Homemade Holiday Gifts

(Pardon all the iphone pix - it is only 8am on a Sunday morning!)

I’m busy making gifts for the holidays. I have to share a gripe though. All those beautiful special magazines that come out in late November/December with patterns of homemade gifts are published too late! It just makes us panic and feel inadequate for not finishing anything in time..or maybe that’s me.

We had our first snow up here in the new house. It’s beautiful. I’m happy I don’t have to go anywhere today. I’ve been sewing as a break from knitting. I’ve finished one pair of socks for a friend. I frogged a neck cowl I made because it was so large it would be confused with a poncho. So I’m down one gift.

I just purchased Anna Maria Horner’s Multi-Tasker Tote pattern. Great fun pattern. But the bag is larger than I thought. I originally had ideas for a knitting/craft bag which it is perfect for. But I was also going to make one for Mom to use as an everyday purse but I’m afraid its too big. So I was up until 11 modifying the pattern and cutting new fabric. Hopefully my modifications will work.

We’re making progress on the house still. Kitchen wallpaper gone and repainted. That was after I destroyed the wall underneath the wallpaper..they didn’t prime or paint the sheetrock so it just peeled off..I’m pretty sure there’s another level of wallpaper and sheetrock underneath it!

The formal living room baby blue carpeting is gone! And I discovered beautiful dark wood floors. What a coup! I acquired a sofa and coffeetable/ottoman piece and it’s coming together. My challenge is window treatments. Roman shades for soft casual elegance or 2″ white wood blinds for style as well as function of offering some privacy? Here’s what it looks like now (oh and the cornices are going too - if anyone wants them just pay for shipping and they are yours! - Same goes for 6+ pleated fabric shades.)

I was at my LQS and saw what I want for Christmas, albeit a bit expensive for a Christmas gift The Emerald 183. It’s a intro level electronic sewing machine but some nice features!! My Kenmore is OK but a bit clunky..ok I know I can justify it if I keep talking… The benefits of buying from a local store is a lesson and service..I’ll definitely need that lesson.