neighbor gifts
We got so busy right before Christmas because we ended up leaving a day earlier than planned to avoid driving in a pretty nasty snowstorm. Now that we are back, I'm busy getting the house back in order, so I hope it's not too late to post about my neighbor gifts. This year I used some jams that I made earlier in the year, on a weekend my mom came to visit, and then wrapped a pear and apple appliqued towel around the jar, tied with crochet thread and some tags that I received last year in an Etsy trade. I had planned to do some holiday themed appliques, but when it came down to it, I already had the pear and apple on hand and ready to go and I was short on time so we went with the pear and apple. This was so perfect - most of the work had been done earlier in the year and the towels whipped up very fast. It was inexpensive too - I got the towels for 49 cents from IKEA when we were visiting family at Thanksgiving. I used these as gifts for Peter's teachers too - since he's going to two pre-schools right now that was two teachers and three aides.
Unfortunately, we were in such a hurry to leave that I didn't get any shots of my other homemade gifts - a collection of Purl Frogs for my nephews and nieces and a diaper bag for my sister-in-law who is having her second little girl at the end of this month. I didn't do a ton of handmade this year, but I'm glad I got in some - it definitely makes it feel more like Christmas to have some handmade gifts to give.
I'm trying soak up my vacation time with lots of relaxing and cleaning - I'm not sure how those two go together, but I'm trying to make it work since I want to have the house spic and span clean when I go back to school on the 12th and I want to be well rested and ready to get going again. Although I'm hoping that things won't be quite as crazy since I'm not working that part-time job anymore.
I'm also trying to do a little home improvement - I picked up some fabrics yesterday to make new pillows for our couch. Our current pillows are almost as old as Peter and definitely showing their age. I may even try to make a new mini-quilt to hang on the wall as I'm no longer in love with the one that's up. So, hopefully I'll have those to share soon, or at least some in progress shots as I'm planning do do some embroidery and I'm not sure how long it will take me. I've been craving a sit in front of the TV project, so this will be perfect!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying the new year! I apologize that I have been fairly absent from blogging as compared to my past presence - I really do appreciate your support and love and all of the good friends I have made in the blogging world! And I hope that I'll be here more in the near future as I've made some adjustments to the demands on my time.
These are lovely!
Happy new year!
Posted by: Koningskind | January 02, 2009 at 04:54 AM
Your neighbor gifts are great! I wish I was your neighbor. :) Happy New Year!
Posted by: Christina J. | January 02, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Wish we were neighbors! Those are so cute and I love that you just went with the pear and apple. Easier for you, plus they can be used all year.
Missed you. Things were crazy here, I'm sure they were for you too. Happy New Year! Good luck with your next semester.
xo-
Missy
Posted by: Missy | January 02, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Hmmmm-didn't get to neighbor gifts this year. I am thinking that Valentine's day seems like a good time to share the love:)
Posted by: Phoebe | January 02, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Dearling towells. I'm glad you fit in some handmade gifts because I agree that they make Crhistmas more special.
Posted by: Cayenne | January 04, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Very pretty! Happy New Year to you!
Posted by: Carolyn | January 04, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Such a great gift idea!! I am -cross your fingers- hopeing to stop at Ikea tomarrow after I take my mom to the airport. I may just pick some more up to have on hand to do the same!!! Great great idea Jesse.
Posted by: Natasha | January 07, 2009 at 05:35 PM