Typically Red & A Little Vintage

Last but not least, let me introduce you to the final two makers in the Handmade Christmas Giveaway - Greer from Typically Red and Jennie from A Little Vintage. Truly two of my favourite makers, Emerson is fortunate enough to own her own beautiful Bumpy Bonnet, and I recently had the pleasure of acquiring not only one of Jennie's free motion floral neck pieces, but a hand made Frieda Kahlo doll too. How I love our handmade community!

I'll be back tomorrow to draw the giveaway!

Hand knit Bumpy Bonnet 

(winner can choose between the bumpy bonnet and pixie hat, in their choice of colour)

After nearly a decade of eager knitting, and years of dressing my long-suffering children head-to-toe in mama-made woollens, last year, encouraged by the wonderfully supportive bloggy community, I took my obsession to the next level by launching my own handmade business. Typically Red Knits is a little corner of woolly goodness where I sell vintage-inspired hand-knitted hats for babies and kids. Each day I get to indulge my love of beautiful yarns while coming up with ever more creative ways of slotting knitting time into my busy life. These days, the needles are never far from my hands. I've sent hats all over Australia and the world, from New York to Paris, London and Stockholm, Bergen and Barcelona, and the feedback has been wonderful. I'm bubbling over with new ideas and designs, and can't wait to take things to the next level in the coming year.

Blog: http://typicallyred.blogspot.com.au/
Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/typicallyred
Instagram: @typicallyred

Jennie, of A Little Vintage makes one of a kind items - mainly from re-purposed fabrics.

Hand painted dolls, koalas, brooches and more recently neck pieces too.

Free motion sewing or 'drawing with the sewing machine' often finds its way into 

Jennie's creative pursuits .. including the koala faces!

Tristen the koala is made from felted wool rug and cotton fabric. He has a free motion

sewn face, faux fur ears and a vintage necktie. He measures approx 15" and is stuffed

with soft, new, antibacterial, non allergenic stuffing made from recycled plastic bottles -

preventing at least 16 bottles from going to landfill! 

Blog: http://alittle-vintage.blogspot.com.au/

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/alittlevintagestore

Instagram: @alittlevintagedoll

Zillpa & Yardage Design

Our next fabulous makers, whose work features in the Handmade Christmas Giveaway, are the lovely Clare and Nic - the creative forces behind Zillpa and Yardage Design. Both these creative ladies excel in their chosen crafts, and make unique gifts and home wares. I'm delighted to introduce them to you -

Zillpa was born out of a need to create and express. What began as a bit of fun, playing around with rope, soon developed into an exciting journey of discovery. I tried crocheting with the rope, braiding it, knotting it… But nothing seemed to ‘click’ with me. Until I came across an old technique for using up fabric scraps by wrapping them around pieces of rope and stitching them together. It sounded like an interesting idea, so I gave it a try and loved it! My mind suddenly opened up and I saw so many different possibilities that this technique could be used for. At the moment I prefer the raw aspect of keeping the rope plain and using the stitching thread as the decorative detail.
Zillpa’s current product range includes bowls, dishes, pot holders, coasters, bags and plant hangers – All made using 100% cotton rope, which I sew together on my industrial sewing machine. All my products are designed and created by me in my little studio on Brisbane’s south-side. You can find my products online and at various markets around Brisbane.

Web: http://www.zillpa.com/

Blog: http://www.zillpa.com/blog/

Instagram: @zillpa

Yardage Design is a Brisbane based textile label created by Nicole James who is a textile designer and print maker. Yardage Design produces a range of hand printed home wares and fabrics. Bold colours, typography, and nature feature strongly in Nicole’s designs. Yardage Design prints onto natural fiber fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp and linen. 

"My designs are inspired by shapes, lines and shadows from everyday life – both natural and urban elements. I am also greatly inspired by heritage and architecture – the idea of mixing old and new, soft and hard. Observation and photography play a large role in the development of design ideas. I am also addicted to Instagram!"

Yardage Design will be a stallholder at this Saturday's GOMA Christmas Design Market in Brisbane, 9 am to 4 pm in the GOMA forecourt.

