A Handmade Christmas

At the beginning of 2011 a college friend posted this on Facebook...

"I'll make five handmade gifts for the first five to comment on this post if you in turn repost this in your status and make five handmade gifts for the first five to comment on your status."

Well of course I jumped at the chance because Jennifer was sewing even in college. I knew whatever she made would be beautiful. I also thought it would be a nice gesture for Facebook friends of mine. I had all of 2011 to complete these items.

I tossed and turned over what to make these women. I wanted it to be something useful and pretty. I wanted it to be something that would fit their aesthetics etc... etc... etc...

Time came and went and before I knew it, it was the end of the year and I had to hurry up and complete these handmade gifts.

So I started making these infinity scarves out of a soft flannel that I found at the local fabric store.

My beautiful daughter is modeling them for me.

I made a dozen of them. Two from each cutting of fabric.

Why so many you ask? Well once I started making gifts for Facebook friends I started feeling guilty that I wasn't making something handmade for each of my family members. I'm happy to say that each scarf has a new home as of Christmas with my husband being the recipient of one of them. However, with the 60° winter that we're having here in VA he probably won't need it. My father, brothers, sister, and the older niece and nephews unwrapped one this year. One of my FB friends will be getting this infinity scarf as a gift. "Part of the make 5 for 5 challenge of 2011".

I made this crocheted infinity scarf for my mom this Christmas. I used Lion Brand, WoolEase, Thick & Quick and I have to say I'm addicted. She's asked for a matching hat so she's obviously addicted too.

I crocheted this little tasseled hat for my youngest nephew using the same yarn. I made hats for my two youngest as well. I'll share those in another post.

My wee one is modeling it for the photo.

I also crocheted these pretty little hair pieces (headbands and hair clips) for my brothers daughters using the Stitch Nation wool fibers and bamboo fibers. I love the colors the collection has to offer. My oldest daughter also received a collection of crocheted flowers for her hair. I'll share those in another post.

The handmade 5 for 5 challenge got me into a gift making frenzy this holiday season and I still need to complete four more gifts. They are in the works and I will complete these gifts and mail them even in the beginning of 2012. My word is good!

I'll be sharing here on this blog as I finish.

Thanks for stopping by Blue Sky Confections!

Jenny K.

A Few Highlights from Christmas 2011

Hello, hello.... I've missed everyone. I hope you've missed me too!

B-U-S-Y would be the understatement of the year but who isn't busy during the holidays? The first thing to get cut from my list of to-do's happens to be this blog. I hope to be a better blogger in 2012. That can be one of my resolutions. I thought I'd share a few highlights from this past month.

We lit up our house for the annual community decorating contest.

We took home the grand prize last year but there was some stiff competition this go round. Sigh...... maybe next year. We still enjoyed all the twinkle brights!

 The dining room was adorned with a few flourishes.

My favorite addition this year is the chalkboard. That says it all!

This room was filled with girls & my son for our annual mother-daughter Christmas cookie decorating party. I made dozens and dozens of sugar cookies and bottles and bottles of frosting and then set everything up for my oldest daughter and her friends to decorate to their hearts content. While they're busy, we moms chit-chat and eat.

Here are a couple photo's of some Christmas decor in my office.

I love this tree. This year I made linen stars top-stitched with gold metallic thread and then attached a gold ribbon to each one for hanging. You can see a couple of them in this photo.

I also added a few gold glittered twigs to the vase of dried hydrangeas.

On to neighborhood gifts.... I made an assortment of pretty little treats and boxed them up to give to neighbors and friends. If our neighbors didn't receive this box of goodies...

... they were given homemade, light wheat, french bread with a jar of strawberry freezer jam or a loaf of brown sugar, cinnamon, raisin swirl bread. I sure hope everyone enjoyed. I won't be baking in mass for a while now.

My good friend and photographer, Stephanie McFarland, hosted a Santa party at her house and took pictures of each of the children with this jolly, old soul. My son was the only one that would participate. He asked for a sword and shield and by golly he got a sword and shield on Christmas morning.

My little guy also lost his first tooth in the midst of all this holiday merriment. He popped it under his pillow that night and was awarded monetarily when he awoke from his slumber. Milestones!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you!!!

I hope to be back very soon to share some of the gifts that I made in the past month.

Thank you so much for stopping by Blue Sky Confections!!!

Jenny K.