Skip to main content

Handmade Holiday 2022

Two posts in two weeks....is it possible I'm back in the blogging groove?! I don't know, but I'm just gonna go with it for as long as it lasts! 

Now that they've been gifted, I can share 2 more sewing projects I made this year! First, I made a cute cat napper/play mat my mom's cat Henry:



I used the Sallie Tomato Cat Napper pattern, although I ended up going off book with my fabric design. It's a pretty free-form pattern as it is (at least, in terms of how you use/place your fabric pieces), so it wasn't all that difficult to modify. The biggest challenge was sewing everything together, because there are layers of batting, foam stabilizer, and Isul-bright (a heat-reflecting crinkle layer). The sides can be tied at the top to make a little cat fort, or everything can be flat so Henry can play and nap on it. 

I also sewed another table runner for my mom, but didn't have time to send it in for finishing. So, she received a box with the finished quilt top and backing, and now that it's gifted I'll be sending it in to be quilted. I used the Half Hexagon Braid pattern from Creating a Quilted Home, and the Blue Escape collection from Edyta Sitar/Laundry Basket Quilts. My mom had mentions that she wanted an "everyday" table runner now that she had two holiday ones, so I thought this would match most of her decor pretty well. 

I was a little intimidated by the pattern, but once you get started it is pretty easy to do! I think I will be making one of these for myself at some point, although I have a lot of other sewing projects I want to make in the new year before I get around to that. 

I also made myself a wreath for our door this year! I used faux leather and some jingle bells to make this pretty no-sew wreath using the Kringle pattern from Sallie Tomato. 

It was super easy to make - no sewing required! - although I had a print copy of the pattern and it was missing one of the templates I needed for the ribbon. Luckily, what was missing was very easy to figure out on my own, but if you end up making this I would recommend trying the digital pattern instead - I would assume that the missing template is included on that version, and they just didn't get a chance to update print copies that were out in shops yet. Just in case they were unaware, I did contact them to (nicely) let them know about the omission as well. These things happen, and if I were the designer/pattern maker I would want to be kindly alerted by someone!

I'm hoping I can keep my blogging mojo in the new year. I will definitely be doing more knitting, sewing, cross stitching, and other crafty/DIY things in 2023, it's just a matter of finding time to sit down and write about them! 

Wishing you a happy, healthy and oh-so-crafty 2023! 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my  taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends,  so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with  this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks).  The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a...
1 comment
Read more

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels?  I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n...
3 comments
Read more