Saturday, June 19, 2010

Handmade Christmas Challenge


I know, I know, it's nowhere near Christmas - or is it? 

You see, winter puts us into a false sense of security here in Oz. We are so busy adding layer upon layer to fend off pneumonia that we don't recognise spring approaching which by then leaves us 3 months before Christmas shopping. October we are usually in denial and by late November we're threatening relatives that if they don't tell us what they want, what they really, really want, we'll just buy them a hardware voucher because there's no time for playing coy and being mysterious. Christmas shopping is no bloody laughing matter!

Well, perhaps that's just me? Last year, I left my run so incredibly late that I was running around like a nutter trying to find presents up until Christmas Eve and let me tell you, there was no Christmas joy in that!

So, I've decided to start my shopping early. But this is no ordinary shop. I've decided to make a pledge in support of all those brilliantly crafty bloggers out there by purchasing gifts that are only handmade.

In addition, I'm sticking my limited crafty neck out and pledging that I will create (and sometimes borrow) some wonderful gift ideas to wrap these perfectly thoughtful gifts in.  

Every Saturday I thought we could use Mr McLinky and share something that we are creating for Christmas, a gift idea we've discovered or something we've spied on Etsy or the Madeit Shop. When I'm struggling to find the perfect gift, I will post a profile of the person I need to buy for asking for your recommendations.

If you'd like to join my Handmade Christmas Challenge here's how to:

Step 1: Register your interest by leaving a comment on this post 
Step 2: Become a follower so you recieve an update each Saturday
Step 3: Grab my button if you like (you'll find it on the top right column)
Step 4: Come over and visit on a Saturday where you can register your Handmade Christmas Challenge creation (either something you are making, that you've recently discovered or wish to buy for a loved one for Christmas)


Dust off those Bing Crosby CD's and start getting into the Christmas spirit my friends because this year, the gift of giving is going to be happiness in a handmade hamper!

61 comments:

CurlyPops said...

Not sure whether I'll be able to join in every week, but I'm going to try really hard to be more organised this year!

mel @ loved handmade said...

I'm in, Let the shopping begin!!

bee said...

Oooh I'm in!! This will help me get organised this year heheh! I usually chuck on a batch of jam and some cookies the day before Christmas for pressies.... I like the idea of doing something different yet handmade this year. Great idea!

bee said...

P.S - I've just posted about it on my blog so I hope to send some lovely people over your way to join in the fun!

Kellie Collis said...

Great idea! Have a lovely weekend! x

sharingjam said...

I love this... I will join in... but off-line... my dear mum is so darn proud of me that she tells complete strangers that i have a blog *sigh* it will be completely impossible to keep the gifts secret if I pop them on line... SO I will photograph them and save them up until they are given out for christmas... talk about a long term goal... THANKS for letting me join in! Beautiful idea.

p h o t o g r a p h y said...

all sounds fabulous, but I can't guarantee that I will be able to blog each week. I am truely the slackest and most boring blogger on the planet.
here's to trying really hard...
and so this is christmas....
and what have we done?
another year crafting, a new project just begun.
have a very homemade christmas,
and a crafty new year,
let's hope we're up to this challenge,
with our needle thread and cheer!!

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

well well, you must have read my mind as I was thinking (not yet planning) on supporting our crafty community and trying really hard to have a handmade christmas - so count me in! Yay!!! let the online purchasing - crafty market buying - hand making - design process - brain racking begin....;-)

Heidi said...

I am so excited I saw you on little Ted canvas I have joined and I take the challenge, I am going to try and Buy handmade for the store too!!! thanks for helping all of us!

My Handmadehappiness said...

right this is sooo for me i love it!!!! count me in !!!! thanx so much for getting us started!!!! x

mylittlebirdie said...

im in! will do my utmost to stick to the challenge however i have a HUGE family so it will definitely be a challenge but one i'm willing to undertake : ) lovely idea!!

Jill said...

Brilliant idea! I'm going to follow along, and join in when I get back from my holiday in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to getting some inspiration for gifts for boys and men - I always find it tricky to come up with handmade ideas for them!

Leah Grace said...

What a great idea! I'll try to keep up every week - good health provided. For some people I might have to be sneaky with my works-in-progress pics though :)

Anonymous said...

I have spent the afternoon making Christmas table decorations and then I find you here - It was fate! I hope to be able to keep up the momentum.
Michelle

melissa said...

I would like to join in too... I probably wont have anything to show every week but I do try and make most of my pressies at Christmas...

Anna Bartlett said...

I'd like to try too. Finally my brothers are both in relationships and it's so much easier to make something for a couple than it is to make something for a picky boy (ok, at '30 and 32 I guess they're now 'men'). Bring it on!

Sandra :) said...

Fabulous idea - I popped over from a link at My Handmadehappiness and I would like to join in with the fun! I still have Christmas presents unmailed (because the gifts aren't finished being put together) from Christmas 2009. Imagine!!! I'm not going to post this to my blog because my family are regular readers and I don't need to give away any secrets or - indeed - to remind them of last year's failure *blush* - I'm going to work very hard at redeeming myself for 2010, LOL! Off to check out the other posts and links - thank you!

JuicyFig said...

My neice requested christmas songs to be played on her cd player to help her get to sleep last night - I think that is definately a sign!

Kath
x

Ruby Star said...

Ooh I'd like to join. I did try last xmas too but also left it late & we moved house, but i did still manage to make 2 quilts in December. I vowed I would never do that to myself again, so this is just perfect. Thank you!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

got here via dottie angel..and what a find...i love this idea...i am in too

kary

angelina said...

hey count me in. i'll do my first post this saturday. cant wait!!!!! xxx

Craft Matters said...

Brilliant idea. Am definitely in.

Unknown said...

I'm in! froogsxx

Hannah said...

right im in!
i have been making almost every gift for extended family emmbers for a few years nwo but then allways end up buying non handmade for my husband and children. that is goignt o CHANGE this year!

Hannah said...

i cannto for the life of me fugure out how to copy your button?

Cat from Raspberry Rainbow said...

This is so my thing! I have been buying from markets and planning/making Christmas pressies since January (as half our family lives O/S and pressies need to be sorted early to be posted seamail.
Great idea, I look forward to joining in :)

Megan said...

hi, would love to join this challenge :)

Kylie said...

Late to the party - but I think that this is a great idea.

I will be joining you in the next week or two.

Mel said...

What a ripper idea! A friend and I vowed we'd start Christmas crafting in January ... sadly we did not ;) I will really really try to join in ... ;)

Kim said...

Just came across your blog from kootoyoo and love your idea of getting ready for Christmas ahead of time. Not making or buying gifts since we're so far from family now, but I'm always looking for gift ideas so thought it would be fun to follow and see what everyone else is making :)

Baa-Me Kniits said...

Lovely idea, lets go shopping at Etsy :-)

I promise to do my best! How many weeks until christmas???

ZippyZippy said...

Hi, just discovered your blog - I would love to join in too, my shopping has begun, some lovely little hair clips from Sophie & Jack on madeit :)

CAM said...

Okay, I'm game (I think). I'm joining a bit later so may have to go on a sort of buying spree :)

Welcome! said...

What a fabulous idea! I'm in :)

monkeemoomoo said...

I love this idea. Count me in, I have already been thinking about some handmade christmas presents, but thinking is not doing. Lets see how I go?

Anonymous said...

What a great idea ! I've been musing to myself that I will attempt to have a handmade Christmas this year - this will the inspiration that i need !!

dash robin said...

Well, I am sure my kids will demand a book or something from santa but apart from that I am going to try my darndest to make this year totally handmade and ethically bought, great idea, so count me in!

Killiecrankie Farm said...

Grand idea - now to get moving onto it !

Unknown said...

I'd like to join in!

Crafts @ Home said...

Can I join in please, I have come over from Killiecrankie Farm, and have already put a post about it on my blog!

Elderberry-Rob said...

I love the idea. Will post the button (found you through Nana Go Go) I won't be able to show my makes until after the big day as my friends read my blog and would not get any nice surprises, but I would love to be a part of it all. Thanks xxx

Unknown said...

Great idea! I may be MIA on the occasional Saturday, but I promise to catch up on my homework reading. :)

~ Laura (Moags)

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh I'd love to join in as long as it doesn't have to be on a Saturday. I'm very hit and miss when I can blog. Sounds lovely though.

Sarah said...

I'd love to take part. I could definitely do with some weekly motivation to get me christmas crafting!!

Jille said...

Would love to have a go.
Jille x

Wendy said...

Hello,
I'd like to join please! Blogging on a Saturday doesn't usually happen though...

Pepper B said...

yes yes yes! Count me in! . Golly gee... I better get going with this. The Christmas decos are out in Spotlight already...

Unknown said...

http://moagsandsmeet.blogspot.com/

Count us in (well, me at least!):)
~ Laura (Moags)

Anonymous said...

Count me in too!

Maggie
http://ceodraiocht.wordpress.com/

Becca said...

Could definitely do with some helpful ideas and up for sharing anything I find. Count me in....

Alison said...

Just found you and I'd love to join in, just not sure if I'll manage every week, but I'll have a go.

Amy said...

Just found you. I love this because I plan to make most of my Christmas gifts this year and this will give me some motivation to complete this. Thanks.

Sarah said...

I'm a bit late, I just found you and I'm in!

Pootle said...

Im a bit late too! Can I join in?! Ive made a few pressies already and hoping I can find the time to make many more (although might not manage every week but will attempt to.) Great idea! Ive put your button on my blog too. x

Queen of the Natives said...

oh dear, I'm very late! but better late than not at all:D Definitely not something I can keep up with weekly,I think, but I'm very keen to give it a go! Will post your button on my blog too (if I figure out how :P)

Queen of the Natives said...

sooooo..... I don't know how!!!! Any help please? I'm such a novice *covers face in embarrassment* :P

Dette said...

I'm late too but would like to join ,so that I can stay focussed and get my gifts made this year ,(not just planned) . I'm not quite sure what to do now either,I've only just started blogging.
By the way I love the garlands on your other post.

Haley Nicole said...

I am very late (as you can obviously tell), but I've been working on this for a while. I just regretted to place a comment concerning it. May I join?

Anonymous said...

Hello! I found you now and would like to join! I'll put your button now and later this week make a post about Christmas Challenges! Thank you for lovely moments with your blog! See you soon and sunny wishes from Crete! Teje

pinkviolets said...

Hi I would like to join you Christmas Challange for 2011

Anonymous said...

Awesome. Is there a 2011 challenge happening?