Monday, November 24, 2008

Santa's been Busy

Well here it is just three days prior to Thanksgiving and I am proud to say that my Christmas shopping is complete. I can almost say the same for the gifts that I make but not quite. Over the weekend I completed aprons for the girls to go into their stockings (Santa is bringing them a kitchen) and completed Sarah's Christmas dress. Now on to Ivy's. While working on the pink apron for Sarah she happened by and saw what I was working on. She was absolutely sure it was for her since it was pink so I told a bit of a white lie and said, "It is for a little girl at church". Luckly I have done enough sewing for friends at church that she totally believed me and well, it is for a little girl at church, my little girl. I think that is one of my most favorite parts of Christmas, the homemade gifts. And this Christmas I have succeeded in making most of those that I am giving. The biggest of which is still in construction. My husband has wanted a denim (jeans) quilt for about 10-years and I am finally getting off my rump and getting it made for him. I'll be sure to post photos of it at some point prior to Christmas. Some of my other fun holiday gift projects I will not be able to post as the recipient (Mum) checks this blog out frequently and rather then letting the cat out of the bag I will have to hold those till after the holidays. But speaking of the holidays, I love Sew, Mama, Sew's Handmade Holiday. There are loads of great gift ideas and links to more fun things. Be sure to hope over and check it out if you have not already.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Those Mitts

I stumbled upon this blog a couple weeks ago while hunting around for ideas for Christmas gifts and immediately knew that I had to give Leslie's tutorial for the mitts a try as a stocking stuffer for my husband. Now if you know me, you know that knitting is not my favorite hobby. Give me a crochet hook or sewing needle any day. But in starting and completing this project over the weekend I may just be converted to enjoying knitting. That and both of the boys are quite enamored with them and have been asking nonstop for a set of their own. With homeschooling them, doing them in secret will be a bit of a challenge. This pattern is pretty quick to do though even for a non-knitter such as myself and I found that I actually enjoyed doing it. So a big thank you to Leslie for sharing her talents and the pattern.

Sew Pretty

I am really enjoying a new book the local library got in, so much so that I am tempted to purchase one for myself. Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle is absolutely loaded with neat projects perfect for the holiday gift giving. I completed this make-up bag that can be found in it and plan to do up a few other projects from it for Christmas gifts to loved ones. And did I mention that I absolutely love this fabric line, Cotton Bloosoms from Moda.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Costume Parade

Well here is a look at the children in the costumes I put together for them. Sarah, at three almost four was very insistant that she wanted to be a "Pink Princess Butterfly". So I found a flower girl dress pattern that had a "princess" look to it and jumped on Jo-Ann fabric's $1.99 a yard sale of costume satin and together with some trim I already had was able to put this together. The wings and crown were also purchased at Jo-Ann's using 40% off coupons. Why pay full price if you don't have too :-) My original plan for Ivy was that of Raggedy Ann (at 2 1/2 years she is still young enough to not put up a fight on what she wants to be) but things fell trough on putting that costume together so we pulled out the Little Red Riding Hood costume I made Sarah last year. It fit perfectly and she was a doll. Isaiah was quite happy to recycle the cape I made for last year's Dracula and with the addition of a red satin bow tie and a cumber bun he made for a handsome magician. Now perhaps it is because he is the oldest or maybe the fact that he is a history buff, but Caleb always comes up with the most interesting costumes. Last year he went as George Washington (his hero) and this year he chose to go as an archaeologist (not Indian Jones mind you but an archaeologist). This costume was a bit more interesting to put together as we had to really use our heads to come up with props that would help show that he was not Indiana Jones. I think my favorite prop was that of the pastry brush (for brushing dirt off the fossils). He also put some of his favorite rocks into the bucket he carried (which also housed his candy). I hope each of you had a fun and memoriable Halloween....Happy Haunting to all