Stocking Stuffers for Do-It-Yourselfers!

[M]

I just posted a stocking I made for my friend, Bob, here, and it gave me a good idea!

One of the things I really love about Christmas is creating homemade gifts for people. Around this time every year, I start canning and creating goodies for holiday  gifts. I am very blessed to have fruit trees on my property, so every year I make different jams, chutneys and sometimes even wines!

My dad used to can and make liquors and wines, and even gifted me with the recipe book he always used. I started doing these old-fashioned hobbies as a way to keep my dad's spirit alive in my life. It brings sweet memories to mind, and sweet smells to my nose! Who wouldn't feel special receiving something made by hand with love? It's a gift to me and to them, because I have fun doing it!

For the next several days, I intend to create some homemade stocking stuffers for my friends, and I will share the recipes with you by posting the link here. I encourage you to share any ideas you have here as well! I know it's early, but the holidays are so much more enjoyable without all that rushing around! ;)

 

[M]

Easy Handmade Ornaments:

This is another ornament I made for my best friend Sonya. Her son George has Noonan Syndrome, and has already lived a hard life. But he's a fighter!

[M]

Shell Ornament:

My friend got married in Hawaii and sent these little seashells out with the invitations. I saved mine because I always intended to make a Christmas ornament out of it. I finally used the lovely Madonna and child artwork from last year's holiday stamps. Add a little glitter glue (of course!) and there you have it!

[M]

Computer Nerd Ornament:

My friend Nan is a computer nerd and a Trekky, all rolled up into one, so I decided to make her an ornament with a computery twist. I got the graphics from the test print that my printer spits out whenever I put in a new ink cartridge. It's all just glued onto cardboard with a bit of glitter, making it nice and flat for mailing with her Christmas card.

[M]

Monogrammed Mitten Ornament:

Here's a fun little project for using up extra pipe cleaners: a monogrammed mitten! To make one, you simply cut a mitten shape out of cardboard and then wrap different colors all around it until it's done. I love how more inspired ideas come to me the more I make these pipe cleaner creations. I found that it was really easy to hook a monogram into the mitten by just bending and sliding it on. I love how easily they slip into a Christmas card. I only had to add one extra stamp. This one is for my friend Marney's little son Kai.

[M]

Guess what! I got more pipe cleaners!

I am making more new discoveries with each ornament I create, like using paper doilies for this Sugarplum Fairie's wings

[M]

Cresh Ornament

I made this for my friend Darlene who recently reentered my life. (We met as neighbors when I was 5 and she was 3!) She teaches in a Christian school and also does lectures for Christian women's groups.

I had fun making this ornament out of a lid from some Grey Poupon mustard. The little Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were made from air-dry paper clay. I like this ornament so much I wish I could keep it myself! Maybe I will make another for my tree!

[M]

Jam Ring Ornament:

I made this one for my cousin Ursula in Germany. It's nice and light for easy mailing. I made it by winding tinsel garland around a mason jar lid, then just stuck a cute baby angel gift card in the center. I hold onto all kinds of Christmas odds and ends, and I had the snowflake for years just trying to find the perfect project to attach it to. I added a little silver glitter glue to it and I think it adds the perfect touch.

[M]

Pie Tin Ornaments:

 I thought that you might like to see a site where I got lots of ideas for my ornaments this year: http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/09/101-handmade-ornament-tutorials/

For the one above, I looked up the way to say "I am Loved" in Spanish, so whenever I look at it, I'll get a nice reminder.

[M]

101 Homemade Christmas Ornaments:

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/09/101-handmade-ornament-tutorials/

[M]

Orange Pomanders:

Have you ever made one of these orange and clove thingies?

They're called "pomanders," and they are very old holiday tradition. People used to make them at Christmastime back in the Victorian days. To make one, all you need is an orange, some cloves and a small nail. You poke the nail through the skin of the orange, and then add your clove. The added benefit is that making these not only will have your house smelling delightful, but it's also meditative! It's a great way to wind down from the holiday madness with some Christmas music and a cup of cocoa or eggnog.

This one will be sticking out of the top of my friend Bob's stocking which I will deliver to him on Friday. When I made his stocking, I didn't realize the opening was so small until it was too late. I needed an orange small enough to fit. A very special little orange came into my life on my birthday when the sweet owner of Alicia's Restaurant in Booneville allowed me to pick an orange from her tree on the patio. Once I picked it, I realized that it wasn't quite ripe. So I decided to use it for Bob's stocking instead of trying to eat it.

[M]

Cinnamon Stick Ornaments~

Ann sent me this great idea yesterday for making cinnamon stick ornaments! Thanks Ann! I am making some to add an extra special touch to the Christmas baskets I am delivering to my friends on Friday!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Thanks. Great ideas, M~ xo