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Sew this is Christmas

Handmade holiday gifts come from the heart

Michelle Balleck

Some local gift givers say handmade presents are more meaningful than those bought from a store. So this season, as everyone rushes through stores, they’re busy wrapping gifts they made themselves.

Virginia Acord knits, crochets and sews items for her friends and family. She also sells items she makes at craft fairs.

“A lot of people like handmade stuff instead of store-bought things,” the 73-year-old Craig resident said. “They hold up longer.”



Acord makes purses, mittens, booties, ponchos and baby blankets. She also sews bags that she said perfectly cook foods such as rice and potatoes when placed in the microwave.

She has been making those items for six years, many times as a way to keep her hands busy while relaxing in the evening.



“I do it while I’m trying to find something on TV,” Acord said.

She gives some of her creations to her children and grandchildren.

“If they see me doing something and they like it, I give it to them,” she said.

Mary Walters, 59, crochets and sews. Many of her projects are meant for her four granddaughters and three grandsons.

“The younger ones are easier to make things for,” Walters said. “The older ones I usually give money or gift certificates, because they’re harder.”

This year, for the girls, she bought flip-flops and crocheted colorful, furry yarn around the straps of the sandals.

“They all wanted a pair, and I had a hard time finding them, so I went ahead and made them,” Walters said.

Her granddaughters often see things they like, giving Walters ideas for gifts.

“Even if they’ve forgotten about it, Grandma sure hasn’t,” she said.

So, it’s a nice surprise for the girls to open up gifts Walters knows they will like. Plus, she likes to make gifts for friends and family because something handmade means more, she said.

“It didn’t cost a lot but it’s the thought be—-hind it that counts,” she said.

All her gifts are ready for Christmas, and she’s even started crocheting presents for next year.

“If I don’t get started early, some—-times it doesn’t get done,” Walters said.

Not only are hand–made gifts mean–ingful to Wal—-ters, so is the skill and work behind them. It’s a tradition she wants to pass down to future generations.

“I picked up crocheting from my grandmother. She has since passed on,” she said. “I’m hoping one day one of my grandkids will pick up crocheting too.”

Michelle Perry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 209, or mperry@craigdailypress.com.


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