Stacey's Week One Update

I only started working on my list yesterday, and I only started because I knew I had to answer to you guys today. I thought that it would be a really bad look to not make anything when I instigated the challenge!

 

I made this quilt top and I managed to wad, back and quilt, two of my quilts on my list that needed completing. So thank you ladies for joining me on this challenge, without you I wouldn't have started my Christmas crafting!

Shez-Swap bag Finished

 I have finally finished my bag for a xmas swap and i am pleased with it,it wasnt a quick make so that is why i am pleased it is finished.
I can mark this off my list and the 2 embroidered polo shirts,but now i have a few more things to add,lol.

This is inside the bag it is fully lined with a pocket and magnetic clip
so hope my swap partner will like this.
cheers shez

Week One ....

I'm off to a bit of a slow start, it doesn't help that Riley is sick at the moment so I have even less time than usual to sew. All I can say is it's a good thing that my list is so short!

I have finished my first ever sock monkey for Riley and I'm really pleased with how he turned out. You may notice that I haven't sewn his mouth but I kinda like him just like that plus I have a horrible habit of mucking things up at the very last stage.

I made these super easy Christmas cards using some basic Christmas shapes and a bit of ribbon.

I have most of the supplies for my Christmas crackers, I just need to decide what I'm going to put in them.

I have everything cut out for Riley's stocking so that's good to go when I can squeeze in some sewing time. 

I'm still procrastinating on the advent calender and I can't decide what Christmas decorations I want to make this year ....

Week One!!

Hi Ladies

I am having a slow start maybe it is because I am doing a lot of of hand sewing with beading (my Christmas cards) but I am enjoying the challenge.  The first project was the quilted  Christmas bib for my beautiful granddaughter which was instant gratification!!  Have also enclosed a photo of the Ginger Bread House tree decoration I made for my 3 and a half  year old granddaughter which I made before the challenge started.

Then I started on the snowflake design Christmas Cards - not a very clear photo but I have added gold thread and beads inside the snow flakes which looks great.

I have sewn 4 and I have another 4 to to be done.  These are for my Kiwi and Aussie friends and cousins I am afraid our English friends and relatives will be getting bought cards.

Now to start on the second week where I am hoping to be a little faster............

Cheers
Oriel

Week One (Kelly)

I did a little this week but was easily sidetracked.  After success making my first sock monkey (a Rugby World Cup 2011 monkey for my little rugby fan) I had a go at making a smaller version.  It didn't work for me.  It was frustrating that I couldn't get it perfect.  Elijah wasn't impressed that I used his socks - apparently they were his favourite.  I think he is lying, actually pretty sure they're not his favourite.

Then thinking about Christmas decorations I whipped up some bunting - not on my list (again, I am easily sidetracked)

The thought of sewing a whole lot of triangles didn't appeal (I have done it before) so I went with something I found on pinterest (oh how I am loving pinterest)

On to the gifts I'm supposed to be making!  I literally whipped up these two bag bags using teatowels and a piece of ribbon - easy.

Three skirts for the little girls in my family - two are made with vintage sheeting and the other with new fabric I had in my stash.

                                                My Finished items so far.........

Remember my deadline is Dec1 because of work so I have to go full steam ahead lol.

 Tuti Fruiti and Lemon cordials for Christmas done..small bottle to go with cackle Club girls little pressie.(3 more next batch).

 2girls and 4 boys Christmas T Shirts trimmed( I got these on sale at 2 for 1 so each cost $1.50.) then i put lace trim on the girls and just stars this year on the boys.

 Christmas boxer shorts there are 10 pairs here lol,6 for my lovelies and the others I rescued out of the wrong pattern,Lyn my friend got 3 pairs and I shall give the others to some little sweeties I come across.

 The embroidered and trimmed pillowcases,I really wanted soft pink for the girls but could not get them last week, this week I walked in and they were there! anyway too late I had started the embroidery.The butterflies are sparkly.

 Michaels pillow bag..everyone calls him Mick I hate that I loved his name anyway he is Mick to all so Mick it is.

 A surf bag for everyone... I ended up doing 10 one for each child and the parents.I went into a store on Saturday and they had the good caps,thongs and sunscreen all on sale,everyone will have a pair of thongs, a cap and a tube of sunscreen and it has cost me a whole $6 complete for each bag.

 2 peg bags... I never did find the pattern so had to do it the best I thought I could, I really like them they have velcro under the buttons as my button hole maker would not work for some reason..I remember the pattern just pegged the bag on the line but I did not like that idea..so now i just have to buy 2 bags of pretty pegs.

 Georgies 2 Christmas suits....

 6 handtowels so far I have three more waiting for their pots and flower stems.

