Homemade Christmas Presents

It has been awhile since I've posted anything, but figured I'd better now since my brother posted my blog on his website.

I've been so busy this year making my Christmas gifts. Right after Thanksgiving I purchased myself a Cricut (I tell myself that it is MY Christmas present from my boys) and I was able to use that to make several different gifts for people this year. I had so much fun with it. Here are some pictures of the gifts I gave. The first three pictures are of tiles that I purchased at Lowe's and then cut last names out of vinyl with my Cricut. You then place the name/design where you want it and then rub it down to make it adhere to the tile. These went to my immediate family and my co-workers.

One Saturday morning I woke up and turned on the tv. There was an infommercial for the Cricut Expression--much larger than the one I have, but thought I might get some ideas from this, so I watched. They showed one craft that you could do with glass etching solution. I believe they showed how to etch wine glasses. On youtube I saw a video where they etched glass Christmas balls. I decided to try this. You first cut your lettering/design with your Cricut out of vinyl. When you remove the lettering--this becomes your stencil. The part you usually throw away now becomes your pattern. You place that on your glass and apply the etching solution. Wait 5-10 minutes and your glass is etched. I made a few jars with people's names on it and then filled them with candy. It is hard to take a picture of something glass. Sonja was very excited to get hers. She couldn't believe that I was able to find a candy jar with her name spelled "right". Then it hit her that I made it--that's why it was spelled correctly.

Here is a casserole dish I etched for my mom with her name on it. I think she was surprised when she opened it Christmas day. This will be great for her to take to potlucks or things at church. They will always know who this dish belongs to! :-) Note to self: Make one for ME!!

Of course there has to be some crocheted gifts from me! I did a few blankets for people. I purchased fleece and punched holes around the edge. Then I crocheted a trim edging. Here are a few pictures of those.

Mom told me a few months ago that she loves those tied blankets, but the double thickness is too warm for her. Made mental note that would be a great gift idea. I decided to just buy one layer, 2 yds long and crochet the edging. I had several people at my office that love cows love this fabric and wanted to buy it off of me.

About five years ago I made a tied fleece teddy bear blanket for my boyfriend's daughter. She recently took it with her to a church lock in and it came up missing. She was pretty upset because I had made it for her and it was taken. I decided this was a perfect gift for me to make her for Christmas this year. Besides--she's now 13, she's outgrown the teddy bears. Time for some cooler fabric that a teenager would like.

This blanket wasn't a Christmas gift, but a baby gift to a gal who works in our building. She and her husband were expecting their first baby January 2. Wonder if he's arrived yet? Yes, it is a boy. I believe they are naming him Ryder. I also made the card to go with the blanket on my Cricut. Just some santa tags I made with my scalloped circle punch. They were fun to make. You write the TO and FROM inside the beards. They looked cute on the packages. I kept telling myself how silly it was to make these just to have people throw them away. I do think some people actually saved them.

Last, but not least........This is an ISU scarf that I crocheted for my brother for Christmas. He was shocked to say the least when he opened it. He said--he doesn't wear scarves and won't wear this one. I think he even asked me "WHY a scarf?" I'm going to try to quote what he said after he opened it.... "I will not gladly wear it, but I will gladly own it." Something like that..... I had to tell him how many people offered to buy it off of me as they would see me working on it during my breaks at work. Or they wanted to know if I was taking orders.... FYI: I'm not taking orders. LOL All in All it turned out pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas! Have a great new year! Peace and Hope to all!