Friday, December 30, 2011

Top 11 in 2011 for My Daughters

Today's post is the Top 10 sewn items for my girls.  I thought I would post it seperately from my own clothes, since some of the things are quite different.

1.Butterick 5327
2.McCall's 5525
3. McCall's 5313
4.Simplicity 2580

5. Simplicity 3678
6.McCall's 6200
7.McCall's 6163
8.Simplicity 2369
9.Simplicity 2728
10.Sophia Bags
11.  Weekender Bags



One thing I know for sure, sewing for my girls is fun.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Top 11 in 2011 for Me

Time to review what I have sewn  for  me in 2011, a nice time to reflect and re-organize my thoughts on my garment sewing.


1.  Vogue 1197


3. Simplicity 2284


5. McCall's 6282
6. Vogue 1250 and here (two garments but counting once since same pattern!)

7.  McCall's 5525
8.  New Look 6030
9. Vogue 8747
10.McCall's 6078
11.  Butterick 5495 (another one pattern two garments)


Now my observations:
This year I had a nice assortment of garments throughout the year from various fabrics.  This is good for me since I tend to sew with knits and make lots of tops usually.  My top eleven only included one (thanks, Carolyn) Simplicity pattern (yes, New Look but not Simplicity), another change for me.  In previous years, I would sew almost all Simplicity patterns.  Does this say I am branching out or the pattern companies are offering more of what I am looking for?  I would say a bit of both.  Also, I have been doing a better job of getting pictures of the garments on me, not just my dressform. 

Next year?  I want to make Vogue 8747 a couple more times, I really like that blouse.  Look to RTW for more inspiration, my Cabi-inspired trench sees quite a bit of wear.  Also, continue to make dresses, those are easy, go-to pieces in my wardrobe.


One more observation- my sewing was 50% for me this year and 50% for my daughters (mainly Erin's teaching clothes), so tomorrow a top 11 for those garments.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Weekender Bags Times 3

I finished all three Amy Butler Weekender Bags  for Christmas. 

Kaitlyn, Erin and Meredith

Erin's is actually part of her birthday present (January 1st) but I couldn't wait to give it to her.


I took some pictures of the construction process and will write a post with some hints and tips

Sharing this on
The DIY Show Off
.



Joy to the World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing




Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Last Gift Completed and Wrapped

I wanted to make something for my older two daughters, Paige and Erin.  They both have beautiful homes and really enjoy decorating for Christmas. 

I started out with these pictures, purchased for 10 cents each at Dollar General


I painted the entire picture and frame in the same paint.  For the past 12 days, Silhouette has been graciously giving a design a day for the 12 days of Christmas.  I have been downloading them each and every day.  I used a free design on each of the girls' pictures.

Here is Paige's:






Next Erin's:


                                   

I have a couple of gifts (sewing ones) that I will share after Christmas, I don't want a couple of people knowing what they are getting. 


With these two gifts, I am finished crafting and sewing.  The presents are all wrapped, the food is purchased, cookies made and sampled!

Tomorrow is the day for my older two girls to come home with their guys and we have Christmas with them.  Then off to my mom and dad's for Christmas Eve with 16 of us.  I can't wait, it will be so fun.

Deck the Halls

All my projects are completed, the presents are wrapped, the cookies baked, groceries purchased for the dinners and the house is all decked out.  So I thought I would share some pictures of my home ready for the Christmas celebration.

I will start with the dining room.

My newest addition, a banner found at my local drug store

Buffet with a collection of white Santas, my aunt gave me one each Christmas for many years.  Cross stitch picture made by my Mom. 

Close up of Santas and cloche
Hutch with mercury glass, red plates and ruffled trees (made by Kaitlyn)

Trees

Reindeer and mercury glass tree

Dining room table.  The tree in the background is artificial and we don't put some of the branches in the back on the lower part.  This allows the tree to be closer to the wall and doesn't stick out into the room.  Ornaments are glass, silver and gold, mostly angels.
Now to the family room:
I just put these in new frames, so updated my pictures.  I made the middle one and my mom made the other two for me.  Each year when I pull these out, I think I should cross stitch again.

So happy I painted this aqua, it really looks great with all the red accents

Red accents

These beautiful gourds were painted by my aunt (same one who gives me the white santas)

The girls started giving me these wooden santas and snowmen years ago. 

My mother-in-law started the collection with this Santa
Now the bedroom:
Ornament wreaths and PB inspired pillows

We have a small electric fireplace in the master bedroom and here is the mantle - I made the cross stitch Santa, my aunt has moved onto blue santas for me.

Close up of Santa

Small tree in the room.
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Cupcakes Anyone?

We have been busy baking the last two days.

Here is a sampling of the cupcakes the twins have made.

Meredith went with Rudolph. Found at Family Fun


Kaitlyn's choice was Christmas Trees
Candy shaped stars were called for the topper on these trees but we couldn't find anything like that.  I cut stars with my Silhouette and we made cupcake toppers with toothpicks.  Find the instructions here