I have been busy!

Laura,
I have loads to share. Please believe me. Pics and posting soon!
Promise

Handmade Holidays

Kate,
I love this time of the year. It's all about family, cuddling by crackling fires, baking yummy goodies, good spirits, and best of all, giving. Each year my goal is to make gifts for everyone and each year I seem to come short. I run out of time, energy and ideas. This year I've done much more planning and preparing, in hopes that this holiday season will be a handmade christmas. I can't reveal all the gift ideas I have, since many of my gift recievers will read this blog, but I plan on making matching pajamas for the us and the kids (I have already started on V's!). I'm working on an advent calendar and I'd love to be able to make V and R matching christmas outfits. And of course, there are the knitted hats I've had on my to do list for a while now, which I'm still waiting to pick out yarn for.

Anyways, I have a dilema in regards to my handmade christmas plans. I love making gifts and I love getting handmade items in return, but I'm not sure everyone on my gift giving list enjoys handmade. I sometimes question my list of gifts to make, unsure whether all the energy put into it is worth it. I know my family really well, or atleast I like to think I do. In the past we have done handmade gifts to each other. I'm still new to my husbands family (even after 6 years dating and 4 years of marriage!), and don't know them as well, so it's harder to pick out appropriate gifts (and Greg is no help with ideas). It might just be easier to pick up something for the store. I've already questioned making the fabric dollhouse for V after seeing an adorable wooden one from Melissa & Doug toys. I picked up the wooden dollhouse, but still think I might finish up the fabric one too.

Ultimately I still hope to make much of the holiday season about family, giving and handmade crafts.

I think we need another craft day or multiple craft days soon!
Laura

Another purse! And more projects to come.

Kate,
I have been avoiding doing projects that would actually benefit me, like holiday gifts, and instead made yet another purse. Atleast I'm using up fabric and sewing scraps. I'm determined to down size some of my craft supply before buying more. I love crafting, but I don't want to be wasteful.

Remember Sarah's little bag she had at the homecoming parade? I loved the idea of a little bag that I can just throw my wallet, phone and key in and then toss in my diaper bag. So I copied her idea and made one! I wish it was just a tiny bit bigger, but other than that, I love it!

Now this week, I really am going to start on some much needed projects, including another 2 year old birthday gift and some holiday gifts.

I'm also excited about my upcoming Mom's Club project to make no-sew fleece blankets for Project Linus. I stocked up on some fleece when it was 60% off a couple weeks ago. I found some really cute fleece patterns. I have two dates this month when the Mom's Club will be coming over with the little ones to help finish the blankets. I love a reason to craft and to give back. I hope all the little helpers and hands won't be too crazy!

More to come soon,

Laura

One for you, one for me

Hi!

I was in the Target this afternoon, where I found the ultimate guide to COOKIE EXCHANGES! It was a pretty awesome book. They also had these kits with invitations, title cards, and recipe cards. It was pretty impressive. I found it to be very inspiring. Would anyone out there be interested in participating in a cookie exchange? The only thing is the holidays get so overwhelming, I am trying to be better about over scheduling. Perhaps we could do something for the New Year or Valentines Day? Thoughts on spreading the love and calories through out the year?

Kate

Check out the book here: http://www.wilton.com/publication/Wlton-Cookie-Exchange

Cha, Cha Charity Crafting

Hi Laura,

This post is all about my recent charity efforts, as I feel very fortunate to have all of the wonderful things that I do. I am talking about the basics: a job, a warm house, clothes, food, family and friends and even my crafts.

Project 1: HELPING KIDS AT HOPKINS

As you know my little sister spent some time at Hopkins Children's Center this year and they took such good care of her that I wanted to give something back. I found a charity group on Raverly dedicated to the Hopkins Children's Center and this Halloween they were collecting fun caps for the kids in oncology. I am assuming they will use them for Halloween dress-up/trick-or-treating as they are immune compromised and can't leave the hospital. I sent these great hats off yesterday. I hope they will enjoy!

I would like to send my first shout to Janice for donating all of that Fun Fur yarn. It was really generous of you. Thanks for being such a supportive friend!

Now as you view the pics please remember that I am not a photographer and my camera has way too many buttons! However, I am sure my photography skills will improve as we approach my World Cup trip to South Africa where we will go on safari!!!!

Project 2: CRAFT HOPE

I am also a big fan of http://crafthope.com/. They do a lot of really great work. In several mediums including sewing and knitting. I participated in Project 3, where I knitted a few hats and sewed a few simple quilts; which were shipped off to African orphanages.

