The Biggest One

Now that it's already been opened, I can tell you about the most time-consuming Christmas gift I put together this year. And probably the most impressive, because of all the work that went into it. It wasn't hard, but there was a lot to it. And it's BIG! At 12 feet long, this baby holds 14 fabric shapes with photos.

Here's what I did:
I picked out a couple of large scraps of Christmas-colored material and found the rest of the fleece throw that I used for Rhyl's Tinkerbell costume for the backing. Not one to waste "pricey" fusible interfacing, I used spray glue to adhere the fabrics together, chalked a triangle, square, or circle onto the back, cut it out, stitched it together, and trimmed around the edges with pinking shears. (Here is where I SHOULD HAVE added the photos, because it was a pain having to maneuver around the tape once they were all one.) I did not think this thru, so I attached the shapes to the tape instead. I then sewed on buttons to the tape over the tips of the "trees" and ribbons and charms to the "wreaths", just for fun.

Next, I cut out photos to fit into the shapes and anchored them with glue. Elmer's is fine. I think mine is Tacky (there's a joke in there somewhere). This isn't altogether necessary, but I didn't want to fool with pins or tape. Quick and easy was my motto for this project.

Finally, I cut strips of the fabric scraps with my pinking shears to make ribbons to frame each photo. I used a zig-zag stitch around the edges, turning the ribbon over at each corner, and trimming the corners off so that they wouldn't stick out. I topped it off with a ring on each end for hanging, carefully folded it around a piece of cardboard, wrapped it up, and sent it off to my dear sister in South Carolina.

Why was this project necessary, you ask? The reason I took on something special at the last minute is entirely sentimental: my oldest sister is a traveling nurse and isn't able to make it home for Christmas due to her schedule. She's in SC, we're in Mo (Ia, technically, for me). This is the first Christmas I can remember that she won't be around. She doesn't have a Christmas tree or decorations in her apt. No Christmas? No family? No way! This is meant to be a nice reminder of those of us back home who love and miss her, as well as a way to bring a little holiday cheer into her temporary home that her cat cannot destroy. :) We love you, Bethie!

Here's what I used:

*3 yards of double fold bias tape (could have made my own, but didn't have the time) in dark green

*Fabric scraps (1/2 yd or less is more than enough) for shapes in 2-4 colors

*Fabric for backing (1/2 - 3/4 yd is plenty)

*Spray glue (could have used pins, but that would have required more attn, and I was lazy and in a hurry)

*Thread (I used contrasting bright red thread)

*Photos

*Buttons, charms, ribbons, etc, for decorations

*White glue

I cannot stress enough that there is no "right" way to do this, and probably many, many better ways than I did.

And More I-Spy Bags

I have two left over from my Christmas stash. My kids already have plenty of gifts, but they'll get these if no one else wants to buy them. At least that will save them from a year of storage in my sewing room closet.

(They are Christmas themed, perfect for any kid, and only $7 a piece if you're interested.

Plus actual shipping costs, if I have to mail it to you.)

Another Ribbon Necklace

I am in love with these necklaces! They illustrate the beauty there is in simplicity, which is just about my favorite design guideline. Sure, I love ruffles and crazy seams and patterns just as much as the next girl (well, maybe not JUST as much, but still quite a lot), but there's something refreshing in simplicity.

Ribbons and beads. That's all!

Unless you count the thread--and if you must count the thread, you're just being tedious--or add a clasp, which I did for this one. I like them tied behind my neck in a little bow, but this one isn't for me so I decided to be a bit more professional.

Because it's a gift, I won't tell you just how much it cost, but at 29 cents/yd for the ribbon and a few bucks for the beads, lets just say, it's one of my most impressive "It's the Thought that Counts" gifts. These are the gifts that it's REALLY hard not to keep!

I Spy Christmas!

I love these little toys. The hardest part about this project was finding the vinyl for the window. In my little corner of the Midwest, there doesn't seem to be a craft store that carries it within an hour of me, so I bought some pencil bags, deconstructed them (kept the zippers, of course!), and used the windows for this project. The big ones, imo, are a little too big, but this was all sorts of learning for me, so all in all it was a real success. Whichever ones I don't sell (a friend wants 2 for her kids) will be gifts from Santa for the babes.