 Christmas bands and hair elastics for the two girls.

I bought 5 of these little tubs for $6 each,these are for my 5 special friends,they will have a calendar,a hand towel,a tea towel(have them made from before) a 2012 Diary, a lovely soap from  Karen at Grannies Garden, I have ordered these and I gave them last year and they loved them, a bon bon of lollies, and a heat bag, and a little lavender bag..the total cost will be about $12 ...I hope they like them,just thought I would show you as it may be an idea for you.

For me now my list is 4 heat bags
4 lavender draw bags
Christmas cake
Christmas pudding.
little mini puddings that I give the elderly each year.
some more small bottle of lemon Cordial.
depends on time 2 more peg bags.
I will stress if I add anymore
I still have to do my Christmas swap and my summer swap...still waiting for my books to arrive so that I can make something different.
Whew thats all for me folks I am pooped lol.

Stacey's Christmas List

I feel like I'm missing out on the action around here. It's so neat to see what everyone is up to, and all the comments for everyone. So I thought I would add my list. I have my in laws staying this weekend, so have had to pack away all my sewing. I wont be able to get started until Sunday night. 

My Christmas Challenge List:  

10 x Shopping Bags

14 x Tissue Holders

1 x Shabby Chic Cushion
4 x Christmas Tea Towels  

2 x Frilly washing up gloves 

7 x Peg Pinny Aprons 

2x Quilt (from scratch)

3 x Quilt (finish off)

4 x Dress / Tops (undecided exactly what to make) 

I plan to add a few more things when I decide what they are! 

My Christmas Challenge List (Stephanie of Sewing By Stephanie)

Hello Everyone!

So my list is long and VERY ambitious, but I plan on making stuff all the way up until Christmas, so I'm not just limiting myself to the month of November here.  My list includes Christmas gifts I want to make for other people, Christmas decorations I want to make for my home, and also things I've been commissioned by other people to make for them before Christmas.  Let's hope I get it all done!

For other people, I want to make:
Christmas cards
6x sewing kits like this one here

10x personalized ornaments for family members
1x table runner for my stepmom (haven't decided on a style yet)
1x napkins/ potholder/ dishtowel for my aunt to match this table runner I made for her last year

1x finish a WIP quilt for my sister
2x iPad cases for the husband and my sister's BF like this one here

1x wallet for my dad
1x finish the WIP Christmas quilt I'm making my MIL
Various felt coffee cuffs for last minute gifts
and 1x undetermined big gift for my mom (ideas of what I should do would be appreciated!)

Things I want to make for my home include:
Various holiday ornaments
2x table runners
1x Wonky houses tree skirt
1x finish the 12 Days of Christmas Sampler quilt I'm making myself

And things I'm making for other people include:
3x dolls like this one for Juliana and Alison

1x doll like this one for Corrina

Various felt coffee cuffs for Sarah
4x Christmas stockings for Erin
2x Christmas stockings for Mary

Now enough with the posting and on to the sewing!  Good luck everyone!
-Stephanie of Sewing By Stephanie

{Christmas Challenge List} :: Kylie

Where on earth has the year gone???
We are now 5 weeks from moving.  Have I started any Christmas preparations??? NO
Have I started packing??? NO
I have alot to do in the next few weeks.


Thanks Stacey for this great idea.  Lets hope that I can manage to get a few things made.
My aim is not to buy anything new for my Christmas makings.  I have so plenty of fabric sitting around that I really don't need to walk into a fabric store.

So, here goes nothing.  Let's see how I go.  I really wanted to make a start on it this week, but we are all down and out with the flu and sewing and concentrating are really the last thing on my mind.

The List of Christmas Crafting 2011

2 x crochet topped tea towels - Grand Mothers
3 x Flower Pins (Maybe a few more, think that these would make a good little gift to have on hand

5 x Art Journals that will be more of a writing set for Amelia to give to her friends

3 x PJ's and T-shirts for the boys
2 x dresses for the girls
1 x circle dress
1 x skirt and top
Hair Bow Holder - or something similar (all of the hair ties and bows are doing my head in)

3 x bags with personalised note on printed fabric inside

2 x crochet purses - Amelia;s year 5 buddies

That should keep me busy.  Now off to get started. Looking forward to seeing how everyone progresses and seeing what everyone else makes and of course getting too many ideas for next year.
All photos are from pinterest.  If they don't link to the page I will come back and link to the original blog or idea.

Week One: Slacker Jones's List

Oh dear, its already the 2nd Nov and I still have yet to plan what I'm going to make for Christmas gifts this year....

