- Bag Month
- Board Members & Contributors
- Contests & Giveaways
- Etc…
- Fat Quarter Month
- Featured Creativity
- Featured Products & Books
- Forum News
- Hand Sewing Month
- Handmade Holidays
- Kids' Clothes Month
- Pattern Reviews
- Profiles
- Quilting Month
- Scrap Buster Month
- Sew-Alongs
- Sewing for the Home
- Sewing Machine Month
- Sewing Tips
- Spring Sewing
- Summer Sewing
- Tutorials & Projects
- Women's Clothing Month
November 13 ~ Gifts for Multi-taskers
| We all know busy people, with too much to do and too little time to get it done. In fact, we may just fit in this category! Here are some fun gifts for your multi-tasking friends and family members. |  |
 |
Make It
 |
|
Undercover Crates Laura from Paint in My Hair has a great Undercover Crate Tutorial, to help everyone get and stay organized. |
 |
|
Bulletin Board Give multi-taskers a way to visually spread out all of those lists! We love this simple Bulletin Board Tutorial from maya*made. |
 |
|
Kidlet Wall Pocket-Tidy Tote Jennifer from JCasa*handmade has a PDF Kidlet Wall Pocket-Tidy Tote Tutorial (with over 40 photos!) to help you make a bunch for the busy families in your life. |
 |
|
Post Office Bag Meg’s Post Office Bag Tutorial via elsie marley is the perfect thing for your letters and packages. It will help you keep track of it all! |
 |
|
To-Do List Holder You’ll want to make one of these for everyone this holiday season! Enjoy Patricia’s Recycled To-Do List Holder Tutorial via A Little Hut. |
Don’t miss these related tutorials from the SMS archives: Fabric Boxes, Drawstring Bags and Gifts for Organization.
Here are just a handful of fabrics we love for some of these projects. Click on the fabric images to visit the Sew,Mama,Sew! shop:
| Lara’s choice | Kristin’s choice | Meg’s choice | ||
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Buy It
 |
|
2009 Calendar from Story by Mia Mia has a beautiful selection of cards, calendars, notebooks and tags. We love both styles of her 2009 Calendars in the Story by Mia shop. |
Mix It
 |
|
Pie in a Jar Megan from Not Martha gives great tips for making the cutest little Pie in a Jar. |
Share It
 |
|
Holidays at Home and the Handmade Holidays photo pool! |
Win It
  |
|
Portabello Pixie Sewing PatternsSandi Henderson, the brilliant designer behind Portabellopixie, was kind enough to contribute one each of her wonderful (and crazy popular!) new sewing patterns. These patterns are very easy to follow with lots of excellent graphics. We’re very pleased to be carrying them in the shop. Check out Sandi’s blog for some wonderful tutorials and sewing inspiration. Today we’re giving away both the Analise pattern and the Ruffle Pants patterns to one lucky winner. Comment below to enter. See our Handmade Holidays 2008 Prize List to see what else we’re giving away this month. |
More Handmade Holiday Ideas
12 ~ Sports Fans
11 ~ Bookworms
10 ~ Elementary Kids
9 ~ Snow Fiends
8 ~ Teachers
7 ~ Holidays at Home
6 ~ Pet Lovers
5 ~ Crafters
4 ~ Music Lovers
3 ~ Babies & Toddlers
2 ~ Travelers
1 ~ Tweens & Teens
We respect the copyright of all crafters. All links and photos from blogs on our Handmade Holidays posts are used with permission.
Those are all great to-makes, but I NEED one of those post office bags!!! So fantastic!
I like the to do list holder. The undercover crates are great!
The wall pocket idea is awesome. I’ll add it to my growing list of things to get done!
Pie in a jar!? Why, that’s brilliant. Love those wall-pocket totes, too.
Love the pie in the jar and the calender as well as the undercover crates!
Here’s to getting lucky today! Those patterns look SO cute.
That pie in a jar looks delicious! Yum!
