A birthday and Xmas gift made

So I have been busy making gifts.

1st up was a project bag for a 70th birthday. It’s always tricky knowing what to make but us sewers can always use a project bag.

The back

Then to use up some selvedges made it more special. This person knows the meaning behind them and it was well received.

Making the plastic window

Next up was a quick Xmas table runner.  It was an easy one and was loved. My friend’s table theme was going to be red this year. So this matched perfectly. What a guess.

I received a few beautiful gifts too. I also handed out quite a few Xmas decorations and they were put on the trees straight away. All in all a great week seeing friends for Xmas.

This was a special gift made for me from someone I have known for 50 years. She wasn’t sure if I would use it where I lived. I loved it. I have not ever knitted a blanket for myself or been given a gift like this. So special. My friends table theme hasn’t been to this house so didn’t know my colours but it matches perfectly.

I did it. 50 placemats have been made.

While looking for  some fabric for a different project I came across these leftover blocks. These were from a previous Bonnie Hunters mystery. FROLIC.

So I laid them out to make 4 placemats

They look lovely and bright.

That’s enough of placemats. I reached my goal of 50. Our quilt group has a great pile and are trying to get to 200.

I had a few little pieces left.

Just enough to make 3 pin cushions.

 That’s 33 that I have put away for another group activity

Making a Kris Kringle gift for our sewing group.

  Each year we all make the same item for our Kris Kringle swap. 

This years was a fabric roll. I decided to add an appliquéd ribbon bow to mine.

The inside was lined with flannel

One end had a pin cushion

The other end was a gathered top to allow access to the inside of the post park roll. You could put your appliqué mat, scissors, thread and other things that you need in here to keep them handy.

I’m happy with how it looks

I made the ties like a single folded binding. I used this tool from Pauline Roger’s.

It was really easy to use and helped from getting some burnt fingers.

And the one I received.

More Christmas cards made

 While I had my Xmas paper sorted I thought I would make a few more cards.

I used a tree die and bell die.

Had some fun with some glitter glue and bling dots.

Just used a bit of sparkly cord.

That’s all for this year.

A new Bonnie Hunter mystery has been started.

I have started a new mystery. I like making Bonnie Hunters quilts. They use up scraps, have lots of small pieces and look beautiful. If I saw the quilt design first I would not make the quilt. I like the mystery idea.

So first up was to make a heap of 3 coloured hourglass blocks. I followed this tutorial instead of cutting lots of triangles. 

3 colour hourglass blocks

Here are some sewn and ready to iron then trim.

They are all ironed and trimmed.

Now ready for clue 2.

If you want to join in now click on the link below. Bonnie leaves the instructions up for a short time .  Around the end of January 2026 all instructions will be removed and the pattern will need to be bought.

Lupine and Laughter mystery 

A visit to see my brother.

Off on a road trip to Tocumwal to visit my brother. We have visited this area for many years. I finally took a photo of the Murray Cod

We went for a drive and had lunch at the Big Strawberry @ Koonoomoo. It was a place we have never stopped at before. Well worth it. 

I had delicious pancakes with fresh strawberries and strawberry ice cream. Yummy.

They have a wonderful shop full of strawberry products.

Then headed off to Katamatite for the painted silo. Another work of art.

 

Making a fun Christmas gift for a friend

We are going to visit some friends for Christmas . Every time we are there we play some card games. Just for fun. So I thought I’d make her a little gift to use with them.

Playing card holders. All the fabrics mean something to her so she will get a laugh.😹 

There are many patterns and ideas out there on Pinterest.

Edited with photos……Happy 70th birthday to my hubby

 HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY TO YOU TONY.

After the last 18 months of struggling with his health this was a day that needed celebrating. Tony doesn’t like any attention or fuss so we just went out for a lovely dinner for 2 at a local restaurant. Cafe Romantica

It was a lovely night and hope there is many more.

DELICIOUS

Card making time

 This year I thought I would make a few Christmas cards to send off with a letter inside. I didn’t send any last year so I wanted to put in a bit of effort this year. A lady from my quilt group made some beautiful cards for some birthdays and also did a tutorial. Sadly I was not able to attend. But, I am now able to get out a bit. A visit to her house was arranged for a quick lesson. 

On the way home I stopped to buy the base cards and envelopes.

At home I cut out enough to make 10 cards. 

Here they are stitched.

Now to get them in the post.

Back to Chandlers Cottage Advent sewing

 Last year (2024) my daughter bought me a great sew along Advent Calendar from Chandlers Cottage. As you know, my plans changed and I wasn’t able to work on them at the time. 

I choose to work on this project. Just a small one.

I have done cross stitch before but have never used this fabric stabiliser before. You don’t have to draw the design onto your fabric. Just count, stitch and pull the threads away when you are done.

And here it is all stitched.

Now to trim it and make it into the pin cushion.

Oops cut it wrong. I had stitched it in the correct orientation so I didn’t have to trim it small. Looks like I forgot and I followed the instructions to trim (shouldn’t have). Now I have made it square and not on point.

And sewn together.  Well it’s a lot smaller now. Finished at 2”.