Giving Handmade Gifts

Giving handmade gifts is my way of sending my love to or showing my appreciation for others. And every once in a while I get an itch to make a whole lot of stuff to give. That’s what I did this week. I made, I wrote notes, I packaged and I sent them off. Feels good. Here’s what I did.

The first thing I tackled was a whole mess of paper garlands I’ve been wanting to make. They are a little time consuming with the cutting (the hearts done with a Cricut cutter and the circles are a punch) and the organizing of the colors but I adore them!! They make me smile.

I have detailed how I make garlands in previous posts (especially this one that I did with Design Mom) but here is a shortened version. Feed each piece of paper through the sewing machine.  Because I use smaller size paper pieces, I use washi tape to hold the pieces in order for sewing. The time spent is probably very similar between sticking them on the washi and just feeding each and everyone through but I like using the washi. Keeps my fingers out of the way and I can concentrate more on trying to keep the sew line in the same place for each piece.

Once the pieces are in place on the washi, I feed it through the machine. One hand guides it through and the other is on the backside gently pulling. Keeping tension on the sewed portion makes the rest of it fly through.

With all the colors I used, each scheme ended up about 40 feet long. I cut them down to 3-11 foot sections (I kept the leftover pieces!! Lucky me!!) and wrapped them around squares of cardboard. Some are set for gifting but I thinking about putting a couple up for sale. Anyone interested?! :)

As a way to say goodbye to summer, I cooked up a couple of batches of hot fudge sauce. Into cute jars they went, with a little handmade label and coordinated ribbon. The smell is so wonderful that now I need to make a batch for our house too.

And the final gift for this week is for our Love Bug. In about a week and a half, she begins her kindergarten year. I can hardly believe it’s time already. I know she will love it. She is a social person and loves the challenge and activity of school. Poor Sweet J doesn’t know what’s coming. He will really miss her, as will I.

To celebrate the new year, I added a little sparkle to a $1 bin initial necklace. We aren’t a family who often gives gifts for milestones but I’ve had the necklace in my possession for a few months and the timing just worked out. Can’t wait to give it to her.

Before the Modge Podge and glitter, I used sandpaper to scratch the surface of the letter to make sure the glue had a nice surface to stick to then layered on the MP.

Then I doused it in glitter. Bug’s favorite colors are purple and pink. I added a lighter purple middle tone. It looks like her.

I did put a final coat of MP on it to keep the glitter from falling off everywhere. We don’t have her school supplies yet or really know how this whole school thing works but the necklace is wrapped and ready to go for her first day. And the tissue paper will be good for my sure-to-be watery eyes.

Giving always feels good. And for me, giving something I made feels even better.

Have a wonderful weekend! See you back here on Monday!

Have you entered the giveaway from yesterday’s inaugural Maker column? Cute heart cards are up for grabs!