A number of bloggers have been working on getting rid of 'stuff' so I was inspired to start tackling my sewing space. So far - one big garbage bag filled - one big bag of paper for recycling - and one bag of plastics for recycling - two books gone to the Friends of the Library. One 4-drawer filing cabinet housecleaned (who knew it was possible to get your fingers in the files without a struggle??) and one side of the closet. During my excavations I stumbled across my very first sewing project - probably done when I was about 6. My maternal grandmother made me a quilt for my doll and I decided I should 'sew' the quilting stitches on the back. Picture is of the front - and the back (showing my childish efforts at stitching).
- There are some fun ideas HERE for last-minute gift giving.
- THIS is something pretty much any knitter or crocheter would love to find under the tree.
- There are some great ideas HERE for gifts.
- Wouldn't some of THESE (along with a jar of homemade jam) make a great gift?
- Or maybe even some of any of THESE?
- HERE is another quick little gift you could make.
- And, just because of the awwwwww moment, check THIS out!
Remember that Christmas cactus I bought myself that I showed you a picture of? And remember how I said it was likely to meet its demise in short order? Well, it's happily shedding all those buds you saw, without a single one opening. I knew I should have left the poor thing in the store!
Had lunch with a good friend on Friday and exchanged our Christmas gifts. She finds the most intriguing sewing 'things' and gave me a set of these...
They're little silicone brushes for cleaning my sewing machine. Can't wait to try them because I think they'll be great. She also gave me a 'White Christmas' amaryllis which looks like it will be spectacular. And, there just *might* have been a bottle of my favourite alcoholic beverage tucked in there too (already tested for quality control!). Thank you MEK!
I've been spinning my wheels in my studio, not quite sure what to tackle next. Of course there's lots of landscape possibilities waiting for attention, but there's also a nagging thought that I really need to go through my sewing space and get rid of a lot of excess 'stuff' that I know I'll never use. I'm also trying to decide if a wee grandie who will be turning 2 next month is still too young for a rag doll 'made by Grandma'. I'm toying with the thought of maybe making matching little girl/dollie dresses. I suspect I should wait until she turns 3 for that one. (If you want to see examples of the rag dolls I usually make, have a look HERE.)
- I'm a fan of the old original cartoon version of the Grinch, so of course THIS caught my eye.
- There are lots of quick gift ideas HERE.
- I know some of you might be aware of THIS but in case you haven't seen it before, it's a great method to make quick gifts.
- Making some of THIS would be easy and a welcome gift for either yourself or others.
Today the quote is from Peg Bracken..."Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredient of a truly merry Christmas"
I thought, since the landscape was done, I should turn my attention towards the fact that I'm doing a trunk show for the local quilt guild in January, followed by teaching a workshop the next day. So....I spent most of a day making up 18 kits that contain the pattern for the barn, the fabrics to make same, along with some little bits and bobs, including a wee little cardinal. I don't know exactly how many kits will be needed so hopefully this will be enough. Apparently there were enough people interested in the workshop that they will be running two...one in January and one in the spring. I also spent considerable time attempting to write a 'presentation/speech' for the trunk show. I am NOT a public speaker and the thought, quite honestly, scares me to death. It seemed like a good idea to agree to do it months ago when I was first asked, but now that it's looming closer I'm seriously regretting the entire thing. I know how difficult it is for guilds to obtain speakers and teachers so I guess I'm going to do my part.
- I thought THIS was intriguing. THIS too!
- THESE look pretty easy to make (and, instead of cards I wonder if you could use old calendar pages...but perhaps they wouldn't be stiff enough)
- Anyone who makes Izzy dolls might find THIS of interest.
- If you do the 'Elf on The Shelf' with your family, perhaps some of the ideas HERE will be fun. If nothing else, some of them are good for a giggle.
- THESE are great memory ornaments that would be a special keepsake.
- There are some cute gift ideas HERE.
The landscape is finished! I'm sorry that you can't really tell in the photo that the snow has some areas that sparkle in the light but you'll have to trust me on that one. It measures approx. 29x25".
This is the photo I used for inspiration (full credit, and my thanks, to Dale Stewart!)
I took lots of artisitic liberties with this one, as
you can see!
- THIS link takes you to a tutorial to make a reversible tote bag.
- THIS is a really cute idea and wouldn't be too difficult to make.
