The Kate Effect

Handmade Christmas 2008: Half Apron

 

I found this great fabric for my mom's apron the week before christmas - I had to work fast to get the apron done. I love it so much I wanted to keep it. I am anxious to create some oven mitts, trivets, and dish towels to coordinate!

 

Handmade Christmas 2008: Scarves

 

Handmade Christmas 2008: Oven Mitt & Scrubbies

Was my first venture into scrubbies and they turned out great. A few people who received them mentioned that their grandmothers used to make them and they would love to know how....

Looks like i should have them over for a group tutorial :)

This is where I found the idea and instructions...Scubbie Tutorial. I am an auditory/visual learner (actually it's more like i  a look at it and then try to figure it out and don't read anything) so I have a hard time with written instructions. Which may explain my cooking skills.

 

Handmade Christmas 2008: Leather Placemats

So I was stumped on what to make for my BIL that wouldn't look like I was just 'making something for the sake of making something.'  Let's just say that it takes very little for the men in Brad's fmaily to start making fun of you and they don't let up quickly. So it had to be something that is well done and that would actually be liked/used. Most gifts for these guys are electronics - anything for the car, TV, or fishing.

One day i realize that i couldmake something for the kitchen....after all bachelor pads need to look good so that girls are impressed.  Ah-ha!  So i texted my BIL and asked:

what are your kitchen colors?

he answered : my walls are creme and the countertops a neutral color.

after laughing out loud. I realized that being a single guy he didn't know I meant. So I asked him if he still had the green stoneware dishes we gave him.

he replied: Yeah, they are getting alot of use lately. your popsicle house is coming along great.

That sealed the deal. I asked Brad to read the text and confirmed that BIL was making fun of me for making gifts. He was definately getting kitchen stuff, whether he liked it or not!

Now he has kitchen colors. Funny thing is that the craft book he gave me as a gift has quite a few popsicle stick projects. Guess what your getting for your birthday BIL! Make room for the popsicle stick lampshade.

 

Handmade Christmas 2008: Shoe Submarines

 

Not sure where i saw this but it looked like the perfect thing for my brother who is an avid disc golfer.

They are little pouches filled with rice, baking soda, and herbs.

You throw them in your shoes after a round of disc golf and the rice pulls out the moisture, baking soda absorbs the odor, and the herbs just give off a nicer smell.

I think he was more interested in the cedar cigar box I used for the gif wrapping than the shoes subs but I am sure my sister-in-law will put them to use for him.

Handmade Christmas 2008: Emmaline Apron

  I had been aching for a reason to make an apron and christmas was just around the corner...

I ordered this fantastic little apron pattern from Sew Liberated and found some femine fabric. I was excited about making it for my friend but when I was finished it just screamed Grandma Wachter (Brad's grandma.)

I love it and have the pattern cut out of three or four more fabric sets - just didn't have enough time to get to them before christmas.

     

Handmade Christmas 2008: Tag Monster & Bat Finger Puppet