Blog: http://yardagegirl.blogspot.com.au/
Shop: http://yardagedesign.bigcartel.com/
Instagram: @yardagedesign

The Sentimentalist & Paravent

It is with great pleasure I introduce to you today, the lovely Fiona of The Sentimentalist and wonderful Kylie of Paravent, both of whom have given a piece of their gorgeous work to the Handmade Christmas Giveaway. These two talented designers and makers work so beautifully with print making, paper, fabric and stitching in new and interesting ways. I'm quite sure there is no end to their talents!

The Sentimentalist range of work by Gold Coast artist Fiona Watson includes artworks and accessories reflecting a love for all things time worn and treasured and the people and memories connected to them. Miniature stitched hoop brooches, lasercut brooches and limited edition hand cut and printed linoprints collectively tell stories from earlier times, with the use of modern manufacturing techniques in some instances for a twist. “I love nostalgia, the beauty and history of old objects and thinking about the people and stories connected to them. A lot of my work brings back happy memories for my customers”.

Her mini stitched hoop brooches are the result of wanting to combine a traditional craft with more modern imagery. The contrast of a beautifully fancy frame and tiny embroidery stitches with a Polaroid camera or Rubik’s cube for example makes for a fun accessory to wear. People who lived through the era have fond memories, and younger customers love them due to the renewed interest in everything retro.

All of the work is proudly handmade in Fiona’s home and with a wide range of lovingly made unique pieces; you’re sure to find something perfect for you and your home.

Shop: http://thesentimentalist.bigcartel.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSentimentalist.17

Instagram: @woodysurfcar

Paravent is a surface patterning and textile studio of hand screen printing, block printing, crochet and embroidery.  I've always been fascinated with textiles of all forms and love experimenting with many different mediums. So, in my shops you will find an ever-changing assortment of handmade goodies in either yarn, floss, fabric or paper and just about everything is a one-off piece crafted by hand. 

Blog: http://paraventdesign.blogspot.com.au/

Shop: http://paravent.bigcartel.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Paravent

Instagram: @paravent

Deadwood Creative & Bravo Juliet Designs

I'm really pleased to be able to introduce you to the first two creative businesses featured in the Handmade Christmas Giveaway - Deadwood Creative and the lovely Ellie and Sam, and Bronwen from Bravo Juliet Designs. I invited these fabulous folk on board as I have long admired their handiwork and own my very own skateboard bangle (and brought another one for my sister for Christmas) as well as two of my own resin vases (and another for my sister for her birthday!) So I can whole heartedly recommend them. 

Deadwood Creative is the design collaboration of Ellie Beck and Sam Messina. We handcraft jewellery and accessories using broken skateboard decks and sustainable business practices. All our pieces are cut, sanded and finished by hand, making each one a unique piece of hand worked wearable art. We enjoy finding the beauty in each broken skateboard and using the original artworks and scratched up graphics from each board to give new life to the decks that are generally sent to landfill. We work from our home studio in the forest in Northern NSW.

We have included one of our Skateboard Bracelets valued at $25 in the colour and size of your choice - check out the colour options on our website. All our jewellery comes packaged in a recycled (skateboard magazine) paper pouch stitched by us, with care instructions on how to maintain those vibrant colours. 

Web: deadwoodcreative.com.au

Blog: petalplum.blogspot.com

Instagram: @petalplum @sammessina

Bravo Juliet Designs is where my love of vintage glass and four years of working with resin collide! I make vintage inspired resin vases - based on the original but with a modern twist. They are light, colourful and unbreakable. This makes them perfect to decorate your wedding tables, as a gift to post or as a colourful addition to a kid and cat-full home! 

