[SandyC]

This year we are making baskets for the family. They are sleigh themed with holiday kitchen towels, a candy dish and spreaders. Following family tradition, we are also hand making beaded ornaments to place in the basket. I may add a small bag of cookie mix or something else to finish it off. Then I'll seal the basket with see thru holiday film.

To add, I found an interesting idea on making your own wrapping paper that I may try this year:

How to make holiday wrapping paper:

What you'll need:

Thin cardboard
Ruler
Scissors
Rolling pin
Masking tape
Rubber weather stripping (from hardware store)
Craft glue
Tempera paints
Cookie sheet
Large pieces of white paper

Cut a piece of cardboard so that it is the same length as the rolling pin. Tape one end of the cardboard to the rolling pin, all the way across. Roll the rolling pin so that the cardboard wraps around it, making a tight cardboard cover. When you reach the end of the cardboard, tape it in place. (It may wrap around more than once.)

Cut 1-inch holiday shapes, such as bells, stars, and angels, from the weather stripping. Coat the cardboard rolling pin cover with glue. This is easier if you set each handle on a thick cookbook, so that the rolling pin is hanging between the books.

Press the shapes in place, turning the rolling pin as you go, so that your pattern goes all the way around the rolling pin. Let the glue dry. Pour a thin coat of paint on the cookie sheet, roll your wrapping paper maker through it, then roll out a pattern on plain white paper.




What are you planning to do for holiday gifts this year if you craft?

[Doody]

Oh gosh Sandy, you're one of THOSE people! Every year I think I'm going to make some nice handmade gifts and then...I never do. I'll be watching this with interest.

And then there's people like ((Ms. Curious)) with all her talent and those beautiful bears she makes.

Maybe next year I'll find a few ideas to work on throughout the year.

OH, I wanted to make one of those simple fleece blankets for my g-son, with Spongebob fleece...good Lord, $13.99 a yard!



LOVE love your basket ideas!

[SandyC]

Originally Posted by Doody

Oh gosh Sandy, you're one of THOSE people! Every year I think I'm going to make some nice handmade gifts and then...I never do. I'll be watching this with interest.

LOVE love your basket ideas!

I bought the baskets off Ebay as a set. I received 7 baskets for real cheap. They have a few scuffs but nothing a little glue and paint can't fix.

I shop way too much on Ebay. I also shop after the holidays at Walgreen's and Walmart for super deals on stuff like this. Last year I got designer gift bags for about $1 each.

[DM]

Well Martha Stewart~~ errrr I mean Sandy! You go girl! I am impressed.

I too, will be keeping an eye out on this thread for some great ideas.

[SandyC]

I hope everyone who crafts, and I know we have quite a few, come on and tell us what their ideas are too!

[sabimax]

oh first have to say..DM I LOVE THE DANCING TURKEYS>>>>

well most years, dont get much time...but I do however bake many cookies and candy...for many things...for work as we have two days of Customer appreciation days...where I will ask all coworkers to bake goodies..and we have them on counter all day...with a thank you note....

then I also fill tins sometimes with candy/cookies, and give to owners from my job, and others as gifts.....hugssss, sarah

[Kitty]

In the past I've made hot cocoa mix and spiced cider mixes and put into decorated glass containers and given as gifts. I did this when I was working.

I'd also buy glass containers in Christmas tree shapes and fill with Christmas Kisses and M&M's and then tie with a big red or green bow.

Nothing too hard but easy to do when there were alot of people to give to.

[NaeNae]

Jesus way off topic but I thought DM's dancing turkeys were flamingos....adding opthamologist to to-do list!

[sabimax]

I think they could pass for flamingos..too..hehehehe hugsss,sarah

[lor]

I just took a break from working on my Christmas stuff -- rubber stamped Xmas cards. Several colors & embossed. I've made them a few years now & really, it takes awhile, I should have started earlier, This year I'm putting a snowman carrying gifts, on the front & using embossing markers of several colors them putting on embossing powder, then you must heat them with a heating gun to activate the embossing powder. Inside I stamped Merry Christmas in red & a few snowflakes in white. Then embossed that in a glitter powder.

A simple & pretty thing you can make is a blanket. You get 2 pieces of soft material (whatever size you want your blanket) one with a print & the other solid. Lay them back to back & cut fringe in them (about every 2 inches & cut in about 4 inches). Tie a strip from one to the other piece of material at each piece of fringe. I made one for my dad for his birthday last year. On one side there were a bunch of leaves & the other side I choose a solid golden brown.