Friday 22 November 2013

Handmade

Coasters for my sis


When it comes to birthdays, Christmas or any other occasion actually, I can't help but get a bit crafty.  It's a bit of a problem really, I wander through shops, hoping to find something perfect for the person in question.  Something that they'll love, and something I can afford. The  constant refrain that runs through my head is "I can make that". (Although, if I'm honest I don't always get around to it!)
 I'm not sure if it's a result of being brought up on a farm, one of six kids, where hand me downs were the norm and mum made most of our clothes.
 One of my favourite memories is sitting beside mum while she sewed, the hum of the sewing machine a comforting rumble. I would be in charge of the pins, handing them out when needed, and rearranging the coloured heads into patterns on the pin cushion, collecting them when she was done. I remember spending time looking through pattern books, discussing with mum what I wanted, an extra frill here, longer there. The idea of just buying something off the rack was a tad foreign.  I won't deny that there was a time where I just wanted to have the same as all my friends, the latest trendy jumper, or some expensive brand name emblazoned on my clothes. 
 And now that I'm a mum myself, I am ashamed to say I haven't kept up the tradition of sewing all my childrens clothes, but I try my hardest to hand make presents, for my boys, my nieces, my family and friends.
When my eldest boy was little I would knit him a toy every Christmas. One year it was a possum, then a kangaroo.  He had to have a Tassie devil one year, after seeing a pair at a wild life park.
Of course I haven't been as consistent with his younger brother, but I try!

So to my point, I have been busily crocheting up some presents for my sisters. One who's birthday was in October, and one who I have for Kris Kindle.
The coasters pictured have been delivered to the birthday girl, and she loved them (phew!) 
The Christmas ones are finished but I'll be keeping them under wraps until they reach their new home!

Now I'm not saying there is anything bad about buying a present, who would ever turn their nose up at receiving a gift of any kind? And lots of time you do find the perfect gift for someone, something that you could never make yourself. 
But for me the giving and receiving of handmade brings another deeper dimension to a gift. When I'm making something for someone, they are always in my thoughts while I'm making it. And the thought that someone has been thinking of me whilst making me a gift is a wonderful feeling. No matter how small, hand made always feels bigger, and more precious than anything purchased from a shop.

So how about you? Do you have a hankering for hand made? 

Jo x


  






3 comments:

  1. These are lovely, Jo!
    I love making things for my family with my own hands, as well as the idea of giving handmade items as presents - sadly not everyone appreciates these kinds of gifts; I find that very often these things are not appreciated by people who don't craft themselves, they simply don't know the time and care that goes into making something by hand and probably think that it was done in an effort to save on money. But, not to worry!
    Nowadays I tend to give handmade things to people who craft themselves and everyone's a winner :)

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  2. Thanks! I know what you mean about giving handmade to people who appreciate it, I'm lucky that most of my family and friends love and appreciate handmade. And for those that don't, I'm more than happy to go shopping!

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  3. The coasters are lovely!
    Same for me , I love handmade stuff but I'm a little wary when gifting them, from some bad experiences in the past.
    yes I agree with huus people who don't craft don't appreciate handmades

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