Handmade Gift Exchange Goodies

You probably already know that Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous puts together a handmade gift exchange twice a year.  If you want to participate, you’re given the name of someone to create a handmade gift for, and someone else creates a handmade gift just for you. A fun way to make some new friends, try a new (or revisit an old) craft, and give and get something exciting.

I participated in the exchange last June. Yes, over 6 months ago. And although participants are encouraged to blog about the gifts they gave and received, I never got around to it. I’m such a rebel.

So now, 7 months later, I’m ready to show you the gifts I made for my partner in the gift exchange. Maybe next week I’ll post about a dinner recipe I made 6 months ago, or an outfit I wore on the 4th of July, just to keep up the retroactive blogging streak. I was given Jenna’s name for the exchange and had fun getting to know her by email and stalking her blog to feel out her style—at the time of the exchange, she was pregnant and didn’t yet know the gender of the baby (her cute little girl was born in November!), so I came up with these goodies for her and the new baby.

I started out making a ruffle scarf for Jenna—I am so far past remembering where I may have found instructions for any of these projects, but I’ll give you the gist of this one: knit/jersey material cut into a scarf shape, shirred with elastic thread in the bobbin, sewn in three straight lines up the length of the scarf. Done. It was so quick and simple, and I thought it came out really cute. (If you want more detailed instructions on this one, let me know in the comments—I’d be happy to remake one for myself and post more details!)

And of course a crocheted hat for the new baby was a given (I’m sure she didn’t see this one coming at all!). Since she didn’t know the baby’s gender, I went with a neutral style that looks equally cute on little boys and little girls—a cream-colored bear hat. One of my favorite hat patterns to make.

I was so excited to check her blog recently and see a picture of her new daughter Reese wearing the hat! Isn’t she a doll? I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see my items being worn in real life. If you ever happen to buy or receive something from me, please send me a picture of it in action, I love it. I once saw a lady in a store wearing what appeared to be one of my headwraps and although I was too shy to ask her about it, I’ve remained secretly delighted by the possibility that I made that for her ever since. Needless to say, I am in love with this picture of little Reese in her hat.

I finished up the package with a set of embellished magnet clothespins for the fridge. I thought these came out so cute that I made a matching set for myself. Once again, I have no idea where I found instructions for these, but they’re just as easy as the ruffle scarf was: cut cute papers to fit on clothespin, adhere with mod podge, cut strip of magnet to fit back, attach magnet with glue. Quick to make, and they are so cute on the fridge. Way more stylish than the free magnets from pizza places and realtors.

It was such a fun way to get to know someone new and try some DIY projects I might not otherwise have thought of. And I loved the thoughtful gift I received as well—it’s being put to good use in Forrest’s room, and maybe in another 7 months I’ll get around to sharing his bedroom. Always the timely and prompt blogger, right here.