Handmade Christmas 2014

work in progress

Hello totally neglected blog! It appears having two blogs doesn't increase blog writing, it just makes you ignore both ;-). Well I'm hoping that will change! This blog is after all meant for my personal craft making, not making for Ditto Crafts. So here is what I'm making at the moment. Gifts for my neices for Christmas. Can you guess what it will be?

Messenger Bags for my Nieces

I love a handmade Christmas. I think this year has been one of the biggest handmade Christmas's we have had in a long time, not just me giving handmade but others too. Understanding it doesn't have to be them making something either, just as long as someone has handmade the item.

One of the handmade times were these messenger bags I made for my Nieces. I knew they were getting a hand held tablet thingy, so I made cases for them. Not knowing exactly what they were and going by the dimensions only, I was a bit worried they weren't going to fit. But they fitted perfectly.

Messenger Bags

I wanted them to be really padded to protect the tablet. If I was to make these again with a lot of padding, I would make the inside slightly smaller or use a larger seam allowance. It ended up being slightly bulky at the base and hard to push the corners out. It worked out fine in the end. The added padding also made the flap shorter.

With the flap up

I love this front pocket, there is also one inside to put extra games or toys into.

View from the back

The back is super cute too

 

The back with the flap open

The flap opens all the way back so it's really easy for them to put everything in the bag.

Ready to be gifted

If you would like to make one of these bags head over to Michelle Patterns. You will need the Messenger Bag pattern and also the Just Pattern Pieces, for the extra smaller sizes. Happy sewing, if you do make one please let me know. I love to see all the different varieties people make.

How was your handmade Christmas?

This post has affiliate links

Brown paper packages tied up with string

Brown paper packages tied up with string, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

The Christmas post. I know a bit late. I've been tied up!! We had an interesting Christmas day. Those who live in Melbourne will know what I'm talking about. It was warm and humid, we dashed to my parents (only 5 min drive) in-between down pours. We'd finished lunch and were all laying about with full tummies then the rain started again, then big heavy rain, then hail stones, then hail stones the size of golf balls!! It was so loud we couldn't speak to each other inside, then the mad dash around the house to make sure no water was getting in. We had waterfalls on either side of the house and then it started coming in through my old bedroom. A few things got damp, could have been a lot worse. We found out later that our area was the worst hit, the main street was flooded and the flood basin we live next to was full, never seen that before. It was eventful and one we will always remember. We're just really lucky we didn't have to travel to another house for dinner.

I didn't get many handmade gifts finished this year, oh well.

I did manage to make us all stockings though, and I have some placemats underway, now for next year!!

 

Christmas Bunting

Christmas Bunting, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Is it that time already? Christmas tree is half up and gifts are nearly all bought. I have ideas for wrapping this year, hopefully I'll be able to pull it off. I have a couple of Christmas orders to finish off then on to making for the family. Only 3 weeks left, yikes.

TTFN

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas 2010, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Have a great Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year.

TTFN

Mandy


Half-Eaten Gingerbread Man design by Meg Spaeth
Handmade by MandyMade

Gift for Little A's teacher and Big Buddy