Charlie's Homemade Christmas Gifts

I have always loved homemade gifts, but gifts made by my son are even better.  Here are some of the things we made this year.

2"x2" Canvas Magnets

These are tiny little canvases I found at the craft store.  I had Charlie finger paint all over them then sprayed them with clear coat and glued a magnet on the back.  His name and the date are also on the back.  I thought these were perfect for homemade add on's for family members.

Snowman Finger Print Jars

Filled with Winter Lotion

I put paint on Charlie's little fingers and made "snowmen" all around these jars.  I am planning on filling them with homemade winter lotion (recipe below). It is nice and heavy to sooth dry hands and free from the cold of winter.

Winter Lotion Recipe
16 oz. night-time baby lotion
8 oz. Vaseline
8 oz. Vitamin E Cream
Mix together until the mixture is the consistory of icing and divide into containers.  This can be done with any type of baby lotion, but I liked the night-time one because it has a light aromatherapy type scent.  It is light and great for sensitive skin. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to make it for feet (has a great smell with the baby lotion).

Snowflake Platters

I used 1/2" masking tape to mask off a snowflake design on dollar store plates.  Then Charlie finger painted on them with Enamel paint in dark blue, light blue, and white.  After they dried I baked them for a half hour on 350 and I have the perfect platter for Christmas cookies for neighbors.

Quote to Live By...

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can!"

 

Charlie painted the canvases and I used sticker letters to write out this wonderful quote.  I put clear epoxy over the top for shine and to seal it down.  I LOVE the results!

Thankgiving Platter

I always thought handprint art was cheesy, but now that I have a little one of my own, I cannot get enough of it.  I made this platter to carry my Thanksgiving cookies with enamal glass paint and a cheep Walmart square plate.  I know my family with love it and I am already planning on trying this for different holidays.

Knit Pumpkin Hat

I made this pumpkin hat in three sizes because I never want Charlie to outgrow it!  Too cute (and super easy). For a 2T size, I knit 72 stitches on size 6 double pointed needles and made it about 6" tall.  Because it is an even number of stitches and your knitting in the round, it makes a stockinette stitch. Then I tapered in by knitting 1 and knitting together 2 for a couple rows.  I did a i-cord at the top to make the stem with brown and added a few leaves with green yarn.  To make the leaves I cast on 2 stitches increased until I had twelve across using a garters stitch (knitting every row).  I knit a few rows and then decreased back down to 2 stitches and casted off.  Sorry the directions are vague, I am better at winging it than following patterns. 

Halloween Treats

I love this idea and had to share what Charlie brought for his Halloween treats this year.  You could also draw a jack-o-lantern face on clementines! 

Present for a Friend

We have kept in touch with families that were in the NICU as the same time as Charlie.  We made this painting this morning for one of Charlie's friends from the NICU for Christmas.  Last night, I put stickers down of her initials on a 6"x6" canvas and then I spray painted a light coat of green to cover the background. Then Charlie finger painted all over the canvas and when it was dry, I pulled off the letters.  Quick and easy masterpiece that is from the heart!

Charlie's 1st Painting

This is Charlie's first painting.  I let him chose the colors and he went wild on a 11x17 canvas.  He has such a ball!

Charlie's First Painting

 

Big C and Me

I am a artist, art teacher, crafter, and most importantly a Mom.  My son Charlie is 16 months old and I have found that having a child has totally changed my view on art.  I no longer yern to paint for hours in a studio or spend my afternoons in solitude throwing on a potter's wheel. Now my life revolves around my little miracle man and I am consumed with making art with him and for him.  Pintrest and other blogs have been inspirational for me and give me so many ideas that I want to "pay it forward" and share our artistic adventures with others.