Love that totem! That cobalt blue is sooooo pretty. What a clever and unique gift idea.

I've just started my (first) deco mesh wreath. I used the "grab-'n'- wrap" method instead of cutting the mesh, and I think it worked pretty well. I'm still going to be adding more to this wreath, of course. I have a couple of different smaller ribbons that will be added to fill in, and I'll also add ornaments of some sort. I'm pleased with it so far, although my cuticles look like crap after doing battle with those little stiff brush ties attached to the wreath form!

I probably should've waited to take a photo when it's all finished, but just thought I'd show it after the first stage of wrapping has been completed.

I'll try Maddielee's version when I have smaller width mesh to work with. I love the way hers look so ethereal.

Jen, FYI--I'm almost finish with a wreath using a 24" form. The finished size is 34" .

I usually buy my wreaths but you all have me convinced that this is the year to make one! Maybe we should start a wreath thread so everyone can show off the one's they make?

Raven, that is so clever! What a great gift idea! Cobalt blue glass has always been a favorite, where do you find all the pieces to put one together?

Crochet looks a lot harder than it is. I wish there was a way we could do a class together, I'd be happy to show anyone who's interested.

ML - BIG wreath, but oh-so pretty! You have a good eye for making patterns and colors work well together.

I think I'm going to hang my giant on our front door (provided it turns out to be presentable enough). It will be BIG, but our door is oversized and I think it can handle it. We won't have many other Christmas decorations this year, so I kinda want the ones we do have to make a statement!

Thank you Jen and Lukki. It's been a rough month. I keep in touch with her hubby. We talk about everyday things, but also Jeannie. Because of this loss I'm trying to live my life differently. I still want to do things for others, but I want to do things for myself too. You just never know.

Outside, mine are double thick too, but made from cotton yarn. It's rare I see wool these days. I've not used one of those looms in ages. I've often thought about buying the similar ones made for knitting as they are larger than the old potholder looms.

I sure am enjoying seeing all you ladies have made for gifts. Very inspiring. I'm eating dinner and will then go up to my craft closet to get out some supplies I need to finish the project I'm working on now. I'll share it when it's completed.

Oh, gosh everyone has made such cute things!! One year we were on the road a lot and I knitted scarves for everyone. I am going to try one of the infinity type this year.

Love those wreaths! I may have to try one.

Just got

please give us instructions for the other pot holders.

l make the ones that form the pocket. But the

others?

Sadly, I don't have a creative bone in my body. But I do bake for the Holidays. Some of last year's gifts:

I consider baking to be very creative! What pretty packages. I'd be delighted if someone made something like that for me!

Thanks, Jen! Last year, I was without an oven and was going to skip my yearly tradition. My family would have none of that, so I posted on the cooking thread for recipes that could be done without an oven. Most of the recipes on those trays came from our generous GW family :)

Awwww! That's lovely! :-)

Errant, those are really pretty and clever. I think you're probably more creative than you give yourself credit for. I actually would have never thought to look for non baked recipes.

Jen, your wreath is very pretty.

(eta: why does your picture show sometimes and then other times it's gone?)

I am impressed with all the gifts shown, would be a happy to be on any of your guest lists.

ML

I get glass where ever I can buy it cheap, thrift stores, goodwill, garage sale etc. I gave this one to my neighbor.

Ravencajun, what do you use to bond the glass pieces? Anything to anchor them or gie them weight for the yard? I might have to try one. I like yard art. Have a bowling ball covered in pennies aging in my back yard. Just for fun.

Hey, I have some of those plates! But I would never part with my pie pans ;)

Very creative, RC! I'll bet they look lovely in the garden. I do have plenty of extra glassware in the form of vases and candle jars. Maybe I will give it a try in the spring!

I might have to give that a try too! I bet clear vases would look really pretty with something like christmas bulbs or sea glass in them.

I have one I made of imported Murano Italian glass I put a beach inside of it, for my sisters Lake house.

I use only GE Il clear silicone caulk that is for exterior use, it's the blue and gold label. I buy the small tubes not the big ones that go into a caulk gun. I use a heavy piece for the base, the best are the platter that comes in a microwave I get those at goodwill. The clear pie plates are super cheap. Sometimes I use a square ceramic tile. This is a wonderful way to salvage and actually use and admire that beautiful glass that stays hidden away in cabinets and drawers. One of my neighbors who is 93 has a massive collection of all kinds and colors of antique glass. She had me do one for her with some of the pieces, for an indoor totem that is a plant stand. It turned out beautiful and she has it in her living room where she can see it every day. She is very happy with it.

Here's the beach one.

That's the same stuff I used to cement the pennies on to the old bowling ball -- just didn't know if it was strong enough to hold the glass together in the elements. Pennies or small bits in mosaics don't need as much holding. And I definitely agree on no caulking gun for projects like these. Thanks!

Oh wow, I really like that one, very pretty

I usually make a bunch of candy, but am not planning to this year. Jen, I love that poinsettia wreath! Wish I had more free time, but just don't this year. Maybe next year. Love everyone's creations.

