:Craft Lounge:

Merry Christmas Baby

Nicky22 Comments

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No, you didn’t read wrong — the post title does say “Merry Christmas Baby” and I mean it.   No … I’m not going crazy, I’m just trying to prepare.  With everything going on with me and anticipation of some major events by the end of the year, my goal is to be as thrifty as I can be with regards to gift giving for Christmas this year.   Thrifty but beautiful.  What that means is  that I’m going  to have to do a “Handmade Christmas”.

I’m temporarily postponing my YOP in favour of Christmas production, but I’ll try to make as many items from that list in between my “Santa’s workshop”.

Since I love lists, of course I’ve made a preliminary list of what I’m going to make.  Since no-one in my family’s crafty or even know this blog exists, I’m okay with posting my initial list and updates to the projects.  On my list are:

Adults

Children

  • Om           Windschief
  • Marley     TBD
  • Iza            TBD
  • Jewel       TBD
  • Liv            Bag: Fit To Be Tied
  • Dari          TBD
  • Mal           Boyce Bruin
  • Nick          TBD
  • Nev           TBD
  • Munchkin TBD
  • Maya          Rainbow Scarf for Maia
  • T                TBD

Co-workers

  • Nikki       Gaptastic Cowl
  • V             Spa Package (3 Washcloths and soap made by me)
  • Ruth       Coasters
  • Raya       TBD
  • Ann         TBD

Right now, I’ve listed ideas of what kinds of gifts I want to make.  Some of the adults might end up getting food related gifts like home-made granola, fruit spice cooking oils in pretty bottles, chocolate covered strawberries or chocolate bark, macaroons … stuff like that.   I’ve also been messing around with rope knotting and have found some great inspiration for jewelry making with that craft. 

I’m starting May 1st because I’m a slow knitter and frankly, there’s stuff I’m still learning about knitting.  Crochet goes much faster for me so I might trade out some of the knit projects for some crochet ones.  I’ll see how it goes.

The question most  I got from some of the people I shared this rest of the year long project with is ” what if the recipients don’t appreciate your hard and time consuming work?”  Honestly, I don’t know how to answer that, but I think for the most part, everyone will appreciate what they get.  My family knows that I knit, but they don’t know how much or how far I want to go with this.  I think they’ll be speechless that I actually made the items I intend to gift.

I’m already sourcing the net and local flea markets for creative packaging.  I have more than enough yarn in my stash to do these projects.  Even if I have to purchase yarn, I’m positive that it wouldn’t be that much so I’ll still stay under my $100 budget for everything.

What about you?  Anyone started or plans to start their Christmas gift production anytime soon?

Island Flouncer without the Flounce …

Nicky1 Comment

I’m going to a concert with my friend Tamiko on August 7th 2010, to see Jaheim, Kem, Anthony Hamilton and Raheem Devaugh and I want to make this dress.

In my head, I see it being made in a delightful piece of  african cotton fabric.  If I get the swatch I want, I’ll be pairing it with some brown gladiator sandals, a brown leather belt and some really huge dull gold earrings.

This is a pretty simple dress.  I like the way the elastic casing at the top is finished and my goal is to finish the top the same way while eliminating the flounce and making the dress knee length. 

What I like about Don (The Weekend Designer) — no he doesn’t know me but he’s my sewing friend in my head 😛 —  is that he gives you a visual then shows you how to draft the pattern — customized for your body.  My goal for completing this dress is July 30th and my timeline is as follows:

  • Take measurements and create the pattern by July 10th 2010.
  • Cut, drape and fit in muslin by July 16th, 2010.
  • Purchase fabric and finish project by July 3oth, 2010.

I’m going to get this done and it’s gonna be good!!!!!!!