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"
How about little girl and dolly coveralls? I like the play clothes idea, and dolls in coveralls are lovely, especially with pockets!
ReplyDeleteCoveralls, particularly made from denim, are a great idea! I plan to make her one of my rag dolls and then add some extra outfits but I think she might be a little young for that quite yet. I think I'll hold off on that plan until next Christmas. In the meantime I found a cute knitted doll that I might attempt to make her for her birthday.
DeleteMaybe a little family of Izzy dolls...
DeleteShe already has one Izzy doll - but good idea for a family!
DeleteJust love your little rag dolls--so adorable...we are in the midst of a huge rain/wind event. Just got home from my "yrly" clinic appointment phew--going over the CT River bridge in this was no fun...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteGlad you got that ordeal over with and got home safely. Going over a big bridge when there's a lot of rain and high winds is not fun.
DeleteSherry of createology: I adore your rag dolls! I used to make a cloth doll with changeable clothes and a little sleeping bag. I loved them. I really should make my Great Grand one as she is already five! Sew many great gift ideas you have shared. Homemade gifts are filled with lots of love and care for the intended recipient and of course that makes the gifts extra special. Hugs dear.
ReplyDeleteMy rag dolls are usually well loved because I'm sure to tell the parents that they are meant to be played with. Good idea for a sleeping bag - hmmm.....pondering.....
DeleteMy Christmas Crack is hiding in the freezer right now or believe you me it would already be gone.
ReplyDeleteYour rag dolls are so nice.
God bless.
Ah, but I'll bet it tastes good frozen (just sayin')
DeleteMerry Christmas: It is always fun to get a gift that is useful, I have to look up the brush's, I could use them on my machines.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the interesting links.
I hope the drink was a yummy one.
I too am down sizing my craft room, it is not easy to do.
Catherine
Yes, I will certainly make good use of those brushes. I've always cleaned my own machines so they will help.
DeleteAnd yes my little nip of Irish Cream was definitely yummy!
Oh, those rag dolls are beautiful! I plan to hang around to see you make one for your granddaughter - even if that's next year. And the silicone brushes are kind of genius, I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to make a doll for her but I think I will wait until she's ready for it.
DeletePeg Bracken! I have several of her books still.
ReplyDeleteI used to love her books!
DeleteQuality control is an essential part of the holiday.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though!!!
DeleteThe Grinch plushie is so cute! Can't believe the pattern is free, how lucky (:
ReplyDeleteI love the Grinch! Might be forced to have to make one of these, just because I can.
DeleteWhat a great friend. She remembered your new sewing machine. So sorry to hear about the Christmas Cactus.
ReplyDeleteShe and I have been friends for nearly 70 years and yes those brushes will be a treat for the new sewing machine. I'm hopeful the cactus will bloom next year - if I can keep it alive that long!
DeleteHow nice to have such a long time friend in your life. Moving here to Ontario meant I left friends like that behind and miss them very much. Too bad about the cactus! Sometimes these store plants ail for reasons having nothing to do with your care.
ReplyDeleteI actually have three really close friends who are all 'long term' so I consider myself extremely lucky.
DeleteHopefully the cactus will survive to bloom another year.
I love the little brushes - what a perfect gift! I think useful gifts are my genuine favorite kind. (Food is of course extremely useful.)
ReplyDeleteI like useful gifts too and I'm certainly with you on food! We received a tin of homemade biscottia and a bag of coffee beans in the mail from our #2 son and his family - yum!!! Of course they got a couple tins of 'goodies' from Resident Chef's kitchen too.
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