Dino Bags

Remember WAY back before Christmas when I found the cute kits at Goodwill, and one of them was for some counted cross stich dinosaurs? Finally finished! Thanks mostly to Dad's surgery and lots of time sitting around in the hospital. :)

Here are the dinos all stitched. The kit came with enough supplies to make two, so Abby and I each did one.


Then I ironed on some fusible fleece (I got some before New Years, because I knew it was something I wanted to play with, and I had the idea for my No Craft Supplies resolution in my head...pre-emptive cheating) to make them more sturdy.


Then I used this tutorial from the purl bee and made a couple of bags. We'll be able to use these every Christmas forever! Makes me happy.

Falling off the wagon, spectacularly

It started out innocently enough. I was finishing a project that had been sitting in my to do pile for years; making an Easter tablecloth from a cute bit of fabric I found. I put the top together, then decided I needed to put some flannel on the back. I didn't have a piece big enough, so I went to Wal-Mart to buy some. That seemed alright. I was finishing a project, I didn't have what was needed.

Then I stopped at Goodwill on the way home and found two giant pieces of flannel. How could I not buy them, after JUST purchasing some new because I didn't have any in my stash? Also there was a neat bit of fabric with Asian writing. I couldn't pass that either. Oh, and another pretty sheet.

That was just the beginning. Then I needed to buy fabric for the graduation quilt for my nephew. I made an earnest attempt to find things at home that I could use, but my fabrics are mostly pink, or with flowers. He didn't want that. So then I had to go to the fabric store again, and I always wanted one of these "Jelly Rolls" of pre-cut strips, and they had one on sale, and I had a bit of Christmas money left, so I got one.
Then I had to go back to Wal-Mart to look for a bit more fabric for the quilt and THEY had jelly rolls on super clearance. This is where things really get out of hand. I bought four. But for the same price as the one I got at the other store! Still...


Sheesh. I'd better get to work.

Baby Blankets Galore!

One of the items on my Winter List was to make three baby blankets. I actually made 7. They should all be in their happy homes now--so look! Aren't they sweet? I love this project. And it's a good thing, because there are lots of babies these days.

Pink and Black for the modern baby girl. :)

Duckies.

Sweet lambs and pink gingham.

Pink poodles! Eiffel Towers!

Camping...I love this one for a little guy.

More poodles, this time with pink plaid.

And little sleepy lambs, with more gingham. I love that flannel gingham.

Whew! That was a lot of babies. I have one extra each, boy and girl, so I should be set for a month, maybe? :)

Puzzle Ball

A few years ago Katrina gave me a lovely book.

Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

I've been wanting to make the puzzle ball forever, and so, for Silas' 3rd birthday, I finally did.

It was a pretty quick and fun gift, I definitely would make it again.

I didn't get any good pictures of him enjoying it, but I think he liked it.

Rice Bag Bulletin Board

My friend Sarah's sweet Mama sent me a Christmas present this year, a neat rice bag.

I've been playing around with an idea in my head for awhile, and I finally sat down and did it. Super simple. I just cut a piece of foam board (foam core, like super fancy poster board with foam in the middle) to fit, slid it in, and hand stitched the top closed.

Now it's a kitchen-y bulletin board perfect for all of those nice family pictures we get at Christmas time.

I love a 5 minute project.

O Christmas Tree

I have decided that the Christmas Tree embodies everything I like about life.

I begin my illustration today with: Handmade Things

Wheat ornament made by my Grandma Anna

Boot ornament made by my Grandma Madge (maybe my favorite ornament)

Stocking made by Linda

Pinecone made by Abby, age 4?

Ridiculously huge snowflake made by me, who cannot seem to crochet things that are not scaled for giants.

More tomorrow...

"I gave her braids!"

That girl does amazing things with tape and construction paper.

(Hopefully we'll have the rest of Thanksgiving tomorrow. I can't get my video to load!)

Jovana's Quilt

Waaaay back in March when Chris helped us finish the basement, I told Shannon I'd trade her my quilting labor for his manly labor. I finally finished her project, just in time for her to give it away! Of course I forgot to take a picture of the whole thing, all done and quilted and bound.

Here is a shot of the quilt top.

And a couple of the quilting. I did this on the long arm machine at our local quilt shop. It was simple enough and pretty fun, and I'm pleased with how the quilting came out, especially because it was my first time ever.

Elf booties

For sweet baby Joela's birthday I made a pair of elf booties. I made up the pattern myself, which was pretty fun. I wanted to put jingle bells on the toes, but couldn't figure out any way to make that not a choking hazard, since she likes to put her toes in her mouth.

I don't know why I couldn't get a good picture-here they are alone

And on some sweet baby feet. They're precious.