Yum, pie in a jar! That’s going in the Must Try pile!
So many cute ways to organize! I definently need to do some of these…for gifts,a nd for me.
Yep thats me all right! With 4 kids you can’t help but be a multi~tasker!
Thanks for such a cool gifting idea!
Rane
~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love the undercover crates!! I must make some of those–such a great idea to cover those ugly crates!
This one is perhaps my favorite one yet! Love all the cool task oriented ideas! Thanks for pulling this together.
oooh, that pie sounds really good with my coffee right now. and those undercover crates look so beautiful!
you’re right, those to do list holders are a must for everyone !
The pie in the jar is the cutest thing!
I love all the gift ideas you been showing any chance you can make a list of things to make for charities. such as nursing homes babies in icu cancer patients ect??
I looooove today’s tutorials!!! I can’t wait to make two of everything. One for me and one for somebody special!
I’ve been meaning to make several Kidlet Wall Pockets and the pie in a jar for a long time, thanks for reminding me about these great ideas!
ooo I love those undercover crates!
That bulletin board is just great!
that undercover crate cover is awesome. How cute would that be filled with some crafting essentials for the crafty person in our lives, too? Love it.
Love those ruffles on the pants! I think I’ll make some kidlets for my boy’s room.
Oh, those crates? Mine. Sure, this is supposed to be gift ideas, but we can gift ourselves, right? ‘Cause those crates would be great for my collection of Christmas mags, back issues of Victoria, back issues of Elle (the old ones with knitting patterns and recipe cards -swoon!), and back issues of House Beautiful and all those other bits of magazine love that I can’t bring myself to purge.
I am so under-organized! I need to make most of these things, especially the post office holder.
I’ll be making that post office bag and eating some jar pies… Great ideas!
K
Pie in a jar looks delicious!
Those undercover crates are really neat, love the fabric choice!
Holy moly! I love all of these projects… and that pie in a jar!! YUM!!
The pie in a jar is just amazing! And the crate covers too!
Those are all great gift ideas! I’ve got to try most of them, if not all. And the pie in a jar looks yummy!
Okay…those pies. Need I say more.
I love the Kidlet Wall Pocket.
I’m loving all of these ideas… I think most of them I’ll have to try out on myself first though !
i just LOVE sandi henderson’s stuff … how generous that she is offering a giveaway! and thanks for the tip on the pie in a jar … I’m going to try that!
My bookmarked “must make” project folder grows bigger each day! That thanks to your wonderful lists! Thank you so much for these great links – I am feeling so inspired! And wow, if I were able to snag me some free patterns…geeze…it’s like already Christmas or something!
Pie in a jar, what a great idea!!!
Ohhh! I love the covered crates idea.
Oh, those pies are so cute! The crates are such a good idea, too – they look much better after being covered with gorgeous fabric!
Love all the ideas. We’re going on a road trip over the holidays and those back seat organizers look like a necessity, especially with two kiddos now. Thanks!
I need to make a post office bag, and I think it would be *perfect* in the fabric Kristin chose!
I’m going to make some of the crate covers for me. What a great idea!
I absolutely love the pie in a jar. I have to give that a try!
I always think about making liners for ugly baskets and boxes, but it has never occured to me to just cover the whole thing, of course! Theses are all great.
I think my favourite thing today might be the Tidy Tote, or the to-do list holder. Love Kristin’s choice of fabric today too!
I am crazy fan of NotMartha… I love all her itty bitty desserts but hadn’t seen the pie in a jar.. what a lovely little gift!
I _love_ the 2009 calendar. I’m in the process of repainting my bedroom and it’s going to be in desperate need of some wall art when it’s finished.
We need some of those tidy totes! My friend just made the pies but used the muffin pan instead.They turned out adorable and were a big hit!
Thanks for looking out for the multi-taskers! I love the undercover crates!
The post office bag is the perfect thing for my husband who walks to the post office to mail packages: from hard drives to laptops (he’s the local Mac guy!) I think I’ll tuck in some post labels, a sharpie, tape, and a postal scale to fill out the gift. Thanks for the inspiration.
