The Last of the Gifts

SEPTEMBER - MAKE A COVER FOR A JOURNAL  Using a sticky backed piece of artist canvas, I painted, stenciled, sewed on buttons and a little fabric square to create a journal.  On the front edge, I added beads using a blanket stitch.

OCTOBER - A POT HOLDER  This is the very first pot holder I have ever made, the binding was the hardest.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER - A BOOK AND SOME CANDY  These items were purchased.

The year long swap was fun, I really enjoyed making something different each month.  Thank you Nathalie for organizing The Stocking Swap!

I also made 13 mug rugs as Christmas gifts.  It was fun selecting the fabrics to match each mug.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year - enjoy 2013!!!!

Swaps Continued

JULY - A CHRISTMAS STOCKING  I used a pattern by Nancy Halvorsen to create a little holiday stocking adorned with a handstitched angel.

AUGUST - A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT  Using another pattern by Nancy Halvorsen, I reduced the pattern for a pot holder and made a little stuffed jolly Santa.

Oops - I just realized I left out two prior months

MAY - A TABLE RUNNER  This was easy, I made it pillowcase style and just turned it right side out.

JUNE - ANY TYPE OF BAG  I used a pattern from Alicia Paulson for a "Jane Market Bag".

More Swap Items

FEBRUARY - A 14" PILLOW COVER   I made the pillow cover using pastel selvages in a log cabin pattern.  After seeing other quilters make use of fabric selvages, I wanted to give it a try.  It's easy and I love the color dots on some of the edges.

MARCH - 2 STANDARD PILLOWCASES  I had made pillowcases once before, they are so much easier than I thought.  I chose soft Christmas colors, they would look great on my bed!!!

APRIL - A PIN CUSHION  Using a free pattern from Heather Bailey, I made a felt pin cushion with a sprig of violets sitting on top.  I found the cute heart straight pin on Etsy.

The Ultimate Swap

Last January, I signed up for a year long stocking swap through wastelandwallowing.blogspot.com.  We were given an item to create each month of the year and mailed off our swap gifts in December.

Look at all of the beautiful handmade goodies I received from Liz in Odessa, Texas.  It was so much fun to open a package and see all of the items Liz created over the year.  Thank you so much!

My stocking swap gifts were mailed to Nathalie, also from Odessa, Texas.  Now that Nathalie has received her package, I can share what I made each month for the past year.

JANUARY - A MUG AND MUG RUG  This was the first mug rug I had ever made.  I liked the idea of a round one to match the circles on the mug.

I'll post the other items over the next few days.

Tree Lights

How cool are these?  Last night, all of the lights went out on our Christmas tree!!  While I took every ornament off, my husband went out to buy new lights.  I had just seen these cute plumeria lights on my friends tree, so he purchased some for us.

Mele Kalikimaka!!

All Cookied Out



 Yesterday, I had a cookie making marathon.  I think I used every bowl, measuring cup and measuring spoon in the kitchen.  Luckily, my husband got take out from The Outback so I didn't have to fix dinner!

Maple pecan cookies

Country raisin ginger snaps

Oatmeal with white chocolate and dried apricots

Tuxedo brownie cookies

It was a cold, windy day and perfect to stay inside with wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen.

Sharing

I want to thank Alisa Burke from alisaburke.blogspot.com for a free download from her December 12th posting.  I love these gift tags - I made two sets.  The first one I printed on copy paper and glued onto red construction paper.  The next set, I printed on photo paper - they were sturdy enough just to cut and use.

What great colors and doodles to add to your packages.  Thanks Alisa!

Here Comes Santa

My dear friend Sherry, knows me too well.  She presented me with this charming, lime green suited Santa.  He fits right in with my collection of lime and teal ornaments.

Thank you Sherry!

Final Design

This is the pattern I decided on for my strip quilt.  Now, I just have to find the time to add the borders.

Like everyone else at this time, I'm busy, busy, busy.  I have finished all gift projects, packed out of town boxes ready for the post office, addressing cards, cleaning, shopping and having way too much fun socializing!!

Challenge Wall Hanging

I finished my fabric challenge quilt in just 2 days - I need to take down my sewing table from the guest room and get ready for the holidays.
The wall quilt is 12" x 23 " and I used almost all of the fabric Victoria sent.  It was a great challenge and I was very surprised how a piece of brown/black plaid with red roses fabric could be put to good use!

Here I Go Again

I just can't seem to resist a challenge!  Victoria, at "15 minutes play", challenged the first 20 people that responded on her blog to create something from this "Charlie Brown fabric".  My 12" square arrived in yesterdays mail.

I pulled some reds and greens from my stash last night, laid awake thinking of ideas and started cutting and sewing this morning.  I love a good challenge!