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The Kitchen Table

Christmas gifts i have made

15 years ago

Some are gifts and some have been sold...

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (26)

socks
15 years ago
Beautiful! Lucky recipients, Caroline. I know those are a lot of work, but obviously a labor of love for you. Are they for table top or wall hangings? It's hard to tell the size from the pictures.
caroline1947
Original Author
15 years ago
They are both/and or either!
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Pics of 2 of my budget, home-made Christmas gifts
Q
Comments (22)
Awww thanks guys! I was worried that mine was going to come out too "amateurish", and not look good on it's own, especially considering that I was working from an inspiration photo. Thanks for the vote of confidence! Fly and Jen and all, I got all materials at Michael's. Plain wood blocks, 19 gauge wire, and the wood letters. I was going to either hand-paint or decopage the letters, but when I saw their neat wood pre-cut letters I opted to get those instead. I did hand paint the date on the name plaque, and it was HARD to get it to come out right. If I did it again, I'd probably do some sort of rub-on lettering. It was really, really difficult to get the strokes even. For one small portion, like a date, I think it adds to the charm, but if the whole piece was shaky and wobbly looking, I don't think I'd be happy with it. The kids and I just painted, crackled, repainted, sanded, glazed, and repainted the boards, painted and distressed the letters, and then glued them on. (That makes it sound MUCH harder than it was.) For the name plaque we just stained those letters. I'm exhausted from it, but they were worth it, and hopefully the recipients will like them.
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I just ordered my Christmas gift to myself.
Q
Comments (34)
Good for you, Toni. It's a macro, BTW. And not likely to be cheap. You might enjoy hanging out on one of the DPreview Canon DSLR forums to get an idea of the best lenses for your camera. I did the same thing on the DPReview Olympus DSLR forum. I made note of the lenses that were used in some of the best pictures, and also lurked in lots of lens discussions. I had to pass on those that were out of my price range, but ended up with several that I'm happy with. Bulldinkie, that sounds beautiful! Murraysmom, I remember saddles......yes, a major purchase. :-) Leann, I'll bet your change in mood opened you up to meeting (and recognizing) the love of your life. What a happy ending! Joyfulguy, are you sure you're a minister?? LOL Ravencajun, I'm familiar with those great tiles. I almost bought them (or a similar brand) for my laundry alcove, but eventually opted for rolled vinyl "wood" flooring. I never dreamed vinyl flooring could look like wood! I really love it, and if I ever redo my kitchen floor, that's the way I'm going. The contractor was impressed with the thickness and quality. Here it is going down. Looks weird, huh? (We redid the walls in white beadboard.) And here it is next to my 1860 real wood floor. Holly, that's a great gift! And Jannie, do plug in that heater. I'm sure you won't have to be persuaded when winter comes. If you don't watch out, Ron will borrow it for his next camping trip. :-) Toni, I agree--hooking does look rustic. It's a very old and often primitive art. Some people hook with very fine strips, doing a lot of intricate shading, and some use wide strips and a coarse hook. I'm somewhere in the middle. No shading, though. It's a good thing I enjoy anticipation, because I just received an email saying my frame will be shipped January 17. This is what happens when a product is made to order. I had told him I was giving it to myself for Christmas, and he said, "By special arrangement the Twelve Days of Christmas are being extended this year." I like his sense of humor!
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I bought hubby's Christmas gift yesterday.
Q
Comments (31)
I love cast iron. Hoping to find a 12 inch at an estate sale! I have 2- 10 inch that I use a lot!, a small pan, and another slightly bigger. I've also inherited my Grandma's cast iron dutch oven-waiting for winter to put it to use. Your library may have a book about cast iron. Mine did-it was either cast iron for dummies or idiots guide to cast iron. Learned all kinds of things about 'rescuing old crusty rusty ones, care and keeping, and it had recipes too. I never use soap on mine-haven't had a need to. If there is an occasional stuck on something, either salt and a brush, or even better-get one of those thin flat square shaped scrapers. Stuff will flip right off the pan with that. The best way to strip them down and reseason (for me anyway) was to put it in the oven on self clean. To season I use shortening. Then the first several items I cook would be high fat items such as bacon or burgers. Other than seasoning a new (or rescued) pan, I've never had to do it again, Never soak them for later and always dry or a low burner then rub with oil. I read in Cooks Illustrated to store them in unsealed ziplock bags if you are stacking them in a cabinet. prevents clanging around,
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I Found Great "They're-Never-Going-To Guess-This-One" Christmas Gifts!
Q
Comments (77)
I think it's a swell gift idea and would be pleased to find it in my stocking so I hope your gifts were received with good cheer, Lynn. My friend's son recently had his done and was tickled to find some Australian native DNA in his background. Scandinavian/German/Italian was all that was in the oral tradition of the family, so it was a neat surprise. Our family's Ancestry.com hobbyist received an email from a "surprise" cousin that we did not know we had, after several family members' DNA was registered. Photos were exchanged and yes, there is no way to deny the blood kinship--he looks just like the rest of us, poor fellow. The generation of folks who might have been shocked/hurt by this surprise family member are all gone, and I am glad for him that his lifelong question of paternity could be answered. I can see that it might be awkward for younger families who find out they have siblings they never heard of, but I'm a fan of sunlight in dark family corners-- and I also think it's time that some kinds of families stop acting like those situations never happen "among our kind of people", lol. I also had my dog's DNA done and I'm getting our newer dog's done, too. Very fun to find out what went into these rescue/shelter mutts we love.
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debbyga
15 years ago
All of them are just gorgeous!
alisande
15 years ago
Great work, Caroline! I really admire the talented quilters on this forum.
pattico_gw
15 years ago
they are beautiful...I like that (if you count across) number 13. I've always liked quilt or quilted things. I've always wanted quilted place mats.

