A few pictures ... and then ... a few more pictures :D

It's been a productive start to the new year - hopefully that continues as the year progresses - I did a rough calculation last year and estimated that I stitched up approximately 70m more fabric than I bought.  That's not really a lot when I look around at how much fabric I have, LOL.  Oh well - when stacked against a wall, the fabric makes GREAT insulation!  Canada, eh?! :D  I'll try to better that number for 2018 :)

Here are a few finishes from the last part of December and from this month - some were gifts, most are being (or have already been) donated.

Two more Card Kitties for some greats - these were part of a set of 3.  3 fun decks of cards, a book on card games, some artists pads and a box of 60 pencil crayons (family is 3 kids) were added with the 3 card kitties, to complete the gift.  The recipients were away over Christmas so they'll get the gift when I see them next month :)

Two more pirate Tiny Bags - tutorial here :)  I did 3 in this line of fabrics (from Joanns), and with the rest of the fabrics I'll be making boxy bags - all will be donated :)

3 more kids wallets from this tutorial :)

Four use-up-these-fabrics pillowcases - I can't remember if these prints were from Joanns in the States, or from Sew Sisters in Toronto, but I've had them in stash for a very long time (5+ years, I think) - it was time they made their way into the world to make some kids smile :D

A Bella Clutch - this is a free tutorial, and makes a really lovely, feminine bag :)  I made another one today to use up some black and white scraps!

I've been big-time into boxy bags for a while now - they use up a nice amount of stash, are very useful for those who receive them, and are rather quick to whip up.  Win/win/win :D  Here are several that I've whipped up this month - butterflies and mice ...

... and superheroes and cars :)

Library Bag #2 - I originally posted about Library bags here.   This one was made using some FQs I purchased from Joanns ages ago ... and to go with the pupper theme ...

Scamp!  This book reminds me so much of ??? something from childhood - I'm not sure exactly what, but when I see that picture, it takes me back 45 or 50 years.  I can't pin down the memory, but it's certainly a happy one, because I smile when I see that little guy!

In addition to making library bags, I'm going to make some art bags to hold the collection of colouring books and crayons I've collected over the years - more stuff that has been bought for gifting, but which ended up being extra, or which didn't fit with the theme/recipients :D

Colouring book and crayons added to the art bag :)

That's a lot of sewing, and a nice amount of stash busted!  This past weekend I hit the fabric store to buy one X 9" zipper.  *ahem*  I ended up with one X 12" zipper, and 9.9m of fabric.  It was on sale!  I had gift certificates!   It was fun!  That's kind of the reason my output isn't larger - input happens!  :D

Pam - you've inspired me :)

Pam, my Australian bloggy friend, recently posted about making library bags to donate.  I think that's a fine project to take on, and when I read this post, I decided I would make some bags to gift (donate) some books and other items I have hanging around (purchases that were to be gifted, but which ended up as extras).

Last night I cut out my first bag, using shark fabric from stash.  This morning I got sewing - Ta Da!!!  I used Pam's tutorial as a guideline, making a few changes along the way (I added pockets to use up the last bits of the fabrics I was using, and made the straps a bit longer for the same reason).  Here's the bag - it measures 12.5" wide X 15.5" tall (not counting the straps), and has 2 pockets inside, and one on the outside.

Here's the book I'm tucking inside - I've gifted this book before (well, not THIS one, but another copy of it, hehe) - it's a cute, funny book - "Not by the skin of my finny fin fin!" - lol!  I have lots of shark fabric - I think I'll watch for the book to go on sale and buy a few more copies - I think this is a GREAT gift :)

Thanks for the inspiration, