Best hand-crafted gift you've given or received?

Question

I craft alot and want to give home-made gifts this year. What is the best hand-crafted gift you've either given, and the recipient really liked it, and can use it. Or what was the best one you've received?

Ok, I should have mentioned that I'm not talking about items made from pasta etc...

I mean like hand-made jewelry, liqueurs, decorated clothing, painted pictures, scarves, photo albumns, ornaments etc.

Ok, I should have mentioned that I'm not talking about items made from pasta etc...

I mean like hand-made jewelry, liqueurs, food items, decorated clothing, painted pictures, scarves, photo albumns, ornaments etc.

Answer 1

A Rice Bag - a simple bag is made by sewing three sides of fabric together (about 12-16" square) Be sure and sew right sides together and then turn them out. Make the stitches small so the rice won't leak out. It's a good idea to double or triple stitch around the bag. (quality counts) Add about 4-6 cups of rice, not too much because you want it to have a lot of 'give'. Then hand or carefully machine stitch the fourth side together. Pop bag into microwave for 4-5 minutes and when you take it out it will be nice and toasty. Perfect for aches and pains or for just staying cozy on a cold winters night. I haven't done this but I thought I might try adding some essential oil to give a nice fragrance when heated. If you make one for a gift, use fun or designer fabric, depending on who is the recipient. Place in a basket with a mug and some hot chocolate packets, and a couple of microwave popcorn packs and maybe a couple of movie rental gift cards and it makes a great gift!!! If you want it to be a deluxe gift throw in an afgan and make the basket big enough to use as a storage for the afgan. For a couple you could make his and her rice bags.

Answer 2

I craft a lot also and I sew. I've made several dresses with lace pinafores for newborn baby girls (the majority were pink); for little boys, I've made coveralls and matching shirts and for babies or kids I also make stuffed bunnies that have been a variety of different fabrics from Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie, Care Bears etc. I love giving to others what I've been able to make for not a lot of $$$.

Answer 3

I have made jewelry and painted ceramic pieces. I painted a cookie jar, glazed a set of dishes and painted a coca cola logo on a ceramic plate and turned that into a clock. A ceramic lamp customized to their decor. Covered paper mache boxes in pretty papers and lined with velvet.

Answer 4

I actually make cookie jars out of terra cotta pots. I take the bottom pan and put it inside, glue a knob to it with patio glue. I paint Gingerbread boys, snowmen, Santa, Angels, etc. Or I heat emboss silver snowflakes all over. I sold an awful lot of them at the recent craft show and everyone I know is wanting to know how to make them. I also make them into gift baskets and put snacks, hot cocoa mix, oraments, etc. Amy

Answer 5

Well its not so much crafts, but it is hand made. I have never received any hand-made gifts but about a month ago, I made two trays of cookies: one for my parents and one for my husband's parents. They loved it a lot and thought that the cookies were store bought, so that was a really nice compliment. I made shortbread cookies and cut them out in different shapes (heart, round and moon crescent.) When the cookies were cooled, I dipped them in chocolate and then a drizzle of white chocolate, and also the opposite way too. Some of the cookies, I dipped in chocolate then I sprinkled coconuts over them. I was really proud of myself when I finished it and wrapped it up in plastic wrap, because I thought it was one of the nicest things I've ever created.

=)

Thank you for reminding me and making my day. I felt really bad all day.

Answer 6

Best hand made received:
A Docto Who scarf, well over 20ft long

Best I've given: 2 candidates:
For a couple who played Dungeons and Dragons, for their wedding I made a diorama showing them fighting monsters, back-to back, with the date of their wedding and a couple of their favourite D&D quotes worked into the scenery.

Or could I count the model railway I built for the children's
ward at my local hospital?
(URL below: see the bottom right picture folder)

Answer 7

I crocheted an afghan out of chenille yarn for my sis and she loved it. She has said it is so warm to cuddle under in the winter time. Every time I have given an afghan as a gift, I have always had very positive reactions and they are also a very useful gift.

Answer 8

When I was 6 a neighbor made me a doll quilt in soft colors. 46 years later I still treasure it not so much for the sentiment (I'm afraid I don't remember which neighbor!) but because it is beautiful and beautifully made. It's a work of art.

Answer 9

I took pictures at friends' wedding and gave them the photos in an album.
I've made baby quilts and matching pillows.
Friendship pillows using iron-on transfers.
My mom has made hundreds of quilts and given me many of them.
The cards I make are a work of art.

Answer 10

My mother and a good friend both made me the most beautiful Afghans. Everytime I look at them I think of the people who put so much time and energy into them.