Pre-Christmas Crafting
I didn’t pledge handmade this (past) Christmas, but as it turned out, many of our gifts were handmade anyway. First there were these, next up were a couple of bags for some more small friends of ours. This one:
using that ubiquitous mushroom fabric, was for a five year old boy, and was given as a Library bag, complete with new book inside. The other:
I made for his sister, who is three months younger than Niamh. The bunny pattern came from here; the bags I made up as I went along. I was quite pleased with these, and I think the recipients were happy too 
Next came a wild burst of kitchen activity (mostly by Dermot, I do admit), and some playing with my new toy for labelling and packaging, to create the fabulous boxes of goodies for our families:
(Inside: Orange cordial, Spiced nuts, Mexican drinking chocolate, Dried Mango, Cranberry & Pistachio biscotti, Orange spiced tea blend - all handmade; and a teatowel - which we did not make ourselves!)
Finally, at the eleventh hour (the night before Christmas Eve), I managed to squeeze in some homemade goodness for my own kiddos. I finished up the stitching of ElfGirl and ElfBoy, and made them up into a couple of simple drawstring bags. In hopes of starting off a new Christmas tradition (which I kept hearing about on various blogs), these held brand new PJs for Christmas Eve. Here they are under the tree:
Oh, and lest I forget, somewhere in there, I also managed to whip up Finn’s party cake:
I made up a packet teacake for this, as everyone knows kids only eat the (hideously sugary buttercream) icing and leave the rest. For his actual birthday, I made a more grown up cake - a rich, moist, dark chocolate cake covered in ganache and silver cachous… but forgot to take a photo, d’oh!
Next up, post-Christmas crafting
January 12 2008 10:47 pm | Family and Other Craft and Sewing
Rebel In Ontario on 13 Jan 2008 at 12.44 am #
WOW! You have been a busy little beaver over there! Everything looks wonderful and the boxes full of homemade goodies made my mouth water! So glad you had a great holiday and your homemade gifts are beautiful! All the best for 2008!
Sweet Pea on 13 Jan 2008 at 1.32 am #
Wow - those packages are impressive!!! They look professionally done. Excellent work!
Christine S on 13 Jan 2008 at 7.30 am #
I agree, those packages are beautiful! Great job on the bags, too. You certainly got a lot done before Christmas!
Marita on 13 Jan 2008 at 9.04 am #
Amazing work! Those packages are very cool, look professional.
Love the PJs on Christmas Eve idea. Might have to borrow that for next year.
BTW, I’ve tagged you for a Meme, check my blog for details -
http://leechbabe.blogspot.com/2008/01/favourite-five-meme.html
cathymk on 13 Jan 2008 at 5.25 pm #
Wow, Melanie!
I love everything of course but most particularly that cake!! Spectacular!
Jenna on 15 Jan 2008 at 5.54 am #
Oh yummy! I love all of the foodstuffs, but the drawstring and tote bags that you made up. You were really busy!
Jenna on 15 Jan 2008 at 5.55 am #
Ooops, meant to say AND the … bags that you made up.
Karin on 23 Jan 2008 at 3.42 pm #
I love the food stuffs and the labels - everything looks so professional! Your bags are lovely - I know the recipients were glad to get them.
Tannia on 28 Jan 2008 at 8.23 pm #
Your Christmas gifts were gorgeous…I just wish I had fmaily that appreciate hand made and the like as much :)
Want to bring my new car out to visit you very soon :)
marita on 30 Jan 2008 at 10.41 am #
Hi Mel,
I hope Finns first week of school goes really well and you both cope okay.
Cheers
Marita
Christine S on 16 Feb 2008 at 1.37 pm #
Hey Mel, I tagged you on my blog! Check it out when you have time!
Lara on 16 Mar 2008 at 6.57 pm #
Those elf stitched bags are the cutest things out! I’m definitely going to put that on my to-do list (if that’s okay with you)! Divine!