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Thread: A Handmade Christmas

  1. #1

    A Handmade Christmas

    This year it seems that many people are sewing, drawing, knitting, painting, building or otherwise making gifts to give to others. Could there be a renaissance in crafting homemade Christmas gifts, like we saw in the 70’s and 80’s when Martha Stewart was first emerging as an icon.

    A quick search in Trove reveals an assortment of patterns and ideas for everything including gift baskets, personalised wrapping, making Christmas cards, making decorations out of felt, paper and dried flowers, homemade gifts, children’s gifts – things like teddy bears and Christmas stockings don’t ever go out of fashion do they?

    If you find interesting or unusual Christmas craft ideas in Trove, let us know because we’ll be tweeting some on @TroveAustralia!

  2. #2

    Edible Christmas decorations and more

    You can make edible Christmas decorations. The ‘clever cook with a firm biscuit recipe and patience, can make a box of nursery rhyme characters to hang on the tree very quickly. Even the homely toffee apple, bright red, with gay little green bows on the sticks, can surround a mound of greenery, and give amusement, and at the same time extremely edible decorations for the table. A cluster of gilded walnuts, a cluster of brilliantly painted gourds, where ever your fancy leads, you will find the right idea for your Christmas house.’
    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26136366

  3. #3
    Staff Moderator juliah's Avatar
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    I think these stars are really cute: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43739694

    I love the look of folded paper. We've probably moved on from everything having to glitter so I'd steer clear of the foil. However there's lots of vintage-inspired paper with gorgeous patterns around at the moment which I think would look awesome. Even just a single bold colour would create a statement.

    I know I'll be trying them!

  4. #4
    A few years ago I made my parents and my inlaws a large mosaic hanging for their outside entertaining areas. I made them both in colours that matched their houses and decor. They were in essence very similar but they were also quite different.

    I found a great large 3d tile in a cool shop I used as the central theme, which also set the colours of the rest of the tiles and mortar I used. It took a bit of time and didn't cost a fortune but was still an expense. I have to say I always see them there and LOVE them. I was pleased they did too. Alot of thought and time can go into some gorgeous home made pressies. I think you just have to pick and choose who you would do them for, as you really want them to be someone that would appreciate it too. ;-)

  5. #5
    I haven't had a chance to search through this wonderful site but some of the ideas I have come across of late are as follows:
    cookie mix in a jar - all the dry ingredients are placed into a jar and layered to look extra tasty. The jar is finished off with fabric and ribbons and a card with the recipe on it.
    Good old home made jams and relishes are making a massive come back.
    I have used some vintage pinny patterns to make girls dresses and also boys pants lately.

  6. #6
    Oh! Fantastic... I've fumbled about searching for patterns on the catalogue and not gotten very far. It's great to know they are there!

    I think Handmade is so much more interesting. Christmas is so commercial and meh now - handmade makes it personal and special again!

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by nikkisteel View Post
    I haven't had a chance to search through this wonderful site but some of the ideas I have come across of late are as follows:
    cookie mix in a jar - all the dry ingredients are placed into a jar and layered to look extra tasty. The jar is finished off with fabric and ribbons and a card with the recipe on it.
    Good old home made jams and relishes are making a massive come back.
    I have used some vintage pinny patterns to make girls dresses and also boys pants lately.
    Thanks for these great suggestions! I love the cookie / cake mix in a jar idea. I've had a quick search and also found free good vintage patters in the digitised newspapers and magazines. Such as:
    Make your own smocks Australian Women's Weekly (1971)
    Clothes for your children: making a smock The Argus (1946)
    How to make a "Ducky" apron The Queenslander (1921)

    Hope you like them

  8. #8
    Staff Moderator juliah's Avatar
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    Christmas Stars

    I had a go at the Christmas stars I mentioned in an earlier post and I love how they turned out!

    photo.JPG
    Last edited by juliah; 10-12-2010 at 11:50 AM.

  9. #9

    Awesome lists of Christmas activities, handcrafts and sweets...

    One of the Trove users has put together some great lists of Christmas articles - check them out:

    Christmas activities for kids
    Christmas handicrafts
    Christmas presents you can make
    Christmas sweets to make

    Thanks for letting us post them on the blog!

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