Thursday, December 10, 2009

Don't visit me.

The housework hasn't been done and it's just lucky we don't have to eat off the floors is all I have to say on that. In the sewing room I think I have about 20 inches of space to work at on a very large table. I've been out every day this week and I think Friday will be my only day home. It's the rush of the season and I don't work well under pressure. I have not been organised at all which is not the usual for me. It's my own fault for procrastinating.
Sewing has been happening though.

Thank goodness for generous bloggers who provide free tutorials.
I have a tradition I started with my Grandchildren which was to give a Christmas decoration each year so that they would have them for their own trees one day. Sometimes it's hand made and sometimes it's bought. This year there are four to send away. I needed something quick and easy because I wanted to avoid the shops like the plague. I swear next year I'll start earlier, it's just that somehow I missed November.

What's not to love about red with polka dots. This really easy peasy quick tutorial is from A Spoonful of Sugar. I googled heart templates to get a nice shaped heart to use and decided to hand buttonhole stitch rather than machine stitch it.
Of course I needed more than one.

I also had this tutorial for these half eaten gingerbread men, again really quick and easy. These suit my sense of humour. The tutorial is from Elsie Marley

And because the baby boy may not appreciate red hearts when he gets a bit older, these star templates came from a google search. Whew, all done.

I've been the lucky recipient of a RAK ( random act of kindness) from Mary of Quilt Hollow. I love the sentiment on the lovely card. Click on the picture to read.
I'm more into the idea of this as opposed to PIF (pay it forward) So that's what I'd like to do over the next year.
Thank you Mary, I loved the surprise.

I made a boo boo on the cushion I was making and so it now has a striped border instead of a flange. I picked up the wrong sized zip for the back and wasn't keen to unpick so this is it and I think I like the size of a 14 inch cushion for Miss E better. This is not for Christmas, I'm trying to get ahead now to avoid a rush down the track.
I definitely have to make more from Kellie's pattern.

Until next time, I hope you find some moments to do what you love.

46 comments:

Cathy said...

Your "E" pillow looks lovely. I've admired Kelly's work and thought about trying one of her patterns - I think I'll put that on my list for 2010.

Oh, and don't worry. I won't be coming over; you live too far away!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Very darling ornaments and that pillow is gorgeous. I completely understand about the work space (or lack thereof). Right now I'm stepping over piles of flannel waiting to become pillowcases. I'm not sure how the Christmas season arrived so fast this year but I'm not ready!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I love your E cushion! Very pretty.
And those half eaten gingerbread men, what a fun idea.

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Janet! Those ornaments are adorable! We always give ornaments to our kids every year, but how fabulous to make the be homemade. I think I'll do that for my someday grandchildren - a homemade ornament every year!

Darlene said...

The "E" pillow is beautiful.

Sweet ornaments - love the gingerbread men.

Mary's RAK's is wonderful - enjoy! RAK's have been my preference for awhile now.

Terry said...

Love the ornaments! Those gingerbread men are too cute! Nice goodies you got from Mary! :0)

Chookyblue...... said...

love the idea with the ornaments and they are so cute too...........

if you find where november went could you let me know.........

Deb said...

Janet all of your decorations look gorgeous and I love your E cushion, really lovely.
hugs Deb

Nedra said...

The half eaten gingerbread men are great.
I think we are all wondering how it's all going to come together this year. I have a feeling that we won't even remember the things that never got done. At least I don't from years past. We will remember the happy times with family and friends.

Amelia said...

Hehe flange - funny word of the day. Pillow looks great as do the decorations! Love the little gingerbread men!

Julia said...

Well I would love to come over, but I too live too far away!
Love the ornaments...how cute is the eaten gingerbread man..they will smile at that one for many years to come..
Love the E cushion..
Julia ♥

Browndirtcottage said...

Those ornaments are cute-cute!!...
and of course...I wish my name
started with an 'E'...I WANT that
pillow!!!

Heleen said...

The ornaments are pretty,and pillow is georgeous! And don't worry about the house... I'm happy to read I'm not only one! Creative people have to do importend things (like sewing) first! lol

Marit said...

I love the idea of RAK random acts of kindness, thank you for sharing! The ornaments makes a terrific collection, and I especially love those gingerbread men... The pillow is divine. Hope you will be able to slow down a bit.

Barb said...

Wow, you have been busy....can I come visit you now?

antique quilter said...

cute ornaments I think thats a great tradition
The pillow is wonderful, she is going to love it.
busy, busy, busy we all understand its the season , looking forward to Jan.
Kathie

Steffi´s Candy Quilts said...

What pretty christmas tree ornaments!
And the "E" pillow is really beautiful with all the colorful flowers.
I totally understand you, it´s the same here. I don´t know where autumn went so fast, and I was never before so late with my christmas home cleaning and decorating.
Try to relax! :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm loving that pillow! I remember seeing those bitten gingerbread awhile back from an older tutorial...I think they are fantastic!! I love when such a fun little craft brings and instant smile.

