Gift Tags Made for the Handmade

As someone who makes a lot of gifts, I'm intrigued by the gift tags and other paper goodies that Knitterella has to offer. They seem to say just what you want them to.

This one has to be my favorite. Yarn and fabric are expensive, and I often realize when a gift is finished, that I would've saved time and money if I had just gone with something store bought.

This one has a little too much guilt built in. But I can think of a family member or two who might like this. =)

This one is nice because it saves the recipient a bit of embarassment.

Yes, please, fool me. I don't care if you're lying, so long as I walk away feeling like I didn't waste the time and money mentioned above.

Lovey Gifts

I came across some of the cutest couples' gifts completely by accident. And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd share. You can find all of these lovey gifts over at BoldLoft. Super cute!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday! I'll be back in the new year!

And yes, I did get around to using LollyChops wonderful cookie bag idea. (Cookies were not baked yet when the pics were taken).

Super cute and easy!

Beautiful Buttons from Britain

While she should've been swooning over her new hubby during their London honeymoon, Jessica instead was buying a gift for me. OK, I'm sure it was a few minutes shopping for me and then back to her man....but still, how sweet of her to think of me on her honeymoon. Below are the gorgeous buttons she got for me. I just love them and can't wait to use them on something. Now I just have to figure out what kind of project warrants the use of such beautiful British buttons. Hmmm...

Miss Hannah's Birthday

My niece Hannah (the sneaky weasel) had her third birthday last week, and her party was this past weekend. In addition to giving the book, I made Hannah some fun gifts. And not only were they fun, but they were also fast and easy to make!

First up, a tutu. Doesn't every little (and sometimes big) girl need a tutu. As I've told people about the tutu I made, I've heard all kinds of cute tutu stories. My favorite one was from Judith, who said that she had made a tutu for her daughter when she was little. Every time they would go grocery shopping, she insisted on wearing her tutu over her snowsuit. I really think that would improve my attitude about grocery shopping in the winter. =) Have a tutu story? I'd love to hear it!

Want to make your own tutu? Here's a great tutorial.

Next up is the hippo and birdy shirt. I got the inspiration from something I saw on Etsy. I used fabric and fusible interfacing to attach the applique to the shirt, and then I handstitched around the outside.

And now I have extra fabric to do something fun with!

A Knitted Hug for Aunt Jean

I finished the shawl at the end of last week, just in time for the sun to start shining. Hopefully, the gift will bring a little sunshine to our aunt. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!

This was my first attempt at blocking lace. I didn't have all the right tools, but I improvised.

Happy Birthday, Mommy Rose!

Who is Mommy Rose? She is my wonderful mother-in-law (and I don't mean that in any sort of sarcastic way!). I started calling her Mommy Rose after Shane and I got married. I felt weird going from calling her "Rose" for eight plus years (Shane and I were together a very long time before we got married) to calling her "mom," so I started calling her "Mommy Rose." When she asked what I wanted her to call me, I replied instantly with "Baby Girl." So that's who we are "Mommy Rose" and "Baby Girl." We rock.

Anyway, Mommy Rose's birthday is today, and of course I went the handmade route for her gift, right down to the card we gave her.

Below the big quote, there is a little strip that says "count your blessings." Mommy Rose has dealt with a lot of obstacles in the past few years, which is why the card I made took more of an inspirational direction. I know she'll appreciate it.

Here's the gift as a whole. It's what I'm calling the "Think Spring" winter wear set. I used Cascade Venezia worsted yarn in Granny Smith. This yarn is super soft because it's a mix of wool and silk...yum!

Included in the set is a beret made using the Baroness Beret pattern.

Using the chevron lace established in the beret pattern, I knitted a button-up scarflette.

And since you can't have a hat and a scarf without any mittens, along came this matching pair.

Sneak Peek

This is one of those gifts that will have to wait until after the holidays to post, but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at some supplies and sketches, at least. Oh, and when I was working on this, I was home while my husband was at work. I picked up the movie P.S. I Love You that he had put on a hold for me at the library (a surprise since I knew nothing about this movie). Yeah, while this was a really great movie, I don't at all recommend it as a crafting background movie. I balled for about two straight hours watching it. I ended up putting the crafts aside to avoid getting tears and runny nose drippings on it. I think my niece (the giftee) will appreciate that. Although, being only 2 years old, I imagine she'll have her own tears and snots to share with this gift at some point. =)

Birthday Scarflette

Not sure why, but I know a lot of people with birthdays between October and February. So, in a sense, this month kickoffs the time when I need to start making or buying lots and lots of gifts. First up, is my step-mom's birthday. (I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this blog...if so, sorry Suzi for the spolier!). Last year, I was a total jerk and missed her birthday (like sent an e-card a week after...ugh!). I hate it when I do that, so this year, I'm hoping to make up for a little lost ground with a handknit scarflette. The yarn is Claudia & Co. in John B. color. Obviously, the season inspired the color. The stitch is a fan and feather. Now I just need to find a pretty brooch to finish the gift package.

You Can Make Sticky Notes Books

GreetingArts has a fun and simple tutorial on how to make Sticky Notes Books. The instructions seem simple enough. and they'd make great little gifts, or just a fun way to dress up your desk.