Christmas crafting has begun, late in the evenings as the kids have gone to bed. Last year I made 3 Miss Maggie rabbits for my girls. The creator of this pattern has come out with 4 more patterns this year, and I dropped some leading questions to the kids earlier last spring, wondering if they would be interested in them. I was thinking just the Solveig and Ingrid, but preteen-Silje and even Elias showed a huge amount of interest too. David was the only one who said he didn’t want one, he would rather I make him a car pillow for his bed. So that’s what he’ll be getting. Silje will get the cat, Solveig the deer, Ingrid the mouse, and Elias the fox.
I’m starting with Silje’s kitty. Since I have made 3 products of this designer already, the whole process feels familiar. It was so overwhelming last year, but this year I see the simplicity of it all, and know how quickly everything will come together. One night I got the shawl for the kitty done, and all of the felt pieces for the body cut out, as well as the dress pattern pieces. Last night I did the facial embroidery and stitched the head together. I’ve realized that the whole project can be done easily within a week, only using a few hours each evening.
I’ve also learned that the draw to this type of present is all in the accessories. Silje showed as much interest for this as she does her American Girl doll, and as I thought about it, she loves having all the pieces that go with it. So I’m wondering if I should make a little cardigan for each one, or maybe a knit dress as I did last year. Rosy Little Things has so many cute accessories to add on. It really is a relaxing, easy project, that finishes so quickly in comparison to the adult sized projects I do most of the year. Compared to my usual knitting, this is instant gratification.
My reading is Christmas-related as well, as this is the month I need to do my family-advent preparation so that December isn’t the most stressful month of the year. I’m holding off in sharing that with you, as I know some don’t like about talking about Christmas this early in the year. 🙂
Linking up with Ginny’s Yarn Along.
bookworm-Mary says
November 5, 2014 at 2:04 pmstarting handmade gifts early is important, but i agree, talking about Christmas too early can make it tiresome. I love this gift idea- and i agree that it’s all in the accessories. I remember the most fun part was planning the outfits.
harknessangels says
November 5, 2014 at 2:17 pmLove these wonderful gifts! One day, I hope to make one!
Tracey ~ Clover says
November 5, 2014 at 2:22 pmMy mama and nanny use to make stuffed toys for me when I was a child and I loved them; as a matter of fact I still have most of them. Homemade gifts are the best!
steph says
November 5, 2014 at 2:23 pmsweet little kitty…..i made the bunny and loved how it came out! I think you are right about the accessories….helps stimulate play, too, right?
Laura says
November 5, 2014 at 2:29 pmYou’re so wise getting everything started and done in November – I think my December’s going to be nuts this year unless I get a move on.
Those little animals are just gorgeous. So pretty and simple, they’re going to be awesome gifts.
sweetlittlewood says
November 5, 2014 at 2:31 pmoh such sweet patterns! I’ve never seen them before! Adorable
Mom says
November 5, 2014 at 2:36 pmFall and winter are fun times to sit by the fire and create gifts for children! I can hardly wait to see pictures of the final products!
Reinventing Mother says
November 5, 2014 at 2:57 pmI love Alicia’s patterns. I haven’t made one yet, but I’m still admiring them:)
elizabeth says
November 5, 2014 at 3:40 pmoh, those presents sound just perfect! and so special as you made them!! I agree, these presents from Alicia are really lovely… I get to buy a Christmas tree (artificial admittedly but we are in a very urban place here) and I am so excited! A friend of mine is making a Christmas tree skirt with this pattern and I am very excited!!! https://www.etsy.com/listing/172576607/quilted-christmas-tree-skirt-pattern?ref=listing-shop-header-0
Can’t wait to hear about your Christmas reading, I am super excited for the season too!!!
Ranee @ Arabian Knits says
November 5, 2014 at 5:11 pmLovely! I am going to try to follow your example and do my Advent preparations this month, so it’s not such a scramble in December.
Ranee @ Arabian Knits says
November 5, 2014 at 5:12 pmThis comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous says
November 5, 2014 at 6:54 pmI am scheduling time in November to bake cookies and put time aside for crafts with the kids–every weekend in December is ALREADY spoken for on our calendar. That’s not what Christmas is about, and I believe some advanced planning will help December be more about the True Reason than the hurry-hurry-hurry.
Mari says
November 6, 2014 at 12:49 amI have never made a stuff doll…this one is so cute 🙂
CathieJ says
November 6, 2014 at 1:09 pmThose gifts are going to be great. I agree that the appeal is usually in the accessories.
A Little Blue Dragonfly says
November 8, 2014 at 4:14 amLOVE Alicia’s softies! My daughter loves having extra clothes to change her Bunny into. So fun! I can’t wait to see your little family of animals come together! 🙂