2016 - the year of giving handmade

January 2, 2016

Time off work is a wonderful thing for blogging, or free time is anyway :).  I mentioned a blog design in the works and I'm proud to announce it's complete.  If you're reading through a reader be sure to click through so you can check it out.  I purchased the design through Eclair Designs on Etsy and can't recommend them enough! I didn't get paid or asked to give them a shout out, I'm just thrilled with the design and service.

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In addition to the few goals I set myself yesterday I've decided I want 2016 to be the year of giving handmade.  I'm terribly selfish when it comes to sewing and while that is not always a bad thing, sewing for others gives me a chance to branch out of my comfort zone and do something I wouldn't normally.

My biggest problem with sewing for others is I tend to put it off in favour of projects I want to make, things I find appealing and new ideas I just can't get out of my head.  However I figure if I start early enough I can give handmade gifts for 2016.

A few things first, I'm going to limit it to close family and friends only, I've given quilts as presents before and they are not always appreciated as I feel they should be.  Maybe I'm still a little bitter from that time I made a quilt and never received a thank you...  Or those friends I made quilts for and no longer speak to. Handmade is something from the heart so I feel that limiting it to those I'm closest too is fair.

Another one of my rules is that gifts don't just need to be sewn.  I have two brother in laws and I have no idea what I would sew for them.  Thankfully I'm also quite adept in the kitchen so I'm including jams, sauces, relishes and all baked good as handmade too.  I also think handmade can include a printed photo I've taken, while not technically handmade it does fit within the essence of the project.

The list of planned recipients is as follows -
  • Mum (May)
  • Grandmother (February)
  • Sister #1 (June)
  • Sister #2 (March)
  • Brother in Law #1 (October)
  • Brother in Law #2 (February)
  • Nephew #1 (13 March)
  • Nephew #2 (11 July)
  • Nephew #3 (6 November)
  • Nephew #4 (3 February)
  • Friends Wedding Present (May)

Thankfully I have some ideas already.  I plan on making a cushion cover from my Grandmother, at 96 she has pretty much everything she wants, so something simple and handmade will do the trick.

I made my mother a quilt for her birthday three years ago, so it's time to make her something else she will love.  I don't have any ideas for her yet, she is impossible to shop for!

For Sister #2 I plan on making her a quilt, each of her children has one but I've never made one for her, I think that needs to change.

For Nephew #1 I plan on making him something with planes in it.  They are his passion so I'm thinking either a quilt or a bag using them somehow.

Northern Lights

I started a Nothern Lights Quilt by Jaybird Quilts 157 weeks ago according to my Instagram, I plan on finally finishing it (all it needs in quilting) and gifting it to Nephew#2.

I actually have a pile of fabric that has been sitting in my stash for about three years waiting to be made into a quilt for Nephew #3, this could be the year.  Or it could be a pencil case as he starts grade 1.

Nephew #4 is probably the hardest of all my nephews, probably due to his age.  I'm sure I'll come up with something for him.

I plan on coming up with a collection of sauces and relishes for my brother in laws, I doubt they will want anything sewn!

Wedding Present

For my friends wedding I'm planning a cushion like the one above (I made it back in 2012).  I ordered the custom panel from Spoonflower and turned it into a cushion from there.  I am pleased to say the one above was very well received and I think it's about time I made another.

Anyway, this is my goal for the year, let's see how I go!

2 comments:

  1. This is one of my goals, too! I despise going to shopping centres and I almost feel as though I buy gifts out of desperation, which doesn't feel like the best motivation - handmade is far better. As you say, this doesn't necessary have to be something sewn (or knitted). When I was trying to think of handmade presents for people who don't necessary need something to wear, I came up with using one of my other skills: photography! My immediate family members all received a calendar of my photos as part of their Christmas gift and I highly recommend it - you make something once and you can give it to multiple people. Win!

    Hello from a new reader, too - I think I came to your blog via a link or comment on Miss Maddy Sews.

    Katie @ Katie Writes Stuff

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Katie! I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves to give and receive handmade, it sure feels like it sometimes. My family did a secret santa for Christmas this year and everyone wanted gift cards! I agree, I often end up buying gifts I hope the recipient will like at the last minute. Saying that the best gift I've ever given was when I got my (now ex) boyfriends Australian Scout Medalian framed for him for Christmas. Prior to that it has just been sitting in the bottom of a drawer. Needless to say by the look on his face when he opened it I knew it was the perfect present. So it wasn't handmade by me, but it was handmade by the nice people at the framing shop :). I firmly believe some things should be bought, especially when I can't make them as well as they can, but supporting local business and buying others handcrafts is sometimes just as good.

      I love the calendar idea! My sister did calendars last year (actually the year before now) with photos of my nephews, they were very well received :).

      Don't you just love Maddy's blog? She is just so talented!

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