It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

So, I made some Christmas placemats. Mostly, I wanted to practice my quilting, so I made each one like its own tiny quilt, binding and all.

I tried out a different pattern on each one.

It was a fun project. I made some matching trivet/potholder things out of scraps too.

In the pictures, they don't look quite square...but they are, I promise :) Although I think my camera has something on the lens...

In any case, happy Christmastime!

Christmas Inspiration...

I like giving gifts, but I don't like the pressure to come up with the perfect gift for everyone I love all at the same time (that's why birthday gifting is easier). However, I've been cruising pinterest for inspiration...here are some great Christmas gift ideas!

For the chef in your life...

For the ladies...

For the home...

Source: ayumills.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterest

For readers...

Source: hisforhandmade.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterest

Source: skiptomylou.org via Erica on Pinterest

Of course, I won't have time to even attempt most of these...*sigh*...but it's fun to look! I always think I'll get started on Christmas earlier next year...

Stockings for Kids

I mentioned last week that I had made a stocking to donate to the Stockings for Kids drive at Purple Panda Quilts. The stockings will be donated to kids in foster care to ensure that they all get thoughtful, individualized gifts.

Here's what I came up with:

Cute, right? I fussy cut some cute Christmas patterned pieces to make it more interesting. Then...I decided to make a few more, mini sized.

The little ones were definitely harder to make...also it was trickier because I added the cuff. However, the tutorials over at Purple Panda quilts were very helpful!

Happy Thanksgiving this week - I hope wherever you're traveling, you get there and back safely!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I love winter.

I know, a lot of people hate it. But I love the snow, and the pretty whiteness...I don't even mind the cold. I've been getting in winter mode for the past few days, putting a few things together for the Stockings for Kids drive at Purple Panda Quilts.

I'm not quite ready to post my finished product yet, but I've been getting into winter mode on etsy. Here are some lovely winter finds.

'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...' by PegHallStudios

Vintage silverware Let it s... BeachHouseLivi... $9.50	Wasatch Mountains Sterling S... beaucoupdebijo... $154.00
winter wedding fingerprint g... dovelyday $14.75	Polar Bear GRAPHIC ART Illus... nativevermont $24.00
Crochet snowflakes decoratio... Woodstorming $26.00	Skiing(2) - Printed on a Vin... TheLittleRice $10.00
Plump Snowman- White and Blu... SimpleJoysDeco... $19.00	Black Lab Let It Snow Set of... blomma $12.00
30% OFF SALE Cardinal Photo ... ara133photogra... $7.00	Christmas Cards, Holiday Car... deanpennandpap... $18.00
Let It Snow Rustic Christmas... songbirdsandla... $30.00	Embroidered Hoop Art, Decor.... merriweatherco... $40.00
Red Fox in the Snow - Quilt ... ccollier $680.00	snowflake necklace let it sn... PureRoxInPrint $48.00
Merry Christmas Garland - wh... paperklipdesig... $17.00	Timeless Classics . Vintage ... ThePeachTree $22.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

The Harvest Fair 2011

I have mentioned before that my church's Harvest Fair is one of my favorite fall things. Every year the church community comes together to create an amazing array of crafts, foods, baskets, and other things to sell, and donates items for a silent auction. The fair raises enough money to cover a lot of the costs of running the church.

I have been running the book room for the past few years. It's not a big money maker...but it's lots of fun. Usually I come home with a box full of books.

Every year I am amazed at the things people create!

Recognize those monsters?

 

 

I love those tiny hats that look like berries...must make!

Church mice!

Every year I donate some of my creations to the fair...and that got me thinking about my halfway successful charity resolution for 2011. I did end up making and donating quite a few things, but I didn't quite get in the groove of a project a month. I think there are two reasons:
1) I went overboard in the first few months, and then had trouble keeping up that momentum.
2) It was harder than I had imagined to find a DIFFERENT charity each month, which had been my original idea. A lot of charities wanted very specific things, which I just wasn't excited about making. In order for this to work, I had to be able to make things I wanted to make.

So, what did I do?
Hats in February
Squares in March and April
Socks in May
Sweater in June
Blanket in July/August
Fair Items in September/October


Moving forward...I think I need to keep my projects more manageable. Just because I decide on socks...or squares...or whatever...doesn't mean I have to make a million of them! Every little bit counts, and I think as long as I keep making and donating then I am at least making a difference.

Does anyone out there have any good crafty charities they would recommend?

Monsters, monsters everywhere!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I am loving this book.

So, I've made a few monsters.

 I have also mentioned in earlier posts that I have waaaay too much yarn. So, these guys helped me cut down on my stash.

 Perfect for Halloween! Very scary. Or very cuddly. I can't decide.

Rufio dressed up as a bat for Halloween.

A vampire bat!

Hubby and I had to get in on the fun too, of course.

We also had fun decorating cupcakes, but they were mostly pretty ugly.Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

Happy Halloween!