[TEACHERS]

Okay, it's down to the wire...

TEACHERS: My kids have two main/homeroom teachers and that's all I can fit in my budget this year. In a small gift bag I am giving them chocolate truffels, Tension Tamer tea (celestial seasoning makes it) and a hand-made hot pack filled with rice. After a day with my son, his teacher needs it all, I'm sure.

Mom and Dad: My boyfried is a photographer and an artist like me so we are working together on getting pictures of me and my two brothers in some frames.

My Kids: 16"x16" throw pillows with a secret pocket for a cd player or book (they read and listen to music when in bed). Also, my 9 year old daughter plays with an American Girl Doll so I have made her some clothes and knitted it a poncho and head band.

My 24 Year Old (cute and single) Younger Brother in Graduate School: Handmade messenger bag specially designed by ME to hold the cardboard tubes he puts his drawing in.

Other Younger Brother and SisInLaw: I'm building a cedar post for his mailbox. He just build a new house.

BOYFRIEND/LOVE OF MY LIFE: It's serendipity with us. I met him 14 years ago, lost touch, met in '99, lost touch, and now I'm in grad school and we met again. This time I am single (divorced) and we are so close. He built this beautiful KOI pond in his greenhouse and it's the first place we kissed so I am making him a Koi Quilt. It's very simple applique so I should have it done by tomorrow night (cross my fingers). I'll find a way to post it after xmas.

HIS PARENTS (or just his mom): I don't know. She's old and crazy. Something nicer than cookies would be good, but I am stumped.

Uncle likes strange art? Try the thrift store and then visit this site for some weirder inspirations.....

http://thewurstgallery.com/vintage_vandals.html

Go to a dollar store for the shoes. Paint them and add glitters and sparkles. For the boxes I'd sculp them from Das Pronto or maybe a Sculpey/Fimo type clay. The disks? I don't know, maybe cut out cardboard and insert a skinny thin dowel down the center. Decorate tree.

Great! Now I have a project to do with the kiddies this weekend.

There's a nifty slipper pattern on the Martha Stewart website (and in the recent holiday mag). I think both my kids and my friend/babysitter and her kids could use a pair. Add some embroidery and and leather soles viola! a sassy pair of slippers.

My sister in law's family is Jewish and last year we combined xmas and chanuka (sp?). We'll probably have them over again this year. I would like to make them a plate of yummies and the fabric basket/bowl posted above would be perfect to put them in.

My one brother (husband to sister in law) is building his first house. I'd like to mak him something for his house. Any ideas?

Other brother is in college again, like me. We're both of the artistic persuasion so I thought maybe a messenger bag for his drafting supplies.

Wow. I'm doing better than I thought.

I haven't read anything on Craftster in a looooong time and forgot about this thread. I'm in Galway, outside of Saratoga and close to Amsterdam. I've lived in the real upstate all my life, although not in this town. If there's any female Skidmore student who would like to rent a very large master bedroon with private bath everything included out of my house in the sticks, drop me a line. Or any female not at Skidmore but one who doesn't mind driving far to anywhere....... I'm a single mom now and having another crafty soul around would be nice.

Judy Chicago is one of my idols. Have you ever watched the documentary on The Dinner Party? Hooray for the vagina!!!

[CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!]

CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm an artist and for the past year now I have focused on the vagina. A culmination of issues and events led me to exploring the female body because we are taught it is shameful and that worries me. I love your work. Keep doing it.

http://www.hempforknitting.com/waterbottletote.pdf

http://www.atimetoknit.com/lace.html

http://www.spindling.com/index.html

laminathegreat..... YEAS, YES, YES, that is how I want mine to look. But I don't crochet. Do you (or anyone) know how to convert crochet to knit?

talmina..... If you could send me what info you have that would be fabulous.

I'm sure if I tried to figgure out a modified bun cover with a headband thing I'd be fine but I am back in school and my mind is so occupied with my final show in the spring. Can you believe I have to plan for May now? The good thing is, I'll be incorporating knitting into my paintings. Thank you all for your continued help.