I’ve established this really fun annual tradition of sewing new bags for my three nieces each Christmas. I think I’ve shared before that I’ve heard that one of the things they enjoy most about using them is being able to tell their friends that they’re bags are “one of a kind”. This year, I decided to sew something a little extra special into all three bags.While I was at my mom’s for my step-dad’s memorial service back in October, I asked if I could take home some of the chambray shirts that he wore almost everyday. I had plans to incorporate patches from them into a quilted throw, and I probably still will at some point. My nieces shared a very close bond with their Papa, though, and I knew they would love having a little something of his to carry with them everyday. With that thought in mind, I worked scraps from Papa’s shirts into each of the girls’ bags. I used the pattern that I created for Samantha’s “No Bully Zone” bag with a few minor updates including a little cell phone pocket on the front. The girls loved the easy, fun style of the bag, and the incorporation of Papa’s shirts meant so much to them! I hope they enjoy them all year long!

I was afraid that these two little guys were going to be the finishing-at-midnight-on-Christmas-Eve-when-I-should-be-sleeping project! I am so thankful that the raw-edge style finishing on these lends itself well to slightly (or not so slightly) messy stitching. With time running out quickly, I moved through as fast as humanly possible.Lee Lee and Ronny are Freddie’s Friends patterns. (I sewed Olive the Owl for Katie’s first birthday several months ago.) These are definitely not quick projects, but the end result is well worth the extra time. I love the cute little details! Seriously? Look at this adorable tail! Lee Lee the Lion is going into Jamie’s stocking tonight, and Ronny the Robot into Charlie’s. Only a few hours left until Santa comes! I better be off!

My kids are all pretty crafty. (I think they come by it naturally.) My 14-year-old, Samantha, is particularly talented at both knitting and drawing, and it’s really exciting for me to see that she’s learned the value in creating one-of-a-kind handmade gifts for her family and her friends.  This year, she is knitting quite a few of her gifts, but she also used her drawing skills to create this trio of sketches for her niece, Katie.

Katie’s a little too young to really appreciate these now, but someday, she’ll love them both for their beauty and for the love that went in to them! Are your children giving any handmade gifts this year?   How do you encourage them to develop their creative talents and share them with others? I’d be thrilled to hear your suggestions!