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Niki Jin Crafts is Back!

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Last you heard from me (from this blog, anyway) was almost two years ago when I said goodbye and went exploring new directions. I started another blog (it ... didn’t last), and wrote a post here and there for my portfolio website, mostly talking about my professional art and design work. Nowadays I stick to posting mostly to Instagram.

So what have I been up to? Life has been busy, taking care of two young kids and building a freelance career doing book design and illustration. In between, I keep myself busy with various projects related to my art.

I let go of Niki Jin Crafts for a little while, but recently, it came back to my mind. I thought about what I want to do with this site. Just let it sit there? Delete it? Well no, I’m not ready to get rid of it quite yet! It could use a little updating, though, that’s for sure. I’ve given the site a new look (I hope you approve!) but that’s not what you’re here for, right? We need some new content, of course. I promise, new stuff is coming…
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My Holiday 2015

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It's been a few weeks… I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. My holiday was pretty good. Spent some time with the family, exchanged gifts, ate lots of yummy food…

...Oh yeah... AND I had a BABY!

Adelaide


My daughter, Adelaide, was born on December 30th. So I didn't get a Christmas baby like I thought I would, but she's here now, and my family and I are so thrilled. It has been a crazy couple of weeks recovering from the delivery and adjusting to my new life as a mother. There have been some challenges, and I'm sure there are many up ahead. All of it is worth it, though, to have this little angel in my life.

Anyway, I thought I would share some of the crafty gifts I made this year for the holidays. For many of my family and friends, I put together these treat boxes, which I filled with candy, cookies, homemade Christmas ornaments, and pet treats and toys. I recycled various cereal and cracker boxes to make the packages, and tied them up with some pretty baker's twine.

Christmas treat boxes that I made for various family and friends

For my mother and sisters, I made baking kits with some personal touches. I sewed up some potholders using fabric swatches of my own designs printed from Spoonflower. I also bought some wooden utensils, which I decorated with doodles using a wood stain marker. Lastly, I crocheted pie-shaped hot pads and a pie carrier.

Baking sets for my mother and sisters

Every year, it seems, I stress myself out trying to figure out what to make for Christmas gifts and making sure I have the time to get them done. It is so worth it, though, to be able to give something that's unique and personal and handmade. Gift-giving is one of the most rewarding ways a crafter like myself can share what they love to do with others.

Happy New Year!
Niki



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**UPDATE - 2015** The miniature sweater knitting pattern has been revised.  View/Download the new pattern here:
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