To Do List

I've not even started thinking about gifts, but given the general disaster of last Christmas (broken bone, hand in splint, parents snowed out, me snowed in) my crafty plans were completely scuppered. Plans that involved decorations. Lots and lots of.

So this year, I'm all about the decorations. I'll worry about presents in a month or so (I'm looking to you all for inspiration here please!). So here's a list of what I hope to make, for me and my home, this year:

• Mini teddy's for the tree, based on my teddy tutorial from last year just miniaturised by the wonder of a photocopier
• Front door wreath
• Stockings for the fireplace
• Felt stars for the Christmas tree
• Napkins and table runner
• Gingerbread house (although in the interests of full disclosure this is a kit from Ikea)
• Christmas Cards for the street
• Interesting wrapping papers
• A flying goose to go with my flying pig
• Christmas bunting (although I'm not sure what form that will take yet!)
• Everything that Hobbycraft has on offer ;)

I'm sure that somewhere I've got a heap of other ideas and inspirational pictures (that, shame on me, I've not yet saved to Pinterest) so the list may go on a bit longer.

I also wanted to ask if anyone wanted to trade crafting their gifts this year? I'd love to give my nephew a handmade hat and mittens, but I can't knit worth a damn. I can, however, make lovely teddies, bags, toys and simple clothes. Would anyone be interested in swapping? Each of us would buy the materials for our own gift, but someone else would make it. Let me know if you're up for it.

The List!

Big thanks to Tilly for re-igniting the Crafty Christmas Club this year.

Here is my list. I want to make...

Mum a Colette Sorbetto out of this pink bird fabric from my stash
The same 'tropical bird' Colette Sorbetto as I made for myself, for a friend
Some lavender and wheat heat pillows, like these
Loved Refugee Crafter's previous blog post and tutorial link to the laptop/ipad case idea for Mr
Couple of jar ingredient recipes for Toffee Blondies, using jam jars with decorated lids like this
Some zipper brooches for friends
Some Big pocket pants (trousers) for friends little boys

There has been a lot of procrastinating (I blame pinterest!), but not a lot of making yet, so I best get cracking

iPad Sleeve

Why is it that men are so hard to craft/sew for? Other than the occasional mending job and the annual Halloween costume, my husband gets nothing from all my crafty endeavors...except a hefty bill. Sorry Honey. Recently, however, I ran across a great tutorial for something I knew he could use, an iPad case:

The tutorial I used was actually for a laptop sleeve, but it could be easily adapted for any electronic device. If you are looking for a handmade gift for the man in your life, I highly recommend making one of these.

As far as changes to the original tutorial go, I used fleece instead of felt and did NOT adhere it using spray adhesive. Since the fleece is in one piece you can just sew it right in.  I also added a lip and decorative straps as well as some velcro for security. I knew I'd be likely to pick it up without thinking and watch in horror as the iPad slid right out. This commercial just makes me cringe.

If you are curious about the dimensions, these fit both the iPad One and Two:

• Main body piece cut from vinyl and fleece - 11" by 18.5"
• Straps - 1" by 8"
• Circles - traced around a milk jug lid!

Helpful Construction Hints:

1. After cutting out the Main Body Pieces, place the fleece on top of the vinyl. Next, fold the bottom up to 2.5" below the top of the rectangle. (The 2.5" forms the lip.) You will notice when you do this that the inside fleece will squeeze out past the vinyl a quarter of an inch or so as it becomes sandwiched inside the vinyl. No big deal, just trim it down again.
2. Then, stitch the sides together 1/4" from the edge. A Teflon sewing foot will help or you can try using masking tape as Sweet Verbena did in her tutorial. (I used the tape method, and she's right, masking tape glides smoother. Painter's tape is also nice because it has less tack, but you can make regular tape less tacky by sticking it first to your shirt and then to the vinyl. I learned that "less tack is more" lesson the hard way and lost a bit of the top layer of my cheap costume pleather when I took the tape off.)
3. Fold the top lip down, trim the fleece, and trace around a circular object to create rounded corners, if desired.
4. Do decorative stitching around the edges. If you have trouble pulling your needle through, cut a small piece of vinyl and fold it around your needle to act as a gripper. (BTW, I used cording instead of embroidery floss. It's right next to the floss in the embroidery section of your craft store.)
5. Add straps, if desired.

Tilly's Crafty Plans

So... what am I planning on making this year? My initial thoughts are:

• Limoncello in little bottles with pretty labels
• Baby dresses for my niece
• Pyjama bottoms, maybe in this lovely brushed cotton
• Macaroons? Or some other edible treats
• Napkins - whether these are embroidered or not will depend on how ambitious I'm feeling
• iPad cover

I am still open to changing these plans and am eager to get some inspiration from what the rest of you are making. What are your plans?

Love from Tilly

It's back!

Crafty Christmas Club is back!

What is it?

A group blog for people making their own Christmas prezzies. A hub to discuss your crafty plans with likeminded people, gain inspiration from other craftsters, share tips and tutorials, and show off your finished goodies without spoiling the surprise to family and friends who might be reading your own blog.

Why would you spend time making presents? Isn't it easier just to buy them?

Well yes, it is easier to buy them. But I know I'm not the only one who feels a little nauseous at the thought of all the frenzied consumerism that goes on during the festive season. Who wants to spend the whole of December battling the crowds in the shopping centre? I'd rather sit at home crafting a little something by hand, investing that extra bit of love and care into it. Stock up on fabric and glitter, invite some friends over to join in the fun, load up your favourite music, pour out the sherry, warm up the mince pies... bliss!

What kinds of crafts does it cover?

Sewing, knitting, paper crafts, crafty food gifts, jewellery, decorations, fancy wrapping, cards... and lots of other craftiness.

Sounds like a genius idea! How can I be part of the fun?

Why thank you, kind sir! Read the blog and follow our progress here. If you want to post to the blog, you can become a member by emailing craftychristmasclub at g mail dot com and I'll set you up as an author. If you've got your own blog, send me the link and I'll add it to the list of members. Ooh and help spread the good tidings by adding the button to your blog:



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I don't celebrate Christmas - can I still join?

But of course! If you're making Hanukkah prezzies, Winter Solstice prezzies, or any other winter season prezzies for that matter, do join us!

Join us... join us... join us...

So long for now...

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to Crafty Christmas Club and made it such a success in 2010. I think we deserve a well earned rest.

We'll be accepting new members from Autumn 2011, so please get in touch then if you'd like to join.

Thanks!

Tilly

Tutorial via Etsy