Dec 9, 20222 min read

Thoughts on Homemade Gifts by Katie

I'm blessed to have two of the best sisters in the world! Today you have the opportunity to meet one of them. Katie is my "middle sister." She lives with her husband, Jacob in southern Pennsylvania. She has two spoiled cats (Willow and Blossom), a dog (Timber), two ducks and a handful of chickens. Katie is the family artist. You can usually find her working on a new project or brainstorming for her next one. I asked Katie to share some of her favorite projects in today's blog post. I hope you enjoy seeing her work!

When Abby asked me to write for her blog back in August, I had big plans to start writing right away and have it finished long before the due date she had given me. Yet, here I am, a few days away from when this is to be posted, and I’m just now starting to write.

This is a lot of times how I am with gifts. I have big plans to find or make the perfect gift but end up waiting until the last minute to start a project. Over the few years my husband and I have been married, I began the tradition of making something special for each of our nieces and nephews when they were born.

It all started when a friend of mine in nursing school told me about the octopi she crocheted for NICU babies. The spiraling tenacles of the octopus are supposed to mimic the feel of the umbilical cord and help to calm and comfort the babies. About this time, my sister-in-law and her husband were expecting their first. And so, the tradition began; An octopus for Eli, a pink jellyfish for Zoey, a bunny for Heidi, and a moose for the newest nephew due to arrive in a few weeks.

When my husband’s brother and his wife announced they were expecting I was ready to try something new. At the time, they were stationed in WA, and only able to fly back to visit family in PA a few times a year. Using an old pair of my brother-in-law’s fatigues, I was able to sew a teddy bear for their son Jack, complete with an American flag insignia.

These handmade gifts have come a long way since Eli’s octopus. I have had the opportunity to make many gifts for family and friends who graciously accept my crazy creations; From knit dishcloths and finger puppets to a Scottish highland cow and peacock lovey. I love the idea of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, no matter how simple. Each stitch is done with love and the time it takes to make each item gives me time to think and pray for the person I will give it to.