The post office tote is brilliant!
that pattern is so cute!
I’ve got so many little girls in my life right now – nieces, friends’ daughters, etc. – and they would all look so adorable in any of the Portobellapixie patterns. Oh, to be that young again so I could wear flounces and ruffles and lots of crazy patterns and not have anyone look at me sideways. Thanks for the chance to win!
Love the pie in the jar idea. Gotta try it. Also love the crate covers. Those things are UGLY without something on them!
Wow – what great ideas – especially the post office bag.
Alright, this is one of my favorite posts of the week! What darling ideas!!! I’m going to run right out and buy some crates now that I know I can turn them into something so adorable.
Pie in a jar? Clever! And those patterns look wonderful!
I saw that pie in a jar on another blog…..I HAVE to make that for my FIL. He loves cherry pie and never gets it.
The pie in a jar IS delicious – I made apple ones this fall. As for today’s projects – where to start??? The notepad holders are a nice “just in case” kind of gift that anyone could enjoy.
That pie looks sooooo yummy.
I plan to try to make myself one of those undercover crates after the holidays. I hope I win one of the Portabello Pixie patterns!!
I just made a bulletin board, it sure would have been a useful tutorial. Oh well, I always need more! MMMMMMM, pie!
I love that you are putting all these ideas together again this year. The pie in a jar is such a cute presentation.
I’m digging the tiny tote. I just have to find a good way to use this in our home. There is no obvious place for it.
A friend of mine, who teaches home ec, makes those pies in a jar and they are great! I’m going to have to try it!
Pie in a jar… interesting!
WOW!!!!! I’m loving all the ideas today, so many inspiring things! Now I just need a little time to do them all!
The pies in a jar look so cute and delicious.
The undercover crates are wonderful-they’ll be great for the cellar for the kids toys.
I’m so amazed by how creative people are! I love the post office bags!
The post office bag is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Oh such wonderful ideas!! I can see me packing on the pounds with pie in a jar!!!
Ooh, I love the calendars and the pie in a jar is way too cute of an idea!
Those little pies are just sweet.
Love those Kidlet Wall Pocket-Tidy Totes!! Great idea!
I really like the wall pockets and the note holder! and that pie looks scrumptious!
I love, love, love the pie in a jar! I’ve done cake in a mug…this is next! Thanks!
The crate covers are FANTASTIC. We use alot of crates for storage in our house and I honestly never even thought to cover them like that.
I can’t wait to make the crates! I need some organization around here.
Oh that Kidlet Wall Pocket is great!!
I love all of today’s tutorials! I want to make them all!
I love the crate idea. They would be so cute on a shelf for mittens and gloves.
Oh, that kidlet has been on my future projects list for a while now. Maybe I’ll get some made up after the holidays this year!
The Kidlet wall pocket is such a great idea
Oh, what great ideas! I NEED to make that To-Do List holder ASAP! With something that cute and practical, I won’t ever lose a to-do list again.
Love the tidy tote. Wish I was more of a multi-tasker myself- might get more done!
The undercover crates are my favorite.
Pie in a jar?!! That looks sooo delicious!
Love the Post office bag, but I believe the little kid bags is what I’m making next to keep all those littlest… you know little toys together.
The kidlet is a wonderful pattern. I have made several.
The pie in a jar has me very intrigued. And I’m loving the crate covers. I never seem to have enough places to stash my fabric and yarn. Once we move into our new house I may just have to give the covers a try.
Those pies in a jar are just too cute!! I dont think I would want to eat them, they are that cute!!
That Kidlet wall pocket is so great! And I love the link to Story by Mia’s etsy shop= just beautiful items!
The pie in a jar is such a cute idea!!
The crate covers are a great way to hide them in my daughter’s room!
I have made the to-do list and it is fantastic!
I love the to do list holder!
The undercover crates are “grate”.
