asking for trouble

Handmade Christmas Gifts

This Christmas my family decided to make our gifts and while some were more successful than others, it was a lovely idea that we’ll definitely be trying again.

felt kogumachan bag

I better start with the gifts I made, though I had to rush them as my hands were so sore during December and storms meant I couldn’t even get out of town to buy supplies. My sister Nicolette got a sewing machine recently so I put together a little bag full of useful things and appliqued a felt Kogumachan on it. I managed to find 2 buttons the exact size I needed in my button tin and a little bit of fuzzy fabric for his chest. It would have been nicer on a coloured bag and I was sure I had some leftover from the button bag days, but apparently not.

origami snowman

For my dad I made an origami snowman whose head bounces when you press on top. I totally forgot to take a photo and this is the only one we have but you can get a better idea from the original video tutorial by Hello Origami. It was fairly easy to make but still took quite a while, especially all the decorations. My mum & Jan got their usual Angel Bunny calendars – maybe not exactly handmade but very limited edition!

handmade paint palette

Nicolette probably won this year as she made all our gifts from clay. Mine is a paint palette with grooves to rest the brush too – and of course very cute! Maybe too cute to use but we’ll see.

handmade clay charm

She also used one of my Jammie Dodger polymer stamps to make these little clay gift tags – so sweet!

wooden puffins

My dad was still making our gifts right up until the last minute and they turned out to be wooden puffin decorations! Mine has a cracker since I am the cracker-maker of the family. The bottom green section is removable and can be turned flat into a more sturdy base. It’s going to be so nice to have on display every Christmas. Mine stayed behind for some adjustments and is taking a long time to get back to me – if Royal Mail lose it I will be so upset.

quilted laptop cover

And one more as Jan made this laptop cover for my dad using some of my fabric swatches. Really cute and well-made – the design even matches on both sides.

I need to step up my game next year and start a lot sooner but it was so much nicer than getting things you asked for or worse, things you don’t even want and have to carry all the way home.

marceline

Hello! I’m Marceline Smith, the designer and owner of Asking For Trouble. I create illustrated stationery, accessories and gifts using my cute characters inspired by Japanese kawaii. This is my business and personal blog where I write about my creative doings, inspirations, travels, Japan trips and daily life. Read more »


Browse the archives

Buy my stuff

other things I Do

COPYRIGHT

All text, photos and illustrations are © Marceline Smith 2007-2024 unless credited otherwise. You may repost my images with full credit and link. However, do not reproduce full posts without my permission or use my images or writing for commercial purposes. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER

All opinions are my own and I am not compensated or sponsored for writing about any products or services featured unless stated in the post. Links to shops and websites may be affiliate links – I receive a small commission from your orders at no cost to you, which helps me fund this site. I do not accept advertising.