Handmade Holiday: Knitting Needle Rollup

My sister requested a crochet/knitting needle case for Christmas. She's become quite the knitter lately, and has stated that her knitting needles are getting out of hand.



I found this tutorial from Angie. I thought she did a great job sharing how to put this together. I was able to complete this project from start to finish in about 2 hours, maybe 1.5. I was surprised that I got it all done in one sewing session.

I paired the case with some Alpaca wool I picked up on this trip. She can make some very nice warm socks.

A New Year!

Happy New Year everyone.
I have a whole month of posts planned, the wrap-up of my handmade holidays venture. However, before I get to that, I am going to share some new year's goals with you.

1. I want to finish up a few unfinished projects.

These include putting some printed photographs in real albums - the last of the printed photos I plan to have...digital pictures are so much easier to keep organized!

I have two pieces of furniture waiting for me to finish them. One is a rocking chair I gave to my son for his 1 year birthday. They love it unfinished, but the whole plan was to finish it and put it in his big boy room. I am not behind on this (yet).

The other piece of furniture is a bench given to me by my sister. Last summer I took off all the stain. I just need to give it one more nice sanding and paint it.

2. I want to finish decorating my dining room and bedroom.

3. I want to attempt sewing clothing again.

4. I want to make Corinne a few summer dresses. I made two last year. I can do better, they are so easy!

5. I want to make myself a quilt. I've got the pattern. I need to do a few items above before I give myself the pleasure of a quilt for myself.

I have 12 months...I think I can do it all. :)

Happy new year.

Preparing for Christmas

I can't believe I am so close to being done! I can't believe that today, alone, I finished 4 gifts! 4! AND, I still managed to have lots of playtime with my kids, prepare 3 full meals (including, yes COOKING a real dinner), wrap about 5 Christmas presents, and a finish a few loads of laundry!

OK, well, TWO of the items were practically done...Now, they are DONE, ready for blog pictures, and ready for wrapping. What a sigh of relief.

My Christmas cards are late this year. Unfortunately, we had to delay the portrait session due to stomach flus a few weeks ago, which means my order of cards is still yet to arrive. I think the actual snail mailing of my cards will turn out to be Happy New Year cards. So, without further ado...

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS.

May your holidays be filled with good cheer and many blessings.

Handmade holiday

I wish I could share some things I have been working on....I can't until after Christmas. :)

I hope all you out there are ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Challah Bread

So, yes, Thanksgiving was a few weeks ago. I am finally getting caught up on pictures.

I made this challah bread for our special family feast. The item in the middle? A Teepee Corinne made in her class that same week! It was not planned at all, but the two fit together perfectly.

Never having braided Challah bread before, I took it on and had awesome success, thanks to the Internet and Maya who's tutorial was absolutely perfect! If you ever want to take this on, check out her link. Success on the first try, even with two little ones pulling on my legs most of the time.

Toothfairy Pillow

Toothfairy Pillow, originally uploaded by KathyMade.

The toothfairy pillow #1 is done. I am very happy with the way it turned out. Corinne loves it, too. It means so much more to me since she helped me make it.

She loves the Alexander Henry circle fabric the best. I love the Amy Butler Coriander in combination with all the other colors.

Of course, we have a few years until it's really used as a tooth fairy pillow. For now, it's a great memory.

Special craft time

Nap time, bedtime, those are the times I can get any crafting done.

Nap time might be dwindling with my oldest...that will be a sad day.

This weekend she "couldn't fall asleep" after many tries. So....I had her join me. I was making a toothfairy pillow for my niece, who is about to start losing teeth.

Like it? I was inspired by Stephanie, and Katie. Ever since I saw these, I had an overwhelming desire to try some patchwork. I also knew I wanted to make a tootfairy pillow to hold lost teeth and toothfairy treasures. Why not combine the ideas? See that squre in the middle? It's a pocket!

My helper loved the idea of it. She wanted one for herself, even though she doesn't really understand what it means to loose baby teeth since she is NOT a baby.

After showing her how to hold her hands and guide the fabric, and after letting her push the pedal while I guided the fabric, and after her picking out the next strip of fabric...how in the world can I give this item as a gift? Looks like I am now making 2 toothfairy pillows.