Of all of my holiday crafts this year, the ornaments were the simplest, but only because they were small and easy to manage.  The baby blankets took a bit more time but were mindless and could be done without looking once the material was trimmed and the fringe was cut.

I made three ornaments of each design, one set of three different ornaments for each of the girls (click the image for close up view).  I probably could have had them all finished in one night if I hadn't had to deal with a cranky, teething toddler.  All three designs are from the same fabric, which I purchased at Hobby Lobby (the closest local craft store with fabric).  Each design also has a different color ribbon and felt backing.  To finish off the ornaments, I used a hidden stitch.  These stitches allowed me to close up the pillow without anyone being able to see the seam (the best way to close a pillow, but must be done by hand).  It's very simple and for these ornaments was extremely quick work.

There is still one blanket left to complete, but that can be done at a later time since I'm not shipping it.  The two blankets being shipped just have to be wrapped and boxed now.  The fabric for the blankets was purchased at Hancock Fabrics (it was quite a large bag for enough fleece for three blankets!).  The only supplies necessary for this blanket are the fleece, safety pins (or straight pins, but safety pins are named "safety" for a reason), and scissors.  After finishing the blankets, I washed both using the gentle cycle, cold water, a little All Free & Clear, and Downy Vanilla Lavender fabric softener.  Normally I don't use fabric softener for baby items, but there was so much static electricity when making these blankets and since they're going to the Great White North where it is cold and heaters run all the time, I knew it would only get worse.  My sisters can wash the blankets again if they'd prefer there to be no fabric softener (although they smell and feel so wonderful now!).  Besides trying to make sure any and all dog hair had been removed (only important because both of my sisters have dogs), trying to remove a little of the static electricity (Static Guard stinks and I don't know how baby friendly it is), I also washed to remove the green fuzz balls from the fleece.  They are all over my living room and my clothes and my dog as well.  I was a little apprehensive about laying the blanket out on the guest bed for fear I'd have to vacuum the duvet cover in there, but not one green fuzz was found.

It feels so good to have finished objects.  One of these days I'll actually make something to keep, but all of these projects are gifts for my nieces and my daughter.  The baby blanket will probably see the most use, especially since one side has the alphabet on it and they're coming to the age (Sophie has almost learned her entire alphabet now, and she's the oldest of the three) where they love to learn and show what they've learned.  I just wish I could be there to watch them as they open their gifts.