Filed under: projects | Tags: appliques, Christmas projects, sewing
Originally intended to be reversible, these are the skirts I made for three of my nieces for Christmas. I got a pretty straightforward pattern from McCall’s but even my mom, the sewing guru, couldn’t figure out how to manipulate it in order to make them reversible. Therefore, each girl got two skirts: one in a solid soft flannel and one in a patterned fine wale corduroy . I also put little appliques on each one, which was the most enjoyable part.
Filed under: projects | Tags: bird ornaments, Christmas projects, Spool
I went a bit overboard this year in terms of Christmas projects and wrapping. I’m gonna post these in separate parts because it’s too overwhelming to try and unload my holiday obsession all in one shot.
Here are the finished bird ornaments I made for my nieces and nephew following Spool’s free pattern (but I reduced it a bit). I embroidered their names and the year on the bottoms but forgot to put my initials on them. No biggie…I’m sure they’ll remember that only their crazy Aunt Carrie in Ohio would spend the time on such a thing. Well, me or their grammy.
Filed under: projects | Tags: bird pattern, Christmas projects, ornaments, Spool
This is probably premature, but I’m going to be signing off over the next several days (week) in an effort to dedicate all my free time to Christmas stuff; mainly gifts I need to finish up and wrap before leaving town this Saturday. I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed between work and then trying to accomplish too much at night. But I’ll be photo documenting and will post again as soon as I’m able to sit down and exhale back at my parents’ place.

pieces and parts of what will eventually be ornaments
One of my projects is making these personalized ornaments for my nieces and nephew. They are based off the free bird pattern available at Spool. I reduced the size of the pattern a bit to make the birds smaller. It’s a really easy and fun project so check it out. I’ll be sure to share pictures of the finished pieces when they’re done.
See you soon.
Filed under: projects | Tags: Christmas projects, crocheted snowflakes, garland, Martha Stewart Living
There comes a point when I start to get a little over ambitious when it comes to projects and the time frame I hold myself to in order to complete them. Case in point, these Martha Stewart crocheted snowflakes from a 2002 edition of Living that I have held onto for the past six years (wow).
I have been crocheting them in my free time here and there since Thanksgiving in an attempt to make a garland for my mantel. I have 9 done and figured I could rock out another 6 or so to at least have some semblance of a chain. The crocheting has gone swimmingly. It’s tedious but relaxing. After the crocheting is done, the next step is blocking the flakes with fabric stiffener. Sounds pretty straightforward but holy crap! It took me about an hour to block three (just three!) snowflakes and my fingertips are numb from sticking the little pins into the cardboard. Not to mention the snowflakes are crooked to boot.

I can't even tell you how many pins are in this one.
Suffice it to say, this Christmas project is getting the kabosh. There’s only so much I can do and this one is at the bottom of the totem pole. I’ll make it a 2009 project and hopefully have a whole bunch to put up for next Christmas. I’m also already resolving in the new year to say “no” to things, but more specifically, saying no to myself. Lower the standards and finish those half-done projects before moving on to the new (more exciting) ideas.
Kind of a relief to let this one go…..
So bring on the 10 other things I need to finish before next Saturday!