For friends where no postage is necessary I'm thinking:

• funky wreaths made of book pages (note to self order those darn bases online!!)
• lemon butter (is this going to be too labour intensive?? and can I be bothered to sterilize jars and seal with wax?)
• honeycomb toffee, russian fudge or almond biscotti

Does food count as handmade??

For the new babies in the family overseas:

• a baby quilt - one boy and one girl one

For the little niece abroad:

• I'm thinking a little dress or cute market skirt a la Made and maybe a coin purse.

Apart from that, I'll be trawling your posts for other amazing ideas and I'll keep you updated!

Happy crafting,

love,

Slacker Jones

x

Pomona's Christmas Challenge List

The thought of all those Christmas presents is already giving me the shivers! But I am hoping that a bit of moral support from the Christmas Challengers is just what I need to get me through the next few weeks.

I have done one or two trial runs and samples, and to make it manageable I will stick to things I have made before, rather than being too hopelessly ambitious, which has been my undoing before!

My ideas are as follows:

Notebook covers (for Moleskine Cahiers) using the Keyka Lou swatch book cover pattern - three large, and three small.

Some Ruched Happy Bags using Amy's pattern - at least three - and maybe a Hexiecase.

Some purses and make up bags using the Keyka Lou Pleated Pouch pattern - three large and three small.

A Ten O'Clock Scarf using the Skein Queen pattern.

I think that is enough to be going on with . . .

Christmas Challenge List {Stephanie}

Well this last week was busy, but I did find some time to think about my Christmas gift list! I am also including items I need to make for two birthdays as I have to post them with all my other items back to the UK at the end of November.

Kids gifts
4 large felt Christmas stockings with different designs. I am going to then fill with dutch chocolate and candy.
1 Sponge Bob cushion cover
1 Gruffalo cushion cover

Adult gifts
I need to find an idea to make small gifts for older family members. I am still trying to decide what to make/buy for them but here are some ideas.

• Christmas decorations
• Candles or soap
• Dutch candy hamper in a handmade box
• Felt coffee coasters with cup and coffee beans
• Lavender scent bag
• And still searching for more ideas

I sometimes wish I had kids because then there are so many other ideas I could make!

My Christmas Pinspiration List (Leonie)

My Christmas list is brought to you, courtesy of Pinterest (you can find me here). I've been pinning ideas for Christmas for months now... so a little sorting is necessary!

This year all our Christmas decorations, stockings etc are still in NZ. We are going to have a simple Christmas 'making' do.

So I need to make
*first up - Christmas cards (the blackboard has been purchased, I have the kids and a camera - just need motivation!)

from Pinterest

* simple stockings for us all

from Pinterest

* Decorations

from pinterest

*For my littlest who has her first 'wobbly' tooth

Pinterest

* This blackboard for my girls

Pinterest

* soap (my first attempt ever) and lip balm for Christmas gifts

*something cool for my son!

oh and Ive joined a bunch of swaps! eek.

I'll be back to top up this list :)

Better get busy.

My Xmas Challenge List (Shez)
I will need to have made
1 laundry bag for Madie
1 Laundry bag for Elissa
1 laundry bag for Adie
1 stitching bag
1 matching pin cushion
1 matching scissor fob
1 matching needlecase
1 table runner for a swap
2 polo tops to embroider
1 bag for a swap
4x Tilda birds in aqua
4x tilda birds in pink
4x   tilda xmas baubles in aqua
4x tilda xmas baubles in pink
Thats all i can think of at the moment.
cheers shez

My Christmas Challenge List (Fay)

There's not a lot on my list at the moment but by taking part in the challenge I'm hoping to get some inspiration (as well as motivation) from you all.

Here's what I have so far (list subject to change):
- Make a sock monkey for Riley
- Make some Christmas crackers
- Make Riley a Christmas stocking
- Make an advent calender (I've been procrastinating on this one for ages so hopefully this will help me get started).
- Make some Christmas tree ornaments
-Make some Christmas cards

That's it so far. We don't have any family or friends nearby and I've yet to decide on how much I want to spend on postage. I also do a lot of baking but that will happen closer to Christmas.

My Christmas Challenge List (Meg)

Things that I plan to make for Christmas...

An apron for my sister... maybe in green and purple for her
(this one is in my colours)

photo coasters for the grandparents

two of these for my boys

muslin play cloths for my niece and nephew (with idea cards)

Another couple of these bird decorations?

Apples for the teachers x 2

If you click on the captions there are links to tutorials for the bike bucket and similar coasters.

