It is January. again.
Again, I kick myself for not making all kinds of incredible Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I love looking at other blogs for ideas and inspiration, but when the time comes, I never remember all of the good ideas I see throughout the year, or if I remember them, I can never remember where I originally saw them. So, since I am basically just talking to myself when I am writing on this blog, I've decided to use it to jar my memory of great idea for Christmas gifts.
I love this Recipe Card Holder from Life's Sweeter with Chocolate.
How about Monogrammed Hand Sanitizer/Soap Bottles or Personalized Hand Sanitizer Bottles from the Idea Room?
I REALLY want to make a Ballard Inspired Paper Holder by Infarrantly Creative for the midget. She would love it. I am also adding Infaffantly Creative's Grocery List Tear-off Pad to my list. This would be a quick, easy, and very useful gift.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
My Recent Activities
My friend who owns a quilt shop is teaching a class on an adorable double ruffle dress. I wanted to make one for the midget to have her picture made in. I chose a raspberry pink corduroy for the main fabric, a hot pink, white and lime check for the lining, and a sweet floral for the ruffles. All of the fabrics are from Fabric Finders.
I had previously purchased an embroidery design from SWAK that used a similar floral design as the flowers in the ruffle fabric. I thought it matched rather well. I forgot to take an image of the completed dress, but I will and add to the post later. I did remember to take a picture of the dress before i added the ruffles. The dress got rave reviews at daycare, at church , and of course M loves it!
I had previously purchased an embroidery design from SWAK that used a similar floral design as the flowers in the ruffle fabric. I thought it matched rather well. I forgot to take an image of the completed dress, but I will and add to the post later. I did remember to take a picture of the dress before i added the ruffles. The dress got rave reviews at daycare, at church , and of course M loves it!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I know, I know....I haven't posted in about a month, but I've been busy. I'm trying to complete 2 ebooks at one time and it is almost killing me. I've also been working on some custom orders. Here is a photo of one of the custom orders I did for a friend at work for her first grandchild. I forgot to take a picture before I gave her the items, so she was gracious enough to take a picture for me!
Monday, June 8, 2009
What Have I Been Doing?
Apparently, not posting, as C has been reminding me lately. I have been busy chasing my midget, sewing class samples, and of course, working. On the bright side, I have been taking pictures of what I've been creating. Since I've been busy, this will probably be a long post. :) So, in no particular order, here we go.....
First, isn't my midget cute? Ok, now that you are smiling back at her, notice the awesome car seat that she is sitting in. That car seat happens to be the spare car seat given to us by a friend. There was nothing wrong with the car seat, other than it was not particularly pretty (sorry, ML). So, being the wonderful, crafty mommy that I am, I did what any die-hard bulldawg fan would do. I used left over fabric from her room and reupholstered the car seat. Now, it shows her teams spirit and draws comments from everyone.
I've had this idea for a beach towel roll-up in my head for quite some time. I think I saw one in a boutique shop a couple of years ago. Anyway, M and I were in the big K one day and she saw and snatched up a black beach towel with pink polka dots (child after my own heart). Since we will be playing in the pool this summer and going to the beach, I thought this would be my chance to see if my idea worked. After, a couple of hours of head scratching, I came up with my pattern. the towel rolls up so that it can be carried on your shoulder leaving your hands free for holding other things.
I also included an interior zip pocket that is hidden when the beach towel is rolled up. It is perfect for stashing keys, money, and even small bottles of sunscreen. You know, all that stuff you try to hid in your shoes or under your towel. I think it turned out pretty well. I got several requests to make them for co-workers when I showed it off at work. I got my directions finsihed and I will be teaching this at Deb-Bee's soon.
ML saw one of these somewhere and then we got into a head scratching about how to sew a sphere. It's really not hard if you go with your first plan instead of second guessing yourself. I guess I've had too much calculas and need to make things complicated. Anyway, I think the taggy ball turned out pretty cute. M certainly likes it. It is on display at Deb-Bee's for an upcoming class, and everytime we stop by there, M points at it and says, "MINE!"
M was invited to a pool party, and yes we were sporting the pink and black beach towel roll-up. The party was for a set of twin girls who were turning four. Their mom is a good friend, fairly crafty and an avid sewer, and knows I'm a craft genius, so buying gifts was, unfortunately, out of the question. Then, at the last minute (this is whenI do my best work), I had a brilliant idea. I made each of them a bow holder. Ok, so the girls weren't really excited about it, but the mom was (and that is what is important). I got plenty of ohhhhs and ahhhhs for some of the other moms, and I got a personal phone call later that night telling me how awsome the bow holders are.
