But I do try...
One of my favorite things to make are dishcloths. I don't actually use dishcloths myself, but I really like crocheting them, so I make them and people get them as gifts... whether they wanted it or not! I made 1 at home before we left (one afternoon when I wanted to crochet something), I made one on the plane on the way to Idaho, and a third one I made while at my parent's house in Victor. I had a lot of fun alternating the stitches I was using! (I'd do several rows alternating a single crochet and a half double crochet, then a row of single, then several rows of double crochets, then a single, etc. They ended up super cute!) Sorry, I don't have pictures, but maybe next time I make one, I'll take a picture!
My mother collects nativity scenes. She's got dozens all over her house. But they all have to be different and unique. (Who wants multiple of the same ones?) She's got several that are one piece with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus (any idea if those have a special name?). And several that are the "whole sets" with the family, angel, donkey, cow, sheep, shepherds, wise men, and camels. She has one set that has little bears as the people, one set with snowmen as the people, another set made of olive wood, another set that's wooden with like patchwork quilt painted on (I think it's called Heartwood Creek, I'm not positive though), etc.
Anyways, I decided to make her a nativity scene this year for Christmas. I cross-stitched it, and BOY did it take a long time! It turned out fairly well, though.
This picture was taken after it was already hanging on my mom's wall, by my wonderful husband, who thought that I probably hadn't taken a picture of it (I hadn't), and I'd regret not having one! (If you click on it, it will be bigger with more detail...)Last Christmas, I made an sewed an apron and some animals made of felt to go in the pockets for one of my nieces (A). I wanted to make a second one for another niece (L) that's about 6 months younger, but I ran out of time. So she got it this year for Christmas. This one's a little different, but still turned out really cute! (I think, anyways!)
Last year I made a baby chick and duck (one was yellow and one was white...) but I sort of made them from the same shape, so you can't tell them apart. So this year I just made the yellow one and made a purple starfish instead of the white thing. I really like the starfish!I also made "jingly socks" for the 4 youngest nieces (C -5 months, L -2 y 3 mo, E -1 year, & A -2 yr 8 mo).
They each got a Christmas pair (I mailed them a couple of weeks before Christmas), and another pair (or 2) for Christmas. Here's 4 of the 6 pairs I actually managed to make. I seem to have forgotten to take pictures of the other 2, which is a shame 'cause they were sure cute! There was a pink pair of socks and a white pair with "rainbow" beads. I have no idea which kids got which socks!
I thought about making some for our other niece and nephew, but a) I wasn't sure that boys (he's 4) should be wearing socks with beads on them, b) I wasn't sure that a 7 year old girl would want beads on her socks. So, alas, I once again didn't make something for those two... (we bought them toys though, and sometimes that's better!)I actually was feeling bad at the beginning of December because I hadn't done/gotten anything for the adults of our families, just their kids, so I was racking my brain for what I could make for them. I thought they might enjoy little ornaments for their tree with their families names on them. But I only had time to make one little family, so Nick and Nickie were the lucky ones this year.
I cross-stitched these, and made the frames myself... (the frames look terrible! Sorry Nickie!)Next year though... watch out! Ornaments all around! ...maybe... ;)
I should start making them now so I'm not freaking out the week before Christmas...
