Simply Handmade

I've been busy sewing some last minute gifts. I'm pretty confident that the recipients don't read my blog, so I'm going to show you here:

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Wie Ihr inzwischen wisst schenke ich gerne handgefertigte Geschenke. Da ich ziemlich sicher bin, dass die zwei lieben Menschen für die ich die nachfolgenden Dinge genäht habe meinen Blog nicht lesen, erlaube ich mir sie hier zu zeigen:

One can never have too many pin cushions, at least not if you're a seamstress! This pretty posy pin cushion is made from fabric scraps and a pleated polka dot trim in her favourite colours.

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Man (Frau) kann nie genug Nadelkissen haben - vor allem wenn man beruflich viel näht! Dieses blumenförmige Kissen wurde aus Stoffresten sowie einer Plisseerüsche in ihren Lieblingsfarben gefertigt.

A funky neck tie for a music lover! This was, in fact, quite challenging as it involved a lot of hand sewing. I opened up an old tie and used it as a pattern for the new one.

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Eine witzige Krawatte für einen Musikliebhaber! Schön geworden, aber allerdings recht mühsam, da die langen Nähte mit der Hand genäht werden müssen. Als Vorlage diente eine alte Krawatte, die ich ausseinander genommen hatte.

musical note fabric from here // Notenstoff von hier

And while I was at it I went ahead and made the gift tags as well!

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Und weil es Handmade Geschenke sind, habe ich die Geschenkanhänger auch gleich selber gemacht!

 

This is an easy paper craft and fun to make - I simply stamped a Christmassy motif on off-white cardstock, cut around it using specialty scissors for a handtorn effect and stuck it down on scrapbook paper, which is cut to size and embellished with a ribbon.

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Die Geschenkanhänger sind sehr einfach zu machen - weihnachtliches Motiv auf naturweißes Cardstock stempeln, mit einer speziellen Schere ausschneiden und auf Scrapbookpapier kleben. Zurechtschneiden und mit Schleife verzieren. 

Christmas is just around the corner and I still have two more gifts on my list to make! How about you - are you going to brave the masses at the mall or shop online this year?

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Das Weihnachtsfest steht vor der Tür und auf meiner Liste sind noch zwei weitere Geschenke, die ich noch nähen möchte! Wie sieht's bei Euch aus? Stürzt Ihr Euch mutig in die Kaufhausmenschenmenge oder kauft Ihr lieber in Ruhe im Internet?

Happy St. Nicholas Day to all those celebrating! 

Alles Gute zum Nikolaustag, habt es schön!

Nikolaus Tag

On Saturday, December 6th , we celebrate 'Nikolaus Tag' (St. Nicholas Day), in honour of Saint Nicholas of Myra - also known as St. Nicholas the wonderworker, since many deeds and miracles were attributed to him. He was also known as 'the gift-giver' - leaving coins in the shoes of those that left them out for him. Nowadays it's mostly a festival for children. Kids across Europe leave their shoes outside their bedroom door the night before St. Nicholas Day, and the next day they are 'miraculously' filled with colourful wrapped sweets and chocolate. (Thanks, mom☺) More health-conscious parents buy their children a small gift instead (book, pencil case, something useful for school) - sort of like an appetizer before the main course: Christmas! It's also not uncommon for spouses to buy little gifts for each other and we do this among close friends too. At the workplace it's custom for the boss to put a small gift of appreciation on each employees desk. Since this year it's on Saturday, most will receive their present on the following Monday. When I was still part of the 9-5 workforce I was given everything from a huge chocolate Santa to a box of candles to a gift certificate! Boy, did we love those gift certificates! By the way, that little 'Nikolaus' pouch you see in the photo is what my niece and a few of my younger pupils (aged 8 - 10) are going to receive from me...