It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Are you getting ready for the holidays and beginning to feel the Christmas spirit? You may think I’m crazy, but if you make most of your gifts like we do, then you have to get a jump on creating because I normally start somewhere around October.  Yeah, I know you have to think ahead, but it’s all good in the end. Let’s begin Handmade Holidays #1 fun.

I don’t know about you, but handmade gifts are my favorite gift to give and receive.  There’s just something about realizing that someone thought enough of you to create something special just for you.

Take a look at this first week’s ideas for children and the child at heart.

Call it a fetish or infatuation, but I take so much delight in hand-stitching dolls, bears, you name it.  My current resource, aside from my own creations, is a book called, Wee Wonderfuls.  Have you seen it?

Filled with adorable patterns and beautifully photographed to make it simple to piece together your own handmade gift.

Here is the sampling of dolls I worked on last year, and I intend to wear this book out!

 From toddler dolls for the little boys in your life…

…to jointed bears (isn’t he cute?)…

…to adorable dog necklaces made with scraps and trim.  Perfect.

(This schnauzer is in my own design, so feel free to create your own!)

DOLLS

One of my favorite projects were the topsy-turvy dolls.  They are two dolls in one.

Aren’t they fun?  You get two girls in one – one side is a prairie style girl with apron and the flipside is ready to go out for an evening on the town.

Most of the materials I used I already had in my stash, like old flesh colored sheets and cottons, but you can easily snatch up remnants or clearance fabric and yarns since so very little is required.  Certainly take advantage of the holidays sales and coupons too.

My hope is inspiring you to give Handmade Holidays #1 a try this Christmas and take holiday gift-giving to a new level.

Also, more fun like Handmade Holidays #1 for you!