Handmade Christmas

If I could, I would make everyone a handmade Christmas item.  If I make you something it's because I have thought of you, but because I don't make you  something it isn't because I DIDN'T think of you, its because I don't have all the time in the universe.  

Oh, that I did!

This year my theme was pillows - I love handmade pillows - love the ones that have been made for me - so I figure everyone else would love one too.

And what says Christmas to your brother but bloody zombies?

And a paper pieced zombie?

That you can snuggle up to at night

This was a 16" pillow form, and I decided before mailing that it was too snug, so I used a 14" pillow form instead and that worked better.

I didn't take a before photo of this one, but this was a boys t-shirt I found in Target.  I cut out the front of the t-shirt, backed the jersey with SF-101 and used it for the pillow center.

This one I used the QAYG method as I pieced around the center owl - I added top stitch quilting when the top was completed.

I made these small coin purses for some of the girls in the family, I like having these little zip pouches in my purse for miscellaneous items.  I used oil cloth that I purchased in New York City and zippers I had on hand.  There is no lining in these, I cut one long piece of oilcloth, added the zipper, and closed the side seams.  I zig zag stitched the inside seams to finish the inside.

I hope you are yours had a happy holiday - I am still recovering from my marathon sewing sessions.  (there is more to show!)

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary 

Sew time is any time

I've had some sew time here and there and I crossed a few things off my list.  The sew time for these was after 9:00 pm on Friday night, after getting up at 5:00 a.m. that day so I could get through all my stuff-to-do-list and have lots of sewing time.  See how well that worked out for me?

Starting with my last two blocks for a Bee, which was an August block, now done and shipped.  And that Bee is done - finito - and I didn't join another!  I will join more, I know I will, but I think I am putting it off until next year (can't believe I can even start saying next year) so that I can put together some of my older bee projects that are laying around making clutter.  

My rainbow star block for Moni - 

All her blocks so far - and these have been shipped out.

And I completed a small zip pouch for Modern Scrappy Bits.  I had bought a pattern at that fab store in MA, I used linen and a Kaffe stripe, which I lined with batting.  The problem with this pattern was that 1 - I had zippers previously purchased, and I put them I don't know where; and 2 - I had clear vinyl I had previously purchased, and I put it I don't know where.  The start of any new project must allow for time to find all the supplies you know you have and you just don't know where.  

It was only an hour search, the vinyl I actually found quickly, in a cabinet, but the zippers, it took almost the full hour.  I really contained myself not tearing the place apart.  Just opening drawers, cabinets, looking in bags and baggies.  In the end they were laid out sweet as can be under a pile of fabric.  

The rest of Modern Scrappy Bits is putting together some scrappy bits for your partner.

There is more to do - and I would like to get some things quilted this month.

Christmas is coming, there are babies coming that need gifts, and I need to use up fabric that has accumulated.  And accumulated.  And accumulated.

I am working on it.  

Nelly is keeping me busy.  And making me actually do some of that exercise stuff I sometimes talk about doing. 

Zippidy Doo Dah

• Husband:  What is in that package you got today?
• Me:  Zippers.
• H: Zippers?
• Me:  Yes.
• H:  How many zippers? that was a pretty big package for just zippers.  
• Me:  Umm, a few.  Oh, plus there were zipper pulls.  And maybe a little fabric.  
• H:  Are you going to start sewing clothes now, because I just don't see why you need a couple dozen zippers.  
• Me:  I don't need them.  I just need to have them on hand for when I do need them.  For some things I am going to make.  In the future.  That I'll use zippers.  And since I haven't made it yet, I didn't know what color, so I got all the colors.
• H:  So, you bought a couple dozen zippers....
• Me:  And pulls.
• H:  And pulls for some time in the future when you might need them.  
• Me:  Yes.  I'm going to make stuff that requires zippers.
• H:  Stuff?
• Me:  Stuff.  
• H:  .........walks away......probably to bang ahead against wall.
• Me:  Maybe you shouldn't get the mail anymore. (loudly so he can hear over the banging)

Awesome zippers I ordered from Zip It!  They came super fast.

What won't I be able to make with this rainbow of zippers?

And pulls, don't forget the pulls!

And just because I had to show him I need zippers for stuff I'm going to make, I made a zip pouch.  A zip pouch which required a zipper and a pull.

I like the back of zip pouches to be linen.  I'll need more linen because I have a lot of zippers now.   I'll have to warn him about that package.