I sew a lot of clothes for my daughters and would love to win these! thanks for the chance!
Oh my I want to win these! Darn a budget that doesn’t allow me to buy whatever I want!~~
I love the post office bag! I’ve had my eye on it for quite sometime….
love the pattern! and i love all these great gift ideas
Love those crate covers. too cute!
I like those undercover crates!
I’m making some of these things for me!
EEEEKKKKKKK!!! Love it love it love IT all!!!
every day I can hardly wait to see what projects are posted! My to do list is getting longer and longer!
I’ve never seen pie in a jar! It sure looks yummy!
All of these look wonderful. They may have to wait til after the holidays, though, or I’ll jsut want to make them for myself! Thanks for the links!
pie in a jar! Who’d of thought!?
Such wonderful ideas!!! I am loving these gift guides!
Ohh! I think everyone (even the big kids included) are getting the kidlet totes for christmas!
Wow — what a day! My to-do list keeps getting longer and longer. And here’s hoping I can add the Portabellopixie patterns to the list, too!
I need one of the To-Do List Holders! Actually, I need a few…something to do after the holidays (though I think I need it now to write that down on).
I am likeing the cute little bag..
Ooh, I love the wall tote and the pie in the jar is so cute!
I love everything! After the holidays I’ll make some for myself.
I’ve already collected several of those tutorials this year, sitting in my “to do” list/pile. Maybe somebody needs to create a good way to store all of those patterns we hope to get to soon. I love them. I’ll get to them while I’m baking bread, playing with my 2-year old, doing my family history (typing letters my grandparents exchanged during WWII). Or, I’ll just sit here and imagine how cool those things are and go learn how to make pie in a jar. Thanks for everything!
I really should stop looking at this site–my list of Christmas gifts just gets longer and longer…!
So many good ideas! The undercover crates will be a must & my kids would love the pie in the jar!
Thanks for the great ideas and links. I love that you brought this series back this year! It’s GREAT!
love, love, love it all
I liked all of these ideas. I need some crates but never buy them because I don’t think they are attractive but now I have no excuse.
Well of all things. The marble craze has hit my son’s school (how retro!) and he just last night asked me to make him a drawstring bag because the Crown Royal bag that Grandpa gave him is not allowed at school! Ha! So thanks for the very timely drawstring bag tute!
Yummmmm-y that pie in a jar looks good!
Good afternoon. The underover crates will be my Thanksgiving break project…too cute.
how cute are those crate covers?? that is a must for my new craft room
I’m excited to try out some of these fun ideas! The pie in a jar looks really tasty too! And I would love to win the patterns too!!
Love the idea, esp the pie in a jar. Yum!
I saved the kidlet wall pocket and am definitely going to make it–perfect for all those polly pocket toys and my little pony stuff. Thanks!
I see many undercover crates and pies in my future….lol
How wonderful! My to-do list keeps growing longer and longer.
Well, another day of great ideas. I have printed off the tutorial instructions for the “Undercover Crates” and the “Kidlet Wall Pocket Tidy-tote.” these will be very useful around my house. I can’t wait to make them. Thanks.
Loving the wall pockets!
I have this fantasy about packing up all the little toy parts into Kidley bags and hanging them around the kids’ rooms on shaker-style pegs.
Pie in a jar…great idea for something to do with the kids!!
I’m loving those undercover crates and the kidlets…definately could use some of those to help keep me organized!!! Also can’t wait to try the pie…so cute!
those crates are just the thing for my newly-neatly-folded stash
Such cute ideas!
i’m all over the kidlet tidy tote thingy. oh yes!
Oh …that is a go. My sewing list is geting bigger by the second. I love that Postal bag!
I love the undercover crates. They would look so much better in my office and classroom!
Love all of these projects, very clever!
I love the idea of the post office bag. We currently set our out going more on the floor by the front door, but this is much cuter.
Oh, great ideas today! I’m already planning on the kidlet tote, the post office tote, and making pies in jars. If only I didn’t require sleep!
