Thursday, 21 June 2012

Six months worth of homemade gifts

This year, I made the commitment to give ONLY homemade gifts for 12 months.  I've tried homemade gifts sporadically over the years with limited success, but this year I made it clear to everyone that I was making all the gifts and have made some really beautiful things and been really happy with the reactions so far.

I decided to make the gifts for a few reasons.  1. it is usually cheaper.  2. it is nearly always greener (particularly when you can use recycled materials) 3. I can get most of the gifts without a trip to the shops and 4. the gifts are more personal

I thought I would share with you what I've made - if you want to know how I made any particular item, let me know, I'm happy to share! :)

(I'll post each one individually as I make them in the future - this post is very pic heavy!)

Gift 1 - Personalised photo coasters for my Father in law


Gift/s 2 - a CD/DVD case and a funky vase for my sister's 14th birthday



Gift 3 - Cotton dishcloths as a housewarming present


Gift 4 - Upcycled woolen cap for my Stepdad's birthday

nice modelling Stu! xo
  
Gift 5 - Rosemary Cedar and Mandarin handscrub with a bamboo washcloth for a friend's birthday

love this photo taken on our rustic kitchen floor before it was polished!

Gift 6 - A cupcake pincushion for a friend (and a framed pincushion for me!)


Gifts 7 (there have been about 4 of these) - presents for boys who have invited my kids to their parties - juggling balls and trinket keepers


Gifts 8 (there's been about 3 of these) - presents for girls whose parties the boys have gone to - girly trinket keepers and crocheted hair clip and headband sets

(oops!  no photos!!)

Gift 9 - upcycled vintage pillowcase showing bags for mother's day


Gift 10 - a recycled magazine bowl for a friend's birthday
this isn't my bowl, but looks a lot like the one I made

Gift 11 - an upcycled tshirt bangle for a friends 16th birthday (delivered with a jar of homemade spicy nut mix)

Gift 12 - a roll up/wall pocket xbox game storage thingamy for my brother's 16th (also delivered with a jar of homemade spicy nut mix)


Gift 13 - a crocheted mohair cowl for my mother in law's birthday

Gift 14 - a sewn clutch/handbag for a friends birthday

Gift 15 - a nappy stacker (full of our hand me down pocket nappies) for my brother Sister in law's  unborn baby
(gah!  no pics for any of those!)


I think that is it so far!  My hubby and kids got in on the theme for my birthday too and put together a homemade foot spa for me - love 'em!

 

Do you make gifts?  What do you make?  Would love some new ideas!!










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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous21 June 2012 at 22:46

    You've done wonderfully - I keep saying I am going to do this and then I end up getting books for people....I have this long list of gifts to make people but I am poor on time and before I know it the event is the next week and I fall back on the books :) I've decided in future to combine and write them books for gifts :D

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    1. Tracey22 June 2012 at 10:07

      What about some bookmarks to give with the books? They could be really simple and an easy way to venture into the making gifts world.....

      Delete
  2. john bain22 June 2012 at 05:10

    Crikey! You are a busy woman. I just stopped by to say hallo.

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    1. Tracey22 June 2012 at 10:07

      Hello! Thanks for popping by. Yes, I am busy, but I like it that way :)

      Delete
  3. Urban Homestead South Africa22 June 2012 at 05:43

    These are wonderful you have done so well! Very inspiring. Pleas tell how you made the juggling balls.

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    1. Tracey22 June 2012 at 10:11

      I will do Wendy! I'm actually about to go and try a new juggling ball method, so I will write a post in the next week about both types for you :)

      Delete
  4. Mrs T-W22 June 2012 at 08:41

    Cushions, baked goods, homemade candies, afghans, hand decorated t-shirts, homemade flavored liquors, homemade vanilla essence, crocheted or knitted hats and scarves, homemade hot chocolate mix or cookie mix in a jar, handmade ornaments. Lots of fun stuff to make :0)

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    1. Tracey22 June 2012 at 10:10

      Mrs T-W.... They're my initials and I never realised I shared them with the lovely Mrs Tiggy Winkle! :)
      I love your list (and some of those items are on my to-do list for birthdays and Christmas later in the year shhhhh!). But you've hit the nail on the head saying that they are "fun to make". I think making gifts is such a bonus because we get to enjoy making them and spend all that time thinking about the recipient while we do so.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Anonymous23 June 2012 at 08:58

    I was wondering what's printed on the dishcloths

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    1. Tracey24 June 2012 at 15:48

      Hello!
      The little label on the dishcloths says-
      "We’re reusable dishcloths!
      We’ve been handcrafted with love and care so that we can help you out in the kitchen. Use us in place of disposable sponges to wash your dishes and wipe your benches clean. After a couple of days use, just chuck us in your normal cold machine wash, pull into shape and dry us in the sun to kill any germs. We promise to serve you well in the kitchen for years – saving you money and helping the environment."
      I printed them because I had no idea the first time someone gave me handknitted dishcloths.
      Feel free to use! :)

      Delete

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