Bravo Juliet Designs - Vintage inspired vases poured in modern resin.

www.facebook.com/bravojulietdesigns

www.bravojulietdesigns.etsy.com

Instagram @bravojulietdesigns

Handmade Christmas Giveaway! - Closed

This year I am once again making a handmade Christmas pledge -

Where ever I can, I want to make things myself, or buy handmade. In particular I want to support Australian crafters and independent businesses. I love the idea of Christmas. Of traditions, sharing, giving and gathering as a family. But too often all the 'stuff' leaves me with an empty feeling. The plastic toys inside the crackers which will be cleared in to the bin along with the expensive wrapping paper. The 'stocking fillers' which will amuse the little ones for a few days until they are lost or broken and then find their way to landfill too. The toy baskets stuffed with all the new gifts, but no real appreciation for them. Instead I want my money to support the talented crafters whose blogs I follow. 

I want less, with more meaning.

L-R: Deadwood Creative, Bravo Juliet Designs, The Sentimentalist,
Christina Lowry Designs, Paravent,

Instead of wandering the aisles of chain stores, I am clicking on the shop links on my favourite blogs. Instead of browsing markets filled with items made in China, I am browsing through bigcartel stores. There are so many talented makers, I don't think it will be very difficult to swap store brought for handmade. Handmade doesn't have to mean daggy hand painted door stops (unless that's your kind of thing.) Handmade can mean beautiful, original, unique, well crafted. It can mean supporting independent designers, stay at home mothers, self taught artisans, sewers, print makers, jewellers and ceramic artists.

Zillpa, Yardage Design, Each to Own,

Ouchflower, La De Dah Kids, A Little Vintage Doll,
Curly Pops, Typically Red

In an effort to encourage you to think handmade this Christmas, and to advertise some fantastic makers to make your shopping easier, I invited twelve of my favourtie creatives to join me.
With their generosity, I have created a rather special gift guide that one lucky person will win, just by leaving a comment on this post. 

So tell me, what handmade touches do you like to add to your celebrations?

The winner will be drawn of the first of December, and then has the difficult task of deciding which items to keep and which to place under the Christmas tree. Giveaway open Australia wide. I will be featuring two makers each afternoon on my blog, so be sure to pop back. And please, do check out their lovely online stores, blogs or facebook pages.

* I want to be completely transparent and let you know that there is no financial gain in this for me. I am not being paid in products or cash. My aim is to showcase the talents of these wonderful makers and encourage my lovely readers to buy handmade this Christmas. The cost to the makers is the giveaway item and postage to the winner only. I hope to return the support and generosity that I am continually shown by our community. xx

Made By Hand

DIY air dry clay ornament tutorial from last year

I've started thinking about Christmas - day dreaming about all the crafts and gifts I'd like to try my hand at in the coming month. I've been perusing Pinterest, pinned a few things to my Christmas Craft Inspiration folder, I've written a list of family and friends we'll give presents to and I've been thinking about crafting and baking with the kids. And then reality kicks in and I'm reminded of how tired and unmotivated I am feeling whilst pregnant, how I've been told to 'just rest' by my doctor, how my pregnancy has been classed as 'high risk', and how much cleaning up those crafting and baking sessions necessitate...

Regardless, I so want to create a loving, memorable, handmade, simple Christmas. So this year, instead of trying to make as many of the gifts as possible myself, I will be turning to my favourite makers and crafters and buying from them. I'll focus on some simple crafts with the kids - like simple handmade Christmas cards, stamped wrapping paper and a paper bag advent calender. We'll be sticking to the golden rule for the children - 'Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read." And I won't be volunteering to do the family dinner here on the day either!

Last year I traded in the aisles of the major shopping centers for for the aisles of craft markets and online stores for our Christmas shopping. I pledged to celebrate a handmade Christmas and make as many gifts as I could, and buy everything else from Australian crafters. From wrapping paper to Christmas cards, we made as much ourselves. And what we didn't make, we brought from small businesses or thrifted. There was the occasional book for the hard to buy for, and this year there will be a bike with training wheels for a certain little boy. But my focus was on handmade and on encouraging others to think about where they are spending their money. 

This inspired the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway on my blog, where twelve of my favourite makers showcased their wares and one item a day was given away to one lucky reader. This year I am running a similar giveaway, only all 12 items will be included in the one giveaway, which will be open for one week, with one winner. So, to celebrate the season of giving, and to encourage all of us to think handmade and local, I have asked eleven of my favourite crafters to join me in a special giveaway which will be posted Monday. I would love it if you would consider these clever crafters when looking for your Christmas gifts.

Have you been thinking about Christmas? 
Or crafting for Christmas?
Do you buy handmade?

My Creative Space

An oobee from Maze & Vale scraps, and the diy oobee

I really couldn't resist. I'd had in mind to wait until Emerson's first birthday in February to make up the diy oobee kit I brought. Her first handmade softie for her first birthday. But I couldn't wait. Her first handmade softie for her first Christmas? Absolutely! 

So last night my sewing machine sat on the dining table and while Cohen played Lego and Emerson crawled around the legs of the chairs, squirreling away scraps of fabric, I cut and stitched these dear little oobees. Leslie had been so kind as to include some large scraps of hand printed fabric. I stitched them together to make one piece of fabric and it was the perfect size to make another oobee. I finished him off with a mustard coloured felt face (but forgot to remove the pencil marks on his face before taking these photos!) This sweet scrappy oobee will being going to live with a little boy who has just turned one.

I love how they have turned out. I don't think they could be any cuter. And I love having another handmade gift to wrap and place under the tree.

-

Joining in with my creative space.

Ornament Swap Goodies

A crochet Christmas tree, knitted star and Lego tree from Little Woolie

A felt and doily pudding and an embroidered felt bell ornament from Wombat's Picnic

Oh dear. Teething. I had forgotten how difficult it could be. Just as I have forgotten what an unbroken sleep feels like. So please forgive me if you are waiting on a return email from me. Feel free to re-send any correspondence you think I may have missed. I am endeavoring to make use of all day time napping opportunities. Even going so far as visiting my sister, only to curl up for a nap after an hour, leaving her to mind the children. (Thank you darling, understanding sister!)

I have been waiting for a chance to share the beautiful ornaments I received in the swap. I have been so lucky.  My partners, Jules and Cyndy, both spoilt me with two ornaments - one for me and one for Emerson. While Jules' son made Cohen his own Lego Christmas tree, a massive hit with my Lego obsessed darling. Thank you so much Jules and Cyndy! Your gorgeous ornaments are hanging proudly on our tree alongside our own handmade ornaments, gold baubles and decorations from my Mother and Grandmothers past Christmas trees, making it all the more special.

I'm so pleased with how well the swap went this year. All you clever crafters out there! Thank you all for participating. Would you be interested in doing it again next year?

-

Ornament swap house keeping - I know many of you have received your ornaments in the swap, (I love seeing them pop up on your blogs and instagram!) while some of you are still waiting. I have been checking in on late ornaments for concerned swappers, ensuring they have been sent. Some international swappers may still be waiting. I have had a few emails to say that ornaments were sent later than expected, but no emails so far to say that ornaments haven't been sent at all. So I am hopeful everyone will receive their ornaments with time. A few swappers have forgotten to reveal their blog or email addresses with their ornaments. If you can't contact your partner and would like to, shoot me an email. Thanks again! :)

12 Days of Christmas - Day twelve

If you have 'met' Greer of Typically Red while wandering from one blog to another, you are most likely already a follower. Greer has a way with words, as well as a way with knitting needles. Recently, Greer combined her love of handmade items, beautiful yarn and vintage style to create a collection of hand knit bonnets. A special piece to pop under the Christmas tree as a "something I need" gift for little ones.

For our final giveaway, and the opportunity to win a custom order bonnet (winners choice of colour/style/size) please have a peek at Greer's shop and leave a comment below telling us which colour you would choose if you won. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can find out more about Greer and Typically Red, or purchase your own gorgeous hand knit, by clicking over to her shop, blog and facebook pages.

Let's support our local talented knitters this Christmas!

-

A big thank you once again to all the wonderful crafters who have been a part of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways. A very big thank you too to all the wonderful readers who have left comments, liked facebook pages, started following blogs and of course, made purchases from these talented ladies too. I have really enjoyed this project and look forward to undertaking it again next December.

-

And the winner of the final giveaway, care of Random.org, is comment 25!

Samantha - Just checked out Greer's Etsy shop - how absolutely cute! Gorgeous work!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day eleven

"Hi I'm Allie of Allie's Handcrafted Gifts! I am a working mother of 3 children and wife to a kind and supportive man! My background is in Veterinary nursing and I have always had a love for animals and a passion for Art and Crafts. I make a range of different gifts so there is something for everyone, I make softies from Dolls and Daydreams patterns and also mini felt toys from Ginger Melon Patterns as well as covered wipes cases and knitted dishcloths and much more! Please pop by my page and say hi! xxalliexx"

Lenny the Mini Owl Softie, $30. 

Lenny loves rock and roll! He also loves London! He is a cool little bird who can play a wicked tune on the base guitar! His favourite band is the Rolling Stones and his favourite snack is English muffins!

Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without toys. And there is nothing like the creativity and love that goes in to a cute handmade toy. For your chance to win Lenny, please leave a comment on this post. This giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

To find out more about Allie, or to purchase your own handmade gifts, visit her blog, shop or facebook pages.

Let's support our local crafters this Christmas!

-

And the winner of day eleven, care of Random.org, is comment number 9!

eskimo*rose - Oh he's such a cutie!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day ten

Epheriell, by Jess Van Den, is a collection of eco-conscious, sleek, contemporary jewellery, handcrafted in a solar-powered studio in the country north of Brisbane. 

"My style is both contemporary and classic – creating clean and stylish designs that can be worn every day. I craft each piece myself, putting care and passion into my creation – just for you. 

I adore working with metal – my favourite material. I’m also passionate about using recycled and reclaimed materials in order to make my jewellery as eco-friendly as I can. I now source all of my sterling silver and gold from an Australian company, which supplies 100% recycled metal. Almost all of other metals I use are reclaimed or salvaged."

Treble Clef Earrings

For the opportunity to win a pair of Jess's handmade sterling silver Treble Clef Earrings please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can find out more about Jess and Epheriell, or purchase your own handmade pieces, by clicking over to her blog or shop.

Let's support our local talented jewellers this Christmas!

-

And the winner of day ten, care of Random.org, is comment 26!

Karlene - Such a clever design

12 Days of Christmas - Day nine

Independent textile designer Susie Stubbs is based in Sydney, Australia. Her company Flower Press produces screen printed and digital textiles including tea towels, cushions and fabric yardage, as well as art prints and cards. The name Flower Press reflects Susie's love of the natural world, a theme that runs through her work. She loves natural fabrics, crafting, thrifting, vintage design, cooking and gardening which she writes about on her Flower Press blog! Susie is also a community minded blogger, creating and hosting the Show & Tell interview series, which features Australian creative bloggers, as well as the successful brooch swap. There is no end to Susie's creative talents!

Tomato Filigree Linen Tea Towel and Ruby Slippers A4 Print

For the opportunity to win the beautiful Ruby Slippers print and Tomato Filigree linen tea towel above, please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can find out more about Susie and Flower Press, or purchase your own little piece of Flower Press goodness by clicking over to her shop, blog and facebook pages.

Let's support our local talented textile designers this Christmas!

-

And the winner of the day nine giveaway, care of Random.org, is comment 82!

sascedar - i have such a sweet spot for beautiful tea-towels, one my nana gave me is one of my most precious things. these prints are lush, off to check out the shop! have a lovely evening :)sarah

12 Days of Christmas - Day eight

While her children are at school Marina loves to create beautiful children's clothing. Her all-time favourite design is the sweet ruffle nappy cover below. It's not difficult to see why.

For the opportunity to win a sweet ruffle nappy cover and matching singlet in your choice of size (000, 00, 0, 1, 2) please leave a comment below. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can see more of Marina's beautiful work, or purchase from her collection, by clicking over to her online store Wild Blossoms.

Let's support our local talented makers this Christmas!

-

And the winner of the day eight giveaway, care of Random.org, is comment 34!

