Friday, November 18, 2011

Free Holiday Gift Ideas

Move over Anthropologie...


I've found a new source for handmade inspiration.

It's chock full of holiday gift ideas and, unlike all those holiday gift idea magazines...it's delivered to your mailbox and it doesn't cost a dime.


That's it. And no. I don't work for Sundance. I don't know anyone who does work for them. And they haven't paid me to write this blog post.

They have, however, filled the pages of their holiday catalog full of hand knitted, sewn, beaded, and felted goodies.

So many ideas for making holiday gifts that I just had to point them out to you in case you missed it.

Top on my list are these embroidered belts...


Some belting from the craft store, embroidery floss, french knots and the buckle of your choice. And voila! A great gift and I think a good make-it-yourself project for my older nieces.

And these Chan Luu bracelets cost about $180-$220 in the catalog...


But you can make one yourself for a LOT less. I've written about these wrap bracelets before and, over the Summer, my niece made one very successfully. And, lucky for us, there are many, many videos on YouTube showing you how to make one. All for free.

The whole catalog is FULL of hand-knitted everything! Coats, leg warmers, vests, mittens, hats, sweaters...


And thanks to free e-mags like Knitty.com and free online communities like Ravelry...we can find a pattern for almost anything...and often for free.

For example, I love these hats and scarves knitted to dress up a gifted bottle of wine and I found a pattern and it's FREE on Ravelry.


I also found this pattern too which I love...but it will cost you $2...still pretty inexpensive.

And check out those long sleeve tees (above)...I'm thinking we pick up a long sleeve tee from a discount store...have the kids make one of those folded paper snowflakes...except using fabric...and then sew them onto a shirt. How easy is that!

And these stockings hung by the chimney with care...

Here's another free pattern from Ravelry for the stocking garland....How fun would it be to play with different patterns in a mini version? Wonderful.

And the other trend I noticed in this catalog was the prevalence of the ear flap hat...


They were on almost every page!

And my absolute fave was this flower covered one...check out the braided yarn trim and ties...


My mind is swimming with possibilities for inexpensive, trendy and cool holiday handmades for those I love. I hope yours is too.

Have a great weekend everyone.

P.S. If you'd like a Sundance catalog for yourself, you can request one here.

P.P.S. I haven't completely foresworn my affinity for Anthropologie. They still have some great ideas too...Have some fun and go build your own charm necklace here.

13 comments:

Createology said...

Oh the possibilities and inspiration you have just shared...Thank you dear.

Ati said...

O, why,O why are there only 24 hours in a day?? ;-D
And we have to sleep a few hours too! :-(
Só many great ideas!

Anonymous said...

As you say, inspiration galore. And it's so much more fun than buying the stuff!

Amy Munson said...

Love all of the ideas you posted about especially the wine toppers. Very cute. Love love love ravelry as well.

Vicky aka Stichr said...

susan susan susan...i made a flappy hat for steph without a pattern, a few years ago, but mine is crocheted! i may still have the info somewhere in the ole brain-o, if anyone kwho does not knit wants one...

damn,forgot what else i was gonna comment on...brb

Vicky aka Stichr said...

the t-shirt is a great idea. have to see if i have some iron on crap for the girls to do...the charm bracelet is being touted by kay[?] jewelers too?? but anthro's charms aren't so kitchey...or is that spelled with an 's'? don't care...hummmmmmmm... damn it, you gotta stop filling the page with ideas, cuz i just plain forget!!!!

Sandies' Patch said...

OMG! Have ordered my copy....meanwhile I will keep referring to the catalogue on line for ideas too.

Thank you for sharing!

Have a great weekend,

Sandie xx

Mouse said...

love them all but I shall leave the knitting to other folks ..lol :) love mouse xxxx

NickiLee said...

Girl...you are always thinking! I love that catalog and LOVE those belts. Like Ati said "why O why are there only 24 hours in a day?"

Karyn said...

Oh yes....the Sundance catalog...if only there were hours to match all of the great items to be re-created! :) I adore the wine hat toppers, and just about everything!
Thanks for the inspiration.
XO
Ma

Judy S. said...

Looks like your gearing up for something fabulous, Susan..... Can you believe how fast the holidays are approaching?

Padparadscha said...

Thank you for the creative push Susan !

Yesterday I was temped to by a pair of expensive silver earrings when my daughter chirped in "mum, its only a piece of folded metal, you can do that yoursel". Good girl, that's the spirit. Seems like the handmade present policy launched by my sister 2 years ago is taking on ! :)

Cindy Caraway said...

Sundance is one of my favorite catalogs! I have no problem parting with even my favorite magazines but ask me to give up my Sundance catalog and you've got a fight on your hands!! :)

Such lovely stuff...

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