The Christmas Lamb

Grammy Joan also found me a little cloth Christmas book kit. I would never buy a kit from Wal-mart, but as a gift, especially from a thrift store, I find these projects to be super fun.

They're quick and easy and I think I like the idea of the things finally being made. Someone bought these things, and then ran out of time.

I like being able to check things off of other people's lists.

"CAREFULLY stitch baby Jesus front to baby Jesus back"

Last year Grammy Joan found me a fun nativity set sewing kit at Goodwill. I started it last December, but didn't get it done. I was excited to find it in the Christmas craft box when I brought it up last week.


It's one of those projects that I thought would take forever, but actually didn't take long at all!

It makes me happy to think about playing with it for years and years and years.

Santasaurus

Remember those craft kits I got from Goodwill?

I finished the dino ornaments! It was really fun, and got me interested in hand sewing and embroidery.

I'm still working on that counted cross stitch dino...not my favorite.

Moustaches

Nowadays at school we can't bring anything made at home to eat, only pre-packaged things. That makes sense as a teacher, but it's hard as a Mama, and especially for a Mama who's a "maker". It just didn't seem right to send treats to school for Halloween with nothing homemade.

So I made moustaches for her class! I stitched most of them while doing my "chat" for my current Master's class, which is one great advantage to internet learning. It's not really acceptable to stitch in regular class, even though I think I focus better if my hands are busy. But online, no one knows!

Isn't she sweet with a moustache?

Mystery Christmas Crochet Project

I've never done one of these before, but it sounds like fun, and I have some white yarn I've been needing to use in something... (All pictures from Sarah London)

Mystery Christmas Crochet Project.

The first installment of instructions just posted. Looks like we're starting with Granny Squares, which I'm especially excited about because I've never made any. I know! They're a crochet staple, but I've just never done one. Getting started tonight!

Installment One.

She has lovely step by step pictures and instructions, and says any shade of green will work, and any white yarn. Anyone else in?

Goodwill love

Last week Matthew took Anna on errands, so I had the chance to go to Goodwill by myself, a rare treat. Anna's pretty good at shopping at Goodwill, we usually fill the cart with kids books and that keeps her entertained, but it's still nice to be able to take as much time as I want, which is a lot of time.

On this particular trip, there was a huge basket full of craft kits. So exciting!

I've never done any counted cross-stitch, but this little Christmas dinosaur was so cute, surely I can manage him. Or Matthew can do it, I think he did cross-stitch in 4-H. (Is that embarrassing? I don't think so)

And, perfectly timed given my new fondness for felt, these sweet dinosaur ornaments.

The felt was all marked, with nice clear instructions and everything I would need, even a new needle!

And some glue...which was long ago past its time, but cute! Glu-bird. Sounds like a good name for a stuffed toy.

My felt food

I've been listening to the old Craftsanity podcasts, and one was an interview with Lily Bean Market, delightful maker of felt food. I went to the website and found kits! I've been thinking about felt food, and thought it would be a great way to get started. It was wonderful fun. The kits came with clear instructions, and lovely wool felt. I would never buy wool felt on my own, because it's more expensive and we don't have any around here, but it was awfully nice to work with.

I started with Christmas Cookies. Anna's been playing with these so much! I made the candy cane myself out of some of the scraps from the other cookies. Anna thinks it needs another stripe.


Next up was donuts. I made the cookies and the donuts all in one afternoon/evening.
Then came the sandwich, including two slices of bread, cheese, ham, lettuce and tomato.

And finally a whole basket full of fruit.

I have some bits of the nice felt left over, and I've been looking at free patterns and plotting what to make next. She's supposed to get all of the rest of the food for Christmas, but I was too excited to only work on them when she was asleep, so she's seen all of the fruit. (Maybe she'll forget?)

Scrap Busters

They're having a "Scrap Busters Month" over at Sew, Mama, Sew.

I'd love to spend some time perusing ideas, but Anna keeps telling me "Quit piddling, Mama!"

Maybe after she goes to bed.

I certainly have some scraps...

After my own heart

On the way to Osborne last weekend, I asked Anna what she was working on.

"A puppet"

At the gas station, I turned around to see.

Made out of her chip bag. Of course.

When she was done she told me: "It's kind of a greasy puppet."

Sew, cry, sew, cry

I finished Susan's quilt from Mom.

They picked out the pattern and the fabrics together, and she got the top all pieced. I remember her agonizing over color choices, worried that it wouldn't all look nice together. She was always worried about color.

But isn't it pretty? The colors look great. I added the borders and took it to the quilter and put the binding on. Hardest project ever.

Now Susan finally has it. Here we are in the traditional quilt shot-snuggled up on the couch.

Miss you.