Ikea has launched a . I’m excited for Christmas Prep this year. Our house might look like this for Christmas Dinner. Love the stack of books with pillow for seating option.
via .
Archive for the 'inspiration' Category
I love to give presents. I love shopping for presents. I love to make presents.
Sometime’s it’s just so overwhelming, I can’t stop. Sure, I make my lists throughout the year, but so many good ideas and not enough resources, and the whole thing falls apart, and the gifts are late or don’t make it.
Well, I keep remembering this post from the fabulous herself, over at . And it’s just so freakin’ simple.
Here’s amazing rule: Something to read, something to wear and something to play with.
Keep in mind, if you have kids, this is a great guideline, and it can certainly apply to the adults you give to as well. This was also written with holiday gift giving in mind, but I’m going to try to remember it all year long.
This wonderful advice will also help me stay focused and make sure the gifts I make/purchase are useful and will last. There’s nothing worse than a pile of chotchkes that collect dust or end up in the bin (or even re-gifted!
Getting letters and things in the mail is one of those things that makes my heart beat even faster. I’m not excatly sure what it is about mail art, perhaps the passion that goes into making something for someone special, or the travel part, or the postage part (I LOVE stamps). But I do love it. I spied s today and had to share.
You can see all the rest on , along with her . I especially love the .
via
Turn them into beautiful and delicate lace creations like .
or delicate wall adornments
or cushions.
I’m glad someone out there is making those nasty plastic bags pretty. I’m glad they won’t be in the landfill and can still be useful. I think the organic shapes are very pretty, I’ve always been inspired by lace, so delicate and carefully made.
Thanks to for introducing me to.
I’ve been thinking about my holiday cards this year. Actually, I haven’t sent any out in the past few years, I start too late, and making most of my gifts, the cards get pushed aside. This year though, I have an idea, a greener idea, that involves email, but hopefully won’t be deleted. (Not that any of my family or friends would EVER delete one of MY emails) I’m thinking a “card” that can be emailed, and printed out and hung on the tree, or mantle or framed to be KEPT FOREVER.
Then, this morning, while clicking around, I found these:
I would keep these forever, wouldn’t you?
found at
I’ve always been fascinated with charts and information. I love how each item is carefully placed on the page, either illustrated amazingly well or photographed beautifully.
The two images above were found on , which is an extensive collection of images and information, prepare to spend HOURS.
From .
I could pour over the antique and vintage wall charts.
Have you seen the , a Flickr group where you can find similar charts and collections of curious things. Also, , another Flickr group, perhaps the modern version of the older wall charts. . . . . . .
We love our Sharpies at our house. Passionately. Sometimes, they are the only tool of choice for Iz. We decorate pumpkins with them, made Christmas cards, and made lots of other art. I was thrilled to read about . Via and .
I love those “paint it yourself” pottery places. They are not the cheapest thing to do on a rainy day, but they sure are fun. This one in Poulsbo, had glaze samples velcro’ed to a tile, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I played with the little tiles over and over, and as I look at this photo longer, I want to make a quilt out of it.
Then it I get lost in quilt land. I’ve always loved quilts. Madly. I loved making Iz’s quilt and the little scrap quilt for her doll. Grandma Ruby quilts and belongs to a quilt club which keeps her busy. I love the . When we were working on our Eco Quilts at , We read about the , and I couldn’t stop pouring over the images of each quilt.
I have dreams about making another quilt (jeez, among other things, my list keeps getting longer!), and with , I’m thinking the quilt idea is going to have to wait until the new year. Which is ok, day dreaming about quilts, looking at fabric, working in the notebook is all fun too.
I’m also really interested in. I don’t think I could stick with following a pattern and cutting tons of squares, triangles, etc. But I could make it all up as I go along. I like what happens when you wing it (sounds crazy doesn’t it, coming from a control freak!), but I find I’m most creative then. I guess you could look at it like playing with fabric and stitches and just letting it all happen. (I am so talking myself into this!)
You could think of this post as part of my plan. More lists later…
Every year I talk about doing it, but this year I’m going to talk about it now instead of 2 months from now. I want to make my Christmas gifts this year. I have a list of ideas (not matched up to the recipients mind you..)but a list of wonderful useful projects that I’m using as a starting point. Of course it will evolve according to wish lists and such, but I’m excited about it none the less.
Felted Sweater Coasters : and and , oh and , gosh I love
Blankets: I love , this ,
Napkins: because I LOVE bias tape. Here’s not using bias tape.
Freezer Paper Prints: The ideas have been percolating over here (in my head…), I’m eager to attempt a few….here’s a cute , and a on .
Pillows: In a perfect world I’d love to and make some groovy pillows. But I have other ideas for pillows too. , , and all of these .
Bags: The possibilities are just endless. But this season I’ll probably focus on fabric shopping bags….. I love my , but I think I love my more, it’s easier to carry…., but I also love making bags out of found clothing/bedding/fabric.
Looking for your own ideas? Check out . There are so many , you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. But start now. Or the list over at .
You don’t have to sew to make your gifts either. I’ve been cooking up a storm and have been tossing around food gift ideas, maybe a collection of my fave recipes, or ingredients in a jar for my fave soup or cookies.
The possibilites are endless, so I’m making my list and checking it twice, going through my supplies and doing a little bit every week. I’m hoping to get together with some of my fellow craftettes and plow through the project list so I’m not late!
What are you going to make for the holidays?
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