I just purchased one of Sandra’s Portobellopixie patterns, and although pricey, they are FANTASTIC. Included are great picture tutorials, VERY clear directions and lots and lots of diagrams. I’m very impressed with the quality.
Those are all such great ideas. I could use the post office one!
I’m loving the pie-in-a-jar and the undercover crates.
Ooooo my gosh, I love the post office bag!! What a great idea. I will be making one of those.
The pie in a jar to freeze and eat later is absolutely inspired. Thanks for the link!
Love the post office bag!! I dread going to the post office with armsfull of boxes. TFS!!
My husband loves pie – I know what I’m making for a special treat for him next week!
The undercover crate is fantastic. I’ve already linked to it make after the holidays. Also have to say how much I’m enjoying the recipe section too.
Pies in a jar, I am so there!
I think you just solved my dilema on what to get my mother and mother-in-law. I am going out to buy the stuff for the pies RIGHT NOW. YEAH!!!!!!
Thanks the undercover crate and Post office bag are much needed for me, I’ve added them to my to do list for after Christmas…
what great ideas! every single one of them! Participating in a Christmas swap and I think that I have found everything that I need right here! Again, thank you for all of your time and sharing of such great projects! Monica
Wonderful ideas! Thanks!
Great wall pocket.
Oh wow, I could totally use that Post Office Bag!!
I plan to make several kidlets but with adult fabric since my “kids” are now in college.
Pie in a jar – fantastic idea – all the ideas are great – as usual.
Pies in a jar…what a great idea!
I love that bulletin board.. how cool is that?
I’m totally intrigued by the undercover crates. Thanks for reminding me about the Kidlets. I’ve been meaning to make some but it slipped my mind. And that pie in a jar looks divine! Oh and *love* Lara’s fabric choice. I’m going to have to check that one out.
The pie in the jar is too cute! Thanks for such great gift ideas! I can’t decide what to make first….
I love all of these ideas as I am a multi multi-tasker!
I love all of today’s projects! Thanks.
Those crates look so awesome!
I need to read this blog earlier in the day – Lara’s awesome fabric choice is almost sold out. I was able to get the last quarter yard! Such great ideas!!!
I have had those kidlets on my to-do list for a while. I think they have moved to the top of the list.
oh my little one would look so cute in those pants!
That wall pocket is my favorite! I have sooo many places they would work!
I so need to sew some of those wall pockets for our winter gear!
As usual, a great array of ideas…I am diggin’ the covered crates!
I love your taste. THanks for searching out the good projects for me.
I love this category – and what cute little girl patterns!
This group of gift ideas is amazing! Thank you I am going to spend a lot of time perusing your site.
Janet
the pie in a jar idea is so cute!
Loving all these projects…I am so excited about handmade gifts for Christmas. I am so making the undercover crates for myself though!
The Post Office bag is my favourite today!
Ooh! I think I need to get off the internets and get some pie!
that post office bag is a really great idea! Especially if you go all the time like I do!
Those crate covers look awesome, and that pie in a jar- yum!
My daughter has requested a kidlet!
The covered crates would be just the cute. affordable storage I need in my sewing closet. Yes, it’s just a closet.
Pie in a JAR? What could be better than that?! And those fabric choices…wow, love all three!
OMGosh, lookie a pie in a jar – oh adorable!!!!!
Now I can have a pretty way to indulge in my list writing obsession!!
Oh so many great ideas, not enough hours in the day though!!! First on my “To-Do” list is the post office bag, so I can look a little more hip carrying a big stack of parcel to the post office
Great projects today!
OMG! I just love those mini pies!!! What an excellent gift idea! I wonder if you could prepare them, freeze them, and then gift them with a tag attached…
Ooooo…. lovely, lovely, lovely. Another day of fabulous ideas.
The patterns are so cute, too. Thanks so much ladies!
Pie? in a JAR?Love it! I’m also gonna be making some to do list holders- I come from a long line of list makers!!
