Christmas Gifts

Yesterday was a day filled with family, friends, food and a lot of fun.  I few of my gifts are quilting/sewing related so I thought I would share.

From my sister I received this:

What a perfect tool it appears to be.  It has a seam ripper, stiletto, presser and turner all in one, I guess that’s why it’s called a 4-in-1 tool, duh.  Well, it looks perfect to me!

And check this out -

A close-up of the necklace:

It’s a gorgeous necklace made out of an old sewing machine bobbin.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  It is a Jean Skipper Original.  She has a website www.jeanskipper.com or an online store at www.jeanskipper.etsy.com.  I’m guessing my sister discovered her at a quilt show in the Atlanta area. 

Thank you Melinda, I loved all my gifts including a trip to Nordstrom’s .

Enjoy,

What was on my Design Wall – 12/21/09

Back on 12/21/09 I posted a picture of what was on my design wall, you can see it here.  Actually it was on design wall a few days earlier but at the time I couldn’t show you the finished project. 

Now that we’ve passed Christmas morning I can share the bag I made for my sister’s Christmas present.  You can visit Melinda’s Blog here.

The outside of the bag. 

It’s hard to tell but the strap and the pocket fold over are a lime/kiwi color.

You still can’t really see the color but here’s the inside anyway.

I even remembered to put a tag on the inside

Of course she had to get a loyalty wallet that I blogged about here.

Enjoy,

Ho, Ho, Ho!

 

Wishing you,

A Very Merry Christmas!

Enjoy,

All About Charlie Cina

My internet friend Kathy, blogs at All About Charlie Cina and has been making “Letty’s Bags” like crazy.  I “borrowed” this picture from her Blog, but head on over and see all the other pictures she has there, including close-ups of the bag.

This one was made for Maria who is doing a great job modeling her new bag.  Isn’t she a cutie? 

While visiting her Blog check out all the really cute pictures of her daughter, Charlie. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday – 12/21/09

I’m still sewing.  I have one more project that needs to be completed this week.  Here’s my design wall as of this morning. 

My granddaughter, Emily is off school so she will be spending her days here with me for the rest of the week.  No doubt there will be more baking in our future. 

Enjoy,

Another Christmas Quilt

Many, many years ago, I made this little quilt.  It is one of the very first quilts I ever made.  I used a preprinted fusible interfacing for the arcs and then hand appliquéd them in place. 

As I look at it now (with a critical eye, LOL) I must say, I did a really nice job hand appliquéing.  My stitches are surprisingly small, neat and almost invisible. 

The quilting???? Well it’s a little sad.

I apparently drew different size stars and then sewed on the lines on my sewing machine.  It certainly could use more quilting but you know, it’s kind of fun to see my older work and recognize how far I’ve come.  So, once a year, I’ll get it out and use it as a table topper in my library. 

It’s kind of like your children, you love them all equally even if they’re not perfect. 

Enjoy,

Terri’s Christmas Table Runner

As I was decorating today and putting this table runner on my dinning room table I thought you would all like to see it.

In 2004, my friend Terri (no Blog ) had me as a secret sister.  For Christmas she made me this table runner.  It’s big, about 31” x 54” and works perfect on my table. 

I still love it as much today as when I received it.

Thank you Terri,

Enjoy!

Quite a Haul!

Last night was the Wednesday Wacko’s Christmas party.  The food was delicious, the gifts fun and creative but best of all my wonderful group of friends were there. 

We ate, drank a little wine, played a game and exchanged our gifts.  This morning I showed you what I made for everyone so tonight I though I’d show you what I received.

So……..in no special order………

From Margie, a cute chocolate covered strawberry pincushion and a sweet hand painted doggy Christmas ornament.

From Patty, for the second year in a row, a pot holder.  How cute is this?  She says it’s usable but I don’t think so, it’s way to cute to use but it will look great in my kitchen.

Molly had to stick her nose in it.	Gorgeous!

This gorgeous pincushion was made by Pat.  It is made with wool and all done by hand.  Pat is a very talented lady.

Last year Terri gave us a pie server that matches this cold meat fork.  It’s suppose to be for Christmas but the colors are perfect for my house all year long.  Terri is not known for doing hand work (she can do it, she just doesn’t like it) so this ornament was especially meaningful.  Great job.

Susan made us each a Christmas kitchen towel.  I love it!  It will look wonderful by adding a festive touch to my kitchen.  Super job!

Pam made us each these sweet little ornaments.  She love doing hand work so she’s encouraging each of us by giving us hand sewing kits (in the jar).  There’s needles, silk thread, a thimble and embroidery thread.  Plus fancy matches. 

Handmade Pin	Original Wacko Poem

Who knew?  Linda makes jewelry.  Each of our pins were different but all wonderful.  I know Linda is very talented but I had know idea about the jewelry.  And, she’s a poet!  You should be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them so you can read the poem and get a better look at the pin.

Sue gave us this wonderful smelling hand lotion.  It’s Winter Candy Apple and it anti-bacterial, perfect!  Check out the candle it starts out with Spiced Cider Snap, then Honey & Vanilla followed by Pine Needles.  Yummy!

Ahhhh, last but certainly not least, Marilyn’s gifts.  A wonderful smelling soy candle scented with gingerbread.  The cute little pincushion was entirely made by hand, no sewing machine involved.  We all started making these a while back but Marilyn’s the only one that completed not just one but 10 of them.  Great follow through, since I have no idea where the one I started even is. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to my wonderful Wacko’s.  I love you all.

Enjoy,

Wacko Gifts

A few days ago I posted a picture of fabric that I was using to make gifts for my friendship group, the Wednesday Wacko’s. 

The gifts are all made and were given out last night at our annual Christmas party.  Using a tutorial on A Spoon Full of Sugar Blog, I made loyalty card wallets.  I had made myself one quite sometime ago and found that I loved it.  I keep all my punch cards and gift cards in it so I always know where they are.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve collect just way too many of them to easily fit in my regular wallet. 

So here they are:

First a picture of all of them along with the instructions, the hair bands, and my filled wallet.

 

Although the tutorial is made with a scrappy outside, I chose to use this cute sewing fabric.

I think the polka dots work great for one of the inside pockets.

And, here’s a close-up of my filled Loyalty Wallet.

The second item I made everyone was made in the kitchen.

Red Velvet Cake Balls – Yum!

These little balls are as decadent as can be.  They are extremely sweet and extremely rich but boy oh boy are they ever good.  I made a batch of around 50 of them.  My plan was to give everyone 4 in a little box but only 3 fit in the box (they turned out to be chubby little things), so the rest of them went to the party on a plate.

They’re really fairly simple to make.  The first time I made them was with my granddaughter and it was a lot of fun.  This time I was on my own, not as much fun but still pretty easy.  If you’d like the recipe it can be found here, at the Bakerell.com website. 

Later I’ll be posting pictures of the gifts I received, and there’s some great ones.  I’m part of a talented group.

Enjoy,

More Letty’s Bags

I’ve recently received emails and pictures of Letty’s Bags that have been made so I want to share them with you.

First up, I got this note.

Robin,

I wanted to show you the two bags I made with your pattern!  I love the pattern!!!!

The zebra stripe was a diaper bag for a friend.  I put the same pockets on the outside that are on the inside except they are 2 inches taller.  She loved the bag.

Patsy Stach

Here are the pictures she sent along.

I love the diaper bag idea.  Great job Patsy, thank you for sharing.

Then today I received this:

Hi Robin!

I just wanted to share a picture of the Letty's Bag that I made for my girlfriend for Christmas.  I cannot believe how easy it was and you were right~ I can do it!!

Merry Christmas to you!!

Love you,

Diane Corder

Here’s the picture of Diane’s bag.

Diane doesn’t give herself enough credit, she does a fabulous job. 

Thank you both for sharing your finished bags.  I love seeing what people do with my patterns. 

The pattern is available at the Two Wacky Women website. We also have the grommets in stock, although we don’t list them on the website.  Please email for information, colors and pricing. 

Hugs,