SO MANY TALENTED FAMILY MEMBERS make Christmas a delight. I have to brag about all of the beautiful and surprising handmade gifts that were given and received. My sisters and mother knit; mother and one sister sew and quilt ( I gave up sewing about fifteen years ago and knitting more than forty!). Both daughters sew and quilt, one knits a little and one crochets a little bit. One of the sisters (Renée) and her husband recycle bottles to produce Twice Poured Candles and a new recycled bottle oil lamp (the one above from a Yazi bottle) that was inspired by this idea.

Renée gifted the female members of the family with these new creations, cute headbands and travel size makeup bags, everyone different. She is also selling them at a local salon and soon at RedClothespin.

My mother does a lot of beautiful quilting and she made these sunny, reversible placemats and napkins for us. We’ll feel like we’re in the south of France when it is dreary here. She also knitted a very colorful and warm pair of wool socks for me!

The women at our Christmas day gathering really got lucky this year. Deb made cozy wristwarmers/fingerless mittens for us. Mostly made from scrap yarn they are a clever way to use it up and be useful at the same time.

Now there are two candlemakers in the family; Gretchen too,(girlfriend to one of my nephews) makes candles. A few months back, I had given her some small quilted Ball jelly jars (no longer made and no lids are available) and she turned them into cute little soy wax candles. She also makes nice little candles in tins (with lids).

One of my daughters conspired with her sister and made a very sweet and frilly apron for me since I love aprons and actually wear them!

I think that this is what the spirit of giving at Christmas is about, sharing our talents and love with one another.