A Handmade Christmas of Years Gone By
I am currently awaiting the arrival of something very fun, and no it is not the baby. I have been saving up for a really nice sewing machine and within the next couple of days a sweet lady all dressed in blue will bring it to my door. I am like a little child waiting for the mail way before it is time, and stairing at the mail lady with my face pressed up against the window waiting to see what she has for me. I just can't wait.
When that arrives I will have several projects to share. I have already pre-cut the fabric and very soon I'll get to sew it together. One item which I hope to get done, a set of burlap stockings. Also sweet little pocket handwarmers! I'll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, here are some more handmade gift ideas. Click on the links above each picture to head to the blog post about that item:
There are the Felt True Love Ornaments which are very sweet on the tree, or on a wreath or wherever.
An Easy Stained Glass Craft for Kids- Grandparents LOVE this!!
Bath Salts Soak Recipe, another very easy and quick gift.
Knit Old School Washcloths/Dishrags that everyone will love. This is a great first knitting project.
Make Crocheted Coffee Sleeves- these are a huge hit, especially paired with a reusable coffee/tea cup.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Homemade Heat Pack and Cold Compress Instructions
Make your very own slice of heaven in a sock. Oh yeah, I promise that this simple and inexpensive hot/cold sock filled with rice and a couple drops of essential oil is your ticket to a better life. They are great for back aches, stomach cramps, leg tightness, leg pain, or just a relaxation enhancer.
They are especially good for pregnant ladies, because back aches are a biggie- so be sure to make these for all of those peeps in your life that find themselves expecting. I got these at my first baby shower from a friend and it was the one thing that fit me during the whole pregnancy, that I looked forward to more and could use after the baby too! I can't say enough, try it.
Instructions for Homemade Rice Sock Heat pack or Cold Compress:
What you need:
*One pair of (I recommend two so you have a back up when your husband steals yours!) thick men's socks. Just regular tube socks will do, they should be sport or working man thickness though. The bigger the better.
*Rice as needed to fill the socks half full. Get the cheapest you can find.
*Flannel or other fabric to cover your men's sized rice socks.
*Funnel (optional but recommended).
*Essential Oils to your choosing (optional but recommended).
How to work it:
1.) Roll down the top of one of your socks, stick the funnel in and dump cups of rice into the sock until it is full until the half way point.
2.) Add drops of essential oil to the rice inside your sock (picture below). I added vanilla, about 10 drops- but whatever you like to smell would work. Also herbs would work as well, some lavender leaves and flowers or whatever.
3.) Cut fabric, I like flannel because it is warm already to the touch and soft but you could use cotton or fleece. Remember it will need to be washed and it will be microwaved along with the rice sock as well. The size of your sock will mean you need a bigger or shorter fabric slice. I cut mine at 6 inches wide and 18 long. I had the fabric folded so I wouldn't have to sew the bottom of the cover, but I am lazy so it doesn't really matter if you do it that way, it is only about 5 inches to sew.
4.) Sew the top hem first, before you do the sides or bottom. Then turn fabric wrong side out or right sides facing each other and sew up the two long sides and the bottom. Right the fabric and you are done. DONE! Slide (more like wiggle) your rice sock in and you are ready to head to the micro!
That would be right, it means that now you can enjoy. Start up your kettle, grab a good book or a stack of magazines and settle in for a good relaxing time.
Heating and Cooling Instructions:
Heating: As sizes will vary, you'll need to figure out how long your sock needs to be heated in the microwave. It will depend on how big it is and how much rice is in it, and how hot you want it, but mine takes 3-4 minutes- as it has quite a bit of rice in it. I recommend heating one at a time if you have two, it just kind of works better that way. Wash the cover when needed.
Cooling: If you want this for a cold compress- put it in the freezer and let it get cold. Simple right? I would go with at least an hour- but that just depends on how cold you want it.
Live it up, and share with a friend!!
Re-posted from original post here at dreadlockgirl.com: Homemade Heat Pack and Cold Compress, on 28th of January 2010 . I will be making another couple of these at least this season for my back and any friends or family who may need an update. You should too, the fam loves them. Enjoy!
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Bite the Dust Santa Baby, Saint Nicholas is Here to Stay.
by Elisabeth Jvanovsky
To grow up in Spain, is to know there is a Saint for every day. Yes, and they used to (and probably still do) name their children after the saint of their birthday. An even more amazing tradition in Spain is celebrating BOTH your birth date and your saint--thus giving each kid 2 birthdays every year, if you were named after a saint. I was always a little jealous that my parents didn't name me after a saint as a kid, I am over it now.
