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 ๐
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 ๐
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!
Wow – those packages are impressive!!! They look professionally done. Excellent work!
I agree, those packages are beautiful! Great job on the bags, too. You certainly got a lot done before Christmas!
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
Wow, Melanie!
I love everything of course but most particularly that cake!! Spectacular!
Oh yummy! I love all of the foodstuffs, but the drawstring and tote bags that you made up. You were really busy!
Ooops, meant to say AND the … bags that you made up.
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.
Your Christmas gifts were gorgeous…I just wish I had fmaily that appreciate hand made and the like as much ๐
Want to bring my new car out to visit you very soon ๐
Hi Mel,
I hope Finns first week of school goes really well and you both cope okay.
Cheers
Marita
Hey Mel, I tagged you on my blog! Check it out when you have time!
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!