More gifts completed!!

Burp cloths for my friend Becky - her baby comes tomorrow!!! 7 done - 4 more to go. I better hurry with those last few. I have to finish the snaps on her 6 bibs too. Holy smokes - I need more hours in the day! Take a look:

Christmas at the Casa

Christmas is my favorite Holiday - so we do it up around here!!! Here is wishing you a fabulous Holiday season. Now - back to sewing those gifts!

More gifts made!!

I made two pillowcases for some cousins of mine. I needed to have them ready for my mom to take home to Ohio in a couple of weeks for Christmas gifts when she goes home!

The bed was already made, but I added the heart pillow in the basket. My mother-in-law took a stray cat home while visiting us (with us prodding her on!!) and we bought her a bed. So, I wanted to make it a bit more comfortable for her. My MIL named the cat Lily. Cute, huh?

Thanksgiving

I wore my brand new Flirty Apron Swap apron for Thanksgiving while I set the table and served!

My mom and my husband's mother came and joined us for Thanksgiving!

Here we are tearing into the chow!

When we were home for my Grandfather's funeral I got to take napkin ring holders that were passed down in the family.

I was able to take them because my mom's maiden name started with a "W" and my married name starts with a "W". The napkin rings made the table look great.

It was a great visit with family and a fun time!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am thankful for my husband, my dog and cat, my Family and friends and all of you - my crafting friends!!! Have a great day!

Guess What I Won?????

Alicia Paulson's new book, Stitched in Time!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been stalking this book and cannot believe I was one of four lucky women to receive this book. I gave my mailing address today to the person sending the book out, so I should have it hopefully sometime next week. Can you believe it? I have never felt so lucky!! If you haven't heard about this book - check it out on Amazon!! I won through the blog Craftzine. Go check it out! If you haven't heard of the author - you are really missing out. Go to Posie Gets Cozy!

One Successful Saturday

My sewing group rented a house for the weekend so our group could get some uninterrupted sewing done. I was only able to make it out there for one day instead of the weekend (bummer, I know!!) I was able to get a couple of items completed:

My niece's barn:

I have most of this gift completed. A few more stitches, some covered buttons and some barnyard doors on the front - and it will be done. Take a look at what I have:

Bibs for my friend's baby:

My Flirty Apron Swap:

An apron for a swap that I owe (I am late...yikes!):

I was able to knock some items off my to do list, but there is so much more to do. I had hoped to complete some more items - but I guess there are only so many hours in the day!!!!! Off to work on some more items!

In Need of a Good Laugh???

Check out this post on my personal blog! Only have time for a story or two? Might I recommend:

Wild Horses, Airplanes and Things That Bite
Bear Traps (my husband's 2nd favorite!)
December 2002: Harley Saves Christmas
Confusing Words Can Lead to Embarrassing Moments (my husband's favorite!)

Enjoy!! These stories are all sadly true and do not include ANY embellishments. Never a dull moment around this household!!!

A is for: Apron, A green tip and Aunt Tracey

I received my apron from the Flirty Apron Swap and it is awesome!! My camera is charging, so allow me to use the original picture that shows my partner modeling the apron!

I received the red and black one. Gorgeous? I know! I LOVE IT!! Thanks Shelley!

Green Tip:

My husband and I were discussing what to do to make our Christmas gift sharing more green this year and I came up with this idea ( most likely not original - but hey - it's the point that counts!!). Instead of wrapping gifts this year with tons of wrapping paper that gets torn off and trashed - we are going to package our gifts in Recycled Reusable Grocery Bags!

We purchase our bags from either Whole Foods or Central Market for only $1.00 usually. They also come in small and large sizes. Instead of using tissue paper, we are going to stuff dish towels in the top like you would tissue paper. I am hoping to customize dish towels with fabric for each family member. Some fabric that reminds me of my relatives. For example, my one brother-in-law likes the Texas Longhorns. Might make for a fun towel to use when cooking out during the summer - right? Not only will my family get gifts, but they will get reusable grocery tote bags and a dish towel. We can all use those items, right? It is like giving a Christmas gift to Mother Earth. Do you have any green tips for making Christmas more Earth Friendly?

Aunt Tracey:

I found the greatest gifts I am going to attempt to make for my niece and nephew for Christmas.