Sara - Oh that's the cutest thing! A size 2 would be perfect!

12 Days of Christmas - Day seven

"A graphic designer with an intense love of fabric, a crafter with a
huge fascination with printing... it was only logical that someday I
would start designing and hand printing my own textiles. Muted tones,
dramatic shades and natural fibers; improvisational and beautifully
organic quilting; toys that are as cuddly as they are unique - that is
what Maze & Vale is all about. Designs are originally created as
sketches or carved block prints and become screen prints that I pull
by hand in my one room studio. My obsession with colour is fulfilled
by custom mixing shades with my own hands using environmentally
friendly, water based textile inks and printing them on natural fibers
of cotton and linen."

A festive set of five hand printed fabric panels (each measuring roughly 34cm x 42cm) in soft and lovely 100% cotton, valued at $40.
















I love the tones and shapes in Leslie's work. Each piece fits beautifully in to the whole picture of her work, her style shining through. I am also rather in love with her oobees too and have brought a kit, in order to make one for Emerson.















For the opportunity to win the beautiful fabric panels pictured above please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.
















You can find out more about Leslie and Maze & Vale, or buy your own hand printed goodies, by clicking over to her shop, blog and facebook pages.














Let's support our local talented crafters this Christmas!



-



And the winner of day seven, care of Random.org, is comment 15!





Jacinta - She has some amazing designs!

12 Days of Christmas - Day five

Lamina lives in lovely sunny Sydney, where she indulges her passion (obsession) for screen printing textiles, sewing and her love for making beautiful handmade items. She also enjoys sharing her inspiration and creative adventures on her “do a bit” blog.  Lamina believes there is nothing better than handmade and it makes her happy to "do a bit" creatively... everyday. 

For the opportunity to win a beautiful 100% linen Aqua Cats tea towel and a 50% linen, 50% cotton Aqua Cats pouch, both screen printed with eco friendly ink, please leave a comment below. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can find out more about Lamina and Do a bit, or purchase prints of your very own, by clicking over to her shop, blog and instagram pages.

Let's support our local talented crafters this Christmas!

-

And the winner of the fifth giveaway, care of Random.org, is comment 11!

Kat - Love the blue!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day two

"Hello! I’m Nic (Nicole), and I’m a textile designer with my own little label called Yardage Design which has been around since 2009. When I’m not designing, screen printing or sewing, I am a mum to an (almost) 6 year old and wife to an engineer. I hand print a small range of home wares (mainly tea towels and market bags at the moment, with plans to expand) and fabric, with my own designs. I print on natural fibers like linen, cotton and hemp, and, at the moment, I am a bit obsessed with neon pink!"

I already have two of Nic's gorgeous tea towels wrapped up under the tree, as they make lovely gifts. (I have one put aside to frame and hang in the kitchen after we have renovated too!)

For the opportunity to win a neon pink 'Stash Market Bag and a Freckle Print Tea towel (in neon and grey,) both hand printed by Nic, leave a comment below. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.

You can find out more about Nic and Yardage Design, or purchase your own bit of handprinted loveliness, by clicking over to her shop, blog and facebook pages.

Let's support our local talented designers and screen printers this Christmas!

-

And the winner of the second giveaway, care of random.org, is comment 37!

Imogen Eve - Love, love, love a little neon pink.

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!

The positive response I received to my pledge to have a hand made Christmas encouraged me to find a way to make it easier for others to join in. To trade in the aisles of major shopping centers, in favor of the aisles of craft markets or online marketplaces. To invest their shopping money into the community of makers around us, rather than off shore corporations. To buy beautiful, hand crafted and meaningful gifts, as opposed to mass produced plastic with a short life expectancy. It can be difficult to change our habits. It is faster to wander through a major store that has 'everything' than it is to browse though the many independent little stores, looking for the right thing. So, I have been hatching a plan to celebrate and advertise Australian makers here on the blog and make our job as consumers easier too. 

