presents

Pinterest makes you feel like you can craft anything, doesn’t it? Its “DIY” category was the basis for most of my Christmas presents and decorations this year.

My first project was a yarn ball wreath. My husband fashioned a ring for me from coaxial cable, which I wrapped with yarn. I used foam balls from JoAnn’s as the center for each “yarn” ball and Red Heart Super Saver yarn, which is pretty inexpensive. It took me a while to determine the best way to secure the balls to the ring. After experimenting, I used floral U shaped pins, and then my handy glue gun. I added some inexpensive silver gaudy balls (as my husband calls them).

The final result:

Next year I may add more of the smaller balls to the outside ring.

For my front door, I made a quick, inexpensive wreath with gaudy balls, a wire hanger and ribbon. The picture is a bit blurry, but you get the idea.

Of course I knitted a few things to gift, including ear warmers, boot cuffs and a beer cozy (didn’t want my brother-in-law to feel left out). I also made some fingerless gloves, but I didn’t get a picture of them.

I made body spray from distilled water, witch hazel, vegetable glycerin and essential oils:

I crafted ornaments:

But what I was most excited about making was the lip balm. For the majority of my life, if I discovered I didn’t have a ChapStik in my pocket, I swear I could feel my lips immediately drying and cracking. Now I can’t imagine ever purchasing it again. I bought the tubes through Amazon, but the first batch I received was awful–not a single cap stayed on. So as not to waste them, I put a small dot of hot glue on the tube to make them fit. Subsequent orders from different vendors produced appropriately sized lids.

There are many recipes for lip balm on the Internet, and I settled on one that combined beeswax, shea butter, sunflower oil and essential oils. I made peppermint, citrus (orange and grapfruit) and lemon batches.

In addition to these items, my husband made strawberry bread, pumpkin bread, and zucchini bread. It was a very crafty Christmas indeed, and even though my family in Florida pokes fun at me, wondering if my children are being used as sweat shop labor, I had fun and I’m even a little bit proud of myself. 🙂

Currently on the agenda: I am knitting a wall hanging thingy–the idea came from Pinterest, of course. I am also making t-shirt yarn out of tank tops that I dont wear anymore–I eventually want to crochet it into a rug or a basket.

Are you making anything right now?

Christmas Craftiness (thehouseonpennylane.wordpress.com)
Last Second DIY Gifts For The Ultimate Crafty Procrastinators (kvil.cbslocal.com)
Christmas Wreath (fiveisazoo.com)
Have yourself a DIY Christmas: A guide for the crafty gifter (soaeventconcepts.com)
10 Christmas Wreaths You Can Make (blogher.com)
A Christmas Crafternoon + A Crafty Giveaway! (somekindoflovelyride.com)

I had this great idea this year–seasoned knitted that I am (you know, with my entire year of experience) I decided that I would knit Christmas presents for my extended family in Florida, Minnesota, Michigan and South Carolina. FIrst I decided to make ornaments–which I thought turned out rather nicely, after a bit of practice. Then I decided that wasn’t enough, so I chose to knit my oldest sister and grandma a set of wash/dishcloths, while my middle sister and mother would get a fluffy blanket each. My cousin gets a scarf, and her husband will get a hat. I should have started sooner, I guess.

Everyone received their ornaments on time, but I’ve been playing catch up ever since to fulfill the IOUs I sent along with them. It was really hard on me to not have everything complete–expectations NOT met. Not even close. I am making progress, however…2 blankets, 3 washcloths, 1/2 a hat to go!

Next year I will start a bit earlier.

Who else has been similarly “too” ambitious during the holiday season?

Some of the ornament patterns I used: