Keeping Busy

I resolve in 2014 to be a better blogger.  Summer hit and my blogging took a hit and I've been struggling to keep up with it since.

I have been busy in the sewing room though.  Working as quick as I can to get Christmas gifts done and I can proudly say, I finished last weekend.  Phew!  However, my grandmother's quilt... it is quilted and looks awesome but I will be gifting it minus the binding.  I haven't had time to sit down and get the binding sewn on and then do the hand-work. I feel like a dope giving an incomplete gift but what can I say?  Work full time, daughter busy in school stuff and just life happens.  I'm okay with my decision.  I know she will love it regardless.  I'll let you know how she reacts to receiving the gift.

Okay.  What I've been working on:

Teacher gifts.  I made them both a pillow that I spotted in the Winter edition of Quilts and More magazine.

Cute?  I think so.  Need to make one for myself.  Well, I DID make one for myself and I used all the Christmas scraps I have.  Looks like a hot mess.  LOL.  So I'm not finishing it.  I will make one for myself out of Aspen Frost as I did for the teachers.

I made some soft and cuddly infinity scarfs and lip balm holders for my cousins, SIL and a friend of mine. All ideas found on Pinterest, of course.

My model:

I think they will enjoy their gifts this year.

The holidays aren't complete without some sewing for myself.  I started this tote back in November and finished it so that I show it off use it over Christmas.

The Twister Tote.  It's a nice size tote and would work well as a beach bag this coming Summer.

I had to add a band of the black daisies to the lining.  I was short about an inch.  I was so mad and was ready to scrap it all until that idea popped into my head.  Why I was short, I have no idea as you can see, the lining is very 'blousy'.  I'm not sure what happened there but I'm not going to stress over it.  It's just a tote for my use. It's all good in my book.  The interfacing of the bag is that Soft and Stable foam.  Oh it is awesome.  Expensive but awesome.  If the wallet let's me, I will be using it more in other totes in the future.

That's it from my house.  Hope everyone is ready for the Jolly Man.  5 more days, you know!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

The Innocence of a Child

The holidays are upon us.  Just in case you didn't know that.  First, Happy belated Thanksgiving to all in the US.  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday dinner and ate lots and lots of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy.  Did anyone brave the crowds for Black Friday shopping?  Not me.  I went out over the weekend but stayed away from the stores on Friday.  There was nothing I really needed to shop for to bother getting up super early for.

I wanted to show you this.  Amelia finally finalized her letter to Santa and gave it to our Elf "Sneaky" to personally deliver to Santa.

She was excited to see her letter to Santa was gone the next morning and she said to me "Mama.  Sneaky must like you too because he saved you a trip to the post office!".  I love that she still believes.  I know it's coming to an end soon.  I will keep the magic going for as long as I can.

I have been doing some easy sewing but my mojo is disappearing and it really can't.  I have several more gifts to make.  I just haven't had the time.  My long Thanksgiving weekend was spent away from my house.  We had something to do or some place to be all weekend.  It was a bummer because I need to get myself in gear!  I'm just going to have to take time out at night and get it done.  My husband will have to hold down the fort in the evenings.

Here's what I've finished so far.  One was a birthday gift for my Godson for his 1st birthday - on Black Friday.  We partied it up.

I made him a warm and cozy fleece blanket.  I owe him a coordinating pillowcase but I haven't made it to the fabric store to see what I have find for brown doggie fabric.  I HOPE to get there before Christmas so that I can get that off my list.

Here's one with my helper

For my God-daughter for Christmas, I made her another fleece blanket and pillowcase.  Last year at the last minute her mother (my cousin) shared her Christmas wish list with me.  At the very top of the list at #1 was "a blanket from Jen".  I made her and her siblings each a blanket about 4 years ago and she wanted another one.  If I had known about a week sooner I would have made her one last year.

I made sure to make her one this year.  Now, she'll be 9 in January but isn't a girly-girl.  Doesn't like a lot of attention.  She loves to create and craft stores.  Office supplies is another big one with her.  Finding fleece that isn't all bright and "Look at me!" is difficult.  Until I found this...

Cute but not too girly-girly Zombie fleece.  I think I nailed it.  I backed it in a dark gray.  The next challenge was finding fabric for a pillowcase.  I was going to go with a black/white/gray theme but took a shot on Etsy.  And I found this:

Zombie Apocalypse by Riley Blake.  It's not as "cute" as the fleece but really?  Totally meant to be.  The cuff of the pillowcase is zombie eyeballs.  Awesome.

I think I will have a happy God-daughter at Christmas.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

For My Little Mommy

Last year, Punkie big wish was to get an American Girl "Bitty Baby" doll.  Of course Santa listened.  "Baby Amelia" has been a big part of her year.  Punkie loves to play "house" - just play pretend in general. 

This year, Santa is bringing her more accessories for "Baby Amelia" and "Big Sister" (that's me), made a few things for her too.

