Christmas Making

Grab a cuppa' and sit down for a breath.

Well Stashbusters,
Sounds like our Christmas plans are coming right along. If you are a Facebook user make sure to join our group and share in the encouragement and enabling. (psst... we will be doing it again next year)

Awhile ago I got sick of looking AT my pinterest and decided to actually make something! First I used up some strips for these little braided mug rugs... Not sure where these are going.

Then these cute round coasters were tantalizing me so I whipped some up in a weekend. This used up some of my scraps and more importantly a scrap of batting that I'd been hoarding for just such a reason. I was super tickled with my achievements!

The square ones were supposed to be round but the personalized "L" scrapped that idea.
Sewing, the ever evolving art.

As I was energized and ready to go on the next gifts on my list, I got a surprise email saying I made it into the big Christmas MADE Fair that was only three weeks away! What a surprise! I broke out the pliers and my button jars and made up some cute button earrings. (not that you can see the dent in my stash)...

Is it silly how happy I am to have a "butterfly" in Millefiori beads and Mother of Pearl buttons? 

I also made some Tiny Worlds that help grow big imaginations. This put another small dent in my scrap box and used up some of that weird yarn I couldn't get rid of either. It's those odd things that are so satisfying to use.

Ending the random craft supply usage spree was me further ruining some already damaged linens by making some beautiful glass pendants showcasing the lace and embroidery from years gone by.

Sorry for the sad ironing board photo but it was that or nothing!

It may not be a lot, but it is something... I really enjoyed giving new life to the buttons and the linens that could never be used again.

I've got a couple other big projects planned as soon as I go on Christmas break. How about you? Are you in the middle of Christmas Making Mayhem? Or are you waiting for the actual break? Will you get a break with time for sewing or be busy with family and friends?
Whatever you do keep up the good work! Our year is almost over!

Stashbusting Sewalong: Christmas Mayhem!

Merry Christmas Fellow Stashbusters!

As you can see the fabric elves have been busy and it's time we got to work and showed them who's boss! Our theme for the final month of the year is "Christmas Mayhem!"

It's time to make gifts for others and ourselves! It's time to make all those random Christmas and holiday decorations we've been pondering. It's time to sew up the last of the stash for 2015!!!!

Can you believe it?? I don't know where this year has gone. It's been one of huge change for me and I only see more coming. I do hope it includes more sewing though! I'm working on stuff for a craft fair I'm in and once that is over I'm hitting the shelves to make up goodies I've been dreaming of for awhile!

How about you? Are you ready for this holiday season? I may not be Santa but tell me what you want to sew...

Stashbusted Knitted Christmas Cowl

Look! It's a bird. No, a plane. It's a....

Giant sling! No! A papoose carrier?

Sillies! It's the GAP-Tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley. Brought to you using my best model poses and faces. I've been taking notes!

Drown yourself in this fabulous texture! 

Thoughts:

• A mindless knit was just what I needed in the middle of all this moving. It gave me something creative to do while sitting on the couch in the evening absorbing the new move or resting my aching muscles. 
•  I used Jen's pattern as a jumping off point. I added the contrast bands and kept knitting until I felt the proportions were right.
• This is my one handmade Christmas gift!
• I used some stashed Lion Brand yarn I bought in my teens. It had been ripped out twice before...

How are the holiday preparations coming for you? Are all your gifts ready to go?

Weather Update and Pinterest Pouch Pattern

Well this is a day late since it decided to rain for over 24 hours along with high winds which knocked our power out AGAIN! Some of the broken trees must have hit the lines. Since everyone was on the ONE line the power company put up, the whole country was out again. Thankfully it got back on about mid morning today. 

The water receded in the night too so we didn't wake up to a washed out road again. I think I'm starting to get cabin fever...

Anyways... on to sewing! I managed to make these before all the bad weather and crazy power outages!

Pinterest Pouch Pattern

Well I tried another one of those pictorial tutorials on Pinterest. It actually turned out really well and I really like how it gives the pouch instant shape. Just a couple things to take note of.

1. Be very very VERY careful sewing over the zipper ends. I’m sure you already know this but I HATE breaking needles this way.
2. The loop in the seam isn’t necessary because of the deep folds on the ends but it does make it easier. 

   

   Don't they look like tasty candies!

3. You can line the pouch pretty easily but you must take time to press and topstitch carefully to keep the lining out of the zipper. I lined the big one but not the little ones. Here’s a great lined pouch tutorial it’s just a bit tricker when the fabrics are in one piece instead of two, hence the careful pressing. 

   

   Left corner shows my not careful pressing.
   I serged the only exposed seam.

4. I interfaced all the outer fabrics with some lightweight interfacing to give the shapes a little boost. 
5. This is a GREAT stashbusting project since you can use any square or rectangle piece. I had so much fun using up these random vintage squares I’ve had lying around forever!

