The real “get down to business” time of the season is starting. I am determined to not stress out too much this year and focus on the more meaningful aspects of the season. For this reason, I point you to this fab list: 25 Meaningful ideas for families. I like the ideas so much that I’ve made a button for my sidebar (please see my side bar) that will lead directly to the list. Please save the button to your own desktop and use it for yourself if you like.

Here is a quick peek at what I was doing last year. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of crafty Holiday Hoopla that I can come up with for this holiday season.

One of the little gifts that I gave to my husband was a small cloth wallet made out of recycled hemp fabric.  He had been saying that he wanted something smaller and less bulky that would fit a couple of cards, his license and a few dollars.  This is what I came up with.

 

I had bought some Earth shoes a while back and they came in little protective hemp bags.  There were two bags, but the first wallet I attempted making didn’t turn out so great.  He loves it.  Now he can sit comfortably without a big bulky back pocket.
A few more gifts that I made for others.

 

A monster pillow and pajamas.  The pajama pants are made from New Look pattern #6446 and the tees are store bought and decorated with freezer paper stencils of course!

I believe this is the last of my looking back at gifts of 2006.

Remember how zapped and insane I was from all the holiday swaps I signed up for? I take back all of my regrets. It was totally worth it! All the beautiful ornaments, ATCs and postcards that I received brought me so much more joy than I ever thought possible. It made checking the mail a major event of every day. In fact, now I feel that I’m going through some sort of no-mail depression from not having received anything for two weeks now.

First up, lovely Amy of Life in the Lyon’s Den, held two swaps: Christmas Ornament Swap and Christmas ATC Swap. I of course signed up for both. My wonderful little package couldn’t have come at a better time. I had had a particularly crummy day at work and had come home in tears. Fortunately, my tears of frustration immediately turned into tears of joy as I discovered one beautiful little gift after another, and another, and another……

and five very precious and beautifull hand-made ornaments. Please click on the picture to see who all of the talented crafters are.

Next up, the Holiday Postard Swap held by Nikki-Shell. A steady flow of these came in the mail starting in early December. Aren’t they all great!!

Last but not least, The Holiday Ornament Swap ‘06 hosted by Freshly {blended} and Cake & Pie Creative. I was very lucky to be in a group of very talented ornament makers.

Since my little tree was already filled to the max with personal ornaments, I put fake pine garland over two windows and hung EVERYTHING that I received onto them- ATCs, postcards and ornaments. This way, I could really enjoy everything, instead of it piling up on the kitchen counter. It looks wonderful still (yes, it’s all still up). Next year, we’re definitley getting a bigger tree.

A big THANK YOU to everyone that participated in all of these swap. I look forward to seeing all of my little holiday treasure for years to come!

I thought I’d use a few posts to share some of the gifts I made and swap goodies I received over the month of December.

First up, for my aspiring little chef, I made this apron. I love the fabric with its “Paris Metro” design. The pocket has a cup, bowl and coffee cup applique with painted accents. Can you see the fast action stirring that he is demonstrating? Who needs electric beaters with this kind of super amazing speed!

Along with his apron he received the following three books for inspiration. All three are very kid friendly with wonderfully illustrated instructions and all are written by one of my most favorite vegetarian cookbook writers, Mollie Katzen.

And lastly, I made a little zipper wristlet with the same “Metro Paris” fabric. It’s for a youngish and much more fashionable friend of the family. I hope she liked it.

Just a few of my favorite holiday snow globes and little treasures. Snow globes are my most favorite. I’ve been collecting them for a while. I try to get one every year. I’ll be on the hunt after Monday when the 50%-off sales start.

This is the final post for my Christmas Countdown. I still have all my swap goodies to share, but that will have to wait for a week or so. Tomorrow I’m off to Northern AZ to see my family then back to work on Christmas day.

I want to wish everyone a very safe, happy and joyful week. Thank you so much for your continued kind words and inspiration.

Big Hugs,

Regina

Here are some gifts I’ve been working on for some little girly friends of the family. Pretty little child-size aprons with freezer paper accents on the pocket of course!

Cherries for Grace and strawberries for Claire ~ or vice versa. You know how sisters are- they want everything the same, but different. It’ll be coming with this wonderful little cookbook.

For their mommy, these matching potholders to help them with the hot stuff.

Their grandma can help too, with these:

Recognize the pattern? It’s from here. I don’t think I have enough patience to make an entire quilt. Sewing a bunch of little squares together makes me a little crazy. Potholders were the perfect cure to get this pattern out of my system - for now anyway.

I spent the whole day making yummies today.  I made candied pretzels, tamales, ANZAC bisquits and brownies ( all vegan of course).  The boys even helped a little.

These are my favoite holiday plates and cookie jar.

I bagged up the pretzels to give out as treats.   Here’s the recipe- you can use pretzels or popcorn.

6 cups freshly popped popcorn or pretzels

2 cups nuts (your choice- I used peanuts)

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup earth balance buttery sticks (or margarine)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 C).  Coat large baking pan with buttery stick or spray.  Combine pretzels and nuts in prepared pan.  Place in heating oven while preparing glaze.

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, syrup, salt and buttery sticks over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.  Boil for 4 minutes without stirring.  Remove from heat.  Mix in vanilla and baking soda.   Pour glaze over pretzel mixture, stirring well to coat.

Bake mixture until dry, stirring occassionally, for about 1 hour.  Allow to cool then break into clumps.

I found this great recipe for Habanero Jelly on Vegan Vice. It comes with an awesome video on how to make this yummy treat. Thanks Vicki!!

I can’t believe how incredibly easy it was to make this jelly. Makes me wonder why I’ve never tried jelly making before. It took me just under an hour to make it all. The best part was listening to my kids squeal with delight every time a jar sealed with a “pop”.

I filled twelve 4oz jars(quarter pints) with the recipe. And did I mention how delicious it is. You may have guessed that I like things a little on the spicy side. I used 6 habaneros, which is perfect for me. Probably on the very mild side for many of my family members that I will be giving this too. This would be really good with some crackers and tofutti cream cheese- yum! I was scooping out the little left-over bits in the pan with some pretzels- it’s soooo good!

I made this wreath a couple of weeks ago. It’s really quick and easy to make. Using some old tulle-like fabric and an old wire hanger, I simply cut (half hazardly) 1-2 inch strips of fabric- about 10 inches long. Lots of them. I shaped the hanger into a circle leaving the hook on top for hanging. Then I tied all the strips around until it looked nice and fluffy. Added some glittery apples and a ribbon and there you have it. Really easy to do- even my little guy helped out.

You could use any kind of fabric to make this. Even lace, or ribbon would work. To make this wreath more of a recycling project, you could use any kind of plastic-ky material from grocery bags to cereal box bags.

It won’t be snowing in the lower elevations of AZ, but the minute there’s snow in the mountains- you know where we’ll be.

There’s something wonderfully enchanting about snowflakes. Super-E helped me make these for our windows. Notice the Christmas tree on the table? It’s so little hands won’t pull on it or break ornaments. I’m speaking from experience by the way.

Wintery Tees made using the famous freezer paper technique.

*********************************************************

AND- Moki tagged me to write 6 weird things about myself. Here it goes.

1. I absolutely will not heat food in the microwave if the food is in a plastic container. Glass or ceramic containers only.

2. I hold my breath when I’m around chemicals, cleaners, strong perfumes and cigarette smoke, then walk quickly away until I’m out of the polluted area. I’m even more freaky if the kids are around.

3. I wore corrective eye glasses from the time I was in 1st grade untill I became pregnant with my first child. Haven’t had to wear glasses since.

4. I am usually a very organized person when it comes to my household. Certain things HAVE to be in a certain place (clothes, utencils, dishes, appliances etc.) But, I am extremely messy when it comes to cooking or my craft room.

5. Everything around me has to be symmetrical and balanced- my decor, my art, my life. I get a little irked when it’s not. Maybe that’s why my hubby is a libra.

6. I dream of chocolate when it’s *that* time of the month.

If you leave a comment, then you’re tagged! Come on… I DARE you…double dog dare you!