Handmade Christmas 2005

Some bright spark (*looks around empty room*) came up with the idea that this year should be 'Handmade Christmas' for our family. Fuelled by the enforced frugal lifestyles of oneself and my equally frugal brother, and spurred on by my crafty mother, we decided to give it a go.

Henceforth, it should probably be declared a Broome family 'tradition' to procastinate until the umpteenth hour - although it was nice to see other people sweating it out in those final days as well. *lol* I did manage to finish everything except my brother's t-shirt, but gave him a little hand-made something anyhow and an IOU *lol* & will get to work on his creation expdeiently now my lovely Colarado Cotton has arrived! Pretty proud of my creations too.

It was beautiful to get things that other people made as well, and for the first time in years I was not disatisfied with ANYTHING people gave me & have been genuinely pleased and excited about every gift I opened - because I knew it was made with love. It's a great feeling. :)

Also lovely not to have to venture out to the shops at all except for grocery type items. Everything I created came from goodies in my stash, so it was lovely and frugal in a month where dead appliances, cars and whitegoods have been descimating my (non-existant) savings.

Anyhow, along to the wrap up;

For my Mum I made the 'Knitting Tote of Epic Proportions and many Pockets' and a matching Knitting Needle case, which was one of my most stressful projects, as I followed a McCalls Pattern & I *hate* following modern commercial patterns at the best of times.

Looks a bit floppy, as it's propped up in this photo, you'll just have to imagine lovely straight edges and seams (and they were for the most part after a lot of blood and tears). My Mum is a picky seamstress and I didn't want to disapoint.

And the matching quilted (with wool batting inner) knitting needle case, with slots for differet sized pairs. The top section folds down over the needle tips then it rolls up and ties off with 2 lovely cream satin ribbons (cunningly blended in with the couch! *lol*) to keep things safe in-transit. Looking a little crumpled from being rolled and wrapped up - oops! :)

The fabrics where gorgeous quilting cottons which I very bravely color co-ordinated myself (did I mention my color/pattern sense sucks?), but I think they came out not to mis-matched in the end and Mum loved it.

Then for Dad;

A fishing rod cover, in cream woven hemp/cotton blend (hopefully should be hard-wearing and mold resistent!) with maroon shoulder strap for carrying, reversible top that folds over to stop the rod sliding out and a matching bag to stow the reel in safely. I had to fold it in half to get it all in the picture as it's pretty long!

A close up of the fish (shark? dolphin?) motif I appliqued using yummy red/maroon verigated thread - how nice is that stuff!

Then for my Brother who will also be getting a color-blocked t-shirt as soon as he picks out the colors he wants, a little extra something. A tiny little hand-sewn woodland elf with a green seude body and stuffed with wool ends. I called him "Woody", my brother called him the little "Disability Elf" (no hands or feet) and wants to put him on display on a shelf, he's an OT and apparently this passes for OT-style humour. Hummmm.




Finally for Lolly I managed to do a sack-style limbed Waldorf Doll, in a gorgeously soft apple-green velour body, and multi-tonal wool yarn hair (hand-stitched on!) in a mop-head style with a shaped internal head and really simple embroidered features.

They facial details don't show up well in photos, but my Mum raved about how 'beautifully simple' that style of features is and I'm pretty pleased too, as I think the lack of 'detailing' actually makes her more expressive in a 'could be anyone/anything' kind of way IYWIM?

I also made her a few little outfits that come on and off easily for little hands to work with - a elasticated skirt with lace trim and a little wool felt jacket. I edged the jacket with blanket stitch in contrasting thread and embroidered a few little flowers on the lapel. Not perfect yet, think I'm going to have to work on my embroidery a little - but will get there in time!

She's lovely cuddle, as Lolly is demonstrating, as she's stuffed with 100% wool ends and is just so nice and tactile - I was tempted to keep her for myself! Lolly seems pleased enough and has been seen feeding her tea/brushing her hair/putting her to bed, so she must like her well enough, but she hasn't managed to displace "BUNNY" her very favourite, raggy and occasionally rather smelly Lovey. Ahh well. :)

I also made Lolly and her half-sister Kitia matching tie-on head scarfs and a tiny pink velour dolly (similar to Kierans) and packaged them all up so Lolly would have a Chrissy present to 'give' to her sister. Hope she liked them, I don't know if she's a bit old for it all (she's 6) - but figured the matching scarfs would be a hit if nothing else. :)

I even made a whole heap of fabric bags out of my existing stash of christmas prints instead of wrapping paper (except for Lolly's which came in recycled paper that she could RIP off :P) to save $$$.

And that folks, is just one of the reasons I've been *sooooo* busy. :)

Also got some lovely, lovely gifts in return. Just quickly;

- A hand-made sheet set (fitted, flat and 4 pillowcases) in a gorgeous deep burgandy sheeting material from the Sheridan factory outlet closing down sale - it was on special $4 a metre and feels divine!

- A hand-made *huge* wooden planter box for herbs and shallow rooted vegies (probably a good metre by a half), with slatted base and carved handles on either side so I can lift it to take it with me if I move as we're in a rental property. Planning on sowing it with cos lettuce, mini round carrots, mini radish and chamomile very, very soon!

- A hand-painted 'Rosy Cross' (also know as a Qabbilistic Cross), which has the most intricate detail and was really thoughtful as I'm very interested in Western mysticism.

All up a lovely, lovely day! :)