Handmade Holiday

The lovely Kathy of Kathy's Cottage
is hosting Handmade Holiday
on her blog today.




DSC04035Kathy has come up with a brilliant idea. Given that this Holiday season falls on such a difficult time for most of us with the economy the way it is, Kathy thought why not create wonderful economical handmade gifts. We can post our ideas and share them on our blogs and link to Kathy each Tuesday. Share your handmade gift, holiday decorating ideas or thrifted gift on your post and link to Mr. Linky on Kathy's blog.

DSC04028

DSC04035Something my mother really enjoys is looking at photographs of her granddaughters. This Christmas I am creating a scrapbook of the wonderful Christmas holidays that we all spent in Hong Kong together.

DSC04030

Benjamin-favorite-treeLast year I made a scrapbook for her with photographs all about her, dating back to when she was a young girl. The scrapbook was all about Doris, and it was filled with memory pieces too. I got images of NYC where she worked as a young girl, and created memory items.

DSC04033

Benjamin-favorite-treeSo for this Christmas project, I started by finding this gorgeous scrapbook paper which I found in our local scrapbook shop. Then I added stamps to the paper to create a theme.

DSC04032

Benjamin-favorite-treeThe actual paper company has a web site which is called Websters Papers and they have a shop locator on that site. Their papers seemed to match my art doo dads.

DSC04023

DSC04035I am using some paper designs I created myself. I have been known to cut out images from old magazines to create the perfect theme.

DSC04027

DSC04035I learned that you can just get a puncher and create your own embellishments.

DSC04026

DSC04035We all have those art rubber stamps that are sitting in a corner somewhere. I took a rubber art stamp and stamped the bird and cut it out to use. You can stack cut out stamped paper to create some very nice embellishments.

DSC04024

Benjamin-favorite-treeThe stamps don't have to be Holiday themed, you can create an album from any theme you want.

DSC04034

Benjamin-favorite-treeI learned a trick to take old faux flowers that I have tired of, and just pluck a few petals to create my own embellishments.

DSC04039

Benjamin-favorite-treeThese trims have been sitting in a rubbermaid tub forever, so I took them out to use with my scrapbook pages and some card and tags.

DSC04029

Benjamin-favorite-treeI will share with you on another Handmade Holiday the finished album. I am not going to buy one, but make it myself out of chipboard. I think I will create a tutorial for you, so that you can make one too.

DSC04023

Benjamin-favorite-treeNow if you stop by Kathy's place, you are sure to find lots and lots of wonderful economical and easy gifts to make for the Holidays. You might find the perfect idea to take a thrifted gift and turn it into a treasure, and lots of decorating ideas too.

DSC04022

Benjamin-favorite-treeI was thinking (always a dangerous thing for me), but I realize that creating my own illustrations is easy for me. When I walk through the craft stores gulp, I am horrified what they charge for images.

DSC04036

Benjamin-favorite-treeSo, I am going to add little kits by Holiday theme to my shop this week. They will have images that you can use for scrapbooks, cards, Holiday tags...anything you want. These kits can also be used for creations that you might want to sell.

DSC04038

Benjamin-favorite-treeThank you Kathy for hosting such a wonderful event. As you can see by my photos, my dining room table is beginning to look like it's the holiday season.

DSC04035

Benjamin-favorite-treeThe song for this post is from wonderful Charlie Brown.
Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Karen, it's delightful! I can't wait to see it all finished. She's going to love it. The kits are a fabulous idea for we who haven't got all of that wonderful talent. I love your idea for the stamp. See, if that had been me, I would have just done the stamp on the scrapbook page instead of stamping another paper and cutting it to put it on the scrapbook page. laurie

Kathleen Grace said...

What a wonderful gift Karen! Putting all those memories into a beautiful album where they can be protectde and enjoyed again and again. A wonderfully personal gift and one I am sure your mother will treasure:>) Thanks for a great suggestion!

Joyce said...

My goodness Karen you are the most productive person I know. Where do you find the time to accomplish even half of what you do. What an inspiration you are my friend. The birthday party was a huge success. When she first saw her new doll her eyes were like saucers and she yelled out: "It's Me!!" It hasn't left her side since. I'm going to try for this Pink Saturday with pink party photos.

caren said...

Look how talented and creative you are!! I am sure your mom will love it - these are the type of presents that mean the most.

My name is Riet said...

This brings back memories. I used to make most of my presents when I was a lot younger and had not much money but it seems that people are not so much in handmade any more,But I promiss I am going to try again. If it is only just the cards. Thank you for sharing.

LiLi M. said...

Beatiful and so inspiring post! Let's all go for handmade!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What a lovely idea, Karen! I will stop by your friend's site. This is what I just love about all of us bloggers; everyone has their own style and bank of ideas that are so freely shared. I would much rather make my own gifts...it is just a matter of having the time now that I teach, but how fun it is to put one's soul into the giving. Thank you dear one! Anita

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Karen, this is a fantastic idea. Your pages are beautiful, what a lovely gift.

Tristan Robin said...

Such a delightful memory book - and it's so pretty!

... and if your rubber maid bin of trims and ribbons ever goes missing, it's come to live with me. :P

Nancy Jo said...

Karen,
Nice post, lots of good ideas. Just not enough hours in the day for all this fun.
I have been making little tiny scrap books, I posted pictures. I needed another obsession. HA.
Nancy Jo

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Karen that is beautiful. What a wonderful idea and I know it will be cherished always.
Hugs,
Penny

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Karen,
I have never scrapbooked before, I know I must be the last person on earth that has not made a photo book. I want too,but I would have to go through my four extra large tubs I have in the garage full of photo's. LOL. I was going to tackle this job of sorting out all the photos when I retire.
I love your ideas and as always your posts are a delight to read..
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

Blondie's Journal said...

Karen,

This is so neat!! I love what you are doing and can't wait for the tutorial on the actual scrap book. Your mom is going to love it!! And I am looking forward to seeing some of your images in your shop soon.

Love the Charlie Brown music. It really put me in the mood. That, and your dining room table!!

xoxo
Jane

Gypsy Heart said...

I just found your blog and love it! Your creativity is amazing and inspiring. I will look forward to checking your Etsy shop.

Elyse said...

hello karen aka elf!

everything looks so festive and pretty and your images are great.

you're right -- i do have stamps in a box. i should take them out and play. i saw stamped ribbon recently. sooooo pretty!

your mom will just adore her handmade gift.

xo

Mollye said...

Hi Karen, I know your Mom is going to treasure the book. I mean who wouldn't!!!! So much better than anything you could go in a store and buy for her. And I'm glad you'll be doing a dute for us on the cover. Thanks girl, and happy crafting, Mollye

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

You are spot on about how priceless these pages are to give away! Great post dear, great ideas, too. Thanks so much.

Beverly said...

Karen, I know your mother is going to love this gift. What a treasure it will be for her.

You are always so thoughtful in thinking of others.

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
I know your mother will love the scarpbook. The pages you showed us are really pretty.
Hugs, Rhondi

Independentmami said...

I love to scrapbook. Handmade gifts show so much love. Thanks for the great ideas.

- DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -