Countdown to Christmas

I made these countdown cards using a sheet of scrapbook paper that had the numbers printed on it and assorted shapes of more scrapbook paper cut with my Sizzix. 

I did not add ribbons to these yet because I am still thinking of how I will display them in my classroom.

Like the other ornaments I have made recently, these are stitched on the sewing machine.

Earlier today I finished up some placemats for lunch at school. It makes eating at your desk a little nicer.  I love how they coordinate, but do not match.

Back to school tomorrow.  This was a nice break.

Gale

Paper Santas

More can be seen on my Flickr photostream.  These are like potato chips-- you can't just make one!

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Papers and Threads

Last night, while still digesting the Thanksgiving Feast, my aunt and my cousin and I went out on a shopping mission to Michael's.  I picked up a new pad of scrapbook papers and a set of die cut embellishments in a Christmas theme.

This morning I made these ornaments with them.  I used my Sizzix machine to cut out the scalloped squares and lots of circles of many sizes.

I layered the circles and squares with the pre-made embellishments and glued them in place with some Martha Stewart gel adhesive.

After letting them have plenty of time to dry, I added another layer of scrapbook paper to the back, along with a ribbon hanger. I stitched the layers together using my sewing machine.  As some have recommended I increased the stitch length to prevent the paper from ripping.

Sewing layers of paper is not that difficult. The trick to remember is to go slowly and to keep your thread ends out of the way as you start to sew. Otherwise, you have a mess to pick out on the back.  I made sure to overlap the beginning stitch point, in some cases, I stitched around the perimeter 2 or three times.

Mostly I use my Sizzix for fabric (and I have even ordered a half square triangle die for it) but you can see it make wonderful paper objects as well!

Yesterday morning I made the first batch of Papers and Threads ornaments using Santa images and more scrapbook paper.  I did not get a chance to photograph them because I took them to Thanksgiving Dinner to show off and my cousin immediately purchased them all.  So those ornaments are on their way to NYC with P.'s family and I will post photos after I make some more of them.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and that you got some good bargains today.



Gale

Quilted Pillows

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Preparing for Earlysville Craft Show

 Made from vintage cotton chenille. Man, that stuff is hard to sew through. Broke several needles before getting the denim ones. Lots of fiddly hand work on these, too.  But they look mighty cute all together.

14 inch square pillow featuring 2D Yuletide by Alexander Henry.  Love this cute print.

 12 x 16 inches patchwork pillow. The center fabric is a very wide ribbon from my stash.

This patchwork pillow will be 16 x 16 inches when the new pillow forms arrive this week.

Camera strap covers made with festive holiday fabrics.  They are 28 inches long and cushion the stiff ugly strap that comes standard with larger cameras.

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Saturday Sewin'

These will either be gifts or be sold, whichever comes first. Is that awful?

I love this print called 2D Yuletide by Alexander Henry. It is based on the 2D Zoo print which is so cute.  I love these critters all dressed up for Christmas (or whatever Winter holiday they choose to observe.)  I  got this fabric in three colorways, but have only cut the black print so far.  You know I have to pet it awhile before I chop it up.

 Tumbling Santas Applique Pillow-- I made the pillow top base with strips of the cute Santa print and red fabrics. This color combo is very popular and I still love it.

I fused these Santas to Steam-a-Seam and then cut them out. I ironed them onto the pillow top base and used zig zag stitch to applique them.  I decided to have the Santas sort of tumbling across the pillow and I see here that I mostly placed them upside down. Hope Santa's blood does not all rush to his head.

Some of these may be going with me to the Earlysville Fire Department Craft Fair in early December. That is if I can bear to part with them. 

Two of the pillows I showed yesterday have already been sold to a friend who is planning to gift them for Christmas.

Gale

Holiday Pillows

These are foundation pieced onto some batting and finished up with an envelope style closure on the back.  Gonna make great gifts!

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Works in Progress

Table runners and holiday quilts in varying stages of completion. 

Gale