I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Monday, December 10, 2012

Handmades gifts............

don't you love them?.................
or.......maybe not??
I have to admit...........I was once one of those (dreaded) members of the family who labored all day...........all through the months..............and even up to the wee morning hours of Christmas.........making................what I thought............the most wonderful gifts of all.............
sigh.
I shudder when I think back of all of the things I sent to family members..........
I want to bury my head into a stash of fabric and not look up again!!!

I quit making
 (those kinds of gifts)
long, long ago.............and now family members talk to me.............
but sometimes, I make special gifts now and then. I can't show too much in the photo above, because this is a friend's Christmas present............and she reads my blog. But afterwards I will show it.
We had a light dusting of snow in the wee morning hours..............
I should stitch some snowflakes...............
 

but roses are stealing my attention.
I adore handmade gifts...........from the heart............a piece of American folk art if you will...........
 
 
How about you??
Do you make handmade gifts?
Are there any that you made long ago...........and wish you had not given them??
I would love to hear!
 
 


15 comments:

Nicola said...

I love home made gifts. I like to give some chutneys , jams and biscotti as stocking fillers.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I don't make handmade gifts for family anymore. BUT, I do make random gifts for acquaintances..like a infinity cowl scarf for the gal in the deli department at Walmart..candy for the group that works in the salon where I have my nails done...and I ALWAYS find something to bake or candy to make for the staff at my Vet's office.

I used to crochet Christmas gifts for family, but not so much anymore.
xx, Carol

Celestina Marie said...

I just love your first pic. That little one is too cute.
Yes, I make lots of handmade/homemade gifts and love it. I will probably always do this as these truly are gifts from the heart.
Love your heart stitch. Oh my goodness it is gorgeous.
Your work is so neat and tidy. I love that.
Have a creative week.
Hugs, Celestina Marie
p.s. we had a dusting of snow on the grass this morning. It lasted all but 2 minutes. LOL Oh well, it is Texas!

Cindy said...

I mostly give food type gifts, but sometimes a quilt for someone special. I'm always worried about gift giving, you know, will they like it....:)

deb said...

I hadn't made gifts in vaery many years, but in these frugal times, this is the second Christmas I have made all my gifts. I just don't have the funds to "buy" presents anymore. I find myself making just about everything from scratch..When it's warm outside I even I hang our clothes on the clothes line. Man, I used to take a lot for granted.
Your embroidery is so pretty...your stitches so neat. I used to embroider when I was little.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season
*Hugs*deb

Jane S. said...

I will occasionally make gifts for people, usually something smaller like ornaments.

One thing that I made and gave (and then wished I hadn't) was a personalized wedding sampler. It took hours of cross-stitching, and the couple really liked it, but when they got a divorce it didn't mean anything to either of them any more. I don't want to know what happened to that sampler, just chalked it up as a learning experience!

Bev said...

That is some pink outfit!! Yes I'm sure I made my share of those:)... I still make the GK's pj's for Christmas.... I'm sure your present for your friend...will be a treaure!!

GardenOfDaisies said...

All the things you are making look really beautiful and I'm sure the recipients will LOVE them! Sure, I've made (and purchased) a few things that I wish I could do over. But hey, it seemed right at the time.

Preeti said...

Yes, I love making handmade gifts but I make only for my family members. Sometimes I feel others may not treasure even if they appreciate. I made some cute gifts for my hubby on his 40 th birthday. Although they are not of any use to him but he said he will get those framed :)
Your roses are looking great! It has inspired me to take out my cross stitch project :) Recently I have been doing too much of crochet.

Shirley said...

You have the same passion that I do. Hand embroidery. I do make some of my gifts. I am embroidering a baby quilt for a new arrival. I just wish I had the patience for counted you do. Your work is beautiful. Have a wonderful day. Your Missouri Friend

Tammy said...

One year I handpainted some wooden baskets and gave them filled with toiletry items. When I see them now, I shudder -- my painting skills were not the best, that's for sure. But I do believe any kinda handmade gift is heartfelt and that is the best gift of all. Best wishes, Tammy

Tammy said...

A light dusting of snow sounds lovely! We are having major winds at the moment. They say by tomorrow we will have freezing temps. Only time will tell. :)

lil red hen said...

Last year I made some small aprons as gifts. This year I'm giving the pattern, fabric and thread so my friend can have the fun of making an apron.

That's a beautiful beginning for your friend's gift!

Laurie said...

To me the home made gifts are the best, they are the ones that come from the heart. I'm doing a cq memory quilt for my niece, and a stocking for my nephew. Your finds again are so pretty!

A Colorful World said...

I LOVE handmade gifts! This year I made some gifts of the edible kind, though...cherry topping, carrot cake conserve, apple butter, small gingerbread loaves and cowboy cookies (recipe from Candy at Lazy J Bar C Farm) All this coming year I may work on the stitched kind for next Christmas!