A meme, winner and Giveaway #4

Today I have an empty house, thanks to John. I was admittedly complaining the other day about how I feel that I have no time to myself. Thankfully, he offered to take Isaiah up to his parents for the day, leaving me free to sew, craft, clean, and veg out all by myself. I spent some time writing some Christmas cards and now I'm completely in the Christmas spirit. Now only if it would stop raining and start snowing!! Anyway, I saw this meme on the Sew, Mama, Sew Blog and I thought it would be fun. So here we go:

Gifts

Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
I love handmade gifts. Usually cookies for neighbors, ornaments for friends, and larger sewn items for those closest to me.

If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making? Most of the men are getting these dop kits.

My MIL is getting this bag.

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do for the rest. I guess I better decide soon!

Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received? Last year my niece received her first American Girl doll for Christmas, so I decided to make her a dress for the doll. I spent a lot of time on it and it turned out beautifully. When she opened it, she just adored it. Then nana told her I had made it, and she lit up. She wanted to put it on her doll right away and didn't care about opening the rest of her presents. She walked around for awhile telling everyone I had made it for her. The warmth in my heart of overwhelming!

Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?) I have to agree with Artsy Momma. I loved themed gifts and when things coordinate well. For instance, a diaper bag for a new mom filled with diapers, wipes, lotions for baby and mom.

Name one thing on your personal wish list. I would love a piece of her artwork (maybe if I had more money!!) or this book, which probably be helpful for all those last minute gifts.

Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? I have a quaint little shop over on etsy. I'm working on some more dop kits today, so hopefully I'll have them listed soon!

Traditions

What is your favorite family holiday tradition?After returning from church on Christmas eve, my family always makes sandwiches and watches A Christmas Story. We then each open one present, and usually fall asleep around the tree.

Have you started any new traditions with your family that you didn’t practice growing up?Not yet. This is our first Christmas in our own house together. This will also be the first Christmas Isaiah is actually excited about. He sort of has an understanding of Santa and is really loving all the holiday happenings.

What do you love most about the holiday season? I just love the happiness and cheerfulness of people. The willingness of people to help others. I wish we could all be like this more often, but I do appreciate the spirit that Christmas brings to people. Oh, and I love baking cookies.

What do you like least about the holiday season? The stress. Too many people shopping, crowded malls. Long lines. Thankfully I took the handmade pledge so I'm trying to avoid all that.

Anyone close to your heart that you’ll be missing this year? I'll be missing my own family this Christmas. John and I have routinely spending Christmas with my parents and sisters in NY since we were dating. This year we have to be here because of John's treatment. I do feel sad that I won't be in NY for Christmas. I love doing all the Christmas-y things with my sister. In a way though, John's illness has allowed us to slow down, enjoy and appreciate what we have. We get to spend Christmas together in our own house, and that's pretty special.

What is your favorite holiday food? um, cookies? When else is it alright to bake dozens of cookies and sneak a few from each batch?

Do you have a great recipe to share? Right now I'm loving this cookie recipe I posted a few days back. Hmmm.

Oh, you wanted to know who was the winner of yesterday's giveaway?? That was a long post. Tricky me. So, the winner of the doll quilt is:

Katherine Please send me your address to katiebhandbags@gmail.com

And today's giveaway is this pillow I showed not too long ago. I embroidered the middle design on linen and framed it with the gorgeous AB print. You have to click on the link to see it, because apparently I've deleted the pic from my computer. Leave a comment and the winner will be picked tomorrow!