The Warmth of a Homemade Christmas

When my children were little my husband and I always looked forward to our tradition of making Christmas gifts for them. My husband stayed up all night making the girls' desks and our son a tool bench so they would be finished by Christmas morning. I made Christmas dresses, doll clothes, and ornaments. There were wooden puzzles, puppets, and many other fun things. As they got older and I went to work, I found little time for these projects. 

In the past few years I have returned to this happy pastime. A few years ago a couple of my sisters, my mom, and I started a tradition of getting together each year to make Christmas gifts using our sewing machines. These became gifts for other family members. We have made quilted table runners, placemats, and handbags. Those who receive these gifts love them.

Two Christmases ago I decided to make a crochet hat for my granddaughter. After I finished hers, I thought it would be fun to make one for her doll and then one for her mom, our daughter. I just improvised using the same pattern. It was so much fun and they loved their matching hats. 

Our 3 year old granddaughter loves to cook with her mom. This Christmas I am making them matching aprons. I've got the pattern. I'm hoping to start sewing soon.  

I am also making a wordless book for our granddaughter. I have a Cricut machine that I have not used very much. I wanted to make use of it and remembered how much fun my students had telling their own stories using the wordless books I had in the classroom. Perfect use for the Cricut!! 

I have 2 cartridges and will use both to create this book. One of the cartridges has a cute caterpillar, so I decided to make that my main character throughout the book. The above photo shows some of the items I have cut out. The lower photos are two of my completed pages.

Over the next few posts I will show you the progress I am making with this book. I can hardly wait to hear her tell her own stories.

I love our tradition of making Christmas gifts. Join me and all the other members of our etsygreetings team and their families and friends and blog hop to see more holiday traditions.You may find a new tradition for yourself!

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Have fun and Happy Holidays!