patti
dollydolots
15 years ago
All I can say is WOW!!!!

Dolly
lindaohnowga
15 years ago
Just beautiful, all of them, and oh the work you have put into them. Lucky is the recipient of such a gift.
ruthieg__tx
15 years ago
Wow I am amazed and I hope people realize the amount of work to make those beautiful pieces...Gorgeous
heatherinohio
15 years ago
They are so pretty! I can't imagine all of the time that was put into them. THIS is the type of gift that would bring tears to my eyes.
sheilajoyce_gw
15 years ago
Absolutely darling!!!!
OklaMoni
15 years ago
WOW, they are COOL! Looks like a heck of a lot of stitching went on at your house. I envy the recipients. :)

Moni
User
15 years ago
Very nice! I bet they took a lot of work. Are you selling them?
bulldinkie
15 years ago
Beautiful work...
lilliepad
15 years ago
Oh Caroline,those are beautiful! How long did it take you to do all of those? I want the rooster! LOL
I wish I was on your christmas gift list.Anyone who gets one of those should feel very honored.I know a lot of work went into them!
leann2800
15 years ago
Those are so gorgeous!
Cherryfizz
15 years ago
Oh my goodness, they are all so beautiful. I hope your recipients appreciate all the hard work that went into your gift.

Anne
nanatricia
15 years ago
Yes they are all pretty!!!!
nola_anne
15 years ago
I see ALOT of WORK there!

WOWEE!

I love that handsome rooster one and the colorful one on the end of row 3!

Want my address to mail them to me? LOL!

nola anne
jel48
15 years ago
Caroline, they are just beautiful! Lucky people on your gift list :-)
tami_ohio
15 years ago
Beautiful!
minnie_tx
15 years ago
They look like a collection of beautiful china plates!!
Jasdip
15 years ago
I love them!!!!
Quilting is SUCH an admirable hobby. So much talent and patience goes into whatever is made.
The designs and colour combinations are endless.

Beautiful work Caroline!!!
good36
15 years ago
Very nice Caroline, you have a wonderful talent!! Stunning colors choices.
lynn_d
15 years ago
Caroline, they are beautiful! What patience and talent you have!
patti43
15 years ago
Gorgeous! I like 13, too. The one with the hat, hatbox and shoe. I don't know how you can bear to part with them, though!
sandy_in_ia
15 years ago
BEAUTIFUL!!

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