- Giving jars of some of THESE would make a nice gift.
- Another great gift idea HERE.
- THIS gave me food for thought.
...well, maybe short hops 'cause I wouldn't want to hurt myself! As you can see from the photo quite a bit was accomplished on the landscape over the weekend. I still have to finish the border and then add the 'sparkle' here and there to the snow. Sadly that won't likely show up very well in pictures. When next you see this it should be done.
And, I succumbed and bought myself a Christmas cactus. Feel sorry for the poor thing because no doubt it will meet its demise in short order but in the meantime...
- THIS would make a really nice gift!
- There are lots of sewable gift ideas HERE.
- THIS is pretty for any time of the year.
- There are lots of fun ideas HERE too!
- I've just returned from a rabbit hole and, simply because I'd love company there, how about checking out THIS (and while you're there, be prepared to poke about in all the 'roots' in that hole!).
Today's quote..."Dance like no one is watching, but text and email like it will be read in court one day" (I suppose the same could be said for blogging too!)
I've been working on the landscape but truthfully nothing that you can see in a photo...so....how about a few extra links to explore today instead of a photo?
- THIS takes you to a PDF of a really pretty shawl. If I were a shawl person, I'd love this one.
- There are some fun ideas for gifting HERE.
- THIS would make a cute little gift.
- As a little further note on the chocolate orange cover I showed you last time, perhaps you'd like to check out THESE designs as well. OR if you'd like to cover bath bombs, have a look HERE.
- There's a great tutorial HERE for making really nice gift bags that you could fill with all sorts of Christmas treats, edible or otherwise!
- I came across THIS very excellent post about temperature blankets (and I love the colours she chose!!). I would really love to make one and the time commitment to only having to do one row each day wouldn't be too bad. But THEN, I price out the yarn and it gives me huge pause for thought.
- If you have a tea-lover on your list, perhaps one of THESE would be a welcome gift.
- THIS would be fun to both serve AND to gift.
- There are some fun ideas HERE too.
- THESE are really pretty and would make a nice gift with a candle tucked inside.
- Some cute ideas HERE too.
Today's quote..."May your day be filled with glitter than someone else cleans up"
I think you can see some progress on the landscape - namely in the truck itself. I've also 'done something' with the birch trees although they're by no means finished yet. Quilting has started in the snow as well.
Pattern is HERE.
- Sharon Boggon is running 'TAST' (Take A Stitch Tuesday) in 2024 and if you want to learn some new-to-you embroidery stitches or brush up on some familiar ones, check out her FAQ's page HERE.
- THIS is a really cute and easy to make ornament.
- As is THIS.
- I know it might be a tad late for THESE for this year, but perhaps get an early start on next year?
- It seems that every year THESE come up and every year I contemplate making one.
- Never let it be said that I don't lead you down some massive rabbit holes! All I can say, is be prepared with lots of bread crumbs when you go HERE.
- There are a number of fun gift ideas HERE, some of which I haven't seen before.
- And, to finish off the links for today, how about making some of THIS?? Please invite me over to help you eat it!
Today the quote is from Rumi..."Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder"
Another landscape has begun. This one, because it's snowy outside, has a winter theme although the original photo I'm using for inspiration was in B&W and not winter. Here's the photo (once again by Dale Stewart and used with his kind permission)...
Our local food bank has published this reverse advent and I thought I would share in case you'd like to participate in your area..
- The ingenuity of some people simply astounds as THIS will attest!
- There might be some ideas HERE that you would like to do for Christmas gifting.
- If you're interested in textiles, perhaps you might find something in THIS listing that would intrigue you.
- I think THIS would be fun to do.
Today the quote is from George Orwell..."The further society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it"
This little darling hopped all the way here and was created by the clever fingers of Donna who chose to give him away and I was the lucky winner! I've never attempted to do goldwork and when I saw this little charmer I know the odds are pretty high I never will because all those little beads (chips?) are SO tiny and I know I'd never be able to see well enough to even begin. Donna does incredible needlework so do pay her a visit HERE.
Thank you Donna!!!!💕
- THESE are quite pretty and don't look too difficult to create.
- THIS would make a great gift for someone with a sweet tooth.
- You might want to have a go at making THESE.
- THIS is something you can have fun with yourself or with younger family members.
Today's quote..."Don't change so people will like you. Be yourself, and the right people will love the real you"