Miriam said...

Those gingerbread men are just so cute!!! I love the hearts and stars too.

Gorgeous cushion!

Yes, what did happen to November?????

Kaaren said...

I just love the pillow. The colors and pattern are amazing. Darling ornies too!

RAKs are on my agenda for this year as well.

alobsiger said...

Your ornaments are adorable -- I too appreciate all of the online tutorials, so very helpful especially this time of year. The gingerbread men are a laugh! Lucky for me, hubby had a business trip so I took over his space to clear space in the sewing room. :-)

Betsy said...

Janet I love the ornaments. Awesome idea to make some for the grandkids every ear. Can I borrow that tradition?

Kim Brackett said...

VERY cute ornaments! They're all so adorable! And you did a great job on the pillow. I'd love to try that technique. Mary's card is so sweet. She's such a sweetie!

Lori said...

What wonderful decorations Janet!! I'm sure thye will be treasured as the kids get older.
The pillow is so festive and fun! Kelly's patterns are over the top lovely!

*karendianne. said...

You said "Don't visit me" but gee, it's so tempting with such lovelies all about. I love each and every adorable item you posted. I have to say the gingerbread men are my silly favorite but what's not to love about every single thing you've created? Polka dot hearts are charming and the Stars are wonderful. I love the fabric for those. You know, this is really a wonderful tradition for you grandchildren. How special! And finally gosh the pillow for "E" is undeniably an amazing work of art. Where's the right adjective to capture my sense of this? I can't find it. Breathtakingly beautiful doesn't even work but... well I tried. Thank you for yet another lovely visit! Warmly, *karendianne.

Janet said...

I love your ornaments -they're so pretty and the gingerbread men are funny. A clean house doesn't stay clean very long, your sewing will last a lot longer! :0)

Meredith said...

I love the ornaments and the pillow. The gingerbread men are great. I have something to do everynight this week -all 7 nights.

QuiltedSimple said...

What a great tradition with the ornaments. And I love your E pillow - I'll have to try one for Jessie for next year.
Kris

Janet said...

Those gingerbread people are hillarious. As always I love seeing your work!

Merry Christmas

Janet

Nat Palaskas said...

I love the heart and star ornaments and thanks for the tutorials links. The cushion turned out beautiful too. Love it - Hugs Natima

Lisa at Sun Naturals said...

Those ornaments are adorable!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What a wonderful tradition with the ornaments! Yours are gorgoeus - the gingerbread men are sweet. Your E Cushion is amazing - such a pretty cushion.

Anonymous said...

The ornaments and E pillow are adorable!!! LOVE your sense of whimsy. ; ) I hope you can make some time to slow down...soon! Enjoy that lovely cup of tea - Harney and Sons is a FAVORITE of mine. Happy Holidays...!?

Gita said...

Love those halfeaten gingerbreadmen!
I love the hearts and stars too.

Crispy said...

OMGosh Carrie I laughed so hard at the Ginger Bread ornaments, they are perfect!! The E pillow is just beautiful!!

Crispy

Nanette Merrill said...

Thanks for the great links. Boy do I know how you feel! It really is that way. I loved the ornaments. They are so darling. Really really cute. My favorite is the gingerbread man. I can't believe how sweet that is. Fun stuff Janet.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Who needs to do housework when there is plenty of stitching to be done! Wow Janet, you have been busy, I love your deco's thanks for the links for these those half eaten gingerbreads are too cute! Your cushion looks fabulous too xo

Carrie P. said...

Such a great tradition to do for your grandkids. The ornaments are so cute. I agree about the free tutorials, it is so nice of other bloggers.
Even though you made a mistake on your pillow I think it is perfectly lovely.
Well Mary is just spreading the Joy. How sweet of her. Try not to stress.lol

Mary said...

Your ornaments are soooo cute! You've been busy.

Stina Blomgren said...

Lovely work Janet... the pillow is wonderful.. and the small ornaments are too cute..:o)
Mary is a wonderful little Elf this Christmas.. enjoy your goodies of joy from her! :o)

Unknown said...

Yes, it definitely has been busy. But wow, for not being home you have found some time to really create! The ornaments are fantastic and they will just love them. The pillow turned out just beautifully.

julieQ said...

I love Kelly's work too. I have a few of the heart ornaments cut out, but no time...will probably finish them next year. Yours are very pretty.

Martha said...

I love that "E" -- flange or no flange -- and I cannot believe you are so productive that you are working on gifts to give after Christmas. I can't imagine doing that.

Now that my daughter has her own Christmas tree, I am definitely going to make those ornaments for her -- they're so cute...especially the gingerbread man.

Sølvis blog said...

The most beautiful pillow I have seen.

Sølvis blog said...

The moste beautiful pillow I have ever seen. Love your quilting.

Robin said...

The ornaments are such fun! I especially love the little gingerbread fellow. Too cute. And the pillow is gorgeous... the stripes look beautiful framing it.