Happy New Year

Long time, no see!

When last we left our heroine, (heh) she was valiantly trying to clean, cook, craft, play, bake, wrap, and decorate, while simulaneously make about a million things. I didn't finish the trees or even start the tree skirt. My memory of the week before Christmas is a bit of a blur, but at least it was a fun blur.

For the record, here are some things I did finish (I use the term loosely):


I did make an apron. Shown here embellished with a week's worth of flour and sugar. This is an adorable pattern. Fits great and looks totally cute on. (I'd like to show you a photo of it on, later, when I get out of my pajamas.) Oh yeah, now that I'm looking at it, I'm realizing that I never did get around to sewing the pockets on.


I love this fabric--festive and Christmasy, without having Santas or Snowmen. I think I can safely wear it all year round.


I attempted my first box bags for my brother (above) and sister (below). I got these fabrics last summer because I absolutely loved them and they screamed Christmas presents and maybe a little something for yourself to me. I think I got them at Reprodepot, but unfortunately I can't find them there now.

I made the first one using this tutorial.


Then, I tweaked the measurments on the second one to make it bigger and added the tab below the zipper. I also changed the lining method, because I didn't like having unfinished edges on the inside (zigzagged-but to me, unfinished). I constructed the lining separately, turned the seams to the inside and handstitched the lining to the zipper.*


There's more, but I've got to run as the kids are still home until Monday. There's a lot of Uno to be played! Hope you are having a wonderful vacation and all your handmade efforts were appreciated--I hope they ate the pie off the floor!(click the link if you want to read a great story of love and appreciation).

*Full Disclosure: the whole truth is that I actually gave the bag to my sister on Christmas morning without any lining. The lining was cut out and sitting on my sewing table. I sewed together the lining 10 minutes before we left to drive her to her plane, and gave it to her so she could sew it in by hand. Love ya, sis!