#43: Make 10 Homemade Gifts

Wow... I didn't even realize I had done this one! I haven't made so many gifts in a really long time. I guess having a workshop and a place to store my crafts helps!

So... I've posted a number of the crafts I made already...

Two gifts of foam blocks, one for my niece, one for my daughter...

An embroidered blanket for my FIL

Some bookends for my niece and daughter

And candle holders for my mom and MIL.

I figured I'll post the other items with pictures as well... yes, I do like documenting all the things I make. I didn't start doing this until a few years ago. It's nice to do, especially since most of what I make goes to somebody else. :)

Above is a scrapbooked calendar of pictures of Baby M. I was able to get the photos printed out for a good deal (they had awesome package deals, and I was making Christmas cards anyway, so it all worked out well). I was still working on this one on the 23rd... finished it then, thank goodness. I made this for my dad. Funny story... I made one online to have printed and shipped... it wasn't supposed to cost too much... until they showed me the shipping price. Over $100! I was floored. I scrapped that idea, and the 4 hours I'd already invested into it, out the window. I do like how this one turned out though... it's much more personal!

This gift was from Baby M... wink wink. I made homemade clay (recipe to follow). You have to knead it forever till it's soft enough, but you don't want to knead it too long or it will increase the glycerin levels and... just become plain annoying. Anyway, I cut out the hearts and pressed Marin's feet into them... she thought it was great. I had to redo a few, and as I was bringing the pan back into the room with DH holding her like before, a huge grin spread across her face, and she proceeded to giggle as I pressed her foot into the clay again. Unfortunetly, the clay bubbled in the oven (I forgot to prick it with a fork before baking it... oops) so I used ink and redid the footprints after painting the ornaments. I used a marker for the lettering. It does make quite the nice keepsake.

Bakers Clay

To make clay, boil 3/4 cups water, and add 1/2 cup salt to it. Once cool enough to work with, add 2 cups flour (I ended up adding more water later... so maybe start with 1 cup water to make life easier). Knead till soft enough to work with. Roll out and cut into shapes. Prick with a fork before baking. Bake at 300F for 1 hour. Makes about 3 cups of clay... or 6 large heart shaped ornaments.

Here is a gift for my hubby. Yeah, he's a Star Wars fan. I just scrolled this from wood and painted it, adding hooks... 20 total... using my hands (pine is soft enough for that). Why did I make this? I have a 'tradition' of making him a Star Wars ornament for the tree each Christmas, and now he can display them at other times of the year. Speaking of which, the next pic is the ornament I made him this year. I use sculpey clay, and it's only about an inch or two long. For those who don't know, it's an A-wing ;).

Anyway, I guess that's actually 11 gifts! Woo! I hope to stay so productive this year!! :)

Edit: I just linked up at Gaerte Gang for Homemade Christmas and also to The Snail's Trail: Handmade Holidays 2009! Be sure to head down there and check it out. As a side note, the links below some of the pictures will send you to a mini tutorial of some of the items... if you wish. ;)