Now, I have a confession.. I hope these become Christmas gifts but not for anyone I know. I’ve got a craft show coming up in November and I’m going to throw these out there. If they don’t sell... well everybody knows what they’re getting for Christmas! :)

How's the weather where you live? What's the longest you've gone without electricity? Have you done any stashbusting this month?

October Stashbusting Theme!

Hello My Stashbusters!!
Can you believe we've almost completed our year of stashbusting? We've only got three months left and I don't know about you but I've still got a ways to go. :) Let's talk about October's Theme.

October: Sewing for Others for CHRISTMAS!!
Yes, I said Christmas. Don't hate me. Here's my thinking though, I always have a huge list of things I want to make for everyone and their brother but I always run out of time. Anyone else ever in the same boat? Come on, be honest...
This October take the time to whip out a few gifts for your teachers, the kids, or even that special someone. Or start on that big project you always have to downsize since you didn't start it in time. Whatever you get done will give you less stress closer to the holidays and leave you more time to spend with those you love.
Remember, the themes are always optional as long as sewing from the stash is not.

To keep from getting discouraged it's important to look back and remember what we have accomplished. Specifically what we accomplished in September! If you haven't added your makes to Cindy's link party you still have a bit of time. Remember that there will be voting for the best garment and best toy. Silly little prizes will be given...
Looking back, here's some of my favorite kid makes that showed up in our flickr group.

Coolest back pockets EVER!

Pirate Costume! Love costumes!

Space Invaders!

Super Duper Adorable!

There were some other fabulous stash makes that weren't for kids this month but to see them you'll have to check out the Flickr pool yourself.

So how are you feeling? Are you in a sewing slump? Has life been too crazy to sew? I know it's been touch and go for me this month. I'm hoping October will give me some quality sewing time and I'll make a dent in the stash this month.

Christmas Creatives

As Christmas quickly approaches the the blogosphere has filled with two sorts of posts. Most are full of ideas and showing off handmade gifts, the others are on why creatives are NOT giving handmade gifts.

So this got me wondering why do I create and what is it about Christmas that makes me kick it into overdrive?

1. I make things. I do it all the time regardless of holidays. There is something in me that must come out, if I can't sew I cook or play music.
2. I love people.
3. When it comes to gifts I have more supplies and time than I do money.

At Christmas time this gets kind of crazy because I keep finding more and more people I would love to give gifts to. After living with a lady with Alzheimers and dealing with some health issues of my own I have realized my time is limited and there is only so much I can accomplish within a certain timeframe. So here's some guidelines I've developed for myself on how to stay sane and happy while Christmas Crafting.

Do they need/want this? Has it been requested? 
The first gifts I made for this Christmas were for my not-nieces and nephew. Since they are small and have a ton of toys I asked their mother THIS SUMMER what they needed for Christmas. She requested vests.

All cut out and ready to be sewn

She wanted solids and basics that would go with whatever they were wearing. I jazzed them up a little bit with some fun appliques that expressed their personalities a bit. I got them finished the end of November.

Does this gift scream someone's name?
One thing I have noticed is the closer it gets to Christmas the less I can creatively think. If I don't already know what I am making for someone they don't get a handmade gift. Unless a project jumps out at me screaming their name. (am I insane? I can't be the only one fabric talks to)
Last year I saw the Koos loop infinity scarf pattern and some fabric in my stash demanded to be made into the perfect gift for a friend. This is a great quick project that allows me to use some of my vintage trims. This year, I was visiting with my good friend from college and she mentioned infinity scarves were very popular in her area, so I asked her about colors and whipped up this.

Surprise!! It's a bit stiff since I used some iron on fusible but it
should break down and be more fluid with wear.

Do I already have all the supplies I need?

 As Christmas draws ever closer I am running out of time but still have people I want to give something special to. I'm not going to run out and buy more supplies to add to my bunny-like stash so it either comes from there or it doesn't get made. I've come to realize I would rather take the time to make something that fits the person instead of pouring my creative energies into something amazing that they wouldn't care about.

Christmas acts as a huge deadline in our little creative worlds, where we so often work at our own pace to deadlines we set. It is a time where our focus is switched from sewing mostly for ourselves to focusing on others. Christmas is a time to gather together with those we love and care about and if the stress of Christmas creating is keeping us from that then maybe we need to rein it in. After all the world isn't going to end if we don't get that tote bag made for G-ma Zee! I had to remind myself of this very fact this week, when some unexpected events came up. It's the little things and the Love that matters.

My parting thought for you is also one of my gifts to another good college friend. She is a creative, people loving, crazy like me. I found this quote in a fortune cookie and LOVED it! I turned it into a pin for her to put on her bag. So enjoy this crazy time of the year my creative friends!

She wins the ugly gift award. I need to work on my embroidery skills!