I love the idea for the milk crates – I teach HS and move between classrooms and have two ugly plastic crates on my cart at school – how much nicer would it look all spruced up – very cool! That post office bag would make a great firewood tote too – maybe in an even heavier weight fabric!
Love the undercover crates!
Lovely! Now if I can just slow down time a little….
Ooh! I like the bulletin board and the fabric cover for the plastic crates. Off to look for supplies.
Undercover Crates / Post Office Bag officially added to the LIST ~ Thank you!!
I love the crate covers. Gorgeous fabrics!!!
Those pies in a glass are yummy looking. I am not much of a pie maker but I might have to try those!
I saw that bulletin board on Dollar Store Crafts a few weeks ago, it’s such a great idea!!
Fantastic ideas! I love the wall bags-what a great way to give the kids more room on the floor to play!
Pie in a jar?? That looks scrumptious. I also am loving the calendar. I have the Portabello Pixie market bags pattern and I have been coveting the others considering I have two girls!
Yay! More great stuff! I wonder who I know that needs a set of those undercover cratess…
That post office bag is perfect!
Love these patterns!
So lovely!
I love love love the undercover crated tutorial. I will be making those for the playroom as well as my sewing room. Now the daunting task on narrowing down my fabric choices. And Im totally going to make those pies in a jar..as soon as I get some jars. Thats a cute idea for inexpensive gifts for some of girlfriends too.
The Portabello Pixie patterns are so fab! I love all these new patterns that the fabric designers are coming out with.
I so want to win those patterns! Thanks so much for all the awesome ideas and giveaways!
just got my first portabella pixie pattern & I haven’t completed it yet but it is stinkin’ beautiful!
& that first fabric is stunning!
~
What fabulous ideas! I may have to make some for my favorite multi-tasker…myself!
Melissa
I love the post office bags!
I’m going to have to make the kidlet wall pocket! Thanks!
I’m dying to try out one of those patterns.
Great ideas, and that pie in a jar looks delicious!
My DD would love those ruffle pants, sign me up!
Oh, what wonderful ideas! I was thinking of all kinds of people I could give these things to as gifts as I was reading through them! I love this blog!
Wow! I have a few more Christmas present ideas figures out now, thanks!
I love all these projects!
I need ALL of those!
I’ve made one of those kidlets and use it all the time. Just have to find time to make about 6 more and maybe things will start looking more organised around here…
I love the crate covers!!! I have three sitting next to my desk that are going to get a make over soon!! And my SIL is going to get some of the kidlets for her girls. Thanks so much!!!
Those are great ideas. I like them all! I’m particularly interested in the crate covers.
Fantastic round up as usual, but I also wanted to thank you for the Buy It and Mix It additions to your Handmade Holidays this year. They’re a lot of fun.
great projects! i love the fabric crates!
Wonderful projects, love the slip covered crate, and the artistic calendar cards. I love paper.
That kidlet wall pocket tidy tote is fabulous!! We have a large blank wall and I can totally see several of those totes hanging in a gorgeous formation — function and style! Thanks for all the great links!!
I like the undercover crate!
Oh my! I LOVE that pattern. Hope I’m not too late to enter.
Ohhhh…I must be a multi-tasker because this has been my favorite Handmade Holidays post so far. I love all the tutorials! That pie in a jar looks really tasty too!
The bulletin board, to-do list holder, and pie in a jar are wonderful ideas!
analise is precious!
I am definitely a multi-tasker! Love it!
I have seen the future, and it is PIE IN A JAR….*slack jawed awe*…
Thanks for putting this together!
ooooh, that calendar is gorgeous. I need another calendar right? right!
I just discoverd you site but folowing a few links from Craft Mag.’s blog.
I will now be a regular reader!!
I have already printed 3 patterns and can’t wait to start sewing. I LOVE your fabrics in your shop too I am ordering at least 10 yards!!!!
Happy as a lark,
Vanna