1/6/14

Handmade Gifts

Hey everyone!  How is 2014 treating you so far?  I'm trying very hard to stick to my one little word, Simplify, as I've been gradually re-dressing our home after Christmas.  So far, so good, but I'm not ready to share any of that just yet.  What I wanted to share today are a couple of gifts that I made for our youngest granddaughters for Christmas.  Obviously I couldn't share them before because their parents both look at my blog!

The first was an idea I got HERE @This Mama Makes Stuff.  Our Little Miss is five, in kindergarten, very quick to catch on to things, & loves to do arts and crafts.  So, when I saw these scrap fabric paper dolls, it seemed like the perfect gift for her.

This is what the scrap fabric paper dolls will look like.  I had to do a sample but keep it very simple for our little five year old.



These are the things I had to buy -- a carrying case, colored pencils (or crayons), glue stick, the little yarns (just because I thought they were so cute) & scissors (lefties for our Little Miss).  Everything else I needed I would print from the computer & dig up from my own stash of supplies.

Kids & poodles & cats, oh my!  These are all available for Free download at the above link.  I printed quite a few onto cardstock.  Since Little Miss is only five, I went ahead and cut these all out.

I found this cool carrying case at JoAnn's (used a coupon, of course) & it was perfect.

I decorated the top with colored pens.


The top section is partitioned off, so this is where I stashed the little yarns, some laces, 
pompoms, etc.

The lower section has a removable tray which holds the glue stick, colored pencils & scissors.

This large section I filled with lots of scraps of fabric in different sizes, pieces of ribbon,

and this little box filled with lots of buttons.

I placed all of the paper dolls on top of the fabric with the sample on top.  I cannot believe I didn't get a pic of Little Miss when she opened this on Christmas Eve, but she loved it.  We sat together on Christmas Eve and dressed one of the dolls.  Her mommy tells me she has spent hours at a time playing with these over the Christmas break, and it has really helped improve her scissor-skills.  I think Nana better print and cut out more dolls!

This little apron was a gift I made for Littlest Miss.  I ran across this idea years ago in a very old craft  book but had never taken the time to make it before.  I thought I had taken some photos of my process, but haven't been able to find them......oh, well!

I had everything already in my stash except for the jumbo red rickrack.  I drew up my own pattern for the apron from the book photo and then created patterns for the little animals, making them much bigger than what the pattern called for.  Littlest Miss is almost three and loves babies -- dollies or animals, it doesn't matter.  I'm sure those big apron pockets will get filled with all kinds of "stuff!"

I loved making these things, and loved even more seeing the excitement on the faces of my little sweets when they opened them.  "Handmade by Nana" is a good thing!

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope 2014 is a blessed year for all of us.  See ya next time!

I love to party with these fine bloggers:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets
Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading

9 comments:

  1. Darling girl! She is adorable in that wonderful apron and no doubt loves her paper dolls.

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  2. Simply fabulous Carol! I bet your little granddaughters will grow up as creative as you!!!!

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  3. Love, love, love the fabric paper doll gift. How creative and what wonderful hours she will spend learning creativity herself. MUCH better that video stuff - YES!!!

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  4. These are wonderful gifts. I loved paper dolls when I was little.

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  5. What lucky little girls! I love the paper dolls and how neat that you can just print out more when needed. I would've loved an apron like that when I was little. I carried my stuffed animals around with me everywhere!

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  6. What cute paper dolls! Love the apron too! I don't do much crafting anymore but I did make a mattress, pillow and blanket for my granddaughters American Girl doll. That is my big project till next year! What memories you are creating for your little sweeties!

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  7. Your granddaughter is so cute! I love the paper doll kit. You're a genius!!! My girls would have loved one of those.

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  8. Oh my goodness, your littlest Miss is adorable! Love the apron, super cute! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  9. That's just precious. I'm so glad you shared with us on Twirl and Take a Bow. Join us anytime! ~Tammy

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol

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