread! I know I have misc. Christmas craft stuff stashed in the laundry room. Today would be a good day to pull that out and see what we can use!
Thanks for the inspiration! I will post what we do!!!
Oh, now that I think about it, I did make playdough for my preschool class without having to go to the store and the LOVE it!!! I did "pumpkin" playdough with orange food coloring and pumpkin pie spice mixed in!!! It makes the room smell great too!
and when I sit down and work at it I can usually come up with an idea. If you have a stocked craft box then you have all you need for this year. That is why I like the internet for ideas, always something to inspire me.
I'm working on some paper cakes and stands. The stands are made from a cardboard roll end that web paper comes on. For the top I'm using a popcorn tin lid. I'm painting the stands and I don't have the right colors. But that is ok I using what I have and they look fine. Also no fancy paper for the cakes, just plain white. I do have some red ribbon though.
Be sure and post about your projects.
This message has been edited by sameoleCCTX on Nov 14, 2009 1:05 PM
DD is home so the scarf is tucked away until tomorrow night. I am knitting on a dish cloth, and a sock.
I am going to try and get the jammies for my nephew cut out and the rendezvous shirts cut out tomorrow, if I dont have to take DD back to college.. if I do, I will try to get it done after work on monday... I would like to start working an hour or so a day on those..
if you dont have a crimper. Do you think a crimper is absolutely necessary? Would it work without it??? I love that little idea!!! So cute and clever!!!
bought it at michaels with a 1/2 off coupon last year. It really is neat and I've used it for a couple of things, like making plain paper textured. But that little sour cream container is my favorite. I have a merry christmas stamp I've had for years and used it to stamp the front of the paper, which is white.
I think it will work without the crimper, it just will look a little different. Last year I made these and used a star cut out at the top. So if you put some type of decoration on it will decorate it and look good with out that detail.
Oh and last year there were complaints that they had a hard time opening them. I thought well just cut them open but people always hate to mess up these type of things. I try to tell them that is how it is, but you know.LOL Anyway this year I used less tape and didn't even tape the top, the crimped edge keep it closed, it should work well. I tossed these in that big green box(pictured in the recycled post) I made and will just set them out for others to take from. That way they aren't handled much and they will be easy to open.
I am thrileld with it! My friend Melissa helped me with this and we got it done last week- this is one of DS2 (age 8) Christmas presents. Next up is DDs quilt for her early January B-day. I have all the squares cut and ready to go, I jsut have to embroider some of them and decide on the order for them to go in- its a simple square patchwork, as are all my quilts.
Anyone have a link to a super simple kids hat to crochet?
November 29 2009, 5:05 AM
I need it in a size 6-10- my kids have big heads. And want one with out a lot of open work on it. I have a nice pattern but it is too open and does not keep your head warm enough. DD has asked for a hat (either Christmas or her B-day) so I will be making that for her in Caron Gold pink varigated yarn.
Yesterday I made a denim lunch sack and a small tote bag to match. Also made some finger puppets that fit on candy canes. Wrapped a couple of gifts using the recycled gift boxes. Recycled/renewed some decorations.
And as I was going through the Christmas stuff I found some scarves I had made using eyelash yarn. I made them just because last year(fun and quick project). I gave them to someone at work for their daughters. I figured it was silly to have these stuck somewhere here when they could be of use as a gift, its been a tough year for everyone.
I have really enjoyed finding a good way to use what I have here.
And on the unfinished project list. I'm working on a crochet blanket. I seem to buy blue yarn so its striped and kind of matches. This is for me so whenever I finish its ok. Which is good since I've been working on this thing for two years.LOL I don't like to work on it in hot weather. I'm almost out of yarn, though I won't buy any until this is gone.