I found a tutorial for dolly cloth diapers on Lori Holt's blog and whipped out a few (7).  Along with the new cloth diapers, I made a simple blanket for Punkie's baby too.  I wanted to make some bibs as well but you know how it is.  Time ran out.  I'll still make some bibs; they just won't be under the tree.

I hope my Little Mommy likes them.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Ready?

I'm not.  I'm doing a major scramble this weekend.  All my shopping is done and most of my wrapping is done but I have some sewing to finish up for Punkie and wrapping all her "Santa" gifts.  My MIL called me this morning and asked if Punk wanted to spend the night over there to give me some private time to get things done.  YES PLEASE!

Enough complaining.  Let me show you what I've been up to.

I found some cute ideas out on Pinterest (again) and put some of them into action.  I have a Godson who is going to be 15 in February and what do you give a 15 year old boy??!?  No clue here so money it is!

I thought this would be a cute way to give my Godson some spending money.

Next, teacher gifts.   A bag for Punk's "main" teacher.  I made the Tahoe Tote and dug in my stash for some yardage.  Punk picked out this combo and I set to work.  I like it.  I hope her teacher does as well.

And a fleece blanket for the teacher's aide in her classroom.

And a little something for me.  About a week or 2 ago I got some happy mail.  Carol sent me a very sweet pincushion.  I just adore it.  Thank you Carol for thinking of me during the busy holiday season!

if you can't see it, Carol stitched "Pins" in the center.  Too cute.

There's a bit more I want to share.  I'll be posting again.  :)

Enjoy your day!

Jen

The holiday push

I'm scrambling over here to finish gifts.  Trying to find time but it's hiding pretty good on me.  I have a list and most of it is for Punk and whatever I work on, finished or not, I have to hide.  She has radar in my sewing room.

I am hoping, hoping hard, that I can find some sewing time this weekend.  House needs to be cleaned and Christmas tree needs to be dressed up.  Breakfast with Santa on Sunday.

It would be nice to show you some Christmas gift finished next week.

Fingers crossed!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

This post is brought to you by the letters A, H, K and M

Pillows.  Lots of pillows being cranked out over here.

It all started with the innocent question on Facebook to my cousin of what would my God-daughter like for Christmas?  She and Amelia are of the same age - Hope being 8 months older but her interests differ a lot from Punk.  Amelia loves to play with dolls and play pretend.  Hope loves to draw.  I've given art supplies a few times but I needed something different.  One thing on her list was an "H" pillow.  Oh.  I can so handle that!

Gears turning in my head, I came up with an idea.  An initial pillow but with some pizazz.  Gotta have some pizazz.  Hmmm.  Turn it.  Yeah.  That works.  Turn the block a bit so it looks wonky.  Okay.  Now we're cooking.  But it needs more.  It's not speaking too loudly yet for me.  It needs more WOW!  Ah.  FUR.  Faux fur in a fun color.  Ooooo yeahhhh.  That's it!

NOW the pillow is talking to me.  It tells me is works just fine for a little girl!

Hope

Here's where the "lots of pillows" comes in.  My other cousin is Hope's sister's Godmother.  And of course, on Katrina's wish list was a "K" pillow.  When I answered my cousin on FB that I could handle an "H" pillow, my other cousin asked me ever so sweetly "Since you're making one for Hope, can you make one for Katrina too?"  Of course.  Part of me wanted Hope to be "special" and have her own pillow but I had a feeling that on Christmas Eve when the gifts are exchanged between the extended families, I would have been asked anyway if I could make one for Katrina so why not.  I'm on a roll with them as it is.

I couldn't stop there.  I have my own little one who will certainly spot the pillows and ask for her own so I had to make an "A" for her.  THEN I remembered that another one of my cousin's got married in July and his step-daughter is of "fun pillow" stage so I had to make one for her too.  That's 4 pillows so far.

But I needed a guinea pig pillow.  My LQS had this aqua fur on their shelves that totally remind me of Sulley from Monsters Inc.  This guy:

So I bought some "Sulley Blue" fur and got to work and put my ideas in action.  Since I had color choices already assigned to those above, I made a pillow for my friend's daughter.  We exchange a little something for the girls every year.

As I was working on Amelia's pillow, who by the way, picked out her own fabrics for her letter and outer borders - so much for that surprise - it dawned on me that there is one more little girl in the bunch who would like a pillow I'm sure.  So I added another one to my list and quickly decided on her color scheme so that I could order the faux fur for hers.

Total of 6 pillows.  I love how they came out.  I can't wait to give them out at Christmas.  If you happen to be wondering... Amelia can't have hers until Christmas morning.  It's going under the tree.  :)

Maya

Kaleigh

Amelia

Abbey

Katrina

This isn't a "letter" pillow but it falls into the pillow and gift category.  Out on evil great Pinterest, I found a tutorial for some cute applique Christmas ornaments.  They were too cute.  My hairdresser needed a gift and she appreciates all the work that goes into handmade items so I made one for her.  I really like how it came out.  I ended up doing an envelope back so that she can remove the cover and wash it or store it easier.

