Fudge: Dreamcicle, pumpkin, chocolate, and peanut butter.
Cookies: Gingerbread, chocolate chip, sugar, and crackle.
Pumpkin rolls, and pumpkin bread.
And some other various sweets.
I’ve decopaged a lot of various things, and scarves, and some beaded candle holders.
I’m making a pin-up calender and clock for my father, I found some fantastic pics of 40’s-60’s pin ups that he’ll love.
I’m also making ornaments, swirling paint on the inside in various colors, rather pretty.
I’m sure there’s more, I’ve got a ton of projects, and now I’m running out of time.
I’m thinking of doing Cranberry-Nut Mini Loaves with Flaxseeds , and maybe some homemade apple butter. I am so shy about my cooking, though, so it’s hard sometimes for me to share. This will be my first year giving my own cooking as gifts!
I am making flannel pajama pants for one friend. I had gotten her PJs probably five years ago and the pants finally gave out. She will also get a quilt for her 30th birthday in January.
Cookie mix jars - specifically oatmeal raisin. You layer the ingredients in a quart-sized Mason jar, tie a pretty ribbon around it, and give it with instructions. The recipient adds egg, butter and vanilla for fresh oatmeal cookies. We set up an assembly line and do about 36 of them every year.
I have occasional crazy thoughts about making a swing dress for a friend who swing dances, but so far I’ve been able to conquer them. I just made her blasted wedding dress last year and sewing for her still makes me feel panicky.
My husband wants a nice t’ai chi jacket. I’m thinking about it. Anyone know how to make frog closures?
This morning I finished(!) knitting a scarf I’m giving my neice for Christmas. I still have to do the finishing work on it and a pair of matching mittens. Since my neice and nephew get their Christmas presents at Thanksgiving, I’ve still got some work to do. My cousin has asked me to knit her a hat to match a cardigan she has, but I haven’t seen the cardigan yet, so I’ve no idea what that will be. That should keep me out of trouble for the next month.
I may also make some bath salts for people this year, depending on what happens with my company’s Secret Santa program.
By the way, Caridwen, that same, somewhat flaky cousin adopted 3 puppies last month (you read it right, three – a cocker spaniel, a beagle, and a Jack Russell) . If you send me that recipe for homemade dog treats, it’d be nice to throw some of those in her present, too. My e-mail address is in my profile.
I could be wrong, but I vaguely remember seeing premade frog closures (you’re talking about kind-of ornate things with a loop on one side and to go through it on the other piece, right?) at a fabric store.
I’ll try Fabricland. We don’t have Jo-Ann’s up here in the North. Those are exactly what I meant. I’m told they’re easy to make, but they look intimidating.
I’d love to give someone a yarn and macaroni necklace. That would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don’t think my SIL would think it’s funny, so it’ll be pale blue sparkly beads and silver chain.
Making Fairy/Wizard dust for all the friends of all the kids. Ultra fine glitter in tiny glass jars with a cork, ribbon, tag. We’ll make cookies, bars, and fudge. Maybe bath salts, too.
I thought of another one I just decided on. Our quilt guild has an ornament exchange, where we buy or make an ornament (even the bought ones are usually crafty.handmade by someone) and wrap it in a fat quarter.
I got a big wooden star and a set of various-size smaller wooden star cutouts, so I wil paint them various Xmas colors and hot-glue them in some sort of stack. I found really cool cording in Xmas and jewel tones that will be great to hang it from. I like painting; it makes me feel like a kid.
This is a great idea! I can’t cook for squat, but would love to be able to just add a couple easy ingredients and bake fresh cookies.
I’m making wooden mantel clocks for closer friends and family. I did not make this clock, but it’s the same design. I (and I assume the person who made that clock) got the plan from Fine Woodworking magazine. It’s taking me forever, though, because I’ve never done anything quite so small and detailed. I’ve mostly done larger, basic pieces of furniture like tables and bookshelves. Lots of new techniques to learn for this one. But it’s been fun.
