Art, Craft and Needlework, December 2010

[Harriet]

We're nearing the end of the year with thoughts of decorating, gift giving and possibly meeting some goals of creative-area organization by the start of 2011.

Correspondence and gift-wraping get onto the list of inspiring thoughts right now, with visions of stickers, labels, bows and tags dancing in our heads.

There are plans for creative ways to present gifts, to send packages far away, or to stuff stockings for the most surprise.

Some may be participating in creative donation, like Angel Tree projects, shut-in fruit bags, or Christmas Child boxes.

Let us know what's fueling your December creativity fires!

[Nancy]

Harriet you asked about making my own gift bags not this year.
I've not had the time to sew.
I'm going to be using white paper bags and get creative with some ribbon or yarn to secure them with tags for the recipients.

[Lisa B.]

Hello Ladies,

I'm still planning the anniversary quilt - still can't make up my mind about the colours - so I've put it away in the WIP pile, under a couple of items only......when I get back down to it, I've promised myself that I will decide on the colours then. Only 2more WIP's till I get back to it.

I've almost finished a top for my dd who is 13 on saturday - she needs to put the top on so I can finalise the bottom and sleeve hems to ensure they are straight.

2wip's: 1 x matching skirt for the top for my DD.
1 x princess seam blouse for me.

Fixing: unpick the table runner and square off the blocks then re-stitch the setting triangles back to make it all the correct lines. Cut the border and binding fabrics then stitch with the backing fabric (which is maroon in colour).

[Nancy]

Way to go gals.
Got the yarn for starting granny squares for my next project and have 1/3 of the smaller ones done for this yea for progress!

[Twins' Mom]

Card that I made today....

[Nancy]

Twins I love that card!

I have the squares all done and now have started crocheting them together
and have three strips done now yea!

[BookSaver]

Twins' Mom ~ What a beautiful card!

Nancy & LisaB ~ WTG on your projects, you're both getting a lot done.

I finished the little teddy bear baby toy in time to deliver it last week to sewing group. We had very low attendance at the meeting, but still ended up with a table full of handmade gifts for the committee chairperson to take to the children's charity.

I did not get the hand sewing done on the rest of the stuffed toys -- but it just occurred to me that if I squeeze in time to finish them before Friday, I can deliver them to the agency after my car appointment for new tires. Ooo, I also have a pair of boy's flannel pajamas that I might be able to finish by then, too. (I had to buy ribbing for the sleeve and pant cuffs.)

I will ask DH to bring his camera home from work so I can try to get a picture of all these to post.

[Nancy]

Big Sigh oh no I found out I did not have enough squares for this project.
So I had to get more yarn and am working up those now.
But had to wait as my shoulder is sore it's needs a time out.

Found out dson and family celebrated Hanaka this year and not Christmas
So I'm thinking this can just be for his birthday instead.

[Nancy]

Ok I've made up the additional 8 squares have them all in strips and go the strips together
and rounds nearly done around the outside and had to rip it back and turn one big section
it was set in wrong. Lesson learned check seams closer before starting the outer rounds on a project. Sigh okay now to redo those outer rounds now!

Okay correction is made now for re-doing what I had to take out.

Yea finished that project yesterday afternoon!

[Nancy]

I ripped out a green prayer shawl that did not turn out as well as I'd hoped and I"m reusing the yarn getting twice the fun with it! Ha. It will have twice the prayers in it too.

Yesterday I made up a small crochet bag for a pattern glad to have that done now.
I saw one at the craft fair and had a bar of soap in it great to go with some dish clothes and
hot pad. {I'm thinking I can do one for my diabetes supplies for on the go.}

I enjoyed looking at the knitting books in the book store yesterday.