I finished my wreath today and although it's not even Thanksgiving yet, I went ahead and hung it on the door. I should get a better photo in the daylight. Oh, and do beware of glittery ribbon. My floors inside look like Tinkerbell exploded.

Love it!!! Very pretty. I wanted to go get my stuff today but the snow sort of nixed that plan. Love the bulbs you used, very festive indeed.

Beautiful wreath Jen!

I worked on my wreaths the in the family room, stored them out of sight for a few days. I thought I had vacuumed up all the glitter. A neighbor was over yesterday with her 3 year old. Little Daisy told me that a fairy must have visited while I was asleep because she lost some of her sparkle! She went around pointing out the random 'sparkles' that I had missed. So cute.

I would leave glitter on the floor on purpose for that cuteness. I have 2 boys (grown now) and I never heard fairy stories. DInosaurs, yes. Fairies, no.

I made body scrubs for my friends at work last year. I used coconut oil, epsom salts and essential oils. I made a rosemary orange, peppermint and lavender. I packaged them in small mason jars with a little wooden spoon and cute twine. Everyone loved it. I also added some cookies I think...

I made scented bath salts when I was in high school -- same thing but without the oil and I have wondered about making the scrubs. I need to try that sometime.

I just finished a cowl and realized that I made it shorter than it was supposed to be, but it still works and I have another skein of yarn to make some wrist warmers and possibly a headband too. The yarn is a chunky baby alpaca -- sooooo soft. I really like working with it. Casting on for the first of two hats for my sons -- to match scarves they got last year.

josephene, I'll see what I can do to get a pattern for you later today. I kind of winged it, but I'm sure I can explain it in a way that will help you once on my laptop.

For years I made an angel each year so we had something from the heart to give to god parents, teachers, dear friends. Now days I am making coffees and teas for my kids at college. Chi tea is not deck this year!!

We usually make wreaths around the holidays. I've not started yet but my TJ has very nice grapevine wreaths, reasonably priced.

I did a little post-feast crafting this evening. This one is for my MIL and it's much more reasonably sized than the ginormous one hanging on our front door. ;-)

Very pretty Jen. Your MIL is very lucky.

Nice wreath for you MIL Jen! I'm sure she loves it. I used my left over mesh and ribbon to make a garland, still working on the rest of the mantel.

MaddieLee, that is gorgeous!

Here's what ornaments I have finished the my Cousin Jeannie started. I've more to work on, but hubby was home this last week so I spent more time with him and will hopefully finish the rest I'm finishing for her to give to her Hubby and Son this next week.
The cross stitch itself was done by Jeannie except for the backs and the fence and words on the one with the church.

I found a saying which I felt fit Jeannie thoughts via Google. It was too long for the back of the Santa head so I shortened it, but kept the idea.

Jeannie had most of the church and trees finished. I wasn't going to touch the front, but decided that her Son wouldn't mind if I added some to it. I charted and did the back on this one and finished it pillow like adding the beads all around.

I added the red octagonal back stitch to fill the spaces since I knew I'd be finishing it off square and the green stitching, rick rack and the red beads. The backing is the dotted as shown in the above picture.

Love that garland, ML!

And justgota - those ornaments are so-so-so precious! You did Jeannie proud.

I've had such fun creating wreaths! This one now hangs on my parents' front door. The ornaments (and candy theme) that I chose for it reminded me of the tree we had when I was growing up.

Oh wow Jen, you're really getting an eye with your wreath making! Love this last one, it's gorgeous and fun!

Just, your ornaments are adorable and I think it's lovely that you finished them for Jean. She's surely looking down with a smile.

Thanks, lukki! (Although my dad swears he can't see through the peephole now, since there's a snowflake in the way. LOL!)

Thank you Jen and Lukki. I do think you are both right that Jeannie would be very happy that I'm doing this for her men. It's bitter sweet work, but I'm happy I'm able to do this for her, and them.
I've two more finished, but have yet to take pictures. I have a good start on another, but not so happy with how it's looking so today I took a break and finished charting a simple "Jeannie Angel" that I'm hoping to have time to make one for both her hubby and son. I'd love to make one for her siblings too, but I just don't know how long they'll take and I really should be cleaning house now and then too. (making face)
I planned on just making a cross stitched angel when I came across the one shown on the upper left with the angel actually working on cross stitch. It wasn't quite right so I thought I'd rework it a bit. I wound up basically redoing it completely. I used the drawing of the floating angel as an inspiration, but as usual I have to do it.... my way.

justgotabme, how's the needle work coming? I absolutely love the Jeannie angel! What a wonderful, special tribute to a wonderful, special lady.

Is anyone else still crafting for Christmas? I put the finishing touches on my gifts for coworkers (one guy, three girls) this past weekend. I hope they don't look at these scarves with the face that says, "You don't really expect me to WEAR this, do you?" LOL.

