Thanks this is a great idea for my brother in-law. I think I'll fill his with funny quotes and says.

I LOVE THIS THREAD!

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Me Mom ~ who took up running again last fall after my youngest son left for college. DS #1 & DS #2 both are away at college so it's just me & our two family pugs Disney & Parker.

I got each grandchild a small lap quilt made out of some old fleece material I had laying around. I got 6 rice bags made for the men on my list, I have a purse almost finished for my oldest daughter and getting ready to start a levi purse for my younger daughter. I may make my little granddaughter a cute little levi purse out of a pair of little girl jeans too.

I think I am going to make every one a personalized towel wrap also. I am going to get some fabric paint or cute some cute shapes out of material and put them on pillow cases for the two older grandkids also.

Is any one else getting things made on their list?

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So glad that I revisited this thread - saw a reference to this tutorial and hunted it down. What a cute cape. My DS has just recently started playing with an old cape that came on some PJs and I think he would love one of these. I never would have even thought to make one myself if I hadn't seen this here. I love that you can customize it.

Also revisiting this thread ...

In a couple of catalogs (yes, I'm receiving mail order catalogs for Christmas stuff ALREADY), I have seen a book holder for people who like to read in bed.

It is made of fabric (ie: easy to sew and make at home). The item is shaped like a 4-sided pyramid with a thick puffy band at the bottom. The book is supposed to lean again the pyramid and be supported by the puffy bottom. I'm thinking the bottom is weighted in some way - probably filled with rice. From the apex of the pyramid, there is a tassel which can be used as a bookmark OR can be used to lift the bookholder.

I keep thinking the neat part of the book holder is that it can be used to hold a book OR as a doorstop. If you intend it to be a book holder, perhaps adding a pocket on one side of the pyramid would be great for people who need reading glasses.

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This is a great thread. I'm doing mostly handmade gifts this year. The exceptions are a few things I've bought to go along with handmade gifts and things for my dh.

For my dd we found a wooden play kitchen on Craigslist and I'll be sanding it down and repainting it. I'm also making all of her play food to go with it. I will either be crocheting or making them out of felt.

I'm making toiletries bags for the men in my family (that didn't get them for their birthdays).

I'm also sewing and crocheting a lot of purses, bags, clutches and checkbook holders for the women.

I'm embroidering on bathrobes and towels for my neices.

Pretty much all of the extended family will be getting gift baskets with some combination of homemade items: jelly, bread, cookies, salsa, pickles, etc.

I'm making 90% of my gifts this year so theres lots more. Believe it or not I'm actually getting some of it done!

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

I am going to be giving some plants as stocking stuffers to my sister and SIL. I've divided the plants and they are rooting now. I picked up two planters from Value Village so each will cost me 2.99.

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Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

I have made "imagination boxes" for my boys for years. Take what they are interested in and go with it. I have made "spy box" with toy binoculors, note pad, ink pad, (for fingerprints),old earphones that don't work, sunglasses..) I have made "medical box" with bandaids, popsicle sticks, notepad, ace bandage, etc. You can get creative with the box too...for the spy one we used an old briefcase (we even had a toy handcuff to go with it!) and the doctor one we used an old purse that looked like a doctors bag. We also did "mad scientist", "smartist artist", and "secretary-office". We found most of the items at yard sales, thrift stores, free from around the house, etc. The kids played with these long after the *new* toys were forgotten. Hope this helps!

I purchase Yankee Candles at the end of the winter Holiday season when they are half price or more off and stock up.

Kodak makes a sticky photo paper (4X6).

I take a family photo and stick the photo on the candles along with a year sticker. For $15 or less, I have a gift for family.

One year I made dinner for a week.
Chicken Orzo Soup
Chili
Pasta Sauce
Smoked turkey
Smoked Ribs
Vegetable beef soup
Chicken and dumplings

I like the soup of the month idea.

Just saw this really cute idea for boys. Someone took a t-shirt and sewed a 'tie' on it. I could see a little boy with his 'dressy' t-shirt, jeans and converse!

I am sorry that I have kind of frozen up with the ideas. It has been crazy around here. I will get the ideas flowing again after Halloween is over with.

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