My Christmas Challenge List (Kelly)

I have a couple of lists floating around on bits of paper and no doubt I will have forgotten someone so may end up tweaking the list a little.  But so far it looks a little like this:

2 x bag bags (the ones you keep old plastic bags in)
4 x applique tea towels
3 x skirts or dresses (for the littlies)
1 x vintage sheet picnic blanket (oh yeah this one is for me!)
2 x reusable sandwich wraps
1 x sewing bag (with fabric & other sewing bits inside)
3 x softies (two for boys and one for a girl)
4 x inspiration kits (I don't want to elaborate on this one as they are for friends)

And while the list looks short I haven't included family members that I will bake for.  Our (extended) family has grown so large and it would be impossible to buy for everyone so this year we are sticking to mostly immediate family.

The Christmas Challenge :: My List (Katie)

Here's my list of what I'd like to get done in November as part of the Christmas Challenge:

1. Design and make Christmas cards to send out
2. Write a Christmas newsletter (including photos)
3. Design and order calendars featuring baby for family
4. Make Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap ornaments plus an extra one for me
5. Make a crochet bag for a friend
6. Applique a t-shirt for baby
7. Crochet a cushion cover for my Mum
8. Turn 2 x cigar tins into mini-albums

I'm sure there are more things but that is as far as I've got and is probably enough to be going on with for now :-)

Week One, the Christmas challenge begins

Hmmmm so where do I start, we have had a slight spanner thrown into the works, but that's OK as we say CARRY ON!!

Righto the list
1 Card writing compendium
2 Covered notebook done with my Bind-it-all
3 Christmas table runner (My first go at patchwork in 16 years eeeekkk)
4 Altered papermache letters spelling out something christmassy eg NOEL
5 Christmas cake, fruit has been soaking in Sherry and Peach Schnapes for ummm a good couple of weeks LOL
6 Altered CD cases turned into Calenders
7 Pillow boxes for the Dr's gift baskets at work
8 Altered tins for gift cards

Of course there will be the usual baking as well, but for now these are the things I want to get sorted as most are gifts
What does your list look like?

My Christmas List

Hi all here is my list for the Christmas Challenge.

• Heirloon Christmas Tree - this decoration is from a book titled Little Book of Heirloom Christmas Tree Decorations by Jenny Stephenson and I have been sewing this for a while so this is my number one priority as I really want it for Christmas this year!!
• Cross Stitch Christmas Cards - I am going to cross stitch Snow Flakes.
• Felt Gingerbread boy hanging Christmas Tree  decoration for my grandson.
• Felt Gingerbread girl hanging Christmas Tree decoration for my no. 2 granddaughter. (Have already made a felt Gingerbread House Christmas Tree decoration for my eldest granddaughter - hence my gingerbread theme this year)
• Holly Leaf bunting
• Xmas table runner and/or coasters - depending on what time I have available
• Xmas quilted bib for my little no 2 granddaughter

The following are gifts for Christmas so I will have a bit more time to finish them before the 24th December -

• Mother Hen and baby chicks this is from a pattern called Clucky from Melly & Me - I have done most of this so this is not going to take too long to finish
• Felt carpenters tools plus apron for my grandson.  These patterns were found in the book Big Felt Universe by Jeanette Lim.
• Cinderella Upside Down Dolly for my eldest granddaughter.  This is a pattern I got off the internet from Gail's Dolls Patterns.  This is going to be a real challenge as I have never made a doll before but there is the first time for everything!!

I am looking forward to the journey along the way and seeing all the wonderful ideas everyone will come up with ..................

Posting my list

Goodmorning Girls,
I am posting my list as far as I can at this point, I have ordered 2 books from Amazon and they have not arrived one is called Little Cosies and the other Little Presents so until they arrive and I see more goodies to make my list will be incomplete.Because work was so busy yesterday and I did not finish till late I have not yet managed to get the side bar done etc so I am sorry I will perhaps get a chance today.


So here is my to do list so far.


Christmas lemon cordial and Tuti Fruiti Cordial.
A pillow bag for Michael.

6 pairs of boxer shorts for the grandchildren(had half made 6 pairs last week when a friend realised the pattern she gave me was wrong!! lesson never borrow a pattern use the one I was going to,fabrics not wasted my friend and I salvaged them for her very small grandchildren ,lol)

6 pillow cases for the grandchildren with names embroidered and embellishments.( maybe one each for the parents if time allows lol)

2 peg bags as featured in the Woman Day some weeks ago

Hand towels with suffolk puff flower pots for friends.

2 larger draw string bags for Alex and Michael for the beach with board wax and sunscreen to be carried in and a towel.

4 smaller ones for the boys to take their caps and sunscreen in and whatever else they need to the beach.

1 outfit for George out of the scateboard fabric I bought for the boys bags(George is a girl but after thinking he was a boy for over 3 years I cannot see George in roses lol).

2 Christmas outfits for George the cockatoo.

A Xmas swap pressie

A summer swap pressie.
List to be added to..some started...