Jennifer's Quilt

Look what I finally finished this week:

The bride (way back in June) was very pleased with her gift.

S Sews

S had her heart set on getting a toy sewing machine for Christmas. Every time we would leave the house to go some where she'd ask if we were going to get her sewing machine. Although she wanted a "toy" sewing machine I did not get one. After much research I found that there were none on the market that were worth the money. In my search I came across mini sewing machines. The one I purchased for S is a Janome (same maker of the sewing machine I use) and had great reviews. Hancock fabrics happened to have this particular "mini" on sale over Veteran's day and so I picked it up. Although it is not a toy one, she loves it and I am happy with the purchase. It is showing itself to be a great little machine and worth the money. So if you are thinking of getting a "toy" sewing machine, don't. They are not worth the money as they quit working after the first use. The mini's are just a little bit more as far as the money goes ($50 on sale for the one I picked up) but don't give you the head aches and fustration.

Topsy Turvy

What an amazing expression of love my girls received today from their Nanny (grandma). My mum worked all year despite the arthritic pain in her hands to make these 2 absolutely amazing topsy turvy cinderella dolls for my girls. For those not familiar with topsy turvy dolls, when you hold these particular ones one way they are  cinderella in her "rags" dress. Turn her upside down, pull the dress down and it is cinderella in her ball gown. They are about 15-inches or so and just amazing. You would never know that mum has such terrible pain in her hands looking at the beautiful quality of her work. She always says she does not do a very good job on the things she makes, boy is she wrong. These dolls will be a treasure that can hopefully be passed on to the next generation.

I had fun watching S playing with "Rags" cinderella tonight pretending that she was scrubbing the floors. Mum even personalized each doll by putting the girls' name on their cinderella's dance card.

Tree Presents

Since Mum is currently somewhere over the US making her way to our home I thought I'd take a moment to share a couple of projects I have worked on over the last month but could not share. She won't be checking things on here between now and Christmas so I feel I can go ahead. We have a tradition that we love here called "tree presents". These are small, low cost gifts that we hide in the christmas tree and open following Christmas dinner. One of the fun things about this tradition is that it helps Christmas day seem longer, as it seems to fly by so quickly. So, we start the day with our stockings, have breakfast and after everything has been cleaned-up we head to the tree to open presents. Then after spending the day cooking we enjoy a yummy dinner. Following this clean up we head back to the tree for tree presents.

Tree presents being  low cost items I am always on the search for new ideas. attending two craft fairs in our area in October and November I was able to get a couple ideas. I have seen the idea several times before of the nylon net scrubbies and had had the thought of making some but had not done so. Then I saw a new take on the scrubbie at the Nov. craft fair and for $1 purchased one to take home and make a pattern from. A recent estate sale in my neighborhood found me with loads of the netting for dirt cheap and so I set to work making some of these:

The pink one is the one I purchased to make a pattern from. They go quite quickly and are super easy and I think will work great as a tree present.
The other idea I got from the Oct. fair was this idea for a flop mop.

Upon seeing it I knew mum would not only want one for herself but for some of her friends as well. Since I was able to get 7 from a bath sheet this was no problem. The cherry fabric was left over from another project so the total cost of each came out to about $1.50. Another low cost, fun tree present. This project was also fairly simple but very messy once you cut into the towel. I was covered in little black bits of terry cloth, as was the floor and table.

She's Gonna Love It

So I started this art caddy the other day for Ivy Girl and I was surprised at how quickly it came together. The pattern calls for just using grosgrain ribbon for the handles but seeing as how I am giving it to my 3 year old for Christmas, I worried the handles would not be durable. So with the exception of the handles the tote is complete. I am thinking of using the ribbion as stated in the pattern but putting webbing between the two layers to make it a bit more durable. Any thoughts on that? Once I decide for sure what to do with the handles this tote will be complete within minutes.

Ivy is going to love it though and I can't wait to see her excitement Christmas morning when she sees her tote full of paper. For those that don't know, Ivy LOVES paper, and I mean LOVES. I vaccumm the girls' bedroom daily and tidy up the room before hand. Almost daily I will find that she has gone into the home office and gotton a stack (sometimes even a whole ream) of paper and hidden it under her bed. As my husband says, you would think she would find a new hiding spot given that it is clear the one she has has been found out. She always has a little stack in her hands as well along with a pen, pencil or color crayons.

So this will be perfect for her. Once I get the handles on that is and fill it with paper.

Baby Blessings

Two good friends of mine are blessed to be expecting boys. Well, one actually made his arrival on the fourth and the other is due any day now. I enjoy the chance to make blessing outfits and jumped on the opportunity to make ones for these dear friends. I completed the second today and will deliver it later this afternoon but thought I'd share before hand.

I have been working on several other fun projects but as they are Christmas gifts for loved ones that do frequent this place of show and tell, I will have to wait until after the holiday to share these projects.

S turns 5

My little princess turns 5 today. The time has literally flown but what a joy it has been. S has such a sweet spirit and a people person if ever there was one. She brings joy to all those she meets as she greets one and all with a warm hug and a beautiful smile.