I found this AMAZING tutorial on UK lass in US blog and I cannot wait to make one for my niece. My niece LOVES animals, so I decided the barn would be appropriate! I plan on buying some plastic animals for her to use in her new barn. I am not creative enough to sew animals!!You must go check out UK's Blog. She is one creative Lass!

I am making this dragon for my nephew. You can buy this pattern for only $10.00! I know! You can purchase the pattern on NoseyNest. She has some great items for sale if you are still looking for some ideas for your nieces and nephews!!

Keep your fingers crossed that Aunt Tracey can successfully complete these projects with little to no cussing, throwing of items and yelling matches with the sewing machine!!!

Sharing the Goods: Patterns

I thought in the time that I am working on my To Do List (yikes!) I would give you something to look at. I have been able to look at some incredible patterns and charm packs on the lists that have come through for the We The People Swap III. I am always interested in new stuff and figured you might be too. So - I am going to list the patterns and charm packs on my blog for you to be able to click and see as well. I have found some patterns from these lists that I didn't know existed, but now have added to my wish list!! The links I provide will be the first one I can find. I am sure you can find these items on any of your loved craft sites!! Enjoy! Let me know what you think of the patterns and charm packs. Also feel free to share some great patterns or charm packs that you know of in the comments and I will add them to the list. This list could be a good HINT HINT list for your relatives for some Holiday gifts!!!! I will list the patterns in this post and add the charm packs later this week in a separate post!

The Lola Apron

Lilly Apron

Stella Apron

Bananfana "Let's Rock" Quilt

Quilt from Pigtails and Snails

Seamstress Apron

Patchfolio

In Town Bags

Gum Drop Pillows

Weekender Bag

Sophia Bag

Pink Fig: Lydia Dress

Sassy Bag

Emmaline Apron

Lunch Bag

Jalie Sewing Pattern 2788

Cupcake Fun Top and Skirt

Sandi Henderson Cupcake Pincushion

Feliz Pattern

Laguna Pattern

Car Organizer

McGuffey Schnibbles Charm Pack Pattern

Plan C Schnibbles Charm Pack Pattern

Bosa Nova Bags

Olive and Archie

Nappy Bag

Happy Stacker Ring Toy

Marlo Bloom Handbag

Sunday Brunch Jacket and A-Line skirt

Sister Smocks

Sashay Skirts

Little Charmers

Great Fit Gored Skirt

Gnome Messenger Bag

Flea Market Bag

Practical Bag

Knitting Caddy

Animal Friends

Anna Tunic

Jelly Strips Purse-O-Nality

Pirate Treasure

Girls Top Jumper

Strip Lovers

Minnesota Charms 3

Love Is

Potted Blooms

Itty Bitty Blooms

Maggie Mays Quilt

Charming Trios The Kitchen

Pinwheel Posies Again

Popsicle Posies

Little Charmers II

Finger Paint Quilt

There you have it - from the WTP III swap. Any you would like to add to the list? Let me know!

Tracey's To Do List

I have a lot to do and I hope a lot of pictures to post the next couple of weeks here on the blog. This semester has been so difficult to make time to sew on top of everything else I am doing. SO - to help give me a kick in the pants to get started and see what all I need to do, I am going to post my to do list on the side. If you don't see progress listed in the next couple of weeks, you have my permission to harrass me!!!!! I was so sick this past weekend that I lost a lot of valuable time being able to sew because all I did was COUGH. I hate coughing. OK - off to make my list to the side. Get ready to harrass me!

The Winner of We The People III Drawing

Using Random.org - the winner of WTP III drawing for sharing information about WTP is......

Frankenpug - HEATHER!!!!

Heather - I will be emailing you and congratulations. After your partner has mailed you a pattern, I will select another off of your list and mail it to you!!!!

Thanks for spreading the word. I appreciate it!

Fabric Selvages Needed!!!

Photo borrowed from Oh, Fransson!

I am working on several projects which include the use of selvage. I need some help!! I have a bit of a collection but I need some more! If anyone has some selvage they would be willing to donate to me or if you are willing to collect selvage for me, please let me know! You can just leave a comment under this post. I can contact you to get details! I appreciate your help!!

Happy Halloween

Scooby Scooby Doo.... Where are you...... We've got some work to do now! We went to a party with our friends last night and the husband and I went as Velma and Shaggy. My new hair do and my glasses fit perfectly for the role. We had a great time! We The People Partners will be emailed tomorrow morning. Can't wait to start this next round!!!