Handmade

Rather than buying gifts I have been making this year - in an attempt to save some pennies (says she that went to the hairdressers yesterday)! 

First in line was a birthday present for my sister that she requested for her last birthday last year.  One year late but it was duly delivered this year.

A draught excluder

At the risk of sounding like a sour puss, I know that Cath Kidston sells these (or did) but I got thr basic pattern for mine from a vintage sewing book dated from the 1970s.  I have to 'fess up here to a love/hate thing about Cath Kidston.  Yes, some of her fabrics are very pretty but they are also very expensive.  And for me, the fact that she has made anything and everything emblazoned with her fabrics and logo dimishes their appeal.  Anyhoo, I'll get off my soap box and show you another photo of the draught excluder.

Made using vintage Laura Ashley baby needlecord, vintage ribbon and he has pollka dot under ears.

The next gift is for a friend who has just had her first baby.  Rather than buy baby clothes I decided to make a gift for the nursery.

Again made with a vintage pattern and thrifted felted wool.  Apart from the stuffing, everything on this little lamb is either vintage or reccyled.

I also bought (and forgot to photograph) a vintage copy of The velveteen rabbit.   Not the original 1922 version, but one from the 1970s that was in great condition. 

On the way to visit little baby Thomas, I undid all good work by visiting not one but several charity shops.  And came away with a small pile of delights.  Bad girl!  I'll tell you all about those tomorrow!

Comments

[Heather]

That little rabbit is adorable! Your friend is going to love it.

[Kristy]

I am totally with you on the Cath Kidston thing.I really wish she was more about individual items ike in her books rather than mass produced everywhere. I suppose that's just the product of how successful the brand has become.She has to earn a living and support her staff I suppose.

[marie]

Hi Samantha

I love your pretty handmade gifts ~ they are quite delightful! Who can resist a charity shop bargain ~ I can't!

Your hair looks great in the previous post. Thanks for the e-mail ~ I'll be getting back to you later today.

Marie x

[t]

i agree with you about the love/hate of CK.
i just cannot make up my mind about all her things - i get excited when a new season arrives and then buy very little or nothing as i do not want my home filled with the same items as millions of others!
i feel the same about Ikea - love the thought of going - get there - then feel like i am being led around it along with hundreds of others - all buying the same things - YUK.
glad you spent some pennies on you - it always helps to cheer the heart x
tracy x

[kim]

They are lovely Samantha, much nicer than shop bought ones!
Kim x
What have you been buying?

[Sew Recycled!]

I am all for homemade pressies (see last post!) Again, I agree with everyone on the CK dilema! You love her but hate to be a sheep, bah bah! Great hair by the way, I had the chop again just before crimbo, very pleased as it was a snip of a price at the local old ladies hair salon! (risky though).

[Claire]

Lovely gifts you have made. I too will add my love/hate thing about CK - I am glad someone else spoke up about it! I see a lot of the patterns are simply re worked versions of vintage fabrics that you may be lucky enough to pick up yourself with the right market and a fair wind. I also, like yourself feel frustrated that a lot of what she produces, or asks her factory to produce for her either reduces people's interest in genuine hand made in the UK, or is simply taken from a vintage book. I have never bought any CK stuff as I look at it and say to myself "I could make that myself" - sounding pretty arrogant, but there are some talented people out there, many of which also blog that produce simply beautiful work that is equally as good if not better than CK. My word what a rant.... Best go! x

[nonnie]

Love the hand made gifts. I'm trying to make more too as not only does it save money but I think is more appreciated. I find it impossible to make gifts for men though! I agree with you and everyone else that has commented on Cath. I loved it when she just had the one shop in Notting Hill and seemed like she was more like all of us. I do really like her things but at the same time hate the fact that it's all so mass produced now and totally over-priced. I have two of her shops about 10mins walk from where I work and I do pop in both regularly but I never buy because I just think I could make a lot of it myself a lot cheaper. If I'm being really honest, I just go in for some inspiration!

[Kathy]

What gorgeous presents you have made. Well done, you are very talented.

[snapdragon]

I was speaking to a friend yesterday who runs a fairly high profile kitchenware range, her interest & a lot of her job is persuading UK designers to design things for her company. She has a great eye &was very with you on the CK thing and looking to Christina Strutt, Poppy Treffry & a few others instead. My money is on Lisa Stickley as she has the financial backing and a less childlike design sense than Treffry and the like. I think that we are all about to get fed up with cute.
I love vintage pattern books, lovely dog
J
x

[Rachel whitworth]

I too am with you on the CK thing!I love to go in the shop as I like the style but don't own one item from CK as it's all so over priced.Now it's become just another chain store.I prefer genuine handmade myself.Love the little lamb!

[gayle]

Oh, the velveteen rabbit! Love it. What a beautiful present. I do like looking at the CK stuff and love her books but haven't bought anything. I would have bought the first aid kit but it is sold out. I do think the button box she does is very cute though.I think it is normal when things become very popular for there to be a bit of a backlash and people begin to look further for a different look. That's just life. It's the same for Laura Ashley stuff too! I am dying to see what you got at the thrift shops.

[ginny]

Hi Samantha,
ooh you have struck a cord...can't say i do CK either. Agree that the fact it is everywhere dilutes it somewhat. Did see the dog draft excluder though and liked it. I love your version.. really pretty fabric.. i love needlecord. Especially good is that it is a one off made with love by you for your sister. I bet she was thrilled. Homemade presents are the best.
Ps. like your hair
ginny
x

[Sandra]

the Laura Ashley fabric reminds me a lot of a style of dresses they used to sell years back,thanks for the trip down memory lane

[Jade]

As far as the CK thing go i agree with you i was thinking the very same thing now i do not feel so bad that it was just me only...by the way i love your website first time for me visiting it and i plan on visiting more often