Handmade Christmas Gifts

Today I want to share some of my handmade Christmas gifts that I've made so far.  This is a picture of a set that I made for my Mom.  It's a hanging towel, table runner, and potholders.  (Obviously ;)

 

Here's the group of hanging towels I made.  I'm thinking probably teacher gifts and such.  They're fun, cute and pretty easy to sew up!  Here is the link to the pattern that I used: Hanging Towel Pattern



Some of the towels I used were a little fat.  I'd go with a skinnier variety next time.

 

These table runners were fun to make and turned out great.  I found a great tutorial on how to make them here: Table Runner Tutorial  I hope my Aunts enjoy them. 
 

 





I only made two sets of potholders, because they were kind of a pain in rear.  But they turned out decent.  ;)  And again, here's the tutorial I followed:  Potholders Tutorial

Now, the past couple of nights I have made these cute mandalas.  It's fun to learn new crochet patterns.  And I just thought these were darling.  Check out the website where the pattern is:  Mandala Pattern

Thanks for stopping by!


-Katie

 





The stockings were hung...

Today, the stockings were hung...

 

This was a fun little project for the afternoon.  My house lacks a fireplace for the stockings.  I found a similar idea on pinterest.  And of course, I had more pallets on hand!  And a wonderful husband to take more apart for me.  :) 

 

I started by sanding two boards, then painting them a light tannish color.  (I just use whatever I have on hand.) 

 

 

It turned out cool...kind of antique-like, which was awesome, because I didn't even have to try!  I love it when things just work out like that. 

Next I found some free fonts, also on pinterest.  Click here for fonts.  I printed them out and taped them in place.

 

 

I just traced around the letters, real firm like...firm enough to make a bit of an indentation in the wood.

 

 

So, as it turns out.  This picture is really awful.  I was trying to show the indentations, because they really were spectacular.  Anyway, then I proceeded to paint the letters.  Again, with another color of paint I already had. 

 

 

Not too bad, eh? 

 

 

After letting it dry for a while, I flipped it over and screwed in these brackets to hold the two pieces together. 

 

 

Then I attached 4 knobs to the second piece of pallet wood.  And there we have it, the perfect piece for hanging stockings.  I even got a couple of high fives from my boys for a job well done.  Now that's what I call a great afternoon!

 

I'm thrilled with how it turned out.  Just never mind the paneling that it hangs on.  (As soon as the papers are signed within the next couple of weeks or so, it will be mine to change!)

 

 

Thanks for letting me share another project with you.

 

 

- Katie