For Project 5 they are partnering with http://www.margaretshopechest.com/ to gather warm quilts for homeless children in Michigan. As you can imagine the need this winter will be great, considering the economic climate in Detroit. I have a few simple quilts (1+ yard of cotton fabric, 1+ yard of cotton flannel sandwiched with batting in the middle and hand tied through-out)that just need to be finished and then I will ship those off! If you (or anyone else out there) has some extra fabric (which we all do ;), please check out http://crafthope.com/. They really need all the help they can get this winter. I will post a few pics once my blankets are done.

You have inspired me to get going on my Christmas Crafting... more about that next time!

Miss you!

Kate

Monday Night was a Success

Kate,
As I previously posted, I had plans to have a fellow Moms Club friend come over Monday night and craft. I thought for sure I was going to just crash after another long day of canning, but I got a second wind just in time. Three hours later I finished a bag for V. I used the fabric I had purchased during the clearance sale. It's perfect for when we head to R's physical therapy or in the car. It's her little "keep her busy" bag. She loves it!

While I didn't have time to work on any other projects that night, I squeezed in a little sewing time this morning. And completed an art apron/smock for an upcoming birthday party. We're going to Claire's 2nd birthday party this weekend. Personally, I thnk it's adorable. I was going to add some art supples, like crayons, playdough, coloring books to the pocket and wrap it up for her. I'm hoping to complete another little something for her, but we'll see how much energy I have this evening.

Next on the list of to dos - getting back to work on V's christmas gift - the fabric dollhouse. I also need to think of something to make for R and I'm hoping to pick out some yarn for make winter hats for the two of them. I'm getting so excited about all the craft time!

Laura

While Greg is Away, Laura Will Play

Kate,
This week has been crazy! With Greg being out of town, and little R teething, I've had little time to do much of anything. Fortunately, I have some great help with fellow mommies here and they've rescued me by coming over yesterday for all day applesauce making. I think I was in over my head with 8 bushels, 4 1/2 of which are still laying on my sofa for more canning today. But it was great having some companionship and playmates for V.

Anyways, to my crafting excitement. Greg is gone yet another week, so I have lots of free time in the evening once the kids fall asleep, so I'm determined to work on some projects. And I have a friend coming over Monday evening to craft with me! (I really wish you were closer and could join. We need to plan a November get together.) This is my to do list - I know it's a little ambitious - but I have to think big!

http://craftingchicks.blogspot.com/2009/10/monogram-bags.html
I saw these and thought this would be super cute for V for church or car rides. You had mentioned in your previous post I should make some bags and so I searched and saw these cute monogramed ones and fell in love!

http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2008/08/fabric-dollhouse-tutorial.html
There's also the fabric dollhouse that I'm hoping to get done for V for Christmas. I already started to make it and had to start over due to some sewing mishaps! I haven't had the confidence to try to start over yet. Maybe this week I will.

http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/2008/09/kids-art-smock-pattern.html
I've had this on my to do list too. I was thinking of it for an upcoming birthday gift, and fill it with art supplies like crayons and playdo. I dont think I'd be able to do all the detailing, but I could use the basic look - long sleeved and all.

I'll post back mid-week with some updates on my projects! I'm just hoping to get fabric at least cut out :)

Laura

Sew many things and so little time

Laura,

Wow! Our first posts! This is so cool!

I knew about those sales, so I purposefully stayed out of craft stores ;) Its funny that you should ask today what to do with impulse fabric, I think you should make a few simple draw string bags as see in WEEKEND SEWING by Heather Ross. They could be used for project bags or for travel, just to throw stuff in for the kids. That is what I am planning to do with my impulse fabric.

She also has a pattern for a cute make-up bag, check book cover, and slippers. And kids stuff too! I will bring my book next time I see you, but in the mean time check out the flicker group http://www.flickr.com/groups/1012922@N24/ Just to wet your whistle.

I have been a busy crafting bee this weekend. I promise to post tales and pics soon!

Kate

Bargain sales ruin me!

Kate,
You know how I love great bargains and great sales, especially at the fabric store. I completely forgot it was a holiday weekend. And you know holiday weekend means great sales! I stopped into JoAnn Fabrics in search of some more scrapbooking tape and I was thrilled to see all the 50% off sales inside. I tried to be good. I have promised myself not to buy any more fabric or crafts until I use up what I have (my craft closet is overflowing!). But, like any other craft addict, I caved. I was drawn over to the remnant rack in the quilting section and couldn't resist picking up a few yards of fabric that was on clearance. For those who don't know about the remnant sales, it's 50% off the regular price and then another 50% off the sale price. Basically awesome! So I picked up a couple yards of fabrics for $1.50/yard, when it's usually $5.99/yard and up. YAY! Now, what to do with my new finds?

Laura