Crafts we made for Christmas
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:36AM 
The best memories I have of the past two weeks off with the kids include Kaluha, drawing, shrinky- dinks, classic movies and hours and hours of sewing.
My brother and his wife can always be counted on to send great gifts and in lieu of spending as much money as they generously spend on us, last year we began the tradition of reciprocating with sweat equity in the form of handmade bags for my four and six-year old nieces (last year's bags pictured here).
I was going to make vinyl messenger bags but I couldn't resist the adorable oilcloth that I found locally at Bolt. I also found some kick-ass vintage tablecloth vinyl at a local "discount" fabric store. This place was so sketchy you wouldn't send your mother-in-law in to ask for directions. But besides feeling like I was shopping in Pakistan the store was an amazing "find." Frankly I'm not ready to share it with anyone!
Click on photos below to enlarge.
Piper modeling an oilcloth and vinyl bag for cousin Darby
Darby's bag close-up
Cute zipper pull
Sadie's bag
Sadie's bag close-up with vintage vinyl pocket sewn over a corduroy pocket from an old jacket.
Sadie's bag (back). I used a button and strap from the same corduroy jacket to hold the strap of the bag.
Finn's bag
Charlie's skull bag
Henry's Joy Stick Bag
Saral Paper works like old-school carbon paper but wipes off easily. To create our embellishments I traced the designs onto the back of the vinyl and cut them out with an Xacto knife (I'm sure scissors would work fine as well). Piper took a swing at it herself and made her brother this pencil case (I helped her with the zipper).
machine like a pro.
Piper at her machine
Piper made this stuffy for our little friend, Margot
She also made this stuffy for our Aunt Joann (and liked it so much she decided to keep it). She made her a pillow instead!
Fabric collage by Piper for my Dad & Stepmom who live on Nantucket. This required no sewing, she simply cut out fabric and glued it down. It looked pretty sharp when sealed with a frame. 
Skyler came up with the idea of writing everyone's name and coloring it on watercolor paper. What we liked most was his sweet quote: "a perfect peanut for any brother" (we call Piper "the peanut")
Copy-cat "compliments" drawing by Piper (for Skyler) included "artistic, cool & perfect." The kids ended up making these for all our Holiday guests.
Skyler made these cool Lego sculptures that spelled "Dad" and "Mom"
On top of each sculpture he had a figurine for each of us. Hubby was cooking at a stove, with chef hat and beard for authenticity. 
Thank God the Mom was sewing. I was afraid she might be drinking or watching a movie on the couch. 
Piper's Utility Belt
Piper's Belt - Close-i[
Piper's Belt back
