Monday, January 2, 2017

The Home-sewn Christmas Gifts

I typically only squeeze out one sewn Christmas gift, but this year, I managed a bit more.

I like to get my children an ornament every year and then I put their initials and the year on it.  My mother-in-law did that for her children, and we have a lovely set of ornaments from my husband's childhood.  For the first time, I made the ornaments!  It was fun, relatively quick, and the children were charmed to find these in their stockings.


I also made a busy book for Phoebe, which is never something I thought I would mess with.  However, my nephew has a busy book made out of felt and it was so simple, I really wanted to copy it for Phoebe.

A few weeks before Christmas, Phoebe began unzipping any zipper she could find and also trying to undo my belt buckle during diaper changes.  She would unsnap her dollie's sleeper and beg to have it snapped up again so she could unsnap it.  Over and over and over again.

I was thrilled to give her the busy book on Christmas morning and yes, it has gotten a real work out.  In fact, one of the grommets is gone, and a zipper seam is loosening; I dearly hope this book can stand up to Phoebe's enthusiasm.






9 comments:

Jennifer Jo said...

That is a fabulous book!

e said...

I love this! I've never seen a homemade one before, and it is perfect. I might try making one for the littles in my extended family... what a great gift. Also love the snow people made from buttons. So crafty, so clever, so very charming.

Best wishes to you and yours for the new year!

jenny_o said...

The button snowmen ornaments are so dear! And that is a wonderful busy book - I've thought of making one for our grandson and this is a different style from what I've seen - I like how each layer opens to the next, with the picture hidden until the end!

"Happy to you" is so sweet. And smart, too; conserves words!

Happy New Year, Margo, to you and all your family!

beth s said...

Love those snowmen!!

Melanie said...

What a great book! I'll have to try that :-)

Becky said...

What fabulous little gifts! Sadly, I did not get photos of most of the gifts I made this year - his & her aprons for all (for most of our family, it's the men that do the cooking, so I thought it appropriate!), a buff for my husband and a quickly knit scarf for my girl.

Alica said...

Busy books are great! Jenna had one that my Mom made for her...and reading this makes me really, really hope that it's upstairs in her treasure box where it can be pulled out for her kids someday if she has any! I can't imagine it's not there, but I'd better go check!

Sarah Barry said...

Oh my goodness. Precious gifts. I love handmade gifts.

I'm going to pin the snowmen because I might have to copy your idea and make some for my kids next year.

BLD in MT said...

Kudos! I am currently hatching a scheme to make all homemade gifts this year. I am starting the planning phases NOW...because I know myself. Labors of love take time and all. ...we'll just see how it goes.

My mom's best friend was a sort of second mother to me growing up. She didn't have kids of her own. She gave us an ornament every year from birth through, oh, I dunno, 20. I treasure them. I am sure your kids will treasure all of theirs as well. What a special holiday gift/memory.