Jen, those scarves are beautiful! I can't imagine anyone not wanting to wear them.
Did you use a variety of yarn on the guys scarf or is that a variegated yarn that worked up that way? I love the colors in it. Very manly.

I finished all of Jeannie's ornaments and sent them to her hubby. He skyped to tell me he got them, thanked me every so much and said they were beautiful in a tone that I know he meant it.
Here's the rest of them. All of these have just felt on the back, no other stitching. I kept the funky shaped tree one for me.

All these things are beautiful! I'm not a crafter like you folks, but I sew garments, which I guess is a skill. I don't quilt, though.

I am making twenty pair of matching flannel pajamas for my gang: six kids, their six spouses, seven grandkids, and hubby. Well, I'm exaggerating. It's only eleven pair because the 7 men and 2 boys are getting only pajama pants, since they refuse to wear tops. Thank goodness for small favors!

justgotabme- those are precious! We have ornaments that DH's grandmother made years ago. She made those felt figures- ice skates, Snoopy and Snoopy's dog house.

She also made several crocheted Xmas trees.

All beloved.

I adore those ornaments, justgota! They are so very sweet, and I know Jeff (that's his name, right?) appreciates you so much for sending them to him. They are treasures.

Thanks for your kind words about my scarves. The guy's scarf is a self-striping Isaac Mizrahi yarn that's a lot of fun to work with. The ribbing in the pattern makes the stripes appear a bit wonky, but I sort of like wonkiness in knitted pieces. :-)

Sheesh - pj's for all those folks! Wow! You're a busy lady! :-)

Sheesh, sewing is definitely a skill and also a craft along the line of a craftsman. It's one of the master skills handed down through generations as is woodworking. I think since crafting has become so wide spread that it's taken away so of it's original appeal or "honor" as it once had. Like anything when there's less of it, it's valued more.
I would love to see pictures of pajamas you'll be making. It sounds like a wonderfully fun idea!

Thank you Mimipadv. It was an emotional job, but also filled with love and memories. I'm glad I did them. I've more to do, but will not have them ready until next Christmas. I thought about doing one ornament a year, but I felt this year needed more since her loss is so fresh in our hearts.
I would love to see pictures of the felt ornaments. I love working with felt. I've made felt holiday lapel pins in the past as teacher gifts. I'm not sure they'd go over well now, but they did a couple decades ago.

Thank you Jen, and yes, you got his name right.
Thanks for the name of the yarn too. I'll have to get some of that. Not that I don't already have enough yarn, but..... it's a gotahave. LOL I have taught myself over the years that hand made wonky is awesome!

The Isaac Mizrahi also comes in solids, which is what I used for the ladies' scarves. I really like working with it. It's got a little stretch and bounce to it, as well as a nice sheen.

I looooooooooove those felt brooches! They're wonderful! :-)

Thank you Jen. I enjoy making the brooches.
I looked up the Isaac Mizrahi yarn and it got very bad reviews. Did you have any trouble with cut ends tied together in the middle of the skeins?

Oh, no. I have totally fibbed to you! I did use the Isaac Mizrahi yarn, but that was on another project! The yarn used for these scarves is Lion's Pride Woolspun. Sorry for my lapse of memory!

http://www.michaels.com/search?q=woolspun

Justgottabe, the ornaments are wonderful. They would be simply beautiful on their own, but the meaning behind them makes them extraordinary. Priceless treasures. I don't have a lot of the ornaments my mom, grandmother and to some degree my sister and I made when I was young, and the beaded felt tree skirts haven't held up as well, but I treasure what we do have.

I am still knitting -- might still be knitting after Christmas, but as long as I have these hats done beofre the boys go back to school, I will be satisfied and I know the boys will be fine with that. They got the matching scarves last year and know these are coming (I can't bring myself to pull out wool and start knitting when it's over 85 degrees outside -- and that wasn't that long ago). I did make a pair of baby alpaca cowls and make do some mitts to go with one. Started a crocheted hat too.

We have all the kitchen goodies packed up and will mail 3 packages this weekend or Monday and then distribute the rest next week. Made 16 tins of peanut brittle on top of the ther goodies and will make stroopwaffels Sunday or Monday (have to wait for a front to pass through and the weather to improve for the caramel to behave).

Jen -- ETA that I think your scarves look great and they will love them. The yarn for the guy is a great choice. I know what a hard time I had finding something I liked for my sons.

Thank you Jen for the update on the yarn.

Thank you Lascatx.
There are things my Mom and Grammy made that I wish I'd have kept. I don't remember ever getting rid of them, but somehow I no longer have them. I imagine I can blame youth for no longer having them. As we age we realize the importance of things loved ones made.
I would love to see photos of the things you are knitting.

I forgot to add the boot cuffs I made for my daughter. The ivory are for her tall boots and the black speckled are for her ankle boots. I'm working on Christmas stockings now. Sorry such a bad picture. I had to use a flash and it washed out the detail on the ivory pair. They are ribbed similar to the black, but not made to slouch.