Official Christmas 2006 Craft Thread

**ConnieD** · 09-22-2006, 03:44 PM

I made these for family members a couple years ago and they all got so many compliments on them.
Last year I decided to make some to add to my display at the craft shows I do (I sell bath and body products that I manufacture)
I ended up selling TONS of them and taking orders as well.

This year I'm all ready starting on them. I know there will be other people selling them now because they saw mine last year, so I have another way of decorating them that's a bit different. Don't have a picture right now, but here's a pic of ones I sold last year

**Goodwin17** · 09-25-2006, 10:02 PM

Connie. I love those lit blocks you make. Any links to sites on making them? My hubby works for Lowes, and I could get those blocks with his discount.

**ConnieD** · 10-04-2006, 08:26 PM

Hi Heather

Sorry......... don't get on the list much.

I've not seen a site on how to make them, but they're not hard. You just drill a hole in the block. Takes some practice (hubby broke a few in the beginning). Now he does them in 4 steps with 4 different size drill bits. Currently I use christmas light strands, but am trying to figure out a different way.

Then decorate........... Like I said, easy and actually quick to make. Last year I sold them for $30 each and sold quite a few..........probably about 70 of them. Hoping to sell lots this year too. i have a daughter in college and the deal is she pays half and we pay have, so that's where my business money goes. Currently we're working on next years tuition. The plan is to graduate debt free!

**marie_squared** · 10-05-2006, 10:41 AM

there are some great ideas on this thread!

i can only crochet, but i think i'll attempt some table runners and pillowcases!

**frugal.lass** · 10-11-2006, 01:47 PM

Okay, so I haven't started making my gifts yet (tsk tsk) but I thought I would list some of the ideas bouncing around in my head.

those cooling necktie thingies
bean/rice filled heating pads
knitted scarves, mitts or toques
jar mixes for my non-cooking college student sister
tablerunner, placemats, cloth napkins and potholders for my parents' post reno kitchen (EVERYTHING from their kitchen is going so there are lots of things they now want)
an extra long "TV-watching blanket" for my lazy-bum brother
"etched" wine glasses (not sure if the acid kits you buy are counted as "real" etching but it works for me!!)

I'm sure there are more possibilities that I will think of, the problem is my family (even my immediate family) doesn't understand the concept of homemade gifts and just don't appreciate them which is upsetting when you've put so much time into them.

**suzysaver** · 10-12-2006, 02:36 AM

Wow ladies..so many ideas. I'm not sure yet..but they will be homemade gifts, we have tried to do this the last 3 years. I still will probably buy gift cards for my nieces (they have so much) I will buy a small stuffed animal to attach it to.

One year I bought both my nieces one of those antimated strawberry shortcake dolls.......payed around $25-30 each for those things. They didn't even know who strawberry shortcake was??? The dolls were quickly tossed aside and stepped on and lost in the wrapping paper. I felt horrible!! last year I bought gift bags and stuffed them with dollar store items and things I found at the party store.......They had more fun with that junk and it kept them busy for a couple hours. I remember some years ago I used to make really fancy sugar cookies (frosted with the liquid glaze) I had so much fun making those.....maybe I will try that again.

**3pups** · 10-12-2006, 08:16 AM

I buy presents for most of my family, but there's always a few extra friends you have to purchase for. Most of our friends have pets, so I went to the thrift store and picked up some containers (the kind that say sugar, flour, etc.) I primed and spray painted them different colors, screwed a dog bone cookie cutter in the top, wrote "treats on the front" and filled them with dog biscuits). I love how they turned out..I think I'll keep one for myself.

**YankeeMom** · 10-12-2006, 08:32 AM

I have finally gotten started on my Christmas knitting!
I've got one of four knitted dishcloths that are for a friend, I'm waiting on my Knitpicks order to come in so I can start on another gift for a friend...a lace scarf. I think I may knit a shawl for my MIL, can't decide though.

**Michelle** · 10-12-2006, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by 3pups

I buy presents for most of my family, but there's always a few extra friends you have to purchase for. Most of our friends have pets, so I went to the thrift store and picked up some containers (the kind that say sugar, flour, etc.) I primed and spray painted them different colors, screwed a dog bone cookie cutter in the top, wrote "treats on the front" and filled them with dog biscuits). I love how they turned out..I think I'll keep one for myself.

What a cute idea!