Is homemade worth the trouble?

I've been trying to make more gifts for those I love and appreciate. I dipped my foot in the water last year by making some stocking stuffers with my (then) four-year-old. We cut bookmarks out of the previous year's calendar, with quotes on the back for each person. I loved using them through the year and decided to try a few more projects to give as gifts or as part of a gift.

You'll have to forgive the lighting in these. I realized the night before going out of town for the holidays (in the midst of packing, no less) that I needed some snapshots, so we have to be happy with what I got.

Flax Seed Pillows

I saw these flax pillows at An Oregon Cottage and thought they seemed like a terrific idea! I bought fleece on Etsy and found them very easy to make, even for a novice seamster like myself. The one pictured is for the Kindergartener's teacher (he picked the fabric). Other variations on a theme: flax seed hand warmers or foot warmers for your cold-footed friends to take to bed. 

Time: < 30

Cost: < $5

Recommended: yes!

Girl's Catchall

This Girls' Catchall from Martha Stewart took quite a bit of time, but I think it was worth it. The bulk of the time was spent painting the frame/dowels and waiting for them to dry (I applied three coats over the course of a few days). I made one for my daughter and one for my niece. It should surprise no one that I chose bright colors instead of Martha's tastefully cool tones. Mine is larger (12X12) and I secured the ribbon to the back with tacks since we don't own a staple gun. I also used superglue to affix the dowels vs. wood glue.

Time: 1-3 days for painting; ~ 1 hour for the rest

Cost: I'm approximating, but this was relatively expensive when all was said and done...between $30-35.

Recommended: Sure. Attractive and functional; also a good project for other children to help with.

Sweater Pillow

This is a down pillow covered with a sweater that my grandfather used to wear. It was a gift for his daughter, my mother. The down was upcycled from a pillow I already owned, which mom appreciates. I got the idea from my cousin, who made one for my aunt. It does look a little lumpy in the picture, but it's very comfortable and my mother loves it. I used a storebought pillow case as the underlayer and then cut/handsewed the sweater to fit in a relatively square shape. I don't know that I'd necessarily give it as a gift unless the sweater had some meaning to recipient, but this was my favorite homemade gift this year.

Not pictured is the kitchen towel I embroidered for my mother-in-law (Eiffel Tower!), but you can see a sample of my needlework in the first picture with the flax pillows. The green/yellow design on the towel is my second embroidery project and I am excited to be developing this new crafty skill, so I did make sure to at least get it in the shot.

Did you make gifts this year? Are they well-received? Worth the trouble? If you have pictures, link and share what is worth the time and what was a bit of a flop.