This isn't everything, but it is all I can remember at the moment.
First, isn't my midget cute? Ok, now that you are smiling back at her, notice the awesome car seat that she is sitting in. That car seat happens to be the spare car seat given to us by a friend. There was nothing wrong with the car seat, other than it was not particularly pretty (sorry, ML). So, being the wonderful, crafty mommy that I am, I did what any die-hard bulldawg fan would do. I used left over fabric from her room and reupholstered the car seat. Now, it shows her teams spirit and draws comments from everyone.
I've had this idea for a beach towel roll-up in my head for quite some time. I think I saw one in a boutique shop a couple of years ago. Anyway, M and I were in the big K one day and she saw and snatched up a black beach towel with pink polka dots (child after my own heart). Since we will be playing in the pool this summer and going to the beach, I thought this would be my chance to see if my idea worked. After, a couple of hours of head scratching, I came up with my pattern. the towel rolls up so that it can be carried on your shoulder leaving your hands free for holding other things.
I also included an interior zip pocket that is hidden when the beach towel is rolled up. It is perfect for stashing keys, money, and even small bottles of sunscreen. You know, all that stuff you try to hid in your shoes or under your towel. I think it turned out pretty well. I got several requests to make them for co-workers when I showed it off at work. I got my directions finsihed and I will be teaching this at Deb-Bee's soon.
ML saw one of these somewhere and then we got into a head scratching about how to sew a sphere. It's really not hard if you go with your first plan instead of second guessing yourself. I guess I've had too much calculas and need to make things complicated. Anyway, I think the taggy ball turned out pretty cute. M certainly likes it. It is on display at Deb-Bee's for an upcoming class, and everytime we stop by there, M points at it and says, "MINE!"
M was invited to a pool party, and yes we were sporting the pink and black beach towel roll-up. The party was for a set of twin girls who were turning four. Their mom is a good friend, fairly crafty and an avid sewer, and knows I'm a craft genius, so buying gifts was, unfortunately, out of the question. Then, at the last minute (this is whenI do my best work), I had a brilliant idea. I made each of them a bow holder. Ok, so the girls weren't really excited about it, but the mom was (and that is what is important). I got plenty of ohhhhs and ahhhhs for some of the other moms, and I got a personal phone call later that night telling me how awsome the bow holders are.This isn't everything, but it is all I can remember at the moment.
Friday, January 2, 2009
It's January!
Well, most of my Christmas gifts got finished. Did I remember to take pictures before I gave them away? Of course not; that would have been too smart....
Anyway, I took a break from sewing. I was tired. I have today off from work, DH was at work, and M was at daycare. It was a perfect day to sew (and do laundry). I worked on something for myself today. Last year for Christmas, I made ML a thread carrier. I really liked it, so did she and everyone else. I have been trying to perfect my pattern in my head since I made hers. I think I have it like I want it now. It went together fairly fast. I decided at the last minute to embroider on the front pocket, so that slowed me down. All that is left is to attach the embroidered pocket and sew and whip the binding. I need to finish it soon, because I need to use it as a class sample. I am teaching this pattern in late January at Deb-Bee's. I'll take a picture of it and post is later.
Anyway, I took a break from sewing. I was tired. I have today off from work, DH was at work, and M was at daycare. It was a perfect day to sew (and do laundry). I worked on something for myself today. Last year for Christmas, I made ML a thread carrier. I really liked it, so did she and everyone else. I have been trying to perfect my pattern in my head since I made hers. I think I have it like I want it now. It went together fairly fast. I decided at the last minute to embroider on the front pocket, so that slowed me down. All that is left is to attach the embroidered pocket and sew and whip the binding. I need to finish it soon, because I need to use it as a class sample. I am teaching this pattern in late January at Deb-Bee's. I'll take a picture of it and post is later.
Monday, December 15, 2008
OMG! I am tired!
I ended up taking Friday off from work so I could make my Christmas gift to enter in the Thrifty under 50 Challenge on YouCanMakeThis.com. I even got a babysitter for Saturday so I had TWO complete days to sew. I worked really hard, but either my list was too long or my expectations were too high. Not sure, but anyway, here is what I accomplished and how much I spent.
The first gifts I made were were corner bookmarks for my book club. I actually took this picture while the last 4 were stitching, so there are 12 in all. I used leftover fabric from Maggie's birthday outfit. The thread and stabilizer came from my stash. I used Monogram Wizard for the initials in each bookmark. I saw some corner bookmark in the hoop designs somewhere (don't remember where) and liked the idea. I played around with my digitizing software until I was happy with the design. I think they turned out pretty good.
$0 - fabric
$0 - stabilizer and thread
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $0, Gifts Completed: 12 ($0/gift)
Next, I made key fobs for the Ladies at Maggie's daycare. I found the spool of pink ribbon in my stash. I did not have the right size webbing, so I did have to buy that. A friend of mine bought the key fob hardware and had not used them yet, so I traded her some embroidery blanks from my stash for them.
$0 - spool of pink ribbon
$0 - stabilizer and thread
$5.85 - 5 yards of black webbing
$0 - key fob hardware
Total Spent: $5.85, Running Total: $5.85, Gifts Completed: 23 ($0.25/gift)
For Nate's niece, I made a personalized name pillow. I bought the pattern several months ago at YouCanMakeThis.com. I used fabric, thread, and stabilizer from my stash. For stuffing, I reused some from sofa pillow blanks that I never used, because I hadn't gotten around to sewing covers for them. No more guilt now......
$0 - fabric
$0 - stabilizer and thread
$0 - stuffing
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $5.85, Gifts Completed: 24 ($0.243/gift)
For my Mom, I made a scrap bag and pin cushion to go by her sewing machine so all those little thread snips won't get on the floor. I bought a ceramic tile at Lowes for the base to keep it from sliding off the table. The fabric is leftover from a bag project that I made last year. I used clear aquarium tubing to keep the bag open. This was left over (and never used) from when we had an aquarium. The stuffing came from the pillows mentioned above, and I used batting scraps from one of my last quilts.
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread
$0 - stuffing
$0 - aquarium tile
$0.27 - ceramic tile from Lowe's
Total Spent: $0.27, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 25 ($0.244/gift)
For my niece, I made days of the week hang tags to go on coat hangers. This way she can pick out her clothes and know which day to wear them. It may also help her father if he is helping her get dressed. :) I don't remember where off the top of my head this embroidery design was purchased from, but I've had it a while. All of the thread, stabilizer, batting and ribbon came from my stash. The fabric came from my scrap bag. Aren't these adorable?
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread and stabilizer
$0 - batting
$0 - ribbon
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 26 ($0.235/gift)
While doing some general internet surfing one day, I came across a fabric conversion chart. I thought this was a wonderful idea, because I am always using at a pattern that calls for 45" wide fabric and then end up buying that same amount of 60" wide fabric. (Now we know why my fabric stash is so big......) Anyway, I thought this would be a perfect idea to shrink to business card size and laminate. Who couldn't use this information when shopping. I made one for my sister, my mom, my mother-in-law, and my friend. I used paper in my printer and laminate them at work when no one was looking (shhhhhhh!)
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 30 ($0.204/gift)
For some of my friends, I monogrammed their name on microfiber blankets. The blankets came from my stash of embroidery blanks. I think I bought them at Wal-Mart last year after Christmas. I used Monogram Wizard to create the names. The "K" in Katie's I used the Applique Curlz font from SWAK. Embroidery I bought it back during the summer and use it all of the time. The picture is a little hard to see because the blankets are navy blue.
$0 - blankets
$0 - stabilizer and thread
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 33 ($0.185/gift)
For Nate's nephew, I made a camouflage bean bag chair. I made my own pattern (big pain in the behind). I used camo fabric left over from when I slipcovered our den furniture in camo (never ask your husband to go fabric shopping with you). The thread came from my stash. I did have to buy a 22" zipper (from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off cupon, of course). The lining is made from an old sheet. For the "bean" part, I used packing peanuts from our shipping department (I don't mind calling in favors when I need to).
Picture Pending
$0 - camo and lining fabric
$1.12 - zipper
$0 - packing peanuts
Total Spent: $1.12, Running Total: $7.24, Gifts Completed: 34 ($0.212/gift)
For my brother in law, I put together a collection of recipes. There are six recipes for every week, complete with a grocery list of all of the items needed. He likes to cook, so I thought this might come in handy. I used paper in my printer (duplexed to save paper). I pulled a new binder off the bookshelf to use to hold it all together.
$0 - paper
$0 - binder
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $7.24, Gifts Completed: 35 ($0.206/gift)
My my niece, I made a dance bag. I think it is so adorable. I used black Kona fabric and batting left over from my last quilt. The lining, thread, stabilizer, zipper, and ribbon came from my stash. The applique fabric came from my scrap bag. I used Monogram Wizard to create her name for the back. I bought the tulle from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I am so excited about this bag that I may have to enroll Maggie in ballet when she is old enough just so I can make her this bag!
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread, stabilizer, zipper, and ribbon
$1.20 - tulle
Total Spent: $1.20, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 36 ($0.234/gift)
I have been working on a reusable grocery bag pattern. I am in the final stages and it will soon be available on YouCanMakeThis.com. Since I'm checking and rechecking my pattern and directions, several people are getting reusable grocery bags for Christmas. All of the fabric is from my stash. Shown below are three of the different styles that I have been making because I have bolts of those particular fabrics. I have made a total of 15 of these bags.
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread, stabilizer
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 39 ($0.216/gift)
I made this bag for my Mom. It is made using the Lazy Girl Design, Miranda. I taught a class to make this bag for my local quilt shop. The fabric was from my stash, as was the handles, thread, and magnetic snap. The batting was left over from a quilt.
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread, handles, magnetic snap
$0 - batting
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 40 ($0.211/gift)
Now do you see why I'm tired? I still have more to do; unfortunately, the contest ran out before I finished. Even with all of the other gifts I have to make I will not break the $25 mark (I don't think). I will post the other items as I finish them.
The first gifts I made were were corner bookmarks for my book club. I actually took this picture while the last 4 were stitching, so there are 12 in all. I used leftover fabric from Maggie's birthday outfit. The thread and stabilizer came from my stash. I used Monogram Wizard for the initials in each bookmark. I saw some corner bookmark in the hoop designs somewhere (don't remember where) and liked the idea. I played around with my digitizing software until I was happy with the design. I think they turned out pretty good.
$0 - fabric$0 - stabilizer and thread
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $0, Gifts Completed: 12 ($0/gift)
Next, I made key fobs for the Ladies at Maggie's daycare. I found the spool of pink ribbon in my stash. I did not have the right size webbing, so I did have to buy that. A friend of mine bought the key fob hardware and had not used them yet, so I traded her some embroidery blanks from my stash for them.
$0 - spool of pink ribbon$0 - stabilizer and thread
$5.85 - 5 yards of black webbing
$0 - key fob hardware
Total Spent: $5.85, Running Total: $5.85, Gifts Completed: 23 ($0.25/gift)
For Nate's niece, I made a personalized name pillow. I bought the pattern several months ago at YouCanMakeThis.com. I used fabric, thread, and stabilizer from my stash. For stuffing, I reused some from sofa pillow blanks that I never used, because I hadn't gotten around to sewing covers for them. No more guilt now......
$0 - fabric$0 - stabilizer and thread
$0 - stuffing
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $5.85, Gifts Completed: 24 ($0.243/gift)
For my Mom, I made a scrap bag and pin cushion to go by her sewing machine so all those little thread snips won't get on the floor. I bought a ceramic tile at Lowes for the base to keep it from sliding off the table. The fabric is leftover from a bag project that I made last year. I used clear aquarium tubing to keep the bag open. This was left over (and never used) from when we had an aquarium. The stuffing came from the pillows mentioned above, and I used batting scraps from one of my last quilts.
$0 - fabric$0 - thread
$0 - stuffing
$0 - aquarium tile
$0.27 - ceramic tile from Lowe's
Total Spent: $0.27, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 25 ($0.244/gift)
For my niece, I made days of the week hang tags to go on coat hangers. This way she can pick out her clothes and know which day to wear them. It may also help her father if he is helping her get dressed. :) I don't remember where off the top of my head this embroidery design was purchased from, but I've had it a while. All of the thread, stabilizer, batting and ribbon came from my stash. The fabric came from my scrap bag. Aren't these adorable?
$0 - fabric$0 - thread and stabilizer
$0 - batting
$0 - ribbon
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 26 ($0.235/gift)
While doing some general internet surfing one day, I came across a fabric conversion chart. I thought this was a wonderful idea, because I am always using at a pattern that calls for 45" wide fabric and then end up buying that same amount of 60" wide fabric. (Now we know why my fabric stash is so big......) Anyway, I thought this would be a perfect idea to shrink to business card size and laminate. Who couldn't use this information when shopping. I made one for my sister, my mom, my mother-in-law, and my friend. I used paper in my printer and laminate them at work when no one was looking (shhhhhhh!)
