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DeAnn M
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| Posted: Nov 10 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
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Do any of you have your children make gifts for relatives for Christmas?
My Mom and Dad are retired and pretty much have all of the, "toys" they need and want. (By that I mean tools, golf clubs, fishing gear, and snowman sweaters) They are insisting that we cut back this year. I totally agree. I thought it would be nice to have my kids make some things for them.
That being said, my oldest is 10 and we don't knit or crochet. I thought about making a quilt or throw for them because they like to fall asleep in front of the TV. However, I have never made a real quilt and my sewing ability is average.
Any suggestions from your Christmas's past or things that you have come across that grandparents would just love?
Thanks so much,
DeAnn
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ctrivette
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| Posted: Nov 10 2008 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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my kids are mking some potholder/hot pads on a loop loom. And we have done no sew fleece blankets before. All pretty easy, my 9 and 11 year ods do it with no help (after I showed them the first time)
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Anne
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| Posted: Nov 10 2008 at 6:31pm | IP Logged
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We are making homemade soaps and we are knitting wash clothes. I know you said you don't knit so maybe just the soap. Happy crafting! 
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Anne in TN
WIFE to Brett (91)
MOM to Rebecca(97), Catherine (99), Grace (99), Stephen (00) & 2 Angels in Heaven.
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organiclilac
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We are going to try felted soap this year. I haven't done it yet, but it looks cute and easy!
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Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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Tina
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For grandparents, we have done tote bags, sweatshirts, ornaments and calendars, all with either the childrens' pictures on them, or a tracing of their hands, done with some cute and clever sayings. That is something the grandparents have always loved.
For aunts and godmothers, we roll beeswax candles and make homemade candies, like fudge or peppermint bark (easy peasy  ). The kids have also made votive holders using gems, glitter glue, etc. My girls love to make the packaging look so pretty, too, with ribbons and cute little bags.
For uncles and godfathers, we usually do their favorite type of cookie or treat.
This year, we went to a Claytime Cafe over the summer, and my children made things for one of their godparents there. My oldest painted a serving plate for her godmother, my dd9 painted a mug for her godfather, and my dd6 painted a trinket box for her godmother and I got to watch them have fun while I sucked down a delicious frozen coffee drink (sorry, I know that's not really relevant  , but it was just so dang good!  ).
I'd love to learn how to make the homemade soaps, though. Any good tutorials out there?
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~Tina
mom of 3 girls and 1 little man
The Best of Times
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Nov 10 2008 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
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I don't have time to link, but FlyLady has a clutter-free gift list for grandparents.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 8:12am | IP Logged
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We usually do a calendar with pictures. The kids only help with that project by smiling for the pictures though.
If you think they would use it, a fleece blanket is really easy, there are and lots of nice patterns around these days.
At the paint your own pottery place near us, they have a book full of cute handprint projects. One year we did a turkey platter with their handprints. We rolled Advent candles for my mom one year, she really liked that. This year I am hoping to make her a birthstone rosary. I have five brothers and she is praying for their reversion (is that a word?).
I'll be watching this thread for ideas, I think Grandparents are hard to buy for.
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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donnalynn
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Counted cross stitch is very easy to learn and you can usually find nice books of Christmas themed articles at the library.
One year my dds did Christmas ornaments - other possibilities might be tea towels, bookmarks or hankies.
A very nice portable craft that can be pulled out easily and worked on a little bit at a time.
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donnalynn
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 12:31pm | IP Logged
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organiclilac wrote:
| We are going to try felted soap this year. I haven't done it yet, but it looks cute and easy! |
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What's this? Cute and easy is right up my alley!
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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organiclilac
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 1:03pm | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
organiclilac wrote:
| We are going to try felted soap this year. I haven't done it yet, but it looks cute and easy! |
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What's this? Cute and easy is right up my alley! |
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I have seen this project a couple of places online now, but I think the first was here. And I probably got that link from someone on these boards, but I don't remember who to credit now! I bought some soap and roving, now we just need to do it!
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Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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helene
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Speaking of felt......how about some ornaments for the tree made from felt? I was at a gift shop this weekend and I bought a darling heart-shaped ornament made of felt with a sweet embroidered pine branch on the front. It was embellished with red seed beads (as berries) and was stuffed tight and finished all around with a blanket stitch. It inspired me to try my own hand. I made a heart shaped ornament with an embroidered snowflake on it. I simply sewed a thin light blue ribbon into the blanket stitching to serve as the "hanger". It was so easy and such a quick project! I intend to make many more with several different designs for our tree and to give away.
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Mary G
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helene wrote:
| Speaking of felt......how about some ornaments for the tree made from felt? |
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These are fun to do with accidently shrunk wool garments! Sweaters come in such lovely patterns and make great felted ornaments, coasters, tea cozies, purses, etc. If you don't have any (I always seem to shrink dh's sweaters/vests that I've made him -- sometimes so that they fit me perfectly! ) thrift stores are a great spot to find inexpensive 100% wool sweaters!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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helene
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Oh,great idea! I would like to ask you also, Mary, for some guidance in purchasing a book for these sorts of small one-day projects involving felt or embroidery. I cannot knit and don't feel I have the large chunks of time to make those larger, gorgeous , more involved projects (yet!) but I have lately been reaping many therapeutic rewards from these small, sweet, handmade and heartfelt "achievements".....is there a book out there I could use for more inspiration and instruction?
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Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Making Christmas Gifts
