Beaded buttons

I didn't have a chance to make many gifts for Christmas this year, but I was able to make these buttons for a friend who loves to sew. I have been wanting to make these for several years. Even though the idea came out of a book called quick gifts I did not think these were quick. However I really don't do much beading so maybe they would be quick if I was more experienced at it. Anyways I loved how they turned out and I would like to make some more maybe some for me next time.

Christmas Jammies

Every year since my kids were little I gave them pajamas on Christmas eve so they would have new ones on for Christmas morning. As my boys got older they didn't really want pajamas any more. My daughter however loves pajamas and has become a collector. She still wants her Christmas PJ's. This year I decided to sew her a pair. I used a pattern she Had sewn for herself a few years ago so I knew they would fit her. I had a cute pink light weight jersey knit with a girly print. I got this fabric at Handcock's in the clearance section just because I liked it. I used every bit of the two yards I purchased. I even made a little storage bag to tote them with. She is going to New Orleans in January and these will be perfect for wearing while there. She could use the bag for shoes in her suitcase. I think she will like these and they were quick and easy to make.

Swap received

I received my package from the Christ-Centered-Christmas Swap on http://www.craftster.org/ . KLKing was a great partner and she sent some beautiful things. I put this lovely banner on my door right away. This is so pretty I may keep it up all year. I did take it down long enough to take it to work to show off to my co-worker.

Karen makes windsocks to sell so she let me pick out one that I liked. She sent me this one with a dove and a cross. This will be perfect to put out at Easter or anytime really.

Next up two pretty ornaments made out of Vertical blinds. And a lovely handcrafted card and envelope with a cross stitched design. And to add to my wooden spool collection a bag of old wooden spools. She even included a short note about the ladies who owned these. I love these.

She also sent three kinds of homemade cookies which were yummy. And a basket of tangerines from her own yard. Very tasty too. Also a little bag of Hanukkah coins. These all added to my Christmas blessings.

Swap sent

I have participated in my last swap of the year and it is all wrapped up now. For the Christ-centered- Christmas Swap I enjoyed creating a few things for my partner KLKing. She asked for a Bible cover to protect her favorite Bible. I strip pieced a cover out of mostly silks and embroidered her name and favorite bible passage on the front. It zips around three sides and is lined with gold velvet. I had not used my embroidery machine for quite a while but I just used the built in letters on the machine. I didn't want to take the time to do a template which I discovered was a mistake, because I had to pick out most of my first attempt when I realized it was not going to fit in the space. I think I spent way more time ripping out than I would have spent making a template. Oh well I think it turned out nice and my partner loved it.

I made her an apron that she can use year around. I used some floral decorator fabric I had in my stash and trimmed it with some burgundy chintz. The pattern is Butterick 4945 view D. I have used this pattern a few times and it is quick and easy as most apron patterns are. There are 5 different variations in the package. I have tried all except the tunic style. I may try that one next. I love making aprons because I can use the cute fabrics that that I could never wear in any other kind of garment. No one thinks you are weird wearing an apron with cupcakes on it but a blouse or a dress maybe.

I don't do a lot of scrap booking even though I have many supplies for it. Since this was a Christmas swap I thought I should make something for Christmas. My partner is a Messianic Jew so I was going for the blue and white colors. I spray painted the dollar store frames with white paint and glitter paint. Even though I used several coats of paint the frame still had a pink cast to them. The frames started out as brown plastic. I decided to leave well enough alone and I think they look kind of retro. I am always surprised by how long these paper projects take. Maybe that is the reason I don't do much scrap booking. Anyways I like the way they turned out and my partner liked them too.

I included some supplies in her package too. Along with some homemade Chai Tea Mix and a mug and a knitted wire and bead bracelet. I met some nice new friends with this swap so I am always open to meeting new friends.

Another swap package sent.

I have been working on a swap package for the Christ-centered Christmas Swap on Craftster. When my partner receives I will post pictures of what I made for her. I used a flat rate box that cost $10.35 to mail. The postmaster told me that if I had used another box I would have paid $22.00 to send it. Flat rate boxes are such a bargain. And you can pick them up for free at your local post office. So here's everything wrapped up and ready to go. She should get it by the end of the week. I hope she likes what I came up with.

Tatertots and Jello: A Wonderful Giveaway!

Tatertots and Jello: A Wonderful Giveaway! Check out the adorable things you can win from Lindsey's Shop. She has the cutest tea towels and zipper bags.

My partner got her package.

Now I can show the photos of some of the things I made for my partner in the Christmas stocking swap. She loves polkadots and pink and sparkles so I tried to include all these features in her stocking, I was pretty please with the way it turned out. Although I did have a mishap with the iron while I was pressing one side I melted the dotted brocade on the toe. I could think of no way to salvage it so I had to make another side. That was a bit tricky because I had cut all the pieces at the same time (2 of the brocade and 2 of the turquoise lining) so that everything would line up right. Well cutting the second side made for not so good matching and I had to do a bit of altering to make it all fit. I finally decided it was good enough and time to quit fiddling with it.

For some stocking stuffers I made a little jewelry pouch and a loyalty card wallet. I made some jewelry 3 memory wire bracelets a button pendant necklace and a charm bracelet.

I crafted a paper pieced Christmas tree pot holder. I have one for myself partially done because I thought this was so cute I wanted one for myself. I knitted her a belt/scarf in jewel toned swede yarn. And then there is the shirt cuff wallet for her son made from recycled shirt cuffs.

I had a panel for a Christmas apron and oven mitts so I sewed that up for her. I made a few of these last year including one for myself. I love mine especially the oven mitts. And the panel was purchased after Christmas so it only cost $1.25 per panel. I love those kind of bargains.

My partner has a daughter who loves zebra prints so I made a retro tie bag for her. The pattern is free from the Butterick site and it sews up really fast, She also has a 18 month old granddaughter so I made her a fabric book from another Christmas panel this one has Christmas Carols in it. Polkadotts also likes butterflies so I made her a reusable shopping bag. Last Christmas I made about 40 of these for gifts and even sold a few to a friend so she could use them for gifts. I kept several for myself I just have to remember to take them into the store with me. I also use them for work in progress bags and to tote all kinds of things. They are very useful.

A friend gave me a batch of fabric last month and there was this nativity panel in there. I thought that would be perfect for my partners Granddaughter to play with for Christmas. It was easy to put together and I think it turned out so cute. I was very surprised by how wonderful the picture I took of it turned out. I am not the best at taking pictures and I would rather spend my time crafting than taking pictures. I almost think the picture makes this look better than the real thing.

I added a few other things that were purchased that I didn't take pictures of. Polkadotts emailed me that she loves her package and will post pictures in the gallery tomorrow. I am anxious to see how she presents her new goodies.