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 30 ($0.204/gift)
For some of my friends, I monogrammed their name on microfiber blankets. The blankets came from my stash of embroidery blanks. I think I bought them at Wal-Mart last year after Christmas. I used Monogram Wizard to create the names. The "K" in Katie's I used the Applique Curlz font from SWAK. Embroidery I bought it back during the summer and use it all of the time. The picture is a little hard to see because the blankets are navy blue.
$0 - blankets$0 - stabilizer and thread
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $6.12, Gifts Completed: 33 ($0.185/gift)
For Nate's nephew, I made a camouflage bean bag chair. I made my own pattern (big pain in the behind). I used camo fabric left over from when I slipcovered our den furniture in camo (never ask your husband to go fabric shopping with you). The thread came from my stash. I did have to buy a 22" zipper (from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off cupon, of course). The lining is made from an old sheet. For the "bean" part, I used packing peanuts from our shipping department (I don't mind calling in favors when I need to).
Picture Pending
$0 - camo and lining fabric
$1.12 - zipper
$0 - packing peanuts
Total Spent: $1.12, Running Total: $7.24, Gifts Completed: 34 ($0.212/gift)
For my brother in law, I put together a collection of recipes. There are six recipes for every week, complete with a grocery list of all of the items needed. He likes to cook, so I thought this might come in handy. I used paper in my printer (duplexed to save paper). I pulled a new binder off the bookshelf to use to hold it all together.
$0 - paper
$0 - binder
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $7.24, Gifts Completed: 35 ($0.206/gift)
My my niece, I made a dance bag. I think it is so adorable. I used black Kona fabric and batting left over from my last quilt. The lining, thread, stabilizer, zipper, and ribbon came from my stash. The applique fabric came from my scrap bag. I used Monogram Wizard to create her name for the back. I bought the tulle from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I am so excited about this bag that I may have to enroll Maggie in ballet when she is old enough just so I can make her this bag!
$0 - fabric
$0 - thread, stabilizer, zipper, and ribbon
$1.20 - tulle
Total Spent: $1.20, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 36 ($0.234/gift)
I have been working on a reusable grocery bag pattern. I am in the final stages and it will soon be available on YouCanMakeThis.com. Since I'm checking and rechecking my pattern and directions, several people are getting reusable grocery bags for Christmas. All of the fabric is from my stash. Shown below are three of the different styles that I have been making because I have bolts of those particular fabrics. I have made a total of 15 of these bags.
$0 - fabric$0 - thread, stabilizer
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 39 ($0.216/gift)
I made this bag for my Mom. It is made using the Lazy Girl Design, Miranda. I taught a class to make this bag for my local quilt shop. The fabric was from my stash, as was the handles, thread, and magnetic snap. The batting was left over from a quilt.
$0 - fabric$0 - thread, handles, magnetic snap
$0 - batting
Total Spent: $0, Running Total: $8.44, Gifts Completed: 40 ($0.211/gift)
Now do you see why I'm tired? I still have more to do; unfortunately, the contest ran out before I finished. Even with all of the other gifts I have to make I will not break the $25 mark (I don't think). I will post the other items as I finish them.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Progress?
Well, time is getting shorter and my list is getting longer. I had hoped to get a lot done over the weekend, but I had a sick baby, so nothing got done. :(
I have, however, gotten most of my embroidery files that I want to use on a single stick. I have also gotten all of my patterns, fabric, and notions together. I will have to buy a few things, but not many (Ya, me!) I created my pattern for the bean bag chairs, and I cut out the chef hat patterns and aprons. I robbed my mom's stash of my sister's fabric for those items.
The deadline for the thrifty under 50 is Monday, so it looks like I will be a sewing fool late at night this week. I may even take a day off since I have some vacation to burn.
There is nothing like a looming deadline that makes me work faster......
I have, however, gotten most of my embroidery files that I want to use on a single stick. I have also gotten all of my patterns, fabric, and notions together. I will have to buy a few things, but not many (Ya, me!) I created my pattern for the bean bag chairs, and I cut out the chef hat patterns and aprons. I robbed my mom's stash of my sister's fabric for those items.
The deadline for the thrifty under 50 is Monday, so it looks like I will be a sewing fool late at night this week. I may even take a day off since I have some vacation to burn.
There is nothing like a looming deadline that makes me work faster......
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