Gifts: Giving Handmade Treasures

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

Leigh Anne says…

I met twin sisters, Kim and Kris at a women’s retreat last year and they were just darling and so creative! Their websites are filled with great ideas for sewing, crafts, cooking, crochet, home decor, embroidery and more. These are girls after my own creative, craft-loving heart. Moms, grandmas, daughters, sisters and girlfriends will find fun things to make and do together. Please welcome Kim and Kris to iLash Girls…

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picture-41 We are both former elementary school teachers. We enjoyed the creative process of teaching so much, that writing directions on how to do something just came naturally to us. Shortly after we finished teaching, we wrote a book that was published through McGraw-Hill called,”Tunes that Teach.” We learned much from that experience, and so it was at that time that we began writing ebooks to self-publish on teaching techniques.

But crafting and sewing were hobbies that we both really enjoyed as well. So Kim made up a pattern for “Personalized Name Pillows” and began selling the finished product on ebay. It wasn’t too long before she realized that other women out there would enjoy making these for their children as well. We’ve always believed that there is great satisfaction from doing something yourself. Drawing upon our experience with teaching ebooks, Kim’s husband then suggested she turn the name pillow pattern into ebook format. The fire caught on and not too long later, www.YouCanMakeThis.com was born! What started out as a handful of ebooks, has grown over the past 3 years to over 800 ebooks by over 200 women who have an expertise in an area.

Last May, we launched www.SWAKembroidery.com as we noticed many out there love to machine embroider something special on their finished, handmade items. “SWAK” seemed like such a fitting name as we shared the sentiment of wanting to add that “final touch” to their projects…thus “sealing them with a kiss!”

And then just this week, we debuted our brand-new site, www.YouCanQuiltThis.com! Quilting was always our “first-love” in the area of sewing, and so we knew that this was an area that we not only wanted to embrace ourselves, but to invite many new beginners into the wonderful world of quilting! We know that quilts can evoke many memories and good times with loved ones. We really hope to be able to help carry those traditions on through the site.

Favorite Color:

We both agree – red!

Favorite food you associate with spring:

lemons

Pet peeve?

Those who judge others too quickly. One of our mottos has always been, “Everyone has a story.”

What is something that no one knows about you?

We get asked all the time if we’re Osmonds. There’s no relation, but we wish there were!

One word that describes you:

loyal

What’s your motto or mantra?

Life is good. The secret to happiness is making sure you keep the main thing, the main thing.

What are the top 3 things that are most important to you:

The 3 F’s- family, faith, and friendship

Our Thoughts About Gift-Giving

The DIY phenomenon is here and more and more people are choosing to give handmade. Why is that?

1. Because It Is Cost-Effective
More often than not, you can make something for less. Of course there are exceptions, but this works well when you have a budget to stick to. Kris recently made some chalkboard mats for her nieces and nephews. Can you believe she was able to make 9 of them out of 1 yard of fabric? Talk about a bargain! Another friend of ours made purses for all her girlfriends for a holiday gift exchange they had. When making many gifts at one time, doing so in assembly line fashion works really well as we purchase all we need at once, lay out the materials, and thrust into the project at hand. Before you know it, we’re finished with something that was not only enjoyable to do, but cost very little in relation to purchasing something in a store.

2. Because It Can Be Personalized
When we make a gift for someone, we always keep in mind what is important to them or about them. Whether it’s a name on the gift, remembering their favorite colors, or making something of a sentimental nature, a handmade gift is one way of showing you care. Handmade gifts can be very unique and different. Countless times we’ve been so impressed with those who can create the same project, yet individualize each one to make them special for the one they are giving it to. Whether it’s something that has been knit, sewn, painted, or glued, you can make the right gift for just the right person.

3. Because It Can Become a Treasure
Kim still has a crocheted blanket our grandmother made for us when we were young. Seeing this reminds us of her love and dedication to our family. We can imagine the excitement she must have felt while making it. In retrospect, we don’t know if we ever showed my full extent of gratitude when that gift was given. Oftentimes that may be the case. But looking back, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving as we recognize the hours that must have gone into something so extraordinary.

Do we still purchase gifts for family and friends from stores? Of course we do. But while acknowledging that making handmade gifts does take more time, for us, giving a gift that is handmade is very fulfilling to both the giver and receiver.

Be sure to check out their website and come back and tell us what you’re inspired to make! We’d love to hear what your favorite handmade gift has been and whether you were the giver or receiver. Leave a comment so we can all get some great gift ideas…