D'OH!  Forgot to take a picture of the ornament pillow and I'm at work today.  Picture coming soon.   

For the Christmas Through the Year Grand Finale - I can say that I made more Christmas gifts.  I started out the year just fine with some small gifts but then I ran out of gift ideas and sewing steam.  I will be better prepared for next year. 

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Swoonin'

Snowy day out there today.  I had commented last week (I think) on Anna's blog that I didn't want any snow.  She told me that I needed to "embrace my inner snow" and my husband pretty much told me the same thing.  He got a commercial plowing job for the season and told me that he needs only 4 good snow storms and that will pay for our trip to Disney.  So... C'MON SNOW!

Speaking of Disney, we met with a travel agent yesterday to learn the ins and outs of our potential trip and we're getting close to booking!  WOOHOO!  I thought for sure the prices would bug my husband's eyes out but he was really mellow about it.  After some discussion on the way home and a bit more looking online at the different resorts the travel agent priced out for us, I think we've made a decision as to where we're going to stay when we're there.  More on that later.  I will just say that I am SUPER EXCITED and having a hard time holding my secret in around Amelia.

On to Swoon.  Block 3 is complete.  Block 4 fabrics have been pulled out of the pile and ready for cutting but I'm not feeling it.  They will have to wait.

Some other finishes.  I finished the first round of gifts for Christmas Through the Year that Darlene and Cheryl are co-hosting.  I'm not ready to show you yet though.  See, MY part is done but I need the husband's muscles for the last bit.  If I get on him before he leaves for work tonight, I should be able to show you tomorrow.  I also finished my accessory bag for the swap that Kris is hosting.  Again, I need the husband's muscles for one last part.  I'll explain when I show you what I made.

I know a few weeks ago I promised  a 500 post celebration giveaway and I haven't forgotten.  I just need to snap a picture and post.  Stay tuned!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Am I done?!

I keep thinking I'm not.  Well, I'm not.  Sewing, I am but I have tabs for those coupon clutches to cut out yet.  My hand aches just thinking about it.

Here is the last of my Christmas gift sewing that I finished today.  I made 3 fleece blankets.  2 are going to TX to my BFF's little girls and one to my sister in law who is always cold.

First is my SIL's.  Her favorite color is orange so I think this one fits her well.  I backed it with "tangerine".  I kind of want to keep this one for myself.  :)

Now for my BFF's girls.  This one is for Julia:

And this one is for Sydney:

They are going to super late for Christmas but that's okay.  They are getting wrapped right now and delivered to the post office tomorrow morning.

And just to finish out this post... Punkie got sick at school this morning so she was sent home and has to stay home tomorrow.  24 hour rule.  She was sick a little at home but now she is feeling much better.  She needed to pose for some pictures.

do  you like her "scary face"??!

Enjoy the rest of your day!
Jen

I'm Caught Up

I think.  Here's what I got finished in the last couple of days.

First, my Bliss bag.  LOVE IT!  I made one boo-boo when I ordered fabric.  The aqua polka dot?  It's flannel.  I didn't realize it until I received it.  Oh well.  The inside is really soft.  LOL.  I left out the green and brown charms.  I wanted a red/pink/aqua color scheme.  I can't wait to show it off tomorrow!

okay.  turn your heads.  I'm tired of fighting with blogger.

I got the blue and white candlemats quilted a while back.  Just had a chance to snap their picture.  One is flipped over so that you can see the pretty backing.

I finished the personalized pillow for the birthday girl.  I love how this one came out.  It has moved to the top of my favorite list.  It will be going into the mail this weekend.  On its way to Texas.

Lastly, some zippered pouches for Christmas gifts.  I don't know who is getting which one.  I think I'm just going to put them in separate gift bags and it will be the luck of the draw by the recipient.  Actually, the Frolic one is going to go to my SIL since it has her favorite colors in it.  Rest is up for grabs.

I coordinated the zippers as best as I could.  Thought I would show you that too.

That's all here.  Tonight I will be doing some baking to bring dessert for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner.  I don't like pie.  Terrible, I know.  So I must bring chocolate!  :)

Have a great Thanksgiving!!  Gobble!  Gobble!
Jen :)

Will you help me decide?

Because I am torn!

This year Ameila only has 2 teachers for Kindergarten versus the 4 the couple of years in Preschool.  I would like to stitch her 2 teachers each a christmas towel using the same method I did for my owl towel and I'm undecided as to which design group I would like to use.

I've had this one picked out for a while:  http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=product&collection=157  I like the Christmas tree and snowflake in this group and I thought those would make a nice border on a towel.  But then this one came out today and I just love it.  It's a bit less sophisicated but fun and whimsical: http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=product&collection=162

I like the Christmas trees and snowflakes in this group as well as the snowmen and polar bear and penguin.

So tell me.  Which group do YOU like??  I'm leaning a bit more to the cutesy one since the gift will be from Amelia; even though I'll be doing the stitching.

Help me decide!  PLEASE!

Enjoy your day!
Jen