Handmade Gifts – Final Swaps of 2014

machine-sewn-miniI think 2014, or at least the second half of it, was the year of the swap for me! A few years ago, I was involved in a lot of swaps, but as Flickr became harder to use and I focused more on the blog and patterns, the swaps sort of dwindled into the background. But, swaps have made a resurgence on Instagram {my new favorite hangout}, and I signed up for quite a few. Here are the final swaps of 2014. This Machine Sewn Mini {pattern by Sew Lux Fabric} might just be one of my favorite 2014 finishes. I used the amazing gold hexie print from Brambleberry Ridge by Violet Craft for Michael Miller for the sewing machine, and then some lovely stashed fabrics for the rest of the mini. The binding is another new favorite, Netorious in Mixing Bowl by Cotton + Steel.

organizer-hoopI also made this little hanging hoop, it was my first one, but I’d like to make one for myself now too!

Machine-sewn-mini-swap-packageAnd here are all the goodies I sent to Kayse as part of our purple swap. I felt like everything in this package was fun, sweet, and sparkly. I’m using it as my inspiration for Lydia’s room too!

Merry-Gift-BoxesThen, here are my Swap Before Christmas goodies. I sent this Merry Gift Boxes table topper to Cheri. She loves woodland things and neutral colors, so I had some fun with linen and used some browns too.

DSC_6882I also made my first hoop ornament for this swap. I loved how it turned out so much I made a bunch more!

night-before-christmas-swap-1And here’s the rest of the swap goodies I sent. I love giving gifts, so picking out the perfect swap extras, and then packaging the whole thing up, is lots of fun {and you don’t have to spend a fortune either, everything in these packages were either on sale, in the dollar section at Target, or under $10}!

I’m taking a little break from regular swaps this year, as I joined a crafty birthday club {more on that later}. But making fun packages for fabric loving friends is really a highlight of my quilting and sewing life! I forgot how much joy it brings to make up the perfect package for someone that they’ll love. I’m also considering possibly handling a subscription service. I found a Subscription Box Packaging and it sounds like a fun way to vary what I have been doing. Being able to personalize down to the packaging sounds like a lot of fun, and a good way to make it own.

I think one of my goals this year will be to center gifts around a handmade element, like I do with swaps, but for my friends and family too. I’d like to put as much love into the gifts I give people I care about dearly as I have into the gifts I’ve made for quilty friends. Do you have a favorite handmade gift you’ve given or received?

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4 Comments

  1. I love your cute gifts! The purple is so adorable and I love that for Lydia!!! I can’t wait to get my machine out of storage and start sewing again!

  2. I love the sewing machine! And the hanging ring is a really fun idea. I love to make little wallets and things for friends. I may have to try a hoop too. What is the purple rose like thing in the photo? Is it made from ribbon or wire? Have a happy day!

  3. I’d love to hear more about how you find these swaps. I’m not on instagram often enough to even know where to start.

  4. Cute swap items! I like the little hoop a lot. I have to say, too, that when I receive handmade items as gifts, they definitely hold a treasured place in my heart. Those are the things I save, like baby hats people made my girls, or little things my mom has made me. One of my favorites is a hat a woman knitted on the plane (they let her bring her needles) while I flew with 9 month old Karina across the country. She and another woman in our row and I talked the whole way, and at the end she gave me the hat for Karina. We were all teared up! I think you would definitely be doing something special by giving your beautiful handiwork as a gift or part of a gift.

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