Monday, December 15, 2008

12 days of Christmas gift bags

Last week I had a hair-brained idea-the kind of idea that is just too good to let simmer or to put off until next year. So for the better part of the past 4-5 days I spent working on this.

I made 12 little numbered gift bags...one for each of the 12 days of Christmas. I am going to fill them with little gifts + goodies for each of of my sisters.

Here's the second set.
The pattern for the bag was inspired the artsy clutch from this book. I skipped the lining and just used 2 contrasting fabrics. I've blogged about this before, but for the little loops I used the elastic string that keeps baby shoes in pairs when you buy them. It works perfectly and I LOVE re-using little bits like that. I printed off the numbers on the computer, then traced them to fusible web, which I then fused to the fabric, and then to the bags. It was quite a process, but so worth it. They turned out as good as I had imagined. I'm sure my sisters will LOVE them.

ALL items used for this project were from my stash!!! (My red fabric stash is very lean now.)

Making 12 of these was ambitious.
Making 24 was just plain crazy.

I'm going to strongly hint that my sisters return them to me next year.
(Maybe even filled with gifts.) :)

64 comments:

Jane said...

Yowza girl! You are a Crazy Mom who quilts!! What a fun idea!

I've made some fun stuff using your ideas that I'll share after Christmas so I don't spoil any surprises for family who read my blog!

~jane

kira said...

Absolutely fantastic! I love them!!! :)

Mama Urchin said...

You could make another set and then you could rotate them each year.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

OH I just LOVE them, what a super fun idea!!! They will also love them and they will be used for years and years to come, well done!!

MichelleB said...

What a wonderful idea! I love it. And they adorable as well. You are such a clever lady.

Anonymous said...

You wouldn't happen to be adopting a sister any time soon would you? Cause i'll volunteer ;) What an adorable idea!

Beth said...

How cute! And what a nice concept.

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

LOVE IT! The book you mention (or link to)... Bend-the-Rules Sewing... are there lots of cool/cute projects in it? I've had it on my Amazon wishlist but not sure of it. I like to see and touch the books before I buy; especially crafty ones. Just looking for some feedback.

thanks!
Jen :)

tara said...

You have done VERY well with your stash. Inspriing too.

Simone de Klerk said...

What a very good idea! How very sweet of you. Wished I had a sister like that (I have 4). Oh well. I'm positive your sisters will like them. Otherwise you can adapt me as a sister ...
Have a wonderful week!

Cindra said...

You are a creative genius!

Marie' said...

You have got to stop tempting me with cute projects, or I would never find time to relax and sip hot chocolate:)
I just finished making five doll blankets/pillows/cases after I read your gift post. It was so much fun.

Christina said...

Great idea, how fun to have something you can look forward to passing back and forth each year. If you make another set you can pass them in a triangle (sister 1 gives to sis 2 who gives to sis 3 who gives to sis 3).

Unknown said...

I love them, what a great idea! They will love them and hopefully they will get return with gifts... woo hoo!!

Kelly said...

these little bags are ADORABLE!!! Can you tell me approximately what size they are?

Thanks,
Kelly

Vicki W said...

Those are adorable! I made gift bags one year thinking that they would give the bags back to me to use again. Nope. Not one. They floated around the family for years and none of them ever came back to me! LOL!

Anina said...

Cute! You are crazy though! What are you going to put in them?

Alissa said...

Wow! So cute! Two things: now you HAVE to buy more red fabrics (yay!) and good luck getting them back! If I were your sister I'd never give 'em back! ha!

Sara said...

Those are great - and I would strongly recommend that they return them to especially if they want them filled again...

it would be nice if they came to you filled and then the following Christmas you filled the bags for them...Every other Christmas someone would be getting the 12days.

isolada. by design said...

What a wonderful idea and a very sweet gift! Your sisters should definitely return them to you filled with goodies next year. :)

Thimbleanna said...

You ARE crazy! That's why we love you -- what a great idea! I laughed out loud when you said you'd suggest that your sisters return the bags to you -- great plan!!!

Bison Girl said...

wow I was thinking - 12 bags? impressive. And then I read you made TWO sets of twelve. that's just crazy! they look marvelous.

Anonymous said...

This is probably my favorite Christmas craft so far this year. I love these!!

Amanda Jean said...

kelly,

I cut 4 rectangles for each bag...two for the outside and two for the lining. the rectangles were cut 8" x 11", then assembled with a 1/4" seam allowance. when they are folded up they measure 7.5" wide and about 6" tall. hope that helps!

aj

Kristin said...

These are really cute! Just curious- what kinds of things did you put inside?

MelissaS said...

SO CUTE! Love them....hey, if you can't get derailed and make a couple of extra goodies at Holiday time, when can you?

pratima said...

wow, they are so so sweet!!

sammyjo said...

