My first WIP Wednesday

Since it's almost December and I need motivation to get through my very long home made gifts list, I've decided to participate in WIP Wednesdays at Freshly Pierced. 

Partially done:

1) Vintage sheets quilt - I'm done most of the quilting, just need to finish that and bind it.

2) sleep sack - just needs some bias tape around the arm and neck holes.

Not even started:

1) e-reader case and earbud case for my hubby
2) tablet case and camera strap for my dad
3) project bag and knitting needles case for my mom
4) stocking and rice therapy bag for my nephew
5) crayon/car caddy for my co-worker's son
6) zipper pouches and eye masks for my MIL, SIL, aunt, best friends & nanny
7) buttercup purse for my friend's daughter

Ok, I'll stop there for now and only add more projects as I get some of these done.

Here's to hoping I will get more accomplished this year than previous years because I'll be tracking my progress every week.

One gift down, a gazillion to go

I am a part of a gift exchange for work.  Since the co-worker whose named I drew is also a mom to an active toddler, I decided on a relaxation theme.  Of course, I had to include something handmade.  Being short on time, I needed something quick and easy.  I had some minky scraps left from the infant carseat canopy I made and I recently bought a scrap pack online that included some beautiful Joel Dewberry fabric.  I quickly whipped up this eye mask using this prudent baby tutorial:

I wish I had a dark coloured elastic, but I just used what I had on hand.  The tutorial was great but I would add that it is important to make sure that the placement of the elastic matches on either side (i.e. fold mask in half width-wise to compare).  The marking on the pattern for the elastic placement is not exact.  I eye-balled the placement within the markings and the elastic ended up being half inch higher on one side than the other (ugh!).  Of course I only noticed this after I finished top stitching (double ugh) so I had to dig out the elastic on one side and move it so it is a bit wonky there but it is not terribly noticeable (I hope).  I still love the way it turned out.  The minky side is so soft and the cotton side is great for when the weather is warmer.  Now I just have to get some bubble bath and some wine.

I will probably be making a few more of these masks for gifts, since they use up scraps and are super cute.  It feels good to be able to tick one item off of the long list of gifts I plan on making...hope this gives me some momentum since Dec. 1 is just a day away (yikes)!

It's not easy to be a crafty blogger!

I don't know how all those amazing bloggers out there do it!  They craft, they take great pictures of the process and end product, they blog about it and they read/comment on other people's blogs.  Meanwhile, I'm lucky if I finish any projects.  And when I do finish anything (like an infant carseat canopy and matching seatbelt covers this past weekend), I forget to take any pictures and then it's too late because they've been gifted already.  *sigh*

A fun and quick project

I've been wanting to try this great tutorial for a drawstring bag after seeing all the cute bags others have made using it.  I finally did the other day and here is the result:

The tutorial was great, super easy to follow.  I will probably adjust the dimensions next time so I can make a bigger one, but otherwise, I was really happy with it.  It's currenlty holding a change of clothes for my little guy.

Fabric confessions

I am a full blown fabric hoarder.  I can't turn down cheap thrifted fabric.  Plus, I work across the street from a fabric store.  They often have great fabric in their remnant bin!  Like these Robert Kaufman fabric for $2 or less a yard:

How am I supposed to resist?

But things have gotten progressively worse...hours of reading sewing blogs has now gotten me hooked on the really good stuff...the expensive stuff:

Echino

Heather Ross:

I guess I really have to get sewing to use up all this fabric goodness!

Hand made baby gifts

Didn't get much sewing done this week.  Working on my vintage sheets quilt but haven't gotten too far. 

I did make a few things for a friend who recently had a baby.  An appliqued (fleece) moustache onesie:

And a wet bag (handy to keep in diaper bag for soiled baby clothes while you're out!):

I think I'll probably make another onesie and a few bibs to add to the package I"m sending her. 

I'm never sure about giving handmade gifts to people, but I believe this particular friend will like it and appreciate that I put effort into it.  :)