finish one, start another

my final projects from my ADVENTure 2010...

first up, another set of beautiful shoe bags. I fell in love with this fabric collection at joann's and had to narrow my selection to just four! this time I used a fabric with brown, so I could use the brown cotton twill tape (instead of searching after the elusive black cotton twill tape).

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I think my two little words for 2011 need to be "just start," because once I did, this project was finished. really...you can make this! and now that I have finished one, I know a few more special people in my life will be receiving an apron this year! you can find the tutorial on darby's blog here.

project notes: I purchased my fabric at joann's in the home decor section. I would definitely make the ties longer next time. as you see in Darby's photo, she's a rather thin lady. when I tried on the finished apron, I could knot it in the back, but nothing more. nothing like making a project that reminds me to start walking again!

finished gift count: 17

finished santa count: 5

finished home deco count: 4

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and it wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't use my kitchen and my love for baking to gift others. I spent many wonderful hours creating all of this:

with all of these recipes:

{caramel corn snack mix}

{chocolate dipped oreos}

{oreo truffles}

{seven layer cookies}

and {chocolate covered pretzels}

so as I finish one year, I start another anticipating all the places God will take me through this gift of creating. I'd love for you to join me in ADVENTure 2011! watch for your invitation to link up soon.

o tannenbaum

when larissa and lisa started their quilt-a-long last year, I had good intentions of joining in. unfortunately, I only got as far as purchasing beautiful fabric from my favorite amish quilt shop.

this fabric sat...and sat...and sat, until I added "Christmas quilt" to my list of projects to tackle during my ADVENTure.

I'm over the moon happy with how it turned out! this project was definitely a labor of love for me. you quilters who whip up amazing masterpieces in just two days amaze me!

this slow moving process was enjoyable from start to finish- from the fabric cutting, to piecing and sewing, to (all that) the ironing. but my most favorite part was hand sewing the binding! thanks for encouraging me to do that, lisa!

here are my project details, links, and personal notes.

:: fabric ::

choose fabric you LOVE! I spent a lot of time with these fabrics and probably wouldn't have finished had it not been for my love of the fabric. I used a total of nine different patterns from this collection: moda fabrics, basic grey: figgy pudding; pattern numbers: 30182- blue, 30183- blue, 30185- white and multi, 30186- juniper, 30187- red, 30188- brown and blue, 30189- juniper

:: skills ::

I had to learn from many friends to complete this project. heartfelt thanks to all of you for sharing your talent and knowledge!

* layout and quilt pattern: oh, fransson!; charm squares baby quilt

* quilting basics and inspiration: the jolly bee, jonquils and ladybugs, oh, fransson!, stitches in play and stitching under oaks

* a local machine quilter did the "O Tannenbaum" pattern

* this quilt binding tutorial helped me finish it off

:: details ::

* finished quilt size- 45 1/2" wide by 48 1/2" tall

* I added two rows of quilt blocks down the back of the quilt to increase the width.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,

to mind your own business

and to work with your hands.

-1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV

happy wednesday!

stopping by for a quick update of a few finished ADVENTure projects. these are wrapped and ready to bless! I love that. having my gifts waiting and ready to give. let's be honest, most years I'm up until 3:00 am the night before we leave for holiday wrapping gifts.

this week I'm focusing on being unhurried. I may inevitably be "busy" but I'm challenging myself to be unhurried amidst the busy. taking the time I need to recharge, connect with others, and savor all that the celebration of His birth has to offer!

Pattern: Dolores Park Cowl

Yarn: Trendsetter Yarns, Granito, Color 4

Needles: US 13 circular

Project Notes: love the feel of this yarn!! so soft against your face. I used one and a half skeins of yarn.

I can't get enough of these! this time in Cascade 220, black.

and these again, by special request. I finally found a colorway that may match her kitchen!

finished gift count: 15

finished santa count: 5

finished home deco count: 3

it's here!

it's here! december is finally here! happy December 1st! this morning we were blessed with a front that finally brought us cold temperatures and snow! a wonderfully beautiful day of snow flurries provided the perfect weather outside for me to stay inside and craft. in my hour, I created a sweet little gift to let two special young ladies know we're thinking of them!

Supply list: cottage christmas card stock sheet and card stock for matting purchased at Archiver's, adhesive, paper trimmer, xyron lamination, magnet buttons, plastic boxes and ribbon for mailing.

Directions: cut, mat, laminate, add magnets, enjoy!

over the next two weeks, I'll be finishing up my ADVENTure 2010, and (of course) sharing my final projects with you here. my year long project of making gifts, paper projects, and home decor items will come to a close. some of the planned projects will need to be put on the shelf and considered for next year, which makes me sad. but this has been one amazing adventure and I'm so excited to share all the gifts I've created. these advent magnets were made and mailed today, so it's not too late for you to create an easy project! go. now. create.

scrappy

after finishing my Christmas quilt top and back (which I'm so excited to finally share) I had extra fabric strips. I love these fabrics and wanted to find a good use for them. after seeing this tutorial, I knew just what to make...scrappy Christmas cards. this is how they came together:

I'm sure you have a few fabrics in your stash you'd love to use again. I hope you'll try to make some scrappy cards for yourself.

3 months and counting

I'm sure you've seen it. you many have even cringed the first time you did. hallmark has it; today qvc had an entire day dedicated to it; magazine covers will soon be all about it; and michael's and joann's...they have it too. you know what I'm talking about...Christmas! today we're just three months away from that joyous celebration!

if you haven't started thinking about your gift giving ideas yet, it might be time to start a list. start small; make a list of five gift recipients; jot down an idea for each. there, you've started.

the past two weeks, I've been focusing a lot of attention on my Christmas quilt top. my first attempt at this process has been time consuming and challenging. but as each row comes together, I inch one step closer to completion. stay tuned, I'll share all the details next week when it's sewn and ready to sandwich.

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last year I picked up this book 75% off at Archiver's. it has plenty of ideas to keep any crafter busy, but I knew my first project had to be this paper wreath.

printed supply list:

*one 12" foam wreath, painted green

*100 strips of double sided paper, 1" x 6"

*small pins

*ribbon for hanging and bow

my project notes:

*I chose a 12" green foam wreath and skipped the painting.

*I used an 8"x 8" single sided holiday paper collection I had in my stash. I glued my favorite papers back to back to make double sided paper and cut each piece into one inch strips.

*the wreath actually took me just 64 strips of paper, because mine were 1"x8" instead of the size recommended.

*I used cranberry grosgrain ribbon to create the hanger and bow. note: be sure to form and attach the ribbon hanger before you add your paper strips.

I was so tickled with this project I used my remaining paper strips to make a second wreath for connor's teacher.

the collection:

finished gift count: 11

finished santa count: 5

finished home deco count: 2

cast on, cast off

that's just how it felt to knit this dream of a scarf. I purchased the yarn and received the pattern, when I visited SO Original with lisa. what a wonderful yarn shop! lana had so many tempting projects on display that I left with yarn for three! add those to her huge book, pattern, and yarn selection and you'd be in stitches for years.

Pattern: Dropped Stitch Scarf by SO original

Yarn: Araucania, Ulmo Multy, in color #704; 1 skein

Needles: US 7

Project Notes: This project will keep you interested! There are multiple yarn overs that make the varying length, bar-like design in between knitting rows. So it's easy to find and fix mistakes. (I know, because I made a few.)

not sure what direction my crafting will take next. I have a beautiful punch needle project, my Christmas quilt, and a lacy shawl all calling my name...

**many thanks for all your wonderfully kind comments on my last post. I hope you're on your way to finishing a project that's been dangling. much love to you.**