I saw this posted on FB. It's called Starry Night Light. It's on a blog called redoityourselfinspirations dot com. I don't know anything about this blog, I only went to it to see directions for the project. I have it bookmarked. I don't know if I'll make them as gifts, but all the girls on DH's side of the family try to come up with a Christmas project every year that we all make together. This just might be it.

http://redoityourselfinspirations.blogspot.com/2013/11/night-1-large-bottle-1-string-of.html

Hubby and I are building a Pinterest 'color sorter' for the 2 year old twin grandkids. It is made from 3 inch PVC pipe and street 45 ends and we've painted the PVC to match the balls that we found on Amazon. Super cute and a special request from our Dear Daughter in Law :-)

Here is the inspiration photo.

DH is using his new lathe to create bowls/bird houses/covered boxes. I envy his motivation, skill and success. I REALLY need something to pique my interest.

Katlan, that looks like a fun project--and what a pretty effect!

I completed a hooked mat for my granddaughter (photo posted in the "new craft" thread last night), and I made a lay-flat photo book for my kids, taking advantage of a 40% off sale from Mpix. Very happy with the way it turned out.

I have a pattern for an apron in the design of a cat, so I might embark on that for my granddaughter, who has been doing more cooking. (She's 25.) I've often wished there was more time between the end of the gardening season and Christmas.

Oh, and it's not a gift (well, sort of), but I had my Christmas cards printed, using an image of a card my parents made--my dad's photography and my mom's artwork--when I was 8 months old.

arcy-gw ... Do you think you might possibly be interested in making putz or glitter houses? It is fun and can be a challenge plus they are great give-aways to children and those who especially enjoy Christmas. I'd be happy to help you get started.

I don't do much crafty type things anymore but I do plan to make several jars of pickled asparagus (spicy) for some friends. We love it with Bloody Marys instead of a stick of celery, or just as a snack.

I grew, dried and ground Aleppo, Piment d'espelette, tap di Corti and Szegedi 80 peppers this year and put it in cute little jars for my friends and family that love cooking and good food as much as I do. Home canned salsa and tomato jam are always well received- and onion marmalade! I think the home made lemoncello was the favorite, though! :)

I make homemade maple wanut fudge and send jars of lemon curd, persimmon jam, marmalade and pear chutney.

I make a needlepoint ornament for my Grands and this year I made one for DD.

I love this thread and all the handmade things! JoAnn, I'd love to see pics when you get around to it.

Lately, very lately, my attention has been captured by all the wood laying around after Hurricane Matthew. It started with grabbing a few pieces to mount sculptures on. Now I'm thinking of making some cool cutting boards, serving boards for a few people. I just love the grains.

no crafts, no gifts, No way will I start something that took years to push through. I stepped away from all kinds of gift giving, and feel GREAT about it.

Moni

JoAnn_Fla, those are WONDERFUL. You did a beautiful job! But what happened to the picture you posted yesterday? I was going to compare yours to those. I think yours are much nicer! Such expressive faces!

Rusty

posting again. I deleted them.

I have not been able to do any of my usual crafts in the rv just no room . I did however find a great little item for the kitchen that I am getting for my sister's . We just exchange between us now so I usually just get a bunch of things I think they are going to enjoy and use . I will link to the item I am getting for them and my neighbors . You may want one too !

Also on Amazon

We may not go home for Christmas this year. If we do, people are making their own Christmas gifts. Lol! I'm going to Costco and getting the big box Ghirardelli brownie mix for a few people who I know haven't tried them.

I might also continue on my theme from last year. When we were kids we used to make funny or weird ornaments relating other family members. For instance, after one brother got a haircut, a second brother drew a picture of the first brother and glued his hair to it. He also made ornaments using photos where he would take a photo and add a scene to it. I did that for my sister last year and gave us wings or dressed people like elves, etc. It was well received. I need to add to the set.

Great ideas and crafty, creative people here. I love homemade gifts myself.

Dandyrandylou I would like to see your putz houses.

For several years I have made bird feeders by stuffing a mixture into a grapevine ball. They make great gifts for bird watchers. Cost about $10 and maybe 45 minutes to put together. I usually re-stuff mom's for her at least twice, we all enjoy the different birds that visit outside her window.

One year for friends at work I made loaves of broccoli bread and gave them a bag of potato soup mix for a quick easy meal. I also made a set of 3 carolers for my mom similar to those JoAnn_Fla posted. I started making stockings last winter, need to get those completed. I plan to give those to my son's family but found out a few months ago I will have to add another next year!

