Getting Crafty for Christmas

I need to start this post by saying this: I am not naturally crafty or creative with any sort of craft project. I love to do them, but it’s always with inspiration from someone who has already done a project that it looks like I might have a hope of conquering. I started last week and it’s been so nice to sit down quietly each evening for a bit and make attempts at creativity. I wanted so badly so create some special gifts for my little ones for Christmas and I’m pleased so far with the projects I’ve taken on.

Up first: Little People

I ordered them unpainted from gemmielou and I’ve been working on painting them with acrylic paint. They’re far from perfect(though the eyes look much creepier in this picture than they actually do in person), but they are turning out to be SO CUTE! After I have painted them all, they’ll get a coat of varnish to seal the paint and they’ll be ready to be wrapped up and put under the tree!

{Note – If your name is Elise and you are my sister-in-law stop reading now

if you don’t want to know what your daughter is getting for Christmas!}

Upcoming Projects:

-Bean Bags

-Dyeing Silkies/Play Silks

-Simple Tote Bags

-Blocks (this one is my husband’s project)

-some fun surprises for my Holiday Traditions Exchange Partner

-a $5 play kitchen renovation

Some other inspiring crafting for the holidays:

• Miss Wrangler always does AMAZING things with her little one. I can’t wait to see how the needlefelt doll turns out!
• Edie @ lifeingrace has an incredible series of posts with 12 Days of Handmade Projects for Christmas:

• Simple Mom has a great list in their weekend links from Nov. 13th – including a link to an unbelievable list of frugal gift ideas via the mothering.com forums.
• Family Fun always has fun, easy ideas for projects you can do with kids that make great gifts for loved ones!
• Melissa @ Day to Day and Fiona @ living on the crafty side of life are posting inspiring Christmas crafts and projects every Tuesday and Friday from now until Christmas.  They both have ideas for Advent calendars up that are blowing my mind – I can’t wait to see what else they have in store!

What are you working on for the holidays?

{Another post for Steady Mom’s 30-Minute Blog Challenge}