More Christmas Recap

Before I had the idea of having the kids paint masterpieces for mug rugs as gifts, I made a set for my grandparents. This was my first-ever original design (except for the state flag, of course... I obviously did not design that!).

Guess what state my grandparents are proud to live in!

Before I made those, I made a place mat for my Nani? She needed one to put her spiral-bound calendar so that it won't scratch up her coffee table.

The bird came from "Learn Doodle Stitching" by Aimee Ray; the tree is my own design.

 
Before I made that, I made a small piece of wall art for a special baby girl (my niece) who is due to arrive later this month. It was my first piece, and I wish I had waited until my skills were better. But I liked the idea behind it.

"And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing."

Christmas Gifts

Each year I come up with a new gift that my kids and I can make for their grandparents. Christmas, 2013 was the year of mug rugs. The kids painted mini masterpieces and I added a little embroidery (based on their ideas). Then I stitched everything together into a rug for mugs.

Confession time: I still have two sitting on my sewing machine, waiting to be finished! They get shipped out of state, and the recipients actually prefer to exchange Christmas gifts in the spring/ summer so that they don't get lost in all the hustle & bustle from far away.
Anyway, here are the ones we got done in time...

(Don't freak because my 11 year old drew a gun - my dad is an avid marksman, hunter, fisherman, etc. We all are. It's part of our family's history & culture.)