handmade christmas: part III

First post of the new year...I can't believe we're almost halfway through January already. I've spent the past 2 weeks in serious wedding-mode trying to get things checked off. We went dress shopping in Louisiana, then booked our venue, caterer and coordinator!

I've also been busy getting a few last minute things together to send to my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first baby in February.

In my last two posts, I showed you the beginning of my hand-made Christmas gifts here and here, but I also made these adorable booties for the infamous future-niece....

Also handmade this Christmas - cards! We didn't have a picture that we wanted to use to order cards and I also didn't like the idea of spending a bunch of money on them. So, since I recently learned to emboss, we had handmade cards instead. Here are a few of my favorites:

handmade christmas: part II

One of my goals was to learn to crochet. After watching a few youtube videos and scouring the photos in my two crochet books I finally figured out a few easy stitches.

I practiced just a tiny bit before jumping into my first project. I couldn't find a pattern on Ravelry which I loved that was also easy enough for me to complete - so I did what I'm sure you're not supposed to do when you begin to crochet: I made up my own.

In fact, I made up my pattern as I went and repeated it in different colors. It was fairly simple - but I will admit it took me FOREVER. I give you, my future-niece's baby blanket:

handmade christmas: part I

Anyone else busy this past month?! I know I was! Mostly busy crafting that is...

The kick start to my -partially- handmade Christmas was the ornament exchange on The Nest craft boards during the month of November. I had never made an ornament before (okay, unless we're talking handprint ornaments in kindergarten) so I started with some Google research. I found a ton of cute felt ornaments and decided on these since I could easily stay within the exchange's $5 limit. I designed my own snowmen ornaments and here's the result:

baking, cooking & crafting list

I recently saw a few blogs where people were keeping track of their lists of things to do before a certain time or a certain age etc. I decided to start a list of things to complete before we leave Alabama...I'll keep this list updated (and probably add to it) as I go along. All suggestions are welcome!

Baking:
Croissants - Nancy Silverton's Breads From the La Brea Bakery (or from Flour)
Doughnuts - Allrecipes
Cake w/Fondant - Allrecipes 11/19 birthday sushi cake
Homemade Naan - Allrecipes

Cooking:
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Popcorn Balls
Curry Chicken
Homemade Udon
Sushi

Sewing:
Baby Booties - like the baby snugg boots 12/19 booties for my future niece
New apron for me
Fleece baby jacket
Dog Jackets for Mac & Zoe

Yarn:

Learn to crochet  11/10 thanks to youtube!

Knit or crochet baby blanket 12/19 baby blanket for my future niece

Knit or crochet baby hat 12/24 newborn baby hat

Crochet something out of 'plarn' 12/27 started plarn market bag

Other Crafts:
Learn to emboss (heat) 11/14 made anniversary & birthday cards
Ornaments 11/7 felt ornaments for exchange & family

All suggestions are welcome!

Updated 1/12/2011