2009 Christmas Challenge

Here it is February already, the second month of the 2009 Christmas Challenge. If you haven't yet signed up for the challenge, you can read all about it here. Be sure to leave a comment either here or on the original post if you would like to participate.

The challenge goal for January was to write up your list and get one gift taken care of. How did you all do with January's goal? I have my list done and have made some little items to give to some of the ladies on my list. I would so much like to have started with the gifts for those who are difficult to shop or make for, but I haven't figured out yet what I am doing for them. So until I come up with something, I will work on other things.

Anyone have anything done which they would like to post a link to? Any ideas you'd like to share? I have found some great ideas which I may work into my plans check out some of these:

For those of you who are into jewelry making, here are some great instruction for earrings.

http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/janeaustenearrings/ss/122407.htm

http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/bl052400.htm

And this link will bring you to a list of jewelry instruction for everything from bracelets to earrings, to necklaces and on and on.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/jewelrydesigning/u/Projects.htm

And how about some aprons for the cooks on your list? Here is a list of 50 (yes 50) free apron patterns and tutorials.
http://tipnut.com/free-apron-patterns-tutorials/
There are some really pretty aprons on the list, here is a picture of just one of them.

And I think I may make these pretty skirts for my girls. They will love them.
Excellent instruction included.

Well, there's some eye candy to help get your creative juices flowing. Remember, one gift taken care of in February, that's all. You can do it. Come November, you'll be so happy you did.

Handmade Christmas Gifts

As promised here are some photos of some of the things I made for Christmas gifts this year.

These are pins which I made for a few of the ladies on my gift list.

Here is the set of garden markers which I made for my brother. I trekked to our creek through 2 feet of snow and stood in the icy water (after breaking through the ice on the edge) with my boots on to get these rocks. My brother has been gardening with his daughter who is a Veggie Tales fan so I included the characters on the markers. After I painted them I sprayed them with polyurethane. The only one I wasn't completely happy with was the "peas" one because I think it sort of looks like a pepper. I included with this gift a number of garden related items, gloves, clippers etc.













This is the Bible cover I made for my husband. I made it from black leather which I had been given.

Other gifts I made this year:

• Handwoven scarf for my mom woven from llama fleece which I spun.
• Notecards made with some adorable images I found in an old book.
• Skirt for my daughter made from a gorgeous curtain I purchased at the thrift store and a pink sheet. The skirt is very much princess attire.
• Button flower hair clips for the little girls on my list.