Elephantastic!

My sister and I were talking about Christmas a few months ago, and we thought it would be fun for all the sisters/sister-in-laws/mother (there are seven of us) to exchange handmade Christmas gifts.  Something small and simple.  Everyone agreed and we have all been working merrily away on our cute little gifts.  I chose to make elephants (like the one I made my daughter a while back.  Seen here.)  I know we have an owl,  an angry bird, a strawberry, and a needle book.  I can’t wait to see what else is in the mix.   Meanwhile,  here is a picture of my little cuties waiting to be handed out during the family Christmas party.

I used Heather Bailey’s pattern, Effie & Ollie.  Too cute.  I’ll have a hard time giving these cuties away.

Stormy

My finished afghan

It’s warm, it’s cozy, it’s my new favorite blanket (my daughter’s too)!  I’m so in love with it, I want to start another one.  Whenever I use it my two year steals it from me.  I think we both need one. 

Remember my inspiration piece?

It didn’t really turn out the same, because I couldn’t find the gigantic yarn.  But, I believe mine to be much much cuddlier.

It also looks fabulous on my new couch!

Stormy

Ruffled Tree Skirt

Yes, ruffled tree skirts are everywhere this year.  But, it’s because they are so amazingly cute!  I saw this one on HGTV.com and had to make it.  The only big problem was everything had a raw edge.  I could just imagine the shredded mess it would be after two or three years of use.  So, I used my 1/8 inch hemming foot and hemmed 4 yards of 3 inch strips.  It took hours.  But, it was totally worth it.  I zigzagged all the edges of the canvas fabric that the strips are sewn on AND when it was all finished, used a bottle of NO  FRAY on all the ribbon and zigzagged edges.  (Just to be on the safe side!)   I also changed the size of the 2 inch strips to 3 inches.  I really like how it turned out.  It does look a bit different from the original, but I’m pretty sure it’ll last for years to come.

Love, love, love it.

Stormy

Christmas Bulb Wreath

I’ve seen MANY of these beautiful Christmas bulb wreaths popping up all over the place.  They are so beautiful, I had to give it try.  I think it took as much time picking the colors of the bulbs out as it did making the wreath.  But, I’m very happy with the result.

I made it using a coat hanger, bulbs, ribbon, a beaded garland and hot glue!  It is a bit smaller than some I’ve seen, simply because I didn’t want to spend all the extra money on 80 bulbs!!  I used about 60 and cut down the size of my hanger wire.  I’m quite fond of my adorable new Christmas wreath.

Stormy

My New French Bag

In the latest issue of "Quilts and More", I found a great tote bag pattern.  I desperately needed to make another bag to hold my large array of items necessary to get through church meetings with 5 children!  What really caught my eye was the color option.  I love the French fabric!  And….. I had strikingly similar fabric sitting in my stash pile!  Wahoo!  I didn’t have to buy anything!  I decided I needed pockets on the inside (which the pattern did not have).  So, added one long piece of fabric on one side then sewed divider lines spaced at different widths. (Perfect sizes for diapers and wipes, keys and sunglasses, and pens.)  Then on the other side, I used my last square of polka dot fabric for a smaller pocket for my phone.  I now wish I would have added a pocket to the outside of the bag too, but oh well, maybe next time.  Once the bag was finished, it looked huge!  Much bigger than I had imagined.   So, I sewed up some cute little polka dot strips added them to the sides and tied bows to create tucks at the top.  (I hope that makes sense.) 

So, here it is!  What do you think??

Stormy

Oh Christmas tree…

I’ve been busy!  Pictures of what I’ve been working on are coming soon.  Meanwhile, enjoy a picture of my new Christmas tree!

Stormy

Why I haven’t been sewing

I’ve been busy.  Really, truly busy.  And boy, do I feel accomplished!

This is what happens when I get a big ‘ol box of apples from my parents apple orchard.  We hadn’t eaten fresh off the tree apples in years.  We sure enjoyed them.  Yum Yum Yum.  We also got our frozen berry order in. 

So, Once I was bottling, I found it hard to stop. There is:

Blueberry Pie Filling, Raspberry Pie Filling, Cinnamon Apples, Sliced Apples

Apple Jelly, Apple Mint Jelly, Pepper Jelly and Apple Butter

I’m not done yet either!  I still have a box of frozen blueberries in the freezer and I would really like to add salsa and bread and butter pickles.  (Can I just tell you that in two days we have already eaten through our first jars of apple butter, apple jelly and pepper jelly!  My kids LOVE it all.)

Did I mention that I’m feeling all kinds of accomplished?

Stormy