Friday, December 31, 2010

A Very Crafty Christmas

As Christmas approached, I became giddy with the thought of giving gifts (I told you...that's my love language, people).  Then Curt did an assessment of our financial situation to determine our budget for gifts and things began to look grim.  It was time to get crafty.  Now, I'm definitely not a super crafty person...but I do like to make things...and I love to read blogs about people making things...and my parents just gave me a sewing machine for my birthday.  It was time to put it to work.  I had a lot of fun making all my little projects and learned a lot about my new sewing machine.  Hopefully it won't start gathering dust now that the holdiays are over...

 These sweet little bags were for Curt's sisters.  Each bag held a pair of earrings from my dear friend Katie's fair trade store, "Baksheesh" in Napa Valley, CA.  You can find them on Facebook too!  They have a TON of amazing stuff.  All handmade, all fair trade.

I also dusted off my old knitting needles and made each of his sisters an eternity scarf (the most awesome scarf you've ever worn)...if you're a knitter, this is super easy!

For my sister's new baby (due at the end of March...can't wait!!) I found a cute tutorial for pacifier clips.  I tried to make them gender neutral, as they are not finding out the sex of the baby, but Curt said they look "girly."  Maybe it's an omen??


And finally, for my sweet nephew, I made him a set of magnetic fabric letters and a cute little bag to go with them.  I learned SO much from doing this project....the applique letters on the bag look a little rough, but I'm okay with that.


Feel free to provide me with some feedback:  good, bad, and ugly.  My real dream is to quit my job, have lots of babies, craft from home, and sell my stuff on Etsy (I've got a long way to go on this one). Or own a bakery with Laura Dean called "Crumbs."  We will wake up early, wear aprons, bake 'til our hearts delight, drink tea, and laugh with our customers (in my mind, this one is more feasible).

Also, I did not come up with any of these ideas on my own (told ya, I'm not super crafty).  I've included links to where I found all these fun things.  As I've said before, I'm not crazy about the idea of my own blog...but I sure love reading other people's....especially very talented crafty people.  My hope is you'll be inspired to create, no matter what your medium, and maybe you'll find a fun new blog to follow.  Much love to you all!!

13 comments:

  1. When I grow up, I want to be Catherine Kenny!

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  2. Catherine. I *heart* everything you posted. Seriously proud of you, my friend. Also, the bakery is a GO anytime. You just say the word and we'll pitch it to some wealthy investors (maybe like Ina Garten?). Let's bring along some cinnamon scones, mmmk? Love you.

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  3. AWESOME! please please please let me go into business with you. i'll be the best dishwasher you've ever met. also, i'm artistic & willing to pitch the business plan to mark king. just sayin...

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  4. Catherine, they all look wonderful! If you can pull all of that off, then you are crafty. I also go a sewing machine for my birthday and I am enjoying it. I love reading your blog and keeping up with you all. I am glad that you had such a great Christmas!

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  5. First of all, I just wanted to say thank to linking to my site on your blog roll - I'm honored. Second of all, your hand made gifts are amazing, I especially LOVE the fabric magnet ABC's. LOVE THEM. You should definitely be on Etsy:)

    Have a blessed new year!!

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  6. These are amazing!! The ABC magnets are my fave. Such a good idea.

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  7. Those came out amazing! Where did you get the eternity scarf pattern? Also, I have some sites that I use to get knitting stuff from, and I am really good at making things up. Let me know if you are looking for something you can't find.

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  8. Caaath. These are ridiculously amazing. I'm sick with jealousy. Also, I want an eternity scarf. from you.

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  9. Thanks for your kind words, everyone! Yay!

    Kelli - you can DEF. go into business with us. You have mad skills.

    Megan - eternity scarf pattern that I used was just to get some chunky yarn, size 15 needles, cast on 15 stitches, and just knit til the end of the skein. Then use bind the two ends together with a mattress stitch. I'm working on a new one now with bigger needles, and casting on 35 stitches. You can pretty much do anything you want :)

    Han - I'm working on a little something for you...

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  10. These are so great, I am IMPRESSED! If you open an etsy store I will totally order an eternity scarf from you!

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  11. WOW -- Everything you made is fantastic! What an inspiration you are! I think I'll dig my sewing machine out of the attic and get busy making things! (I did knit a scarf for my daughter for Christmas!) Love those little bags you did to hold the earrings -- packaging is everything!

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  12. Catherine!!

    I have been hearing so much about your blog from my sis . . . I am so glad to have finally found it! I LOVE your Christmas crafts! They all look so great--and, I especially love the ABCs! You definitely have some great sewing skills! I am quite impressed!

    Also, this is totally random, but:
    1. I am obsessed with your Christmas card. I saw it at mom's and it is gorgeous! I love it!
    2. This is one of my favorite blogs for fun craft and cooking ideas and the like: www.flythroughourwindow.com
    3. I feel like I wanted to tell you something else, but it has left my brain . . .

    Hope y'all are doing well!

    lots of love to you! (stay warm!)

    xo
    shannon

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  13. catherine,
    SO CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeee
    You are so talented. Love you and miss you so very much!

    xoxo
    kata
    ps Hi Curt!

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