What are you making for Christmas?

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi,

I would love to hear about the projects everyone is working on for Christmas, either items for yourself or for gifts.

Descriptions, please... :)

[Judy B]

Most of the Christmas decorations I make happen early in the year and this year I added heaps, including two trees taller than me, and several smaller trees, which all have fabric or yarn foliage. Then added two wall hangings as pert of the UFO challenge, both of which had been sandwiched ready for quilting for at least twelve months.
I tend to collect anything Christmas, including panels I do not need! I have a heap of Chrismas stocking panels, and seven great nieces and nephews. So the usual books from their supercalifragiliscticexpialidocious aunt (I am way better than great!) will have a stocking wrapped around them. To make them a little more individual they will have fabric gift tags added. This will leave me with just one spare, so might have to stock up next year, as two nieces and a nephew haven't got to the parenting stage yet! Sounds like a good excuse, anyway.
Then some extra personalised quilting on our son's quilt............... and I usually make about 30-40 small tree trims so everyone in the extended family gets one. Don't know what this years will be yet.

[MichelleMermaid]

Wow, you're even doing fabric gift tags! How impressive is that!!

Judy can you explain the tree trims a bit...I'm intrigued!

[Judy B]

Each year I make a small tree trim, which is also quick and easy, for everyone in the family we get to see over Christmas/New Year. I have done it for about 20 years, though have missed a few, and some trees are now decorated with Judy B originals. They have varied in style quite a bit, from primitive through country to almost formal, sometimes textile, sometimes not.

I make many different tree trims, and I haven't kept note of which ones I have handed out, but here is a list of some. I would have to go and look at other peoples trees to make a full list.

Small Christmas dolls, thread and ribbon tassels, crocheted snowflakes, painted golf balls with a hook screwed into them, paper 'scraps' torn or cut out and glued onto card so they look like the old paper scraps glued onto balsa, crocheted icicles, fabric motifs glued to card or fused to felt and cut out, felt gingerbread men, ..............

A couple of my favourites..... the first two I made extras for the 50 members of my quilt group as well.

One year I published a miniature book using scaled down pictures from Christmas cards, and the text from one card scattered through the book.Finished book measures 2 inches high and 1 inch wide.

I cut butterfly shapes from white photocopy paper, punched a few holes with a paper punch, laminated them and added fishing line hangers.

We have moved quite a few times and finished up with a heap of keys which didn't fit anything, so the year my parents and their decendents reached 21 members, including in-laws and grandies etc, I wrapped gold wire around the keys with three scattered beads. Added a ribbon to tie to the tree, so Santa had a key! A few years later I bought a special Santa key from a gift shop!

This year will possibly be simple snowmen shapes drawn onto white or cream cotton fabric, sandwiched with cotton wadding, freemotion stitched/quilted by machine with about three rows of rough stitching, cut out, add ribbon or fabric bow, permanent markers for face and buttons down the front. I metre/yard of fabric, half that of wadding will be enough.

Some of them are amongst my Flickr photos, particularly the felt gingerbreadman.

[MichelleMermaid]

Wow! Where do you store your cape and supersuit during the off-season?

[Judy B]

Thank you for that, you have made my day!

[barbara james]

I have made a couple of Christmas tree skirts, now I'm testing a pattern for a Zombie, which will be a gift for my 20yo son. He is crazy about zombie movies, so thought he would like a couple of zombies for Christmas. I'm finishing two Spiderman Round Robins for my two granddaughters, ages 5 and 3. They are as crazy about Spiderman as their boy cousins. I'm making my brother, who is a long distance truck driver, a scarf/hood combo in camo colors. I'm making my 12yo granddaughter a Rapunzel scarf, like me, she likes the different, unusual and out of the norm. I have made my sister a large shawl from the lion Brand site. Will also be making some Christmas pins and snowflakes to share with all my doctor's offices staffs - I always do this, they love it. I also drop some off at drive-thru windows at fast food restaurants and leave some with my tips at regular restaurants, etc. I've been doing this for years, and I see them all over town every year. Makes me feel good to know that they are kept and used.

[Liz in Kansas]

Pins and such with your tips. What a great idea! If I started now maybe I could have a supply ready for NEXT Christmas!

[Judy B]

I thought a good tip was 'Be nice to your Mother'!

[MichelleMermaid]

harhar ;)

[MichelleMermaid]

Zombies...lol!

The pins and snowflakes sound lovely, that a fun gift. I love to give away little things, too. Takes some planning, though. I love the idea of using them as tips...how unique! Do you have any photos?

[Judy B]

Wow, great list. Please don't tell us your puddings are made, the cakes ready to decorate and your cards ready to post too.!

[Janet]

I am making fingerless gloves and headbands for the girls. I have no idea what to make for the boys. Maybe crocheted footies. I was thinking of cell phone holders that clip on to the guy's belts. . not sure at this point.