Etsy Assuages my Guilt

I had a real dilemna about whether or not to send holiday cards this year. On the one hand, it isn't particularly envrionmentally responsible and I'm trying to be more conscious of that. One the other hand, I love writing the cards, seeing them all stacked up and ready to go, and I love receiving holiday cards and seeing how other people are doing. In short, I love the tradition of holiday cards especially in such an electronic world. I'm the kind of adult that is really a 13-year old geek...I love getting mail! So, I turned to etsy and sure enough I was able to find handmade holiday cards that made me feel like I could satisfy my card-loving side and support an artist. All of this makes me feel a bit less guilty. (There is very little actual logic in this, I know.)

I got these cards from cicada studio (top left) and nella designs. They are gorgeous in every way and both arrived faster than you can say AMAZON.

Gift Ideas

So...we've been going around and around for awhile about handmade/homemade gifts for the hard-to-get-gifts-for folks in your life. I happened upon Sew, Mama, Sew!'s amazing lists of gifts for practically all the folks in your life. Here are just a few links. Be sure to visit the blog for more ideas. I hope they inspire!

College Students

Dads

Sports Fans

Bookworms

Grandparents

Other ideas out there? Leave a comment. We'd love to hear what your holiday gift-giving ideas are!

Boy, Oh Boy

The farmhouse is complete! This one is for the little guy this Christmas. I've even got farm animals and a tractor to fill it. (The tractor is likely to be the big draw!). This tutorial was pretty easy to follow, though my farmhouse is a little looser around the edges than hers is.

I added two bushes, one pond and a walking trail to the inside. Not that elaborate but hopefully somewhat useful for a budding imagination. The basic structure of the house is machine sewn but the felt embellishments were hand-done. Which is something I've newly discovered that I love becuase it allows me to watch TV and craft at the same time! Rather than feeling holed up behind the machine I was able to watch a great film, Zelary, it takes place in the Czech Republic during World War II, a sweet love story.

And, here is the little guy himself. Who, immediately managed to pry loose one of the letter off the nameplate I made for him using letters given to us on his first birthday (it took me a while...6 months to be exact). How do they do this? I really thought it was secure. It's always humbling to be a parent.

'Cause every quilt needs a tote and every tote needs a quilt!

This set, a lap quilt and matching tote bag, complete my handmade gift for my paternal grandmother. She is a massive Wheel of Fortune fan and so I'm hoping this little puppy keeps her lap warm while she eggs on the contestants encouraging them to buy another vowel! It's made from my own stash and lots from my vintage swap fat quarters. The tote is really just for fun but I thought it was kind of a nice companion to the quilt and who knows maybe she will take it to the grocery store every once in a while.

Tablerunner Tutorial for the Holidays

The nice folks at Spool have posted a great tutorial for making a fancy-looking but simple to sew table runner. Not sure I'd be able to finish one in time for Thanksgiving but maybe Christmas...as a gift? Hmm, do men like tablerunners?

This one's for my mom.

I just love how easy and fun the artsy clutch is. This one is made from scraps of natural linen and some of my vintage loot. The interior and the binding is made out of a linen top bought at the thrift store. I decided to do a binding because I put in heavy-ish quilt batting to give it some structure and it was a bit too much for the linen interior fabric. Now, I just have to make something to put inside the clutch!

Also, a much needed call for advice. I'm still at a loss about man gift. The suggestions I've gotten have been great...homemade biscotti and coffee; male toiletry bags; and tote bags for grocery shopping. All of which are great for my husband but the other males are the kind of men that eat big slabs of meat and only want a Barnes and Noble gift certificate. Is it a cop out to buy gift cards and then sew a nice holder for it? The little voice in my head says YES, which might mean I become a cop out. Yikes. See, I need help? Any more thoughts on handmade male gifts?

You win some, you lose some

It's an understatement to say I'm thrilled with the presidential election results. Now, we move on from here and leave the rest behind.

The Handmade Quilt contest, however, didn't work out as well for me. I'm so glad I entered, however, and given the winners (one of which is pictured) I'm happy to take the loss. See the other winners and submissions at this site. It's very inspirational. I'm getting lots of kicks from baby right now, he/she must be in agreement!

All hustle and bustle

In a desperate attempt to avoid watching CNN while checking politico.com when it's way to early for anything to mean anything anyway...I'm blogging. In an attempt to get a head start on the handmade holidays I put my time on my own to good use finishing a few projects. (Oh my gosh, PA might just be blue!! Please, oh please.)

I finally got with it and made a tote bag and I fully understand the addition element! They rock and the french seams are great. Thanks Beth! Right now, it is tasked with holding all of my completed holiday gifts. Hmm, wonder what else is in there?!

Plus, got over my fear of sewing corners and completed the scalloped blanket.

The tea cozy is for my mother-in-law (like a true Irish woman she drinks and serves tea as if it might heal all the world's ills). The coffee cozy uses fabric from the vintage swap, which I'm so excited to finally start using. It's for a coworker.

Paige put the P in Perfect

My Bend the Rules swap quilt arrived on Saturday and I had a chance to wash it today. It's so lovely!! My swap mate did such an amazing job...and I think it was one of her first quilts! You might ask, why am I lounging barefoot under a quilt on a work day? I had a bit of comp time and I decided to take it baby-free. I got a headstart on some handmade holiday gifts but I also read a bit of the paper and had some tea. Sigh. Guilty, yes. But feeling happy, definitely.