Christmases Past

This tree skirt is the first thing I made to decorate my house with as a newlywed.



An ornament framed with popsicle sticks to create the Nativity circa 2000



I love getting out the Christmas decorations. They bring back memories of past years. There are the ornaments marking special occasions like our first year as husband and wife, or the kids first Christmas. I even have ornaments for our pets. But nothing can beat the handmade decorations that the kids made in school or Sunday School.







Gotta love the tiny hand print. Nathan was only 2 when he did this.



I a m not sure why, but I love this simple paper ornament colored by one of the kids. I should have been keeping track of the artist for each masterpiece!



Molly did this jigsaw puzzle ornament in school

 

This is one of my favorites




This is an ornament that Nathan made while he was in school.

Like the kids, I too have made a number of things for Christmas decorations over the years. I am in the process of creating a new batch of decorations to help update the old.  Here is a sampling:






These stockings were made when the kids were born.



These are pictures of the nativity scene that I made when I was first married. All the details were cross stitched and machine sewn together. Nathan has asked that I  finish the set with the wise men, angel, camels, sheep and donkeys. So I will definitely have to start now to be ready by next year!



Here is the updated version of the Christmas elf. I am wondering if I should change the shorts to red like the tie and hat and boots?

It's That Time of Year

I am a few weeks behind where I was last year. Early October is usually when I start to get my creativity in action by preparing for the Christmas season. Christmas is now only a little more than a month away away, and I have a lot to do. I usually sell my tote bags and get most of my business from the girls at work. Last year I made about a $250 profit. This year I am going to sell scarves as well. So far I have gotten good reviews.

Here are some samples

My daughter makes a lovely model doesn't she?

I have found these scarves to be very versatile. I can dress up a plain t shirt,  or wear them with a coat. They are made of a silky fabric I enjoy making them because they provide instant gratification. They only take about an hour from start to finish. I have about 10 done so far, but between Molly and myself we will be keeping the above four. Oh well that's one of  the hazards of the job!
Well that's a start. Will keep you posted for more items. I will also have some thoughts on Christmas presents for my friends and family.

My Birthday Present

Very exciting news. In less than one week, I will celebrate my 48th birthday.  All be it a great accomplishment to almost reach half a century, that's not the exciting part. My daughter Molly is giving me a wonderful gift for this birthday. I bought a couple of gallons of paint, and she has announced that she is going to paint my sewing room for me as her present for me. We moved into our house in 1998.  Molly was only 2 years old at the time. The house had just been built.Over the years, all the other rooms have been either wallpapered or painted except for the sewing room. Molly  has gotten to be a pro at painting. She spent a week this summer in Pennsylvania on a missions trip painting the house of an older woman who had originally paid someone else to do the painting but that person ended up taking her money and not doing the job.  She also painted our bathroom a couple of months ago. I am so proud of her! Not only is she a great painter, she is also a very compassionate person who enjoys helping others.
Well anyway I spent hours at the paint store looking at sample colors. I agonized to find just the right color. Originally I wanted a burnt sienna. That is one of my favorite colors, but it probably would not go with the sewing accents I bought for the walls at 60% of at Joann Fabrics. I finally settled on a Williamsburg paint called CW317 or Brush Damask Wallpaper Gold.  I decided that neutral was the way to go.

This should go with most of the stuff I have already

Now the hard part is getting the time to have Molly paint it. She is a busy girl. It may not get done until after Christmas because our weekends are so busy. And this is  big room, so it will take a bit of time to do. Molly also tends to be a procrastinator like me. But it will get done eventually.  Now the only thing I have to worry about is my son Nathan wanting to take over the room as his own bedroom. His room is only half the size of the sewing room and he has suggested that we swap. No deal! In the meantime, I will keep on sewing.

My Latest Project

Fall is here,and I needed  a new tote bag to go with it. . I found the perfect fallish fabric to make my tote. The great thing about making my own tote is I can do it with my own specifications. I love pockets, so I made it with lots of em! Take a look from beginning to end


First I had to machine quilt the fabric

                                                       

Then I added the zipper and straps

Then comes the lining and pockets. I love the leopard print. Note to self, I will have to make a leopard print scarf next!

                                                         

The finished product. I used it today and have already gotten a lot of compliments.

                

                                

           I love the inside pockets. I have room for my cell phone and date planner plus a whole lot more.

An Introduction

Hi and welcome! I have wanted to start a "crafty" blog for quite some time now. Well, I have put it off long enough. Today is the day!




I love fabric. I have a lot of it. It is almost like therapy for me when I can create a tote bag or a quilt with the right combination of just a few fabrics. It is a great feeling of accomplishment. I have been sewing for a long time and have made so many things, but was always inconsistent  with documenting the creative process from an idea in my head to the finished product. I hope to do that here. My goal is to keep on sewing!





A sample of my fabric stash.
                                                                 
 I like to organize my fabric in clear plastic boxes. I attempt to keep them organized by color family so I can easily find what I want.

  Okay, It's time to create. I'll be back soon!