Christmas Projects
This month I've been making and writing about craft projects that would make nice Christmas gifts and could be finished in time for Christmas. I showed an incomplete version of the top one in an earlier post; this is how it turned out. Working with embroidery and shapes on felt is something even children can have a part of. I cut out and dressed the cat lady head shot just like I used to cut out paper dolls. It is easy to attach these little creations to a tote bag blank. You can find my Examiner.com hobbies articles with step by step guides at http://exm.nr/Og7M3c.
On Examiner.com, I write careful instructions for people with little craft background who would like to make something. Here I write about the experience and joy of the thing.
The second item is a handmade hosiery bag, a project I came up with out of desperation. I had bought a couple of balls of 86% bamboo viscose yarn. As you can see, it's so beautiful and satiny! It's also very comfortable to crochet with. There is only one problem - this yarn must be hand washed and dried flat. What useful small thing could I make with those limitations? Finally I remembered a crocheted bag I use for my nylons. That's the ticket!
Of course, a good hosiery bag needs lining, but I had that covered. Once I bought a lined skirt that didn't fit and saved it for its beautiful fabric. That ought to be enough lining for a project no more than 13" long! (The ball I bought contained only 63 yards; bamboo yarn is expensive.)
I hand hemmed and attached the lining; you don't want a sewing machine anywhere around hand crocheted or knitted products. This made for a rather convoluted set of instructions, and I had to use Paintbrush for my slideshow:
I included the minor tutorial on buttons because so many people don't understand the difference between types. When I first learned sewing in seventh grade, I was the only one in the class who sewed the flat button on right. - I read the instructions!
On Examiner.com, I write careful instructions for people with little craft background who would like to make something. Here I write about the experience and joy of the thing.
The second item is a handmade hosiery bag, a project I came up with out of desperation. I had bought a couple of balls of 86% bamboo viscose yarn. As you can see, it's so beautiful and satiny! It's also very comfortable to crochet with. There is only one problem - this yarn must be hand washed and dried flat. What useful small thing could I make with those limitations? Finally I remembered a crocheted bag I use for my nylons. That's the ticket!
Of course, a good hosiery bag needs lining, but I had that covered. Once I bought a lined skirt that didn't fit and saved it for its beautiful fabric. That ought to be enough lining for a project no more than 13" long! (The ball I bought contained only 63 yards; bamboo yarn is expensive.)
I hand hemmed and attached the lining; you don't want a sewing machine anywhere around hand crocheted or knitted products. This made for a rather convoluted set of instructions, and I had to use Paintbrush for my slideshow:
These are just small items and small hobbies, but they can make appreciated gifts.
