Anyone else doing homemade gifts for kids?

[Marie000]

My little girl will be 15 months old this Christmas. I love to do crafts so I am thinking of making her some toys.

For her birthday, I made her a felt activity book. My mom made her some farm animal in crochet. Both gifts were a big hit.

For her activity book, I used mostly patterns from:
https://www.imagineourlife.com/quiet-book-patterns/
I used mostly her older patterns, ones that don't have small detachable parts (and aren't insanely detailed... I'm actually pretty lousy at sewing)

For Christmas, I was thinking of making more pages for her felt book. I also just nearly finished a corcheted doll. She is just missing the eyes. With some willpower, I might be able to wait until Christmas to give it to her.

I'll try to post pictures of the activity book and doll.

One day, when my sewing machine is fixed, I would love to make a large play carpet with roads, etc. I might also make houses out of felt or other fabric (and stuffed like stuffed animals) to put on the play carpet.

And as I mentioned in the play kitchen thread, I would love to make her a play kitchen. It might have to wait for next year though, since we might have to move soon.

In past years, I also made all my Christmas tree decoration by hand (knitting and sewing, mostly). I'll try to find pictures of that too.

Anyone else have some crafty ideas for Christmas?

 

[Marie000]

anyone else?


Here's the little doll I made for Christmas. I am making a few more and I haven't decided yet which one to give her.

https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7040_zpse0f2d101.jpg

And the activity book I made for her birthday:
https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7080_zps8cad2fa2.jpg
https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7082_zps4a4a4973.jpg
https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7085_zpsae6645a9.jpg
https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7088_zps49cd7f58.jpg
The circus train is supposed to have a lion also, but she lost it already That lion took forever to make.

I want to make more pages for her book to give her at Christmas. I really hope I can find time to make those things because right now our Christmas budget is non-existant.

 

[shambaby]

Those are lovely, well done! Did you use a pattern for the crochet doll? I recently took up crochet myself, and would like to have a go at one. I have made an elf on the shelf and a little robin decoration so far, and am part way through the 10th mini stocking of 24 for an advent garland, which I will fill with little gifts and sweets for the little uns! I also hope to make a wreath for the front door, but not sure time will allow. You could perhaps make some dressing up costumes or glove / finger puppets - think I will maybe try to find some crochet patterns for puppets to put in their stockings. No good at sewing and don't have a machine, so can't do costumes, but my sister has made some really nice ones.

 

[Camlet]

Aww they are amazing! I realy wish I could make things like that but im not very good at crafting anything lol xx

 

[Marie000]

Those are lovely, well done! Did you use a pattern for the crochet doll? I recently took up crochet myself, and would like to have a go at one. I have made an elf on the shelf and a little robin decoration so far, and am part way through the 10th mini stocking of 24 for an advent garland, which I will fill with little gifts and sweets for the little uns! I also hope to make a wreath for the front door, but not sure time will allow. You could perhaps make some dressing up costumes or glove / finger puppets - think I will maybe try to find some crochet patterns for puppets to put in their stockings. No good at sewing and don't have a machine, so can't do costumes, but my sister has made some really nice ones.

the pattern I used for the dolls is here:
https://amigurumibb.wordpress.com/category/free-patterns-2/bb-dolls-free-patterns/
I originally found the link to the pattern on Ravelry. If you haven't signed up for Ravelry yet, that's the best place to go for knitting and crochet patterns.

costumes would be a great idea, but I am terrible at sewing. And my sewing machine is broken.
Maybe I could make hats out of felt.
I have also seen lots of cute patterns for finger puppets made in felt. Maybe I could do that and a little puppet theater.

 

[amazed]

I love the book x

 

[Savannah11]

wow they are absolutely gorgeous! people would pay good money for those! you are talented!! xxxxx

 

[sweetlullaby]

They are gorgeous!!

 

[caz81]

Yes I have knitted mish, moosh and mogo teddies from same smile for my daughter

 

[Chellxx]

Im making a dora backpack, doll, playfood, a fairy outfit with tutu, and anything else that pops up on ravelry

 

[Buttercup84]

Those are fantastic Marie, I love the doll and the treasure map page of the book especially I'm making Nancy some dolls bedding and clothes (partly because dolls clothes are obscenely priced imo!) and a couple of princess dresses using Carla C's simply sweet dress pattern. She's posted some tutorials on her blog to modify it for various Disney princesses, this is Cinderella: https://scientificseamstress.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/simply-sweet-storytime.html

 

[shambaby]

Those are lovely, well done! Did you use a pattern for the crochet doll? I recently took up crochet myself, and would like to have a go at one. I have made an elf on the shelf and a little robin decoration so far, and am part way through the 10th mini stocking of 24 for an advent garland, which I will fill with little gifts and sweets for the little uns! I also hope to make a wreath for the front door, but not sure time will allow. You could perhaps make some dressing up costumes or glove / finger puppets - think I will maybe try to find some crochet patterns for puppets to put in their stockings. No good at sewing and don't have a machine, so can't do costumes, but my sister has made some really nice ones.

the pattern I used for the dolls is here:
https://amigurumibb.wordpress.com/category/free-patterns-2/bb-dolls-free-patterns/
I originally found the link to the pattern on Ravelry. If you haven't signed up for Ravelry yet, that's the best place to go for knitting and crochet patterns.

costumes would be a great idea, but I am terrible at sewing. And my sewing machine is broken.
Maybe I could make hats out of felt.
I have also seen lots of cute patterns for finger puppets made in felt. Maybe I could do that and a little puppet theater.

Thanks for the link, will have a proper look and maybe try making one myself, they are super cute :-D

 

[shambaby]

There are loads of crochet patterns around for play food, and as the items are small view are quick to make.

 

[Sarahkka]

Marie000!! Those are absolutely exquisite! I cannot wait to show my mum that website. She will swoon, then recover herself and make everything on it!
I was an avid knitter, but haven't done much since my boys became such active toddlers. However, they both adore the handknits from my mum and have asked me to make them toques for the winter. I found some beautiful yarn and am planning to make each boy a cozy hat. The only problem is that I have about 700000 projects of various kinds on the go right now, so I am trying to decide if this is realistic!
Huge thanks for sharing that page!

 

[Marie000]

it took a while, but I finally finished the first activity book page for Ariane's Christmas present.

It was long because I didn't have a pattern this time... I created one out of clipart drawings.

https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7174_zpscf45702a.jpg

https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/mariepelletier/IMG_7175_zpsb9a67ac3.jpg

I am now working on a similar one with bugs in their natural habitats. Hopefully this one will go a bit faster.

I also had another idea for a different (and less detailed) activity book. And Ariane also wants some more finger puppets (so far, that is the only part of the activity book she really cares about )

Anyone else made new things?

 

[MrsEngland]

They are gorgeous your very talented.

 

[jenny_wren]

that book is amazing!

​

 

[binxyboo]

I also made a busy book for my son a year or so ago.

This is some of ours.

Spoiler

This year, I am making an advent calendar for Daniel. I bought a reusable pocket calendar just after he was born. I am currently making 24 little felt tree ornaments to go in the pockets, and he will have a small (1ft) tree in his playroom. He can put a decoration on the tree each day til Christmas arrives.

This is what I have so far!!

https://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1451611_10151674522336455_74498175_n.jpg

 

[Kate&Lucas]

Wow that is so fab

Lucas has asked me to make him a patchwork quilt in Thomas fabric but I just don't think I'd get it done in time for Christmas (I'm currently working on a quilt for my sister and I barely have time for that!). He might get one for his birthday in May though

In the past I've made him a hat and scarf set, multi-coloured crayons, Christmas pyjamas and crochet/felt play food.

 

[Marie000]

oh, wow!! I love the calendar idea. I might steal it next year (lo is still too young this year)