Congratulations abbisgram! You may have to add to your name lol

I just finished my giving plate, its not perfect but it will work.

I love seeing what everyone is doing!

Crafting doesn't seem as popular as in years past. When I go to craft shows now about 80% of the crafters are making jewelry. I used to knit a lot of mittens and sweaters but no one wears handmade mittens or sweaters anymore, kind of sad.

JoAnn, those are awesome! I'm a snowman nut so of course I love those, but i think Mrs. Clause stole my heart!

Our children and I always get together for our Christmas on Christmas Day. I give the kids money and gifts. I think it is great if you can also give a handmade gift. I have not had time this year to do any sewing or embroidery. I love it when I get something especially made for me. My sister and I do not exchange gifts and have not done so in years. Everyone's gifts are very nice.

Sue

Tote bags & aprons made from vintage fabrics & trims.

& I make my own cards every year.

Yup, JoAnn, I definitely like yours better! !

Dandyrandylou, I would really LOVE to see pictures of your Putz houses! I have some that are probably at least 75 years old, they were my mother's. That little 'village' was under the Christmas tree for as far back as I can remember, when I was just 3 or 4, and I'm late 70's now. They are not in very good shape anymore (just like me, grin). I tried once to repair them, but didn't do a very good job. I may have to get them out and try again to fix or replace them. So I am definitely interested in seeing yours and how you do them.

I used to enjoy making gifts for family and friends, but kind of gave up after my kids married, and none of their spouses seemed to appreciate hand made things. One year I made Jalapeño Pepper Jelly and Prickly Pear Jelly, and sent a jar of each to friends and family not familiar with all things Texas. The jewel like red and green of the jellies made very attractive Christmas gift boxes. Those adventurous enough to try them seemed to like them. Another year I made ceramic Holy Families for everyone. Once I beaded the 'cowboy' handkerchiefs (you know, the red or blue print ones cowboys used to wear as neckerchiefs). They were very popular among the young people here at the time, and I thought they were pretty, but it seems as though it was an epic waste of time as far as my DILs were concerned.

It's been a number of years since I've done hand made gifts, But this thread has me thinking about making a few this year.

Rusty

JoAnn, you weren't kidding! Your faces have far more personality. Nice!

Thank you!

I always give money along with some special candy from a local place. However I am going to be cutting out and routerring the edges of these yard dice for my daughter to gift to people.

Rusty: I'm in the slow process of learning to place pictures on the web, and will share my putz house pics asap. If you have originals in need of repair there are spots on the web to help you with that.

Rose I love that!!!!

ETA: Do you have instructions for this? Or a website I can go to, I love Yahtzee.

I saw those dice on pinterest they probably have directions

here: http://sometimes-homemade.com/diy-wooden-yard-dice/

I don't really have directions for the dice. They are a 3 1/2 " cube, cut from a 4x4 piece of lumber. My daughter bought douglas fir 4x4s. My job is to cut them into 3 1/2 ' pcs and router the edges to round them a little because I have the tools. She will clear finish them and stencil on the dots. You can Google " making yard dice"

Every year I knit hats and fingerless mitts to donate to the Christmas gifts for the homeless youth of San Francisco served by the Larkin Street Youth Services organization. I am not very crafty, so I don't make much else. When my grandsons were younger, I knit and crocheted stuffed animals and toys for their stockings and their Easter baskets. But they are past the stage of appreciating such items now. I may knit them a dragon muffler each since that is their school mascot.

Used to do a lot of holiday crafts. When niece was young (now 21 and in college), we'd have a girl's weekend... decorating, eating, making gifts for her to give to aunts/uncles/grands/teachers, etc. When I crafted, was a scrounger. Would see something at a yard sale or thrift store and get ideas. One time found BIG lot of natural color linen towels. I stenciled with fabric paints.

Another time found a box of almost white ceramic bathroom tiles. Niece stenciled with air-dry ceramic paints and made sets of coasters.

Another time made quart Mason jars with mix for "beer bread". Made tags with instructions (with and without beer) and small pieces of Christmas fabric.

What a wonderful thread, and all the photos are fabulous -- what beautiful gifts, there are some really lucky folks out there! I would love to see a photo of the putz house, that sounds like a very clever thing to make!

I have decided to make noodles for my kids for Christmas! My Mother used to always do that for us and we so enjoyed them. They can freeze them until they want to use them.

Sue

Great idea Marilyn_Sue. Defrosting some Mom noodles and having some warm yummy goodness on a cold day would be awesome. Perfect gift idea!

I always have a lot of ideas but think of them too late to implement!

Thank you for the link JoAnn and thank you for the additional info Rose.