Category Archives: Being Creative

Fostering creativity through sewing and other hobbies

Being Creative, Everything Else, Family

A Handmade Christmas

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A Handmade Christmas.

What does that mean to you?  To me it means handcrafted ornaments, personalized gifts, and lots of extra love.

I always have a grand plan to create personalized pieces for each family member, but something always gets in the way, maybe time or money or even the thought that my work isn’t good enough.

This year, I have a game plan.   If you’d like to create your own handmade Christmas, you’re welcome to follow along with me.

handmade Christmas

Let’s get started!

Let’s start with a few questions:  Why? Who? What? How? When?

  1. Why?  Why are you giving gifts?  Why this list of people?  Why DIY?
  2. Who do you need to gift to this upcoming Holiday season?  Family? Friends? Teachers? Your hairdresser?
  3. What do you want to gift?  Will everyone get gifts created around a theme?
  4. How are you going to craft these gifts?  What is your favorite hobby?  Do you love to sew?  Would you rather bake?  Is glitter more your style?  Do you want to learn a new skill or try something new?
  5. When are you going to do all this?  What kind of time do you have between now and Christmas (be honest)?

I’m taking the next few weeks and answering these questions myself.  I won’t answer all of them publicly because I do want my Christmas gifts to be surprises.   But, that “Why?” question:

Why am I giving gifts?

I know that for many people it seems super-early to be discussing Christmas gifts.  And it is, unless you are planning on creating them yourself.  But before I dedicate all this time and effort to creating gifts, let me tell you why I do it.

I give gifts at Christmas out of tradition.  We follow this tradition because it’s an opportunity to show my family and friends that I love them with a tangible presentsitem.  My kids don’t get lots of extras throughout the year.  It’s fun to spoil them with something significant at Christmas as a tangible way to say “I love you.”  They get a few small things (books, pjs, cds, new goggles or swim caps, art supplies, etc.) from Santa and then 3 gifts from us.  Usually these 3 things are a store-bought biggie (budget $75-100), something Mom-made, and a gift that the whole family will love (video or board games or movies).

I show love at Christmas because that’s what Christmas is all about.   I believe Christmas is the date we have selected to celebrate the earthly birthday of Jesus Christ.  The act of Jesus coming to earth as a humble human baby was an act of love as part of God’s ultimate plan for us.  You can read more about that here.  What better way to celebrate than to show love to my family and friends!

LOOK FOR FUTURE HANDMADE CHRISTMAS POSTS about making time to craft, the true cost of handmade, wrapping and presentation inspiration, and ideas for dads, teens, the family chef, the diva, the boy, the doggie Momma and more!

There are links in this post.  Some link back to this blog.  Some link to things I love and just want to share.  Some link to referrals for which I am compensated.  For more info, please check out my Shipping Links and Disclosure Statement.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Make It Monday: New Pillowcases

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I love white sheets.  Love, love, love them.  But, I looked at my bed the other day and thought “How boring.”  So, I did what any sewing nut would do–I dug in the stash and pulled out some fun pieces to update my pillowcases. 

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These pillowcases are easy to make, they wash well, and they added just a bit of color to my bedroom.  Plus, they are pretty! 

The link to the instructions is here.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Some Fall Sewing

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Have you met Indie Sew?  I don’t even know how I stumbled across the site, but I quickly fell in love.  Just in time to start my Fall Sewing!

Yes, I know we are a few months into Fall on the calendar, but temperature-wise, we are just now getting here.  Fall Sewing is my favorite.  The colors are richer, the fabrics are more luxurious.

Fall Fabrics

My closet is a hum-drum of a lot of the same old things.  My Stitch Fix subscription started in April and I’ve loved it.  It has allowed me to stretch my style, but unfortunately, most pieces are a little out of my budget.  (That said, do give it a try.  I find something I love in every box and it’s super easy!)  But…my last Fix had a perfect white silk shirt that I knew I could build a wardrobe from!

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So, white shirt + fall sewing = what kind of wardrobe? Well, I started with this pin of 15 outfits made from Target pieces.  Cute, appropriate for my 29+yo self, and very much my style. I loved each of these looks and I knew I already had a few of the pieces.  Here’s the run-down:

I have:

  • denim jacket
  • pencil skirt in black print
  • riding boots
  • scoop necked sweater
  • infinity scarf
  • moccasin (well, mine is a loafer)
  • leopard flats

I need to make:

  • a casual pant
  • a second infinity scarf
  • denim leggings
  • a tunic
  • a raglan tee

To buy:

  •  Denim shirt dress (or maybe find an alternative)

So, what does all this have to do with Indie Sew?  How about their Fall Collection.  A set of 6 patterns fill the needs on that “Need to Make” list above.

Here’s my fall sewing list:

  • the Hudson pant (in brown) (First pair was stitched in red and I love!)
  • the Commuter Cowl (in a brown print) Finished 10/19/2012
  • a navy legging (or not.  My skinny jeans would serve the same purpose with more coverage.)
  • a blue raglan
  • and a tunic (color, fabric still in question)

****The Stitch Fix link is an affiliate link.  I’ll get a little credit if you decide to sign up.  The other links are just happy finds that I’m sharing with you.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Have you seen these free sewing classes?

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Have you discovered Craftsy?  It’s a website full of on-line classes teaching many different crafts-sewing, photography, cake decorating, etc!

These free sewing classes are a great place to start exploring Craftsy and learning something new:

Sewing Machine Feet

Zippers

Bag-Making Basics: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag

++NOTE:  I’m not affiliated with Craftsy in anyway.  I just think everyone should know about free sewing classes!++

Being Creative, Everything Else

Go Back to School With PersonaliTy

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Big things are happening in my little shop!  I’m so excited to have all my sewing/embroidery gear in one location.  A friend was so generous to lend me space to sew for the past few months, but there is no place like home.

So, what’s new at PersonaliTy Children’s Clothes?

Well…for starters, there’s this bad boy!

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Woo hoo!

I’m so excited about upgrading to this 10-needle.  It allows me to multitask and stitch a jon jon while monogramming another.  It also makes it super-easy to personalize uniform shirts and backpacks and lunch bags!

Speaking of backpacks and lunch bags…

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These are just a few of the new items available at www.personalitychildrens.com .  I keep the preschool backpacks and lunch bags in stock.  I can order full-size backpacks if you need one.

And then…what little boy doesn’t need his own baseball cap!  These are the perfect finishing touch to a seersucker jon jon.

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So there you have it.  Just a few of the new things to get your ready to go back to school with PersonaliTy!