Jitters

I've had more coffee than usual this weekend, which has its pros and cons. On one hand, I haven't slept well and I've been a little shaky; but on the other hand, I've been sewing like mad.

Gina designed this pillow when she was here many months ago, and I cut the pieces quite a while back. I finally sat down to sew them together Friday night in two hours flat, handmade piping and back zipper included.

Phil, you let me down again

Does the groundhog ever *not* see his shadow? I'm up for about one more week of winter, then I'll have had it.

Speaking of groundhogs, this painting by Amber Alexander always makes me smile because it hits close to home. My hair is too short for groundhog hair, but I definitely have my share of chipmonk hair days.

Spending too much time on Facebook

Projects I've been dabbling with:

1. Crocheted table runner
2. Crocheted washcloth
3. Embroidered owl towel
4. Embroidered camping towel
5. Snuggie for Karen
6. Pillow for Gina

Projects I've finished and photographed for the blog: none.

How about a kitty picture instead? These are the sweet sisters Sunshine and Violet.

Butterfly Kisses

I discovered Nini Makes over the Christmas break. She has some fantastic embroidery ideas and patterns to share, like this one, which I embroidered onto a pillowcase for Olivia.










Here's a close-up.

Girls, dolls, and aprons

We went to a doll/tea party on Saturday. Here are Olivia and "Tulip" (O names her dolls after flowers) modeling our gifts to the birthday girl--matching ruffly aprons featuring two Heather Ross prints.


















P.S. Thank you, Grandma Mel, for the Photoshop inspiration. I'm pleased to say I removed a yellow extension cord from this photo!

Baby Gifts and Good News

Theresa ordered this onesie from my Etsy Shop. The taggie is a bonus for being my very first customer (as well as a dear friend).

The good news is that the Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering exemptions to the upcoming Consumer Safety Improvement Act. The exemptions would include "Clothing, toys and other goods made of natural materials such as cotton and wood," thus allowing small sewing businesses like mine to stay afloat.

More Mitts and Towels

I made tea towels and coordinating oven mitts for most of my girlfriends this Christmas. These were for Elizabeth, Theresa, and Susan.

Happy new year!

I have big hopes for 2009...flatter abs--yes, but also a gradual move toward a simpler lifestyle.

Some friends and I were talking recently about the potential lifestyle to be gained by cutting back on the hours in our work-week. We'd have more time to exercise, eat well, and rest; grow and preserve fruits and vegetables; maybe bake our own breads. Our stress would begin to dissipate, our children would be happier, and we'd be better citizens of the world.

Of course, this would mean I'd have to stay away from Target. And I know there would be greater hardships and sacrifices, but for the most part it sounds almost idyllic to me. I've been thinking "simple" more and more lately.










Here's to a year of peace, joy, and creativity.

Squirrel Apron

This is the apron I made for my sister-in-law, who struck a pose but made me promise not to post her head. (Thanks again for the pot roast!)


















I think the Japanese squirrel fabric came from Superbuzzy last year. I don't see it online now, but here's a similar one.

The List

I just corrected my last post...turns out I made 20 Christmas gifts this year. (No wonder my sewing room is such a disaster!) Here's the list:

6 tea towels
4 potholders/oven mitts
4 crocheted caps
3 pillowcases
1 afghan
1 apron
1 taggie

In my haste to finish and wrap gifts, I forgot to photograph the apron and one of the pillowcases, but there are still some embroidery pics in the queue. This is a cowboy snowman towel I made for some friends who are Texans at heart.

Mountain Streams

I made 20 Christmas gifts this year. I enjoyed every project, but this was my favorite: an afghan for my mother, who has had a rough year. When I'm feeling blue, my favorite thing to do is snuggle under a homemade afghan or quilt and nap or read a book. I'm hoping this afghan brings some comfort to my Mom, who takes such good care of her family. I named it "Mountain Streams" because it reminds me of the beautiful property on my parents' farm here in the Blue Ridge.














The pattern is Lion Brand Yarn's Motif Afghan. I increased the width and length by a couple of rows/columns.

Meet Mavis, Deirdre, and Tom

A few weeks ago I commented that I'd like to get my hands on a styrofoam head for modeling hats. Turns out Santa was listening.











Poor Mavis is still a little chilly. Deirdre is modeling my latest Urban Chunky Newsboy Cap. And Tom is wearing the Boy Beanie I tucked into Jeff's Christmas stocking.

Thanks so much, John and Deuce! And a merry Christmas to all.

Handmade Christmas

By Thursday, if all goes well, I'll have made 15 Christmas gifts. (Hopefully I won't be sewing all night on Christmas Eve!) Now that my girlfriends and I have had our gift exchange, I can post a few of my projects. These are the towel and oven mitt I made for Gina.

Cookie Time

Olivia amazed me by going to bed early (!) last night, so I was on my own with our favorite sugar cookie recipe for today's class party. But Harry Connick Jr. kept me company. Yum.














Also on my Christmas baking list are these two, blogged by Elizabeth at Oh, Fransson. Can you say "Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies" and "Praline Cookies" without your mouth watering? Neither can I.

Our Projects

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on. (That's supposed to be a Juniper berry in her beak.)












And here are Olivia's projects. She's been sick with the flu and double ear infections, but she perked up yesterday and built a "movie quilt."


















Then she treated Mama Kitty to a makeover.

I am sitting! I am drinking!

This cotton tape is so doggone cute.

















I ordered it from A Little Goodness and was saving it for coasters, but the sentiments seemed just right for Milo's Christmas taggie. Milo, my 6-month-old nephew, is the happiest, chubbiest little guy you ever saw. Sitting and drinking are right up his alley.

Special Order

Gina sent me an airplane-themed standard pillowcase from The Company Store and asked me to create a tot-sized pillow and blanket from it. Finally, the fleece I stockpiled three years ago came in handy! I tailored the pillowcase to fit a small (12x16) pillow form and used the rest to bind and applique a square of blue fleece.

The package wasn't complete without a Butter & Sugar onesie; this one features a patchwork airplane.

Cake

Olivia just had a birthday, which we've celebrated twice so far (cupcakes at school, Christmas pageant party with friends) and will celebrate once more tonight (family party). Excessive? Definitely. Shameful, really; we're determined to figure out how to consolidate next year. But oh, the cakes have been grand.


















I ordered these precious ballerinas (and other lovely cake toppers) from the delightful cyber-shop Bake It Pretty.

And the winner is...

Huge, heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited yesterday and left a comment. You truly made my day.

Congratulations to "Mommy's Home," who won the random drawing for a onesie from my shop. In fact, extra-special congratulations are in order...she wrote that she's expecting a baby!

Good luck to all who entered other Give-Away Day contests!

Etsy Shop Give-Away

Hooray! My Etsy shop has just been launched, and it's Give-Away Day. For starters, the featured items in my new shop are patchwork monogrammed onesies, now available for customization.

In celebration, I'm giving away a customized onesie. Just leave a comment today and I'll randomly select a winner.

If you haven't done so already, check out Sew, Mama, Sew's list of other Give-Away Day contests!