How I Spent my Winter Vacation

So, things were happening too fast and too furious during the Christmas season in December for me to be a very effective blogger. What that means now is I keep thinking about all of the cute projects and presents I gave away without a peep on the blog (or in some cases without even a photo snapped for prosperity).

You see here, I crocheted the little tree using a Lion Brand pattern available on their site. I made the people-shaped crayons in the upper right using veggie spray, a silicon muffin tin, and broken crayons from the dollar store. Next down on the left, I made cute little wristlets for all the ladies in my life. The one shown there I made for my boyfriend's brother's girlfriend, Erin. She loved it, which was very rewarding.

Below that, I made 11 new stockings for all of the newer members of my family that didn't have one yet at my mom's house. It was great to have a stocking for everyone-- they turned out really cute AND I made it off the top of my head with no formal pattern. All the nephews, brother-in-laws, and girlfriends now have an important piece of Christmas at mom's. She has always made our stockings when we were children herself so I know it really meant alot to her to have the handmade holiday decor.

On the right in the middle is a gift card monster. I made a couple of these cute little guys to hold gift cards for my 3 nephews and a present for a co-worker. I thought that it would be a cute side present in addition to the gift cards. I'm not usually one for giving gift cards as a present but all of their mom's kept saying that they didn't need anything right away so... gift cards for when they do!

Moving to the bottom row on the left, I made a viking hat for Lucas (my youngest nephew) using crochet again. I made it from my own head without a pattern-- it still needs some work. It turned out a little short for his skull. It can be really hard to make something for someone when you don't have accurate measurements!  I wanted to surprise his mama and daddy so I didn't want to obviously size him while I was working on the hat. This is the result of that (lol). Oh well, imperfect makes it homemade!

And finally, the bottom right picture is of my boyfriend, Ian, in a Charlie Brown scarf. To my disappointment, I have not seen him wearing it outside of our house, but that isn't too suprising. He isn't really a scarf-wearer. So why did I make it then? The idea just came to me suddenly-- He loves Charlie Brown and while looking at a chevron pattern for a blanket, I thought of how great this scarf would look. I love it, anyway, and that is what is important. I also sewed him slippers with Charlie Brown fleece to wear around the house. They turned out cute. He wears those much more than the scarf so win on that front.

And there you have it, a few more of the projects I worked on. There are still a number of other projects I tackled in December that I haven't shared. Maybe I'll get around to it soon :-)

Home Ec Lesson 5: Supplies Roll Up

In this class, we made a Supplies Roll Up, otherwise known as "Why I love my walking foot!". We covered creating sections, working with thicker material (and needle), installing an adjustable strap, and (for me at least) sewing stretchy materials.

I used a PUL fabric that is iridescent and beautiful... and also stretchy and annoying. After ripping out my 3rd seam, I realized this would be the perfect use for my walking foot. After that, it was a cake walk. All and all I would say this took me 2 hours including my mistakes so if/when I make another, I expect it to take 1-1.5 hours tops.

I also used this cute pink bunny fabric that I bought on Etsy a few months ago. I didn't realize that the pattern would end up sideways until after I had cut the fabric and hemmed the edges. I don't mind so much but now I know for future reference.
 
I sized this one to be for my crochet hooks and scissors as I crochet most often when I am on the go. Crochet is so transportable which is one of the reasons I love it so.

Home Ec Lesson 4: The Reuseable Grocery Bag

This project was sort of a 2 for 1 deal for me. I joined a swap that is due September 20th wherein I am exchanging Halloween themed tote bags. At the same time, the fourth lesson in class is bag making... so I altered the ideas in the lesson today to suit my needs. I'm trying not to show you the whole bag here as I want it to be a surprise for my swap-mate still.

In this class, we learned about making a larger bag, sewing fabric straps, and strong 'x' joints.I, personally, added lining to my bag and some stitching/embellishments to the front. I'm not a expert embroidery artist by any stretch of the imagination, so I kept it simple. I also decided to make the bag a patchwork of a bunch of the Halloween fabrics I recently started acquiring.

As we all know, E-Bay is a bad, dirty, dirty habit. Before I realized what I was doing I was the winner of 7 different Halloween fabric auctions. On the positive side, I ended up with a bunch of cute patterns I haven't seen in my local stores AND paid equal or less than what I would if I did find them around here.

I'll post full-shot pictures of the bag once I send it along it's merry way in the mail. That shouldn't be too long from now. I sure am glad I got it done, though. Deadlines make me cranky!

Home Ec Lesson 3: Round Bunting

Holiday weekends make for good crafting time.

Today's lesson was the round bunting. I used fabric for the fronts of the circles and felt for the backing and the letters. I did the letters free-scissor... and I think they turned out really well. Lucky for me, my nephew's name is mainly straight lines. (Please pardon the backdrop. My crafting space is slightly overrun these days.)


The skills learned were making and sewing fabric circles, using tin foil to press edges, using a pattern piece to cut fabric, and machine applique. I knew some of these techniques already but I don't mind. It really worked out to be a cute easy project.

As I was making it, all I could think about was what other clever things I can do with this idea. I could make happy birthday signs, congratulations.... all sorts of things.

Home Ec Lesson 2: The Drawsting Gift Bag

I finished lesson 2 tonight!! I made a bag to hold my presents for my sister's bridal shower that I'm still planning. Well, at least that part is done in time!


The class description says: "Instead of wrapping a gift with paper, create this pretty drawstring gift pouch that acts as a bonus gift and reusable bag! You'll learn how to create a gift pouch.. also great for business owners packaging products and making a great
impression!" Very practical-- I like the idea of using the bag for gifts. I have always been against wrapping paper because it seems like such a waste but I do like the fun and excitement of the colored coverings.

The lessons in this class covered making a bag, joining 2 fabrics, drawstring casing, square corners, strong slit. I learned more than I expected to in the second class. Now that I have completed one, I am confident I can easily adjust the bag for whatever size I want and crank one out quickly. My first one took maybe an hour total. My next, I believe, will take half that time.

I am truely glad I joined Home Ec. The Q & A with the teachers was well worth the $60 class fee, not to mention the patterns and tutorials where I am making super cute items that I have been interested in for a while. Today's lesson (if you are up to date, which I am not) was making a leather and canvas bag. Love it! We learned how to make custom fabric drawers for cubbies and using baby clothes to create stuffed animals. I'm in love.

Home Ec Lesson 1 - Cloth Napkins

I finally had a few moments to get some sewing in, thank goodness. I joined an online Home Ec class that is focused on sewing skills last month and since have had no time to ever try to get any of the assignments accomplished.

Here are double-sided Christmas napkins with ric-rac trim along the edges. I wish I had gone with a brighter color for the trim-- maybe the light green? I did pretty good with inserting the ribbon along the edge. Truly, that was the skill I was hoping to learn in this lesson.

My next lesson is making a cloth drawstring gift bag. This will teach me about making a bag with drawstring casing, which I have no experience with.

I wanted to get started on that lesson tonight but my 4 year old nephew demanded an audience for his hockey playing. I was a willing crowd, mind you, but that did limit my crafting time.

We'll see what tomorrow holds. I am supposed to be going to Hersey Park with some co-workers and my sister so sewing may be waiting until Thursday.
Either way, I am excited to learn new things.

Excited to Get Started!

I have finally squirreled away some time to start working on my Home Ec assignments

First up -- cloth napkins, a gift pouch, and (if I have time today) a tote/grocery bag