I was looking through some Christmas Pinterest boards this morning (another nice thing about vacation), and remembered I wrote this post before I left. Hard to think about Christmas here, but as far as I know there’s still plenty of snow left in Rochester.
Well, yes, it’s March, but I never shared the Christmas gifts I made. I didn’t want to post them before the recipients received them, and then time slipped away from me. Every year for the last three or four years, I’ve made calendars for friends and family. They’re fun to make, and seem to be enjoyed by everyone. Here’s this year’s version:
The first couple of years, I didn’t include a list of where the photos were taken, and everyone wanted to know. Now I type up a list and include it with the calendar. I found these little white bags in the bakery section at Michaels. They’re the perfect size for the calendars which slide into a 4X6 picture frame.
January: snow in Highland Park; February: tulips on my kitchen table
March: still life of Rainier cherries; April: Clivia at the Dutch Collection at the George Eastman House
May: Morikami Japanese Garden in Florida; June: The George Eastman House gardens
July: Grand Haven Lighthouse, Muskegon, MI; August: Sunset at Bailey’s Harbor, WI
September: Cana Island Lighthouse, WI; October: Pennisula State Park, Door Co., WI
November: Oak Leaf Hydrangea; December: Christmas tree ornament from the Biltmore Mansion
Every time I’m at Sarah’s it seems they need some sewing done. She doesn’t have a sewing machine, and the only sewing tools she has are those tiny sewing kits you pick up at some of the nicer hotels. I’ve seen lots of these on Pinterest so I put one together for her. I have to admit it took two tries to get the pincushion lid just right.
I was really happy with it, and I think she was glad to receive it. No surprise, I was mending Caleb’s blanket within the first two days of being there!
The calendar is a great way to showcase your best photography. I’ve done them in the past, but not recently. The sewing kit is cute – but maybe more of a gift of your future services using it??
Oh I just LOVE your calendar, Karen. I’m sure the recipients were thrilled to have some of your beautiful shots. Do you have a template and then just print the 4×6’s? Or did you order them online.
Also love the sewing kit! I did something similar for Carrie a few years ago and like you, the top pincushion was the tricky part! Enjoy the rest of your vacation. :o)
I almost choked on my tea when I saw your title! Christmas already, I thought!!! Whew . . . to seeing your gifts from last year. Love the calendar! I made some a few years ago, and they were a big hit. Maybe I’ll do them again soon. I think I did them on Shutterfly. Where did you do yours?
Rinda
The calendar is stunning Karen! So rewarding to see your beautiful photos in this form for loved ones to see all year round. The gift for Sarah is genius. I like giving things that people perhaps don’t realise they need but in a form that is so unique.
Hope you have more gifts to share!
Sewing happiness in a jar – how clever are you! I love this handy mini sewing ‘box’. Your calendar is just beautiful; a simple and beautiful edge-to-edge photo and the dates – stunning. I like how you’ve added the list of what and where on the back so that there is nothing to visually get in the way of your stunning pictures.
Wow – your calendars are lovely. I like that they are a small size and fit in a standard size frame. Your photography definitely rivals the all those calendars for sale! Great sewing kit!
The calendars are beautiful..what a lovely use to make of some of those amazing photos.
And the sewing kit? Perfect. My sister made one for me the first year I was married and I still use it
What a wonderful calendar Karen and the sewing kit is fabulous!
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