I never took the handmade Christmas pledge for 2007. In fact very little crafting was achieved at all in the whole of the year. I missed it but something had to give otherwise I would have burnt myself out for sure. Sometimes crafting feels very self-indulgent and just looking at the mountain of fabric stored behind me right now makes me feel very greedy. This year however crafting is going to have to work for me. I don't want to think of it as work but that fabric really has to earn it's keep!
The first step towards this is a little pledge that I have made to myself. I am going to try and include at least one handmade item in everybodies birthday present this year. Maybe not all the adults but definitely the kids.I have about 20 nephews and nieces to buy for each year and various other young friends. So that means at least 2 items a month should be created by my own fair hands. Not only will it get me off my crafting butt it will also make a bit of a dent in that huge fabric stash I have!
So the first birthday this year I copped out and bought a vase ,for an adult though so I don't feel so bad.The second birthday was one of my nieces.
She loves cooking and baking so that was the theme.I covered an IKEA notebook in one of my favourite japanese fabrics. It hurt just a little to use it but that's good right?
I stitched her name on the front because everyone likes having their name on things.
Then to complete the gift there were some silicone cupcake cases, a few wooden utensils and a jar full of cake toppers (from here)
I even got to use my new product labels. So it's official I'm now Skipping Snail.
I was a little nervous but I needn't have worried it went down very well. In fact one of my other nieces made my day by telling me a I am a great present giver. So sweet.
I was thinking of maybe putting together a little set like this, maybe including an apron, to sell in my shop.What do you think?