Handmade Christmas

We made the decision this year to do a handmade Christmas. The last couple years, we've tried to make quite a few gifts, but always bought more. This year I want to simplify, teach my girls to be content with what they have and enjoy all the awesomeness of handmade. We are not buying into that whole one BIG gift and a bunch of little gifts for each kid. Our girls have more than what they need. Last year I think everything other than a couple toys were handmade, by me or someone I bought it from, but I'd like to make them all myself this year.

I still have plenty of work ahead of me before Christmas, but I thought I'd share some of the gifts I'll be working on.

For my girls, I am making a dress up centre. We have so many dress up clothes around the house... they need a home. I also hope to sew up some new dress up clothes to put in it!

Source: aturtleslifeforme.blogspot.com via Tamara on Pinterest

I'm going to try my hand at making soap and a few other bath products:

Source: heart-hands-home.blogspot.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: soapdelinews.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: maybematilda.com via Tamara on Pinterest

I made a few batches of jam this summer to give (strawberry, peach and grape) but plan to also make Carrot Cake Jam and Christmas Jam:

Source: food.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: food.com via Tamara on Pinterest

I will also be making a variety of goodies to put in gift baskets:

Source: framed-mylifeonepictureatatime.blogspot.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: joyofbaking.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: thegingerbreadblog.com via Tamara on Pinterest

So much more.... but that's a little bit of what our next month or so will be busy with. Are you making any gifts this year? What are you making?

Some custom orders

Here are a few (lousy) photos of custom orders that have shipped recently. I didn't have my lightbox set up, so I just snapped really quick photos before the items shipped...

Boy Slippers (Loafer style):





Owl Mary Janes:



Slouchy Beret:



Bright Owl:



Red Angry Bird (I think I'll be switching the beak to yellow... as that's what colour they really are... and the orange just kinda blends into the red. Thankfully this one was a local friend, so our next visit, I'll fix the beak):



My goal in the new year is to have a PERMANENT place for my light box... so I don't have such bad photos when I don't have much time. Big undertaking to clear out space though.