Crafting for Christmas

I haven't posted in a while... We've been spending much of our spare time working on a number of projects for Christmas.

Christmas DVD for Friends & Family (2007 - A Year to Remember) - a compilation of photos and video clips. When I sent out Christmas cards last year, I enclosed a CD of pictures rather than the traditional letter and family photo. It was such a hit that I knew I would do it again this year. With our new iMac... it was much easier and much more professional looking. I am very, very impressed with iMovie & iDVD. I know everyone will love this new DVD.

When Sweetie was 2 years old in 2004, we started a new tradition of Hand-Crafting Gifts for everyone close to us. I selected projects that were easy enough for her but would be enjoyed and appreciated by all recipients (I generally avoid the crafts that are targeted at young children - foam sticker projects, popsicle stick frames, etc. - we've done them, but I know the recipients may begin to dread these types of gifts).

• In 2004, she helped me to create small glass marble magnets with tiny pictures. Everyone was given a set of 6 in an altered Altoids tin. They turned out really cute! We learned later, though, that the magnets weren't strong enough to hold anything else but the marble itself. It was a huge learning year.

• In 2005, we made ornaments by putting thin strips of coiled patterned Christmas paper into small glass bulbs and tying ribbons onto the ring.
• In 2006, the kids used polymer clay and rubber molds to make teddy bear pendants for the women and magnets for the guys.

• This year, they created reindeer ornaments with clothes pins, felt, and wiggly eyes. Sweetie did most of the work... Buddy isn't into crafts like she is... but he did paint on the glitter to the reindeer's back.

This year, we also did a few ATCs for a trade. This is new for us - I've never actually created ATCs before. I love the small size!Can you tell which were created by me and which are Sweetie's ???

It is always enjoyable and Sweetie, at least, looks forward to 'project time'.

Submitted to Lilliput's Online Christmas Party - October 2008.