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Friday, January 2, 2009

Homemade Christmas

The long awaited post. Sorry everyone...

Among the MANY other things the kids got this Christmas, here are the things that were the best part of Christmas this year, mainly because the kids put so much time into making them.

Christmas 2008

These bows are so fun and easy and thanks to Danessa (who happens to be a great new friend who was so good to help welcome me into the ward) we were able to make oodles of them. I think every little girl (and big girl)needs one in here hair, maybe that is why I can't help myself from giving them away.

Christmas 2008-3

This was one of my favorite projects. I kind of got carried away with these darling things. I now have a great supply of beads and things if anyone wants to come hang out and make some. (For future reference to my sisters who do photography, a pajama'd knee makes a great backdrop for just about anything.)

Christmas 2008-2

After taking 3 years of sewing and having a mother and sisters who make marvelous things with a sewing machine, this is all I dared attempt to make. I tell you they were FUN stuff. I might attempt something more daring next time.

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These things were actually quite a surprise. My darling little man spent countless hours at his Grandpa Smiths to make these things. The shelf pictured above is mine and he made 3 others for each of his sisters. I have to say that I LOVE the coat hanger too. Somehow the coats stay more organized on it.

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Jordan was a little more self reliant than the others and planned out these darling little projects. She scrap-booked journals for each person with darling little pens to match (not pictured above. In my quest to get pics of all these projects, there were things that I could not find, mainly the rest of the journals.) Didn't she do awesome?

Christmas 2008-1

I had fun doing these little tutus. I had seen them around and never thought I could make one. My kids love them and I am not sure why I don't have any pics of them in them.

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Rob wanted in on the action too. He helped the little girls make something for Brandon as he probably would not have appreciated any jewelry or flowers that they were making. The above contraption if you have not ever seen one is a marshmallow gun made out of PVC pipe. They are quite fun and should be banned from any home unless they come from a homemade Christmas. The marshmallows are no fun to pick out from the carpet. They are found everywhere. They do make a great outdoor activity though.

This year was by far our favorite. It really got me wondering if next year we could really pull off a total and complete homemade Christmas.

14 comments:

Kari said...

Everything turned out great, and what a fun idea. I have wanted to do that for years, maybe this will be the year I get around to it.

Queen Bee said...

WOW! You are very creative! I would love to be able to do ANY of those things. I'm so not a girly girl. I wish I was though! :] I don't know how my girls survive me!! :] Maybe you can teach me some of the ropes when I'm done student teaching????? I would love to be able to do stuff like that!

Queen Bee said...

Cute blog by the way!! :]

Danessa said...

That looks SOOO awesome!! What a fun year. I think Dave and I might attempt that next year...not to mention I have a few requests for things he could make for me!!!!
So how did New Years go?

OUR CHAOTIC CLAN said...

Oh Bonnie!!! Those are seriously the cutest homemade gifts I've ever seen!! The time, the planning, and the love that was thoughtfully put in to each gift makes my heart explode out of my chest! I have the chills thinking about how excited you all must've been, the anticipation of seeing each other's reactions and just waiting to "GIVE" each other their gifts. I think you have created a wonderful new tradition that will be appreciated not by just your family but many others as well. I want to copy your idea. You've given me lots to think about and now I have months to plan. :P You know what though? I'll probably procrastinate and then I'll make it stressful and unfun. I hope not..... :D I love it!!

Here at home said...

Let's see, all the girly stuff won't work in our house. With 4 boys I'm sure the shelves will be really popular. Brandon will have to help us out with those in a couple of years. We will be making that our tradition now thanks to you.

HuckFinnsMom said...

I think I'll just copy every single thing you did when we do our homemade christmas next year. My kids will think I am so creative to come up with all this- thank goodness for me, they have not read this post, nor will they ever- they will never know the only way I can be creative is to be a copycat. What's that saying? "What you don't know..."
As for the marshmallow gun, I guess through your trial and error, I have learned that we will have to have rules right off the bat- thanks for going through the trial and error for me too. You're such a great sista! Love you!

shauna said...

That was A LOT of work, but I know, well appreciated.

My girls are enjoying the bracelets and necklaces that you helped them make. What wonderful memories you helped create for your family and mine. Thanks.

Abby said...

It all looks great. I am glad that you found something that brings your entire family together and bonds in a way that only a homemade Christmas could. Great job.

Perfect Moments Photography said...

I have never seen such pure joy on Christmas morning! Your kids were glowing knowing that what they made made there siblings happy! We love the wonderful things that you made and help us make! Thanks Smith family!

Tamster said...

How awesome! I'm sure it must have been so fun to see them all so excited to give each other their gifts. That's a great idea.

I was especially impressed by Brandon's woodwork. I want a shelf too! Way to go, Brandon! :-)

Happy New Year! :-)

Iditadad said...

The greatest part of your Christmas is the GIFT of time that you spent with each of your children helping them to think of others. There is so much love in a homemade gift. You did well, daughter. WoW

Wendoyoublog in Colorado said...

This post was worth the wait! I loved that you shared the photos too.

I think we are going to have to copy that, although, there are certainly more things for girls to make, and I only have one of those. Hmmm, good thing I have a few months to think about it.

Ditto everyone!

Kristy said...

Hey Bonnie! I am totally stalking you! Anytime you want to do a lesson on the bows or bead stuff I am totally game!!!