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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! 


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