Handmade

Well, someday is here and it is time for a handmade Christmas.  I have so many projects that I have been gathering materials for and it is finally time to use all the “stuff” to make the crafty, beautiful things I have been dreaming of. (Sara, this post is for you).

Here are just some of the things that I found in the basement and around the house collecting dust, while waiting to be used.

1. cross stitch fabric – I purchased it at the thrift store a very long time ago for next to nothing.
2. cotton batting – The first bag came with some fabric that was gifted to us from a homeschool mama. The second bag was purchased to make a doll for Hosanna two years ago.
3. scrapbook paper – This was purchased on sale at the craft store we all know and love (hint: it starts with an M).
4. embroidery hoops – I was blessed with a HUGE box of these from the grandmother of another homeschool family. I counted and there were over 132 hoops. I have great plans for these hoops.
5. wallpaper – This little collection was from a wallpaper sample book that was picked up from a local paint store. There are some really cute pictures in there. Think art in a frame and wallpaper for a dollhouse for Hosanna.
6. yarn – I just purchased a gigantic garbage bag full of yarn from UsedVictoria for next to nothing. I added that to the yarn given to me by two different friends and gathered from a variety of other places. Crocheted hats and baskets here I come.
7. fabric – I have scads of fabric that I have gathered from Freecycle and a hodgepodge of other places for decorating, for clothing, for costumes, and scraps and bits and pieces for other odd projects.
8. beads – I found the big bucket of beads that I picked up from a Freecycler a very long time ago and I can’t wait to use them.
9. buttons – I also found the collection of well kept buttons that I inherited from my Nana and another collection that was given to me from a family friend.
10. ribbons – I have gathered these from a few different places, but most of them came from my friend Jenn.
11. felt – I found a  bag of felt. I don’t know where it came from, but I will happily be using it to make some adorable ornaments this year.
12. craft foam – These are leftover ornament and snowflake shapes that we used last year to make decorations. Guess what, we are going to make some more decorations this year.
13. plastic canvas – These were given to me by someone along the way. I honestly can’t remember who, but I found them in the basement. Coasters for everyone, probably not, but you never know.
14. wrapping paper, cards, and gift tags – These have been gathered from a variety of sources over the paste few years. Please don’t ask me to remember where they came from.
15. picture frames – Most of the frames came from my friend Jenn, a few came from another homeschool mama, and at least one came from my aunt.

While we were going through all the “stuff” I was feeling kind of nostalgic. We found things from my Nana (including a lamp that is now in our livingroom) and the preemie clothes from when the twins were just 4 lbs and 6 lbs. They were so tiny!

You see, our basement is the place where we put everything that we don’t want to deal with or haven’t had time to deal with. I can’t even keep track of the number of times I have just said, “Put it in the basement.” Well, the basement was overflowing and ready to explode.

It was time.