A Very Merry Homemade Christmas

Four years ago, my friend asked me to go to these girls' craft nights with her, and I always responded that I wasn't crafty. My friend now makes fun of me for saying that and complains that we could have been crafting together all that time.

To be honest, I didn't know I was crafty or could even like things like sewing and painting. I was the nerdy one who always had a book in her hand, a paper to edit, or a topic to research. I still love those things. But now, I've discovered that I have a love for keepings my hands busy as well. Since learning to sew and paint three years ago, I have made it a goal to make one thing for the girls for each birthday and Christmas. I don't believe it's always happened, but I try. Well, this Christmas I went a little overboard! I just kept finding too many things I wanted to make, and then the girls would ask me to make things as well.

A year ago, I bought a pattern for a doll I really wanted to try to make. I knew it would be a challenge for me, as I truly am a beginner sewer, but I enjoy challenges. I started making one for Violet a year ago, and then I got scared and put it down. Sophie asked me about it and asked if I would make her one, and, well, one thing turned into another, and I ended up deciding to make one for each girl for Christmas.

This was definitely the hardest thing I made, and there were many times I wasn't sure if they would get done, but they did, and I love them... and so do the girls!

Sophie and Brielle have little felt dolls and carry-along cases that I made for them two Christmases ago. I have always assumed that I would make one someday for Lyla, but she loves to tear things apart... so I was in no hurry to make her one. But then she started asking me when she would get one like her sisters, and she asked so many times, that I felt like I must make her one as well. So I hand sewed the little doll and I machine sewed the house, and she was so excited when she got it on Christmas morning and that it was purple! 
(Dollhouse pattern: Here)
(Doll pattern: Here)

For previous birthdays, I have made Sophie and Lyla stacking dolls. Brielle didn't have a set, and she has asked a number of times about having one. I have procrastinated a long time... I think because it always seems like it will be a lot of work. In reality, it didn't take that long, and Brielle is very excited to have her own set now.

My grandma got the girls a felt doll with cloths from a garage sale a year or two ago, and they play with it often. They asked about getting more... I searched for a while online and saw that you could buy more. I bought them through amazon, but then had to cut them and their wardrobes out. I then had this idea that Ben could build felt boards in which they could play with their dolls on.

I wanted to make some things for family members but just ran out of time! I did, however, have fun making these sandwich and snack bags for my nieces and nephews. 

I was also commissioned to make a few things for others. A church friend asked me to paint on slate some signs for her family members. 

And this one she asked me to make for my in-laws :)

My dad commissioned me to make these chocolate covered strawberries. I have never made these before, but as mentioned above, I always love a good challenge.

Making things with my hands is such a beautiful outlet for me. It helped me through a really hard time in my life, and now it's a way that I rejuvenate and a way that I can give to others.