Crazy? yes but cute and a really cool idea all at the same time!!!!

Holly said...

I love it. Love it, love it, love it. I gave a friend an Advent calendar last year that was kind of along the same lines - little pockets with little gifts in them (from allsorts tutorial). It was one of the best received gift I've ever given. Your sisters are going to love this!

You should go Etsy. With your great ideas + your amazing productivity + your blog presence/popularity, I think you would have an awesome and very successful Etsy shop.

tam said...

I just love all of your ideas-what a talented girl you are! Those bags are adorable!
~Tam:D

Jessica Christensen said...

I am astonished that you have any Christmas-colored fabric left after all those Christmas quilts you made recently! The bags are so cute, but they look so time-consuming! I think I would have gotten burned out after just 6. You are amazing.

lera said...

Oh, Amandajean! They are cuter than I expected! I love them.

Alana Jo said...

Omg. Can I PLEASE be your sister?? Those are fantastic!

Molly said...

Ow wow. My sisters are jealous.

* elizabeth * said...

a wonderful idea!!
QUITE ambitious. I would demand them back.
Ooh! Or make one more set (after the holidays) and you'll each have one. Next year, you can each fill them and send them to one another. Like in order of youngest to oldest, or vice-versa. Ooh! or odd numbers to the one older and even numbers to the one younger so you get gifts from each?
I'm inspired! (as I always am when I come here...)

Anonymous said...

goodness you must have a lot of baby shoes!!! the bags are gorgeous... i'm constantly amazed at how prolific you are!

Chara Michele said...

Very cute! So what are you going to put in each one? :)

Linda said...

Those are way cute! What a good idea!

Unknown said...

I love everything you make. I think my husband is sick of hearing about all of the things that I plan to make that I learned about from you. I already made 20 checkbook covers for presents. I am now inspired to start quilting! At least once I get all of the supplies I need for Christmas! Thanks for the Q & A post, it was very helpful.

Unknown said...

You are always up to something fun! These little bags are great - and the numbering makes them - at least for this use :) Your sisters will love them, and it will be fun to see what comes back next year!

jacquie said...

i love mama urchin's idea of a 3rd set and then rotating the giving every year. could be a new sister tradition. i wish i had sisters...brothers just aren't fun like that.

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to see if they come back your way next year...they are so stunning I would be tempted to keep them at my house! :)

Jeri is said...

Stop it! Stop it right this minute. You are making me look like a lazy slouch! You're like the ever ready bunny. Do you ever sit down and watch TV? My goodness. I need a nap.

Jessica said...

I just love the fabrics in your stash!

Kerri said...

What great little bags! I love how you did the 12 days of Christmas with them.

Sherry said...

What a creative, fun idea! I'm sure your sisters will love them, I do!

hetty said...

What a great idea! Your sisters will love them! Can I be your sister?

Anonymous said...

I love your gift bags. I also love the book they came from. I bought it after seeing it on a blog. Well worth the money if anyone is wondering!

Anonymous said...

super cute idea~ your sisters are pretty lucky! {I'm sure they already know that} I wonder what you'll put in them :)

Becky J. said...

you could make it a tradition and pass it back and forth. therefore you can reap the benefits!! your turn next year to recieve.

Marcia said...

Now that is truly a great Christmas Tradition to start there... And, who could use a little treat every day those last few days before the Season than a mother trying to make sure everything is ready for her family. I will file this one away and plan to do this for my daughters as they get older.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I love your blog and check in daily even if I don't comment everyday.

Anonymous said...

Such a nice idea! I would love to see that idea made into an Advent calendar also. We've been trying to come up with something cute and lasting for an Advent calendar, and I think I'll have to work in the pocket idea now!

Your sisters are really lucky, and I'm sure that they know it. :)

Heather said...

These are so cute. What a great idea. Plus none of the wrapping paper all over the place. :D

Danetta said...

I love this idea! Wouldn't it be cool to pass them back and forth every year?

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Is that where the blog name comes from??Crazy Mom quilts? LOL And makes bags. What a great idea though. I would love to do that but for next year. I should start now!!!

a friend to knit with said...

such lucky sisters!!!!!
they look fantastic.

Katherine said...

So glad to see these days of Christmas bags. Could they be any cuter????

Rebekah said...

such a cute idea...and totally ambitious!

Anonymous said...

Cna you please write up what you put in them?! It would be intersting to see what you can find to fit in them!
Cool idea.

happy zombie said...

How cute!!!!!!

sulu-design said...

These are so sweet. I like the idea of asking for them back (filled or unfilled) so that you can give for 12 days again next year. Lucky gals, your sisters.

Clair said...

I am going to have fun opening one each day.

Michelle said...

I love your idea about the 12 Days of Christmas bags! So cute!