I'm a born crafter. That means I'm working on something for Christmas throughout the year, whether it be something small for the tree, or a slightly larger project for friend or family member. Here's a look at some of the works-of-heart made for Christmas 2011.
There were, of course,
a lot of cards. I make about 50-70 Christmas cards every year, just for personal use. I like to have extras on hand
just in case, and any leftovers can be donated or sold next year. I've been sharing samples of these all month, so if you missed them, click on the "Christmas 2011" or "Cards" label at bottom of this post or in sidebar.
I love these mini-stockings and wish I had made more. Not just for giving away, but for my own little tree. The only one I kept this year was a blue snowflake stocking. These are backed with felt, with a loop of embroidery floss for hanging.
This "Green Bay Packers" stocking is my own design, and sure to be a huge hit with friends and family. As you can see, I used the original free-stitched one as a pattern for others. Just needs trimming and a little hanger. Now to design one for the Wisconsin Badgers...
This ceramic star ornament was leftover from a bunch I stamped on a few years ago. I simply added a seasonal decal and some ribbon
et voilà!
"File This" is one of the larger projects made, and is for a friend owned by two black cats. It measures 8x10 inches and still needs framing (it's on my Saturday shopping list).
Angel whimsey. The cording for the ribbon was a bit of a pain, but I like how the wire hanger turned out. Those can sometimes be a bit tricky.
Assorted mini-ornaments. All are backed with felt and have a small loop of embroidery floss for hanging. Like the mini-stockings, these are light enough to enclose in a card.
"All I want for Christmas is a Nap." Another larger gift, measuring 9x12 and still in need of framing. I received this kit as a gift last year. It's not my style, and—to be honest—I've had a hard time deciding to whom it should go.
Two or three years ago, I made two friends a bunch of snowmen ornaments, each getting three different designs than the other. Of course they tried to steal the other's when she wasn't looking and "hinted" that I needed to give the reverse the following year. Ha! Way too predictable.
I think they will be pleasantly surprised to round out their collection this year. (Wicked grin) Each is stitched on 14-ct Aida cloth and backed in felt with ribbon hangers.
Mouse banner. I did a
snowman banner similar to this one in 2009. This year I was a bit smarter in finishing the edges. Rather than fold and try to hide tacking stitches to the underside, I dug out the Lite Steam-A-Seam2. Half inch strips along the edges were all it took to neatly and easily finish the edges. The tassel, on the other hand, was a bit of a pain.
These playful critters round out a set for a friend who collects anything Noah's Ark. Backed in felt, with ribbon hangers.
Another whimsey. I had trouble getting the wire hanger just right on this one. Both this and the angel above were stitched on 14-ct plastic canvas.
People often wonder how I am able to get so much crafting done. My secret is this: I am rarely idle while watching TV. You'd be amazed how much you can get done while watching a one-hour drama, two-hour movie, or three-hour football game. If it's not a craft project in my hands, it's pen and notebook. Also, starting in July this year, a friend and I got together about every other weekend for an NCIS/crafts marathon. We'd pop in a season and work on our respective projects. We got through the first seven seasons, made almost all of our Christmas cards together, and got a lot of other projects done during those long weekends. I have a feeling we'll be doing something like this again next year.
