Ideas for Handmade Christmas Gifts

As the holidays are approaching, I'm slowly getting in the mood. I've been trying to come up with simple ideas for handmade gifts. I hope you feel inspired to make your own. They are all more or less flat, and don't weight much (this is something I always think about, since I send so many things abroad).

If you are lucky like me, with a mother in law who makes doilies without thinking or looking, then by all means put them to good use. Simply cut a piece of fabric and embroider a favorite word, then embellish as you wish. Mine will be hanging in my tree this year.

You can also send it attached to a card. This will be a card that your friends will treasure (well not the card, the doily of course).

If you have a bunch, then why not make a string of precious doilies, then I dare you to give it away. This one will be mine to keep. Sorry friends, these doilies were given to me.

One of these days I'm going to sew them to my linen tablecloth, and they will look even more lovely. In the mean time the garland will suffice.

These I sell at Etsy (just in case you don't have time to make your own). But if you do, you can make a little brooch for your friends or family (all you need are nice fabrics, a charm, thread and needle).

A heart is always welcome in this house. So I thought it a good idea to give them as gifts. It doesn't have to be all red and green to be "Christmasy." And as always with handmade gifts, is the love and dedication that counts.

You have probably seen another needle book here. I think it is such a useful thing that I went and made one for another friend. I've kept the identity of the future owner disclosed as I don't want to ruin the almost surprise.

If all else fails, then make a card. They don't take a lot of time or effort and it is still something you made, which is the whole point. You probably saw a version here, but this one is the "official" one.

OK so what are you waiting for?? Don't wait until the last minute to start working on your gifts.
Go and make things for the people you love, I'm pretty sure everyone will be more than happy.

Have a wonderful start of the week.
Giova

A Labor of Patience

The other day I was writing about unfinished projects, and how we always inevitably end up with some of them somewhere in a drawer calling our names to finish them.

This is a different case. One that I started back in November 2012. In Italian they say; "Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano." Something like slowly but surely. Which in my case is not something I particularly enjoy. I usually like to do things and see the results. Hence the name, a  "labor of patience." Crocheting squares when I can't do anything else, like in an airplane, or a train, or waiting at the hospital, etc...

A project that will take me, who knows how long to finish, and the surprising bit, is that I really don't care. I'm enjoying each square, for the moment (since there are only four of course) I remember exactly why each one was made. One day it will be a beautiful quilt/wrap! I can't wait! I will patiently wait to see what it will be!

Each square has the date and place embroidered. To keep track, a sort of crochet journal of my times waiting, or waiting times.
I've decided I will not worry about the other quilt that I'm making. I know I will finish it, I just don't know when exactly. And keeping Ben's words in my mind!

"He that can have patience, can have what he will."  -- Benjamin Franklin

Wishing you a great week ahead.
Giova

Anniversary Gift

This week we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I used to look at the "list" as a sort of guide to inspire me for gift ideas for my husband.
It sort of went something like this:

• 1st - I don't really recall, it was paper after all.
• 2nd- For cotton we just got some cool T-shirts
• 3rd- A small leather box for him to keep his knick-knacks. He still has it.
• 4th- Linen shirts. We don't have them anymore.
• 5th- The nicest bonsai which died after our first trip out of the house. Wood.

And somewhere in there is a Le Creuset pot not too big, but orange, for iron I think. Some we skipped, some we didn't bother at all.
This year it was lace. What do you get a man with that material?? And what do you get someone who has all the bow ties he'll ever wear in this lifetime? Well, you make something. In this case, I embroidered some words, and added a bit of "lace" somewhere in there.

 Pandebonos is a Colombian snack which I happen to love very much. So to me, to love him more than a thousand pandebonos is a big deal. A very big kind of love. (You can see a pandebono on this post or this other one, if you are curious).

And this is us last week. We met in high school, and I still feel most of the times like we are two teenagers playing house! Suffice to say, he makes me laugh. A LOT!!

And this is us as teenagers! You can even see the gum in my mouth!

Have a super wonderful weekend!
Giova.

A Christmas Gift

As you've read before, I love packages. Unexpected ones are even better. And when you can see the love and dedication someone has put into it, well that is just a perfect package isn't it? Add to this, handmade just for me, and well, you can see for yourself!
My pen pal and blog friend Puk sent me such a package for Christmas (and I couldn't wait until Christmas to open it). Thank you so much Puk, for such a delightful package!

If you want to see more stamp and crochet ideas do follow her blog, it is a constant source of inspiration! 

It looks as if it was made especially for this spot, don't you think?

This crochet envelope/clutch is absolutely beautiful, and I love the color and stitch!

Have a lovely Sunday!
Giova

Advent Calendar 13

The Princess and the Pea

I've been feeling quite crafty lately. With so many beautiful things at the Yvestown Fair, and an upcoming one this weekend which I'm pretty excited about, all I can thinks of is crafts! For now, it is all about The Princess and the Pea, one of my favorite children stories! I have a doll which was given to me by my husband more than 9 years ago. It has started to look down and worn, I don't know why really, it's not like she had a baby! But maybe it is because she's had the same mattresses since then (probably back pain?). So I thought I cheered her up by making her new colorful ones, an extra pillow and a crocheted blanket, after all she is a princess!

So inspired by issue #15 of Mollie Makes (here I go again with this magazine). I made her 7 more mattresses. The hardest part was picking the fabrics and getting the scary sewing machine out.

My princess is now happy as a pea (jaja), loves her new trousseau, and can't wait for a new coat of paint for her bed! She looks much more relaxed, doesn't she?

The before and after mattresses

I'm sure you've seen similar princess' around, mine is from Maileg (i love every single thing they make!) Am I too old to be having dolls? Nah! I don't think so! And do you have any dolls or any special toy that has always been with you, I'd love to know?

Have a wonderful day!
Giova.

Crafty People Series #2 - Marjolein Blommaert

For our second crafty/creative series we have Lein!! She works with autistic children and crafts during her spare time. Her crocheting started when she saw a nice heart garland and thought; "Oh, I can do that!". We met through a "blogging" friend, Judith, so this was actually the first time we met in person.
Visiting Lein was quite an experience, not only does she not live in Amsterdam, her place was an amazing "wunderkammer" and her crafts are spilled to every nook! So it was my kind of place, I couldn't stop looking everywhere (you know how much I love seeing what other people collect!).  Here she is!

1. First crafty memory?
    I remember making a shawl for a doll with my mother, she taught me how to knit when I was 5 or 6.
    I always remember working with my hands, finding sticks and grass and making little brooms. I also
    learned to crochet by myself using a children's book as guide.

2. Favorite thing you've made until now?
    A white vest I crocheted when I was 15. I still remember doing the squares, and how nice it was to
    make. It is the one I feel most proud of doing!

3. Favorite material to work with?
    Cotton yarn, the thin, shiny type in all colors. When I go in a yarn store I can't contain myself, I
    want them all!

4. Inspiring words you go back to or think often?
    It is from a book by Joke van Leeuwen, "De wereld is krom, maar mijn tanden staan recht."
    It means the world is twisted, but at least my teeth are straight. I have it's cover always where I can
    look at it. It puts a lot of things into perspective for me.

5. Favorite color?
    The rainbow! Sometimes I think my least favorite color is yellow, but then I look at my collection of
    ducks, and I think "no, I like yellow too!"

6. Where do you find your inspiration?
     Everywhere! When I'm walking or riding my bike, nature, magazines, blogs! Also my grandmother
     is a good source, apart from crocheting, she made all the clothes for her 13 children. I've inherited
     her crochet needles.

7. What do you collect?
    What not? So many things! Stones, feathers, children's books, flowers that I wear on my hair, just
    beautiful things that I come across.

8. Tea or coffee?
    Coffee because it is necessary for me, but I also collect tea flavors, my kitchen is filled with tea
    boxes!

9. Mountains or beach?
    The beach! I think it is pretty obvious if you're in Holland! I miss the sea when I'm away.

10. Best time of day to craft?
      The best time is when I'm inspired, it doesn't matter the time. Crochet can be very addicting!

Lein will be at the swan market in Rotterdam the 15th of July!!
Thank you so much Lein for welcoming me into your lovely home and crafty life!

Giova.

The Word that Won!

Do you remember some weeks ago we had a giveaway? Well, the word that won was "ALIQUINDOI," and what an interesting word it turned out to be! A bit of where it might come from.
"It is a common word used in Malaga y Cadiz, Spain, to tell someone to be aware of something, to be vigilant. About its origin, it seems that in 19th century industrial Malaga a lot of english ships arrived at the dock, the crew from the ships told the dock workers from Malaga to "look and do it",  and from that phrase aliquindoi was born."


...
Se acuerdan que hace unas semanas hicimos una rifa? Pues la palabra ganadora fue "ALIQUINDOI," y que palabra mas interesante resulto ser! Un pedazo de información de su posible origen.
"Es una palabra que en Málaga y Cadiz se utiliza mucho para decirle a alguién que esté pendiente de algo, vigilante. Parece ser que en la Málaga industrial del siglo XIX, llegaban muchos barcos ingleses al puerto. Los ingleses no paraban de decir a los estibadores malagueños \"look and do it\" (mira y hazlo) y de esa frase derivó \"aliquindoi\".

Aliquindoi in it's new home! Thanks Fati for sending me a picture!
Aliquindoi en su nuevo hogar! Gracias Fati por mandarme una foto!

We had a lot of fun doing this giveaway, so stay tuned for another one coming up soon!
We joined the masses by creating a page for the blog on Facebook. Give us a chance, press LIKE!!
...
No la pasamos bien haciendo esta rifa, así que estamos preparando otra prontamente!
Nos hemos unido a las masas creando una pagina para el blog en Facebook. Danos un chance y presiona ME GUSTA!!


Have a wonderful day,
Giova.

There is still time...

FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!
Remember to leave a comment with your favorite word. We will ship anywhere in the world!
...
Acuerdate que todavía hay tiempo para el regalo. Dejanos tu comentario con tu palabra favorita! Lo enviaremos a cualquier parte del mundo!

Happy Commenting!
Giova & Gianni
*GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*

1st GIVEAWAY

So we've decided to have our first -muy pequeña-very little- giveaway just because we are together. And also a bee at the hive recommended giveaways as the route to get comments!! Don't we all love free things? We have a second one already planned, this is just a way to break the ice, so don't be shy!
Considering the very recently opened Etsy shop, we thought of one crocheted square with an embroidered word.  Just visit the etsy shop and tell us what you like, and your favorite word. Leave us a comment below with your email so we can get back to you (in case you win).
Oh, and although I personally like this word, please no supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!! I'll be the one doing the embroidery, so just imagine!
...
Hemos decidido hacer nuestra primera "rifa" o entrega simplemente porque estamos juntas, ademas fue sugerido en la conferencia que el camino hacia los comentarios es regalar cosas. Al parecer a todos nos gustan los regalos. Ya tenemos otro planeado, así que no sean tímidos y comenten!!
Hace poco abrimos una tienda en Etsy, y pensamos que un cuadrado en crochet con tu palabra favorita bordada seria una buena idea. Asi que visita la tienda y dinos en el comentario lo que te gusto, también la palabra que escogiste y tu email (por si eres el ganador).
Ah, y aunque personalmente me gusta esta palabra, por favor que no sea supercalifralisticexpialidocious (se acuerdan de Mary Poppins?)!! Ya se imaginaran por que!

A winner will be picked at random and announced this Friday.
Good Luck!
Giova & Gianni
*GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*

All You Need is...

My oldest son has been watching me crochet my way through this year so far. So when I was embroidering the words "all you need is love," he said to me; "I would like one of those, but instead of love, I want Lego!" Since his birthday was approaching soon I decided to make it for him. That little Lego logo, took me more than an hour and a half to do!! (Let me remind you, that I grabbed a needle for  the first time this past January).
My son is very proud of me (yeah!), and loves how it looks! And I'm really happy with the result, what do you think?
I just opened a shop on Etsy with a few things, check it out!!

You can see why Lego instead of love!

I hope you find what you need!
Giova

Mother's Day Craft

Lately I'm a bit obsessed with turning all my digital pictures into something a bit more tangible. And those tiny books (6.8 x 8.8 cms) by Apple are just perfect. Easy to carry, to show off, and quite inexpensive, they even come in packs of three.
So two tiny books with pictures of her adorable (ahem!!) grandchildren along with a very cute and easy to make crocheted envelope with embroidered stamp to hold the albums are what my mother will get as her mother's day present.
I'm a VAC (very amateur crocheter) so I really can't explain how I did this. Besides, the woman who taught me, explained all the terms in dutch, and I don't know one bit of dutch. So there you go, I learned by looking, and I don't know any crocheting terms, not yet!

Happy crocheting!
Giova