Hashi ---- winner overall

Christmas is a few days away, and I'm ready for it. I just did a tally
-- I made 75 gifts in 2008; about half of them were given for
birthdays, and the rest are sitting under various trees, waiting to be
opened for Christmas. There were many more handmade cards made and
sent throughout the year. I'm hosting a dinner for 17 on Thursday, the
grocery shopping's done, and I've started on the desserts and
appetizers.
Yay! It feels good to be prepared. Thanks, Teresa, for your
encouragement throughout the year. Even with a full time job I've
managed to stay on top of it, by doing a little every week.
Wishing you all a very very merry Christmas filled with peace and joy.
Hashi



My son's quilt is pieced and basted, but I couldn't find anyone to machine-quilt it for me in the last week before Christmas. So I'm giving it to him in its current state, and will take it back to complete it in the New Year.

Not having a baby handy, I used a very endearing monkey to test out my SIL's baby wrap.

Hashi - I am awestruck - i thought the ones I did were a huge amount - but you have really jumped in and done an amazing job. i laughed at the caption on your son's quilt. been there - done that. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Teresa

Wow - Hashi Has really topped us all

About four weeks ago I gave my family the url for the Christmas
Boutique (a fickr site where I posted photos of all the gifts I had
made throughout the year), and asked them to select what they wanted.
Many asked for variations on the color schemes shown, and a few asked
for things I hadn't thought to make. This kept me busy for the past
month, but at last I have all the overseas gifts ready to wrap and
mail tomorrow.
I've made:
Set of 8 placemats and napkins for a niece
Mesh produce bags for a sister and sister-in-law
A little shoulder bag for a daughter
Hacky sacks in requested colours (I dyed the cotton!) for a brother
and his two kids
Three tote-able towels
I also got 50 Christmas cards completed and in the mail. I have been
making these throughout the year with fabric scraps from my sewing
projects.
One of our traditions is that I give everyone in the immediate family
(including myself) new pyjamas which we open on Christmas Eve. This
past month I made my children's PJs (my husband's were made earlier in
the year.)
So now I just have the US family's gifts to complete. I plan to make
some baby shoes, a baby wrap, a nursing coverup, a knitted beret, a
quilt, and some fingerless gloves. Better get to it!!!
Hashi

You have made me look like a slacker - I love those rolled towels so much. Have a wonderful holiday season. Teresa

great gift wrap idea

Go here to get the details - its from one of my daily reads.

HASHI --- YOU ROCK

Since my last post I've accumulated a few more things for Christmas.
A sundress for a big niece, and a dress/shirt combo for a little niece.
Dog leashes, in both evening and morning shades.
Wipe-clean coasters and cloth napkins.
A fleece robe or two.
And another cape for a super six-year-old.
Christmas is nearly here! Ack! I still have 16 more gifts to make!!
Back to it ....
Hashi

Oh long lost blog - look who has come through - I really want to be on her Christmas list. The are awesome goodies. Have a great month Hashi. --- Teresa

Lori - a wee little bunny

Something on my list has been accomplished! An itty bitty bunny for my niece. This is part of a larger gift that is still in stages of planning and cutting and sewing, but at least I have ONE finished product.

And I have a plan for a few more gifts. I'm going to make a few stationary sets for some friends with personalized notecards wrapped up in a fabric case. Yep, indeed, one of these days, I'm going to make them. :)

What a busy summer it has been. Between the kid things and belly dancing and costume making, the summer has flown. Next up, more costumes, for our Renaissance Festival and Halloween, and then Christmas will be upon us. At least I have a few handmade things ready to go. Thanks, Teresa, for the motivation!

Cheers!
Lori

Lori - is this made from the wee wonderfuls pattern? I have printed that one but not made any yet. SO cute. Teresa

Hashi - more goodness

I completed these this weekend.
(1) A needle case. Unlike most needle cases which do not organize or
identify the needles in any fashion, this design allows you to keep
them in their packets, so you can easily find the right needle for the
job. I'll be gifting it with eight assorted packets of needles.
(2) Child's pyjamas. In preparation for this project, I went to the
fabric store to peruse the knits. While there, I suddenly remembered
that I had many yards of cream-coloured knit fabric in my stash. So I
came home and dyed some of it. I was disappointed with how pale the
colours turned out; I guess it's because of the synthetic content in
the fabric. So I went back to the store for some strongly coloured
ribbing to tie it all together. I'm pretty happy with the end result,
and hope my nephew is too.
I'm now done with the July birthdays. On to August (only a few) and
September (8 people!)
Hashi

Hashi - loving the needle holder - wonderful gift for a sewing friend. Have a great week. --- Teresa

Rachael has her July in to us

Hi Teresa,

These don't really count as crafting. They were too easy, but I liked the finished product. These will be used as gift wrap for the actual present. Blogged about it here: http://tinkerblue.typepad.com/tinkerblue_the_daily_tink/2008/07/whats-in-your-s.html

Rachael

Rachael - this does count as crafting. Easy peasy works for me. And they really are cute.

teresa