I have sought out twelve of my favourite makers, each of whom are offering one or two of their beautiful handmade items in a giveaway. One giveaway a day for the first twelve days of December! Each giveaway will be drawn the following day, giving everyone one day to enter. Twelve winners in total. (If you miss out on winning a giveaway but fall in love with an item, you will have time to purchase and receive it before Christmas.) 

My aim is to encourage those wanting to add a little or a lot of handmade to their Christmas, while supporting some of my favourite crafters at the same time, by introducing you to them. So join me by celebrating the first twelve days of Christmas with a giveaway a day, beginning with Red Tree Designs on the first of December. Please feel free to share the 12 Days of Giveaways on your blog, facebook, twitter etc.

(I want to be completely transparent and let you know that there is no financial gain in this for me. I am not being paid in products either. I was so encouraged by the sense of community I felt with the ornament swap, that I thought this was another way to extend the networks in our community. The cost to the makers is the giveaway item/s and postage to the winner only.) 

A huge thank you to the twelve wonderful makers who have offered their wares for this 12 days of Christmas celebration, and a huge thank you to everyone reading. 

Wishing you the best of luck!

DIY gifts for guys

L - R: Knit gold club covers, leather journal, lanyard key ring,
monogramed ties, laptop sleeve, mustache mug,
comic coaster, beer soap, toiletries bag.

I find that making gifts for guys is much trickier than crafting for the ladies and little ones in my life.  And I know from the comments on the last post that I am not alone in this. I have been browsing the web for inspiration though, and I found several great crafty ideas for different skill levels. I am especially loving those knitted golf club cozies.

Do you have any go-to man crafts? Any other suggestions for making handmade and meaningful Christmas gifts for our dearly loved gents?

A Handmade Christmas

I have made a pledge to have a handmade Christmas. Will you join me?

My intention is to make, and buy handmade, where ever possible. In particular I want to support Australian crafters and independent businesses. I love the idea of Christmas. Of traditions, sharing, giving and gathering as a family. But too often all the 'stuff' leaves me with an empty feeling. The plastic toys inside the crackers which will be cleared in to the bin along with the expensive wrapping paper. The 'stocking fillers' which will amuse the little ones for a few days until they are lost or broken and then find their way to landfill too. The toy baskets stuffed with all the new gifts, but no real appreciation for them. Instead I want my money to support the talented crafters whose blogs I follow. I want less, with more meaning.

Vintage Tram Roll Menu Tea towel designed and hand screen printed by Nic of Yardage Design. 

Instead of wandering the aisles of chain stores, I am clicking on the shop links on my favourite blogs. Instead of browsing markets filled with items made in China, I am browsing Madeit.com. There are so many talented makers, I don't think it will be very difficult to swap store brought for handmade. Handmade doesn't have to mean daggy hand painted door stops (unless that's your kind of thing.) Handmade can mean beautiful, original, unique, well crafted. It can mean supporting independent designers, stay at home mothers, self taught artisans, sewers, print makers, jewellers and ceramic artists.

Doilie clutches handmade by Margeaux of Red Tree Designs.

I am being realistic about this pledge. I know there will be no escaping the purchase of such things as books for Grandpa, band shirts for the uncles and Lego for a certain toddler. I'm sure you will have a few of those inescapable purchases too. But given that we all probably spend more money on gifts at Christmas time than at any other time of the year, I think this is a great time to support the makers that form such a big part of our blogging community. If you don't have the time to make it yourself, why not buy it handmade rather than store brought? Why not think about buying less gifts, but better quality items? Like Jodie, I embrace this saying regarding gifts for my children, "Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read." More gifts doesn't mean you love them more. Thoughtful gifts last and hold their meaning.

Hot water bottle and knitted cozy designed and knitted on a hand powered knitting machine by Mellie Lang.

So, will you join me? Have I encouraged you to make and buy more handmade gifts this Christmas? I'm sure I'll be preaching to the choir for many of my readers, who already strive for a handmade Christmas. Perhaps you could leave a comment about the ways you celebrate with handmade in December? Or the ways you'd like to make your Christmas more crafty this year? I have a plan to help, which I will unveil soon. I'll just say, it includes the talented crafters whose work I have included in this post.