Little Wallet

Can I just say....I love this pattern from Valerie Wells for the "Little Walllet". I have had it for a couple years but have never used it until today. I will be using it all the time now. What a great way to use up scrapes and have a wonderful little gift to give as well.
Please excuse my poor photos:

A Set

After seeing reuseable grocery bags at the same local quilt shop where I found reuseable produce bags I decided to make it a set, having already made a produce bag for mum for Christmas. I love how roomy the grocery bag is and may have to stitch one up for myself as well.

A Matching Pair

A woman at church called me last week (nothing like waiting to the last minute) and asked if I could making a matching girls' dress and 18" doll dress to include with the 18" doll they were giving her daughter for Christmas. She brought over a pattern for a girl's dress and fabric they wanted to use for it the next day and I came up with as close of a match as I could for te doll. Here is what I sent home with her today:

Seafoam

I love this afghan pattern. Over the last 20 years I must have done about 25 of them. It is quick and easy and makes a beautiful gift, which is why I decided to make one for my boss this year.
The color of the wool is called seafoam.

Reuseable Produce Bag

I found these neat produce bags at a local quilt shop and decided to embroider one for mum for Christmas.

I just put the finishing stitch in and need to go run an iron over it

Symbols of Christmas

An aquaintance from church had seen this and asked if I might be able to put something together for her. After searching around I came up with this:

Just have to make a wreath ornament to complete the set.

Center Stage

Put together the top of another table topper today. This too will be a Christmas gift. I do not recall the fabric line as it is a few years old but I do know that it is from Timeless Treasure.

Blue Palace Table Runner

I was so excited to cut into the fabric I purchased today that I forgot to get a photo. I put together this table runner (A Christmas Gift) using a pattern (Table Matters) from BHG's Fast & Fabulous Quilting Ideas 2008. I did add some quilting in the ditch, a step they did not do, to give it a more quilted look. Now I am off to add the binding. I used 14 of the "Blue Palace" fabrics from Clothworks

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.

A Little Tweet for You

I had a bit of funthis weekend at the sewing machine and after the spell away it felt wonderful. First up was the sewing of some super fun bird ornaments that I found in Joelle Hoverson's book, Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. I used the beautiful fabric I recieved from Christine in the Christmas in July ornament swap we participated in an it was perfect for this project. Thanks again for the fabric Christine! I was able to get a total of six birds from the 2 fat quarters and the kiddos had a grand time helping to stuff the "Birds". Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson has a fabulous pattern for sale called "Paper or Plastic" which I purchased several months ago. I finally gave the "Plastic" bag a try today and am very impressed. Think it will also have to go on the must do for the holiday/birthday gift list. Wonder if I can get the 6-cent per bag rebate on my bill at the grocer as I do with the green bags...will have to give it a try. At any rate I will certainly be making more of these.