handmade presents

Each year for Christmas, I make something for the kids. I've done blankets, cereal bowls, hair bows, decor for their rooms...

This year, something possessed me to make slippers AND stuffed animals.

Let me pause here to say that I don't own a sewing machine... or even know how to use one.

*sigh*

You can imagine what my hands look like right now. And even worse, what they feel like...

For the slippers, I bought 9 sheets of felt, one sheet of foam (for added sole support), and three decorative patches. Total cost: $6.50

The stuffed animals are repurposed pillowcases, buttons that I already had, and felt leftover from the slippers. Total cost: nothing

LOVE that.

I've finished 2 out of 3 pairs of slippers and 1 of 3 stuffed animals.

It's taking me roughly 2 days for each at this point, now that I've gotten into a rhythm.

So, you won't see tons of paper projects from me right now. And I know they are rather wonky, but that's okay... because my kids are going to love these on Christmas morning!

*smile*

Leaving you with a few pics. The slippers really aren't that off... I think one was curled up when I photographed it, but they are the same size. Promise!

Put me in, Coach

Another one, and I don't even like baseball...

Most materials are from the November Dixie Pieces kit (and I still have more left!).

Meeting Annie

Did this one for my son, meeting his new baby sister for the first time.

Again, this was created with the November Dixie Pieces kit.

A baseball layout

Four and a half years ago, we went on a tour of Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field) in Cleveland... I'm just now scrapping this for my husband's album.

I used the November Dixie Pieces kit.

Journaling Junkie: Pets

This one is an easy one... it's about pets!

I have a 9-ish year old long-haired cat named Chaquoia.

Here is my journaling about her:
She can be the most infuriating creature when she leaves "presents" around the house or scratches the furniture, but she sure is a beautiful cat. We got her about the same time I got pregnant with Z, and she would sleep on my stomach, as if protecting us from harm. My other pregnancies, though, she would freak out towards the end, worrying about what it would mean for her, I imagine. When we go on vacation, she gets upset but not nearly as much as when we left her in a kennel for a week and refused to eat. Poor thing just loves us to no end... unless we have guests over, and then she'll generally hide!

Halloween Pumpkin

I don't love this layout... BUT, I don't hate it as much as I did. I guess that's a good thing. I think my time for scrapping Halloween pictures had passed and I no longer had the "spirit" left for this one. I am glad to have one more story told, though.

Journaling Junkie: Your Art

Challenge 91 over at JJ is about celebrating the artist in us all!



Journaling: You two spontaneously drew these pictures of me one day when we went out to lunch. Your art is so precious to me. It instantly melts my heart because I know it comes from yours. Thank you for all of the lovely little things you make me!

Coach Daddy

Another with the Dixie Pieces November kit...

First Game High

The Dixie Pieces kit for November is perfect for scrapping all the boy pics that I have laying around. I had to make this one for my son right away!