Now that I am older I still am not up for celebrating all the roman catholic saints days, but there are some saints that really do deserve mention. Today is the day of such a man. Nicholas famous for his love of children and generosity. He helped the poor and gave of himself beyond what was required. But what stirred him when so many others of his day were stagnant and only interested in the collection plate?? To leave out the rest of his story is to forget the true passion of a hero of the faith. It is to celebrate a fat Santa with all the good intentions and none of anything else.
In 325 Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea, over 300 bishops were called upon in order to debate the true nature of the Trinity. Bishop Arius of Egypt argued that Jesus Christ was not an equal to Christ . As he went on and on Nicholas became so enraged that something so essential was misrepresented that he lost his temper and smacked Arius on the face. Because he lost his temper in such a setting, Nicholas was stripped of his bishop's status and chained in a jail.
The final verdict of the Council of Nicaea declared that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal. Three in one. The following creed was what came out of the council in 325. Many Christians memorise this creed, it is in worship songs, printed on church bulletins, it is powerful in listing what is common ground for those who call themselves followers of Christ. Nicholas although flawed, desired to serve God with passion and practicality and to see Him represented just as he should be. That is truly noteworthy.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
If you want to know more information about this man who although flawed, desired to serve God with passion and practicality here is an amazing website: St. Nicholas Center. They even have pages for the kids!
How do you celebrate Saint Nicholas Day? Are there any special books you read to your kids, or traditions that you enjoy? Please let me know as we just started this tradition last year and I am a little short on ideas!!
Blessings all, and a very Happy St. Nicholas day to you!!
Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe
I checked for recipes for Rosemary Sea Salt all over since I wanted to make some of my own. I really couldn't find much, I did find one by Martha Stewart, and another one that had ground up the rosemary in the sea salt, but that wasn't what I was looking for. So, I did like I usually do, I just read the stuff and do it on my own. I hope you'll do the same!
Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe:
*48 oz. of Sea Salt
*6 Decent Sized Branches of fFesh Rosemary (depending on your love or Rosemary)
That's it for ingredients. Yeah, you did read that right...nada mas, nothing more.
Squeeze the Rosemary and pull your fingers down the branch, in order to pull off all the rosemary leaves. Repeat on all but 2 branches (those are for the rosemary garnish at the end). Dump all the sea salt into a pan or pot and then add the rosemary. Turn heat on to medium heat and keep watch, stirring for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat, dump contents into a large bowl. Let sit to cool, without a cover for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, then pour into an air tight container (I used a large Ball Jar) and let sit with the lid sealed for 24 hours. Then the Rosemary Sea Salt is ready for its pretty little containers. Use a colander with a large bowl underneath, dump the contents into the colander and shake so as to sift the salt out the bottom and keep the rosemary to discard (it is completely used up and dried at this point, however you can keep it in if you would like). Put sifted Rosemary Sea Salt into containers and slide sprigs of fresh rosemary down the sides, 2 or 4 would be great. Screw on an air tight lid and you are done.
Rosemary Sea Salt is great anywhere you'd use regular salt, meats, soups, stews, whatever. My personal favourite is to sprinkle it on top of a sunny side up egg. Oh, my tummy grumbles.
Give yourself a good pat on the back, your peeps will love getting these gifts from you for Christmas! They look completely wintery anyway, it looks like snow and pine. Doesn't it? A great gift for anyone who likes to cook or likes to eat....I don't think that leaves anyone out, at least not in my family.
Re-posted from dreadlockgirl.com on November 5th 2009. I have loved this recipe and wanted to be sure you had it for the holidays if you wanted it. Enjoy! I still have a couple of these jars left and this stuff is incredible on top of an egg or steak...YUM!
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the birth of Christ.
Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament
New ornaments are always fun to get, and to give. This is the perfect ornament for a bookie, so think of the bookies in your life and make them one. I saw these and had to share the process of making them here. The little dresses are so very sweet and remind me of an old fashioned christmas, where Christmas wasn't all about glitter and gifts, I like that. I love that you can see the type on the book page that it is made from, it gives the ornament the perfect hint of character. Plus you are re-using something that would otherwise just be recycled, right?
I had an old copy of Jane Eyre, I love the book and loved this copy to death. The binding is compeletely craked, and the pages are falling out. I recently saw another copy at a second hand store and bought it. I knew I didn't want to just get rid of my well-loved copy so it just sat on the shelf along with the new one. When I saw this little project though, it really seemed like the perfect use for my treasured book.
Making this origami paper dress is very simple, here is a video of the paper folding process. In the beginning there are some animate kids talking- just keep watching, you are in the right place and the folding will start right after that.
To get the page of a book to the right square shape you will need to fold it diagonaly until it meets and the folded part will look like a triangle. There will be a top strip, cut off that extra and it will form a square when you open it. Most origami starts from a square piece of paper, so you may know how to do this already.
There you have it, now with a needle just pierce through the two flaps on the back pulling a thread through as you do. Then cut the tread to desired length and knot to close the circle. Now you are ready to decorate with a sash or bow or just leave it plain. It looks good however you choose to make it. This ornament is PERFECT for the typical ornament exchanges that are held throughout this season.
I made this first pretty dress origami ornament for a friend who just found out she is having a baby girl. Since then I have made several more because they are just so cute. I have decided it doesn't matter if you have a girl or not, dresses on the tree are always acceptable!
I found the inspiration to do this ornament from a Pinterest picture, from this blog.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Homemade Heat pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)
Make your very own slice of heaven in a sock. Oh yeah, I promise that this simple and inexpensive hot/cold sock filled with rice and a couple drops of essential oil is your ticket to a better life. They are great for back aches, stomach cramps, leg tightness, leg pain, or just a relaxation enhancer.
They are especially good for pregnant ladies, because back aches are a biggie- so be sure to make these for all of those peeps in your life that find themselves expecting. I got these at my first baby shower from a friend and it was the one thing that fit me during the whole pregnancy, that I looked forward to more and could use after the baby too! I can't say enough, try it.
Instructions for Homemade Rice Sock Heat pack or Cold Compress:
What you need:
*One pair of (I recommend two so you have a back up when your husband steals yours!) thick men's socks. Just regular tube socks will do, they should be sport or working man thickness though. The bigger the better.
*Rice as needed to fill the socks half full. Get the cheapest you can find.
*Flannel or other fabric to cover your men's sized rice socks.
*Funnel (optional but recommended).
*Essential Oils to your choosing (optional but recommended).
How to work it:
1.) Roll down the top of one of your socks, stick the funnel in and dump cups of rice into the sock until it is full until the half way point.
2.) Add drops of essential oil to the rice inside your sock (picture below). I added vanilla, about 10 drops- but whatever you like to smell would work. Also herbs would work as well, some lavender leaves and flowers or whatever.
3.) Cut fabric, I like flannel because it is warm already to the touch and soft but you could use cotton or fleece. Remember it will need to be washed and it will be microwaved along with the rice sock as well. The size of your sock will mean you need a bigger or shorter fabric slice. I cut mine at 6 inches wide and 18 long. I had the fabric folded so I wouldn't have to sew the bottom of the cover, but I am lazy so it doesn't really matter if you do it that way, it is only about 5 inches to sew.
4.) Sew the top hem first, before you do the sides or bottom. Then turn fabric wrong side out or right sides facing each other and sew up the two long sides and the bottom. Right the fabric and you are done. DONE! Slide (more like wiggle) your rice sock in and you are ready to head to the micro!
That would be right, it means that now you can enjoy. Start up your kettle, grab a good book or a stack of magazines and settle in for a good relaxing time.
Heating and Cooling Instructions:
Heating: As sizes will vary, you'll need to figure out how long your sock needs to be heated in the microwave. It will depend on how big it is and how much rice is in it, and how hot you want it, but mine takes 3-4 minutes- as it has quite a bit of rice in it. I recommend heating one at a time if you have two, it just kind of works better that way. Wash the cover when needed.
Cooling: If you want this for a cold compress- put it in the freezer and let it get cold. Simple right? I would go with at least an hour- but that just depends on how cold you want it.
Live it up, and share with a friend!!
What do you do to relax? What is your TV show or reading material of choice in order to achieve that perfect state of calm? Share it with me- I need to get some relaxin' in!
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
Easy ‘Stained Glass’ Kid’s Craft
This is such a fun idea that kids can do easily. We made them for grandparents as gifts, but now I want them to make me one too so I can have it in my window. All you need for this homemade kids craft is a frame (try thrift stores, they have tons!), some Wacky Glue (or other glue that is strong enough and dries clear) and some of these glass pebbles or whatever they are called.
I picked the colours at the craft store and then just dumped them out on the table after putting glue all over the glass and let the boys work away. This was a great craft for them! Both boys loved it so it works for kids age 3 to 5 for sure :) Enjoy the process and then gift or keep, but be sure to set it in a sunny window to get the full effect.
A Handmade Christmas: I will keep posting ideas for a non-tacky handmade christmas. This is the first so far, I am a little slower this year as my babybelly is making me tired. I will still try and get quite a few ideas up before Christmas that you can make for family and friends I will re-post from the years gone by as well.
Previous Ideas from my Handmade Christmas Craft Series: Pretty Dress Book Page Origami Ornament * Jesse Tree Advent Ornaments *Kid Friendly Stained Glass Craft * Homemade Heat Pack or Cold Compress (Rice Socks)* Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern * Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life * True Love Heart Ornaments * Bath Salts Soak Recipe* Coffee or Tea Sleeve Patterns * Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe *
Above all, enjoy this season- and remember what it really is all about: the Birth of Christ.
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