The closer we get to December I find myself thinking a lot about gifts this year. Specifically, how many things would be homemade versus what we would purchase. I usually make a few gifts for family members but this year I've been thinking about doing a little more. After spending a whole afternoon in a mall yesterday I finally decided to commit to an idea that's been bouncing around in my head for a while.
A handmade holiday.
*or at least 90% handmade:) *
*or at least 90% handmade:) *
Now I don't think it would be possible for me to actually make gifts for everyone. So whatever I'm not making myself will either be handmade by someone else or something purchased from a fair trade retailer. The only exception to this will be one gift for each child, like the pillow pet Ezra has been asking for. I've been making my lists and have decided to dedicate each Thursday to updating everyone on how my handmade holiday is progressing.
The first thing I've started is Chez Bepper Bebe's Spelling beanbags for Mateos. I can't even tell you how much I love her blog. Her tutorials are really well done and easy to follow. Unfortunately the broken camera situation means no good pictures of this project yet. But here are a few of the fat quarters waiting to be used.
And for the "not made by me" but made by some fabulous artisans from around the world I've been checking out Ten Thousand Villages.
Everything they sell is fair trade and extremely well priced. I've already picked out a few things that would make great gifts for friends.
Hopefully next week I will have my camera working again so this whole show and tell will be more exciting.
Until next time.....
Kayte
i can't wait to see what you have planned. every year i do a bit more handmade than the last. I'm about at 60% now. It's more of a lack of time. I always think I have more time then suddenly it's christmas eve. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI tend to over estimate my time as well. Fingers crossed this year :)
ReplyDeleteI had high hopes for this year's handmades, but I think I forgot how much work a little baby is! I'll definitely be purchasing more of our gifts this year -- thank goodness for Etsy! We love Ten Thousand Villages, too. And of course, we're all bibliophiles in this family, so we end up giving a lot of books.
ReplyDeletePS -- I love those beanbags. I've been meaning to make the number ones.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you and I hope you can follow me back. I've got a giveaway linky that's open all weekend and seven giveaways of my own at www.thingssentmyway.com.
ReplyDelete