We've done a variety of presents, a bookcase for sister, a desk for brother-in-law, a table for mother-in-law. We try to meet a need, therefore not only is it memorable, it's useful. We like being useful. I've also made aprons, lace, baby dresses/blankets and jewelry. Last year I made a necklace for my mother based off the description of the necklace Jamie gives Claire in OUTLANDER. I don't have a picture of that, which is probably good because it's my interpretation based on the description and may not be exactly how the author, or other readers, envisioned it.
I did a quilt for my brother with a bunch of different birds quilted onto it. I thought I had a picture but I can't find it. I'm simultaneously relieved and sad about that. I love quilting but don't get a chance to do much of it anymore.
As for children's toys, we've made a few. We did stacking rings one year. If one were to hide this on a closet shelf, and it were to fall off onto their head when they opened the door it would hurt. A lot. There is a ball that goes on top, but we found it was just the right size to fit in a toddlers mouth and then that toddler might not be able to get it back out, so it has been relocated to a dark drawer somewhere.
These cars are great because they're easy to churn out and you can make them from any scrap two by fours you've got lying around.
Last year our son was obsessed with Phineas and Ferb. How could we not?
This is still one of my favorites, and our nephew, whom we made one for, loves his too.
So, there's a few of the presents we've made for family and friends. Next week I promise to get back to writing.
Do you do any crafty, creative stuff besides writing?
Love love love your creations. I wish I could work with wood. It was all I could do to build two IKEA chests of drawers this week. I'm so out of shape that my arms are sore from all the hammering and screwdriving!
ReplyDeleteI love knitting and scrapbooking. Even have a knitting blog! Check out one of my recent posts, where I was showing off this awesome crafty thing my sister did - she made her own alphabet drawings board for her son.
I crochet but absolutely no scrapbooking. I haven't used all the scrapbooking stuff everyone gave me when our son was born. When you have a baby I'll send it to you! If I can find it....
DeleteLove, love the toys! What quality and beauty. Wood toys seem a bygone era (thanks to the lovely world of plastic, ugh) but they are stunning. My grandpa was a for-fun wood carver and wood creator. But I am not crafty with my hands in any way, only crafty with words.
ReplyDeleteWe love wood toys too and the only way to have them affordabley was to make them ourselves. Fortunately, hubby is very good at it.
DeleteYour ability with words and editing are a great talent! Though I'm sure you've got some more hidden up your sleeves.
Wow! Those are beautiful. I am duly impressed!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hubby is very talented.
DeleteThis is awesome!! I love still love Phineas and Ferb :P I wish I had could quilt or anything like that. Alas, my talent is generally reserved for anything with glitter and paint.
ReplyDeleteGive me glitter and paint and it ends up a cosmic catastrophe. Revel in your talent!
DeleteAmazing and you still find time to write??? I can hardly keep up with food and laundry.
ReplyDeleteThese are from many years worth of giving, and much of it was before we had kids. Laundry? What's that?
DeleteHello! Thank you for your recent visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteThose wooden toys are awesome. My son received a few wooden cars when he was younger. They are now wonderful keepsakes that he will be able to pass on to his children one day.
I do a little bit of sewing from time to time. I also like to do cross stitch, but mostly save that for the winter months and only while I'm watching TV.
Sewing does seem more of a winter occupation isn't it. I rarely sew anymore as all free time goes to writing but when I did sometimes I would watch TV, sometimes I would listen to audiobooks.
DeleteYou remind me of my family. I come from a long line of carpenters. I love your creations--wooden and writing. ; )
ReplyDeleteI needed a man who can fix and create things around the house. Well worth it wouldn't you say?
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteI love this stuff. I would have been a carpenter if given the chance. Right now I'm anxious for someone to deliver an old door to my house so I can turn it into a headboard. My DH always has excuses. Most recently, "I need the truck to get wood." Yeah, yeah, wood. Good excuse.
ReplyDeleteWe built our home on Cluculz Lake. I did all the installations. I did not do the pine roof. Heights and me not so good.
I love that you did so much for your house! That must make it very special. My hubby want's to build and do most of it himself at some point. I think he'll have to retire first as he's also a workaholic.
DeleteI hope the headboard comes through for you. It sounds like it would be a very interesting piece. When you finish it you should post a pic. I'd love to see.
Trust me, the necklace you made is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteI'm seriously so impressed. I can't sew a button on a shirt, and the sad thing is, I'm not exaggerating.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has different talents. I can't make gravy, or cut in a straight line.
Deletehmmm.. that stuff was awesome! love the platypus!! u should add a on and off black hat..haha. let's see creative side is theme party decorating but for adults. fun!
ReplyDeleteOoo, party decorating. Something I know nothing about. That's a talent!
DeleteThese gifts are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hubby is very talented.
DeleteWow you are so talented!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's uber important for writers to explore other creative avenues as well. I love working with my hands, and consider myself pretty crafty. There's such pleasure in creating art with precision. I make everything from greeting cards to Barbie clothes to drawing pictures. :)
I agree, we need something to do with our hands, or to take out minds out of our stories for a bit so we can recharge. Sounds like you've got some great crafting abilities.
DeleteThose are SO cute! I used to do crafty things, but now that I'm older and I'm writing that's about all I do anymore. Seems like I had more to show for my time with the crafts. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow! You guys are so multi-talented! And I love wooden toys. I do enjoy doing crafty projects, the problem is finding the time. A couple of years ago, I made a bunch of wooden Christmas tree ornaments that I painted and decorated for the school to be sold during their Christmas fair. That was a lot of fun, but kept me up late at nights. I'm trying to figure out what I can make for them again this year, but I'm still scratching my head. (:
ReplyDeleteI so love wooden toys - I have saved the ones my sons had as little boys. However, none of them are up to the quality of yours, Sara! As far as other creative endeavors, I like to use calligraphy for special letters, and I play the flute. (But, I'm rusty! ^_^)
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