Flax and Wool

I have not yet actually heard from the recipient that this Christmas present was received, but since others in the household have reported receiving their gifts, I am forced to make an assumption with this one.

Ahem, anyway......I got the pattern for this piece a few years ago from a little shop in Grants Pass Oregon. I bought the hand dyed thread and linen in Portland. The pattern actually calls for some additional bling, but when I got to this point I decided it didn't need anything more, so I stopped.

The recipient is a fiber artist extrordinaire, so stitching something for her is always a little intimidating. However, I know she would never stitch this for herself. Someday I hope her spinning lessons and sheer insistence that it is possible will enable me to unlock the secret to spinning.

I sent this piece without framing as she has someone who can make her a better frame than most pro shops I have taken pieces to. And failing that the one shop I have been impressed with is in the town she lives in. Lucky that.

Flannel Bear Pillowcases

For some reason this picture insists on turning sideways. This was what I made my mom for Christmas this year. She likes bears and paisley fabric so when I was store-sitting for my friend in Coopers Landing I did a little shopping in the flannel aisle. All seams are french seams, which is far less daunting than it used to be and I like it more than serging. Especially since I don't have a serger.

Carpet Bags

I made this pair of carpet bags for my cousin and her beau for Christmas. They were inspired many months ago (probably years if I think too hard) and were a lot of fun to make.

I had in mind that they might occasionally get a weekend away and these would be fun bags to check into a B&B with. They are focused around tapestry scenes, 3"x5", that I found and thought they would like. I rounded up several pairs of jeans from thrift stores around the state in coordinating colors and belts for the handles. Originally I intended to put something stiff in the bottom, but couldn't find anything to fit the bill when the time came.

I also could not decide on a closure, so I left that up to them to add as they are crafty people and were delighted with this. They are lined with a different batik, one has seashells and one reminds me of the ocean. Both have an inside pocket and the front of the top of a pair of jeans on one side and the back on the other. Then I just added pieces as I saw fit until they were a size I thought appropriate.

Weiner Dog Vest

I'm very excited that Christmas presents have been arriving and I can finally start posting about them. I made this fleece vest for Smokey's mom. She got a little weiner dog, Lola, last year and I picked up some fabric from my girlfriend's quilt shop in Cooper's Landing that had weiner dogs on it that reminded me of her. I've had this piece of blue fleece since I lived in Fairbanks over 10 years ago and always had in mind to make a vest out of it. The two pieces cames together just right. Smokey helped me pick out striped ribbon to finish of the edges. He was even gracious enough to undo the first round of binding with it on the collar. The gift was a success and is on it's was to Texas for vacation.