A Little Christmas Stitching

I've never been an early holiday shopper. I like to start my Christmas shopping whenever it snows. I mean REAL snow, the kind that makes me want to throw myself  into the Christmas spirit, not that little sprinkling we had the other day. But then I go shopping and can't decide what to get and so I think "Hmmm, maybe I should just MAKE something."  I know many of you do this too. Perhaps you start in July though.

 

I love making and giving jewelry. Hmmmm, I wonder who's going to get these??

 

Or these?

So this year I thought I would encourage you to start making things for Chistmas a little earlier than usual. I know, I know, who am I to talk? I always put things off until the last minute and usually stay up late at night the week before Christmas, struggling to finish last minute things. But not this year. Nossir. I'm getting ready now.

Since I started my new DJ Yahoo group a couple of weeks ago I've made a few Dear Jane blocks while "watching" basketball games in the evenings. Seems like even the easy ones take me FOREVER, but maybe that's because my attention is somewhat divided. Then I went to a Holiday craft show last weekend and now I've become inspired (Thanks, Karen!) to get cracking on Christmas stuff. The other day I pulled out the stitchery pattern I designed last year and had more printed up. If you missed out and did not purchase one last year, you're in luck - the pattern for these sweet little stitched ornaments is now available again here on my website.

                                        

Also, if you think you would like to purchase some earrings for yourself or a friend, I am working on some new ones and will add them to my website or Etsy shop soon. I also take custom orders if  you would like to order a pair in a particular color or colors. Just e-mail me if you don't see a color you like on Etsy or my website in the next week or so.

If you are in my Small Quilt Talk group, we are finishing up a few UFOs this month and probably also in December. That's based on what I hear about how many unfinished projects you all have to complete. Some of you will need more than a few months . . . .

Last year for our December Small Quilt Challenge I believe I suggested the Turkey Tracks quilt from my book Remembering Adelia.  I'm getting a little ahead of myself (see what even a little sprinkling of snow can do to me?) but, instead of finishing up an earlier project next month,  if you feel like it and haven't made this one already, how about making a little Turkey Tracks quilt for this year's December challenge?   Follow the pattern in the book (on page 69). The red and green is just so cute, which is why I picked it for next month.
 

This quilt would sure make a nice gift for a friend. Or, if you don't have the time, here's an idea - why not just buy her the book so she can make it herself?  What are friends for, LOL?  "Here, I would like to make this for you but can't right now so I really think you should make this for yourself  . . . ."

 

 

 

 The pattern for these little ornaments comes in a 4-page full color booklet and also includes antique graphics and some historical info on redwork traditions.

I said this last year and I'm repeating it here - I'm notorious for making useless handmade gifts for people. Cute things, sure, but what exactly are they for?? Watch, someone will get one of these ornaments and then look at me and say . . . "Uh, what is it? Oh, like, to put on the tree??" Well, I think they're sweet. And, like it or not, someone will be getting one of these again this Christmas . . . .

 

 

I timed myself when I made these. The actual stitching took about 20 minutes and then another 30 minutes or less to put it all together. If I can make Dear Jane blocks while I'm watching Bulls basketball games with my husband in the evenings, you can do this! (Or Football, NCIS, The Voice, whatever.)

 

Even more cute ideas for handmade Christmas gifts coming next week.

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