Tis The Season To Be Homemade (UPDATE!!!)

So in September I wrote a blog post called titled Tis The Season To Be Homemade.  Well, I think I succeeded…well kind of.  I didn’t make my boyfriends gift, my friend Rachel’s gift (but it was handmade soap), my cousin Lisa’s gift, my grandmother’s gift or my nieces’ and nephew’s gift. 

Anyways….I did make a TON of cookies. Phillip had to bring a gift to a Dirty Santa thing that the school he teaches at was doing, so I made cookies for him to bring., and I brought some of the cookies to my work and gave my co-workers cookies. Well everyone but Craig and Lan Chi because I didn't know they were working.  Luckily I did have an extra so I made them split them hahaha.  I made Red Velvet cookies for my mom and brought alfajores to my mom’s side of the family’s Christmas.  I also made chocolate chip cookies in a jar for a friend.   

Well, here's a list of things I made for people.

1. My sister Beth

I made Beth a small makeup bag.  It wasn't an overly difficult project, but I did have to learn a lot (ok a couple) of new sewing techniques. I don't have a zipper foot for my sewing machine so I had to learn how to install a zipper by hand by using a back stitch (only took me 3 to 3 1/2 shows of Law and Order: SVU to do).  I also had to learn how to do a blind stitch.  It wasn't perfect at all, but I think overall I did pretty well. And hey she like it :D 

Here's the video I used to learn how to make it just in case you want to know.  I didn't add the flowers to it even though I might want to try it later!! 

2. My Mom

I made my mom the red velvet cookies. I didn't like the actual cookie part but as a sandwich with the cream cheese frosting in the middle it was pretty good.  My mom loved them though. She also gave some to a couple of her friends and they loved them too.  

I got the recipe from Paula Deen.  

Here's the link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/red-velvet-sandwich-cookies-recipe/index.html

3. My Aunt

I made Becky a coffee sleeve for Christmas. It was zebra print and purple.  Becky loves coffee and likes to go to Starbucks so I thought I would make her one. I feel like I might break my sewing machine out soon and make a few more.....you'll never know if you're the one who's going to get one!!!

This isn't her's but it was very similar.

 4. Nikki

Last time I went to see Nikki she had mentioned she needed something to keep her makeup brushes in because she was afraid that they would get messed up just in the bottom of her makeup case or purse.  So while racking my brain (and not getting the help I asked for from Thomas Jackson) I decided to make her a makeup brush roll.  I think it turned out excellent!! I had never made one before.  It wasn't overly difficult or anything but I wouldn't exactly call it beginner. I also bought her an e.l.f. eyeshadow palette.  The colors were beautiful.

Here's her make up roll that I made.

The video for the makeup brush roll (it wouldn't let me embed it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_3TN9UWs-s%20

Her makeup roll is a no sew on, but I wanted to sew it. I just got the basic idea from her.

I had a really wonderful Christmas. I know my family feels bad because they couldn't get me a lot, but I had a wonderful Christmas.  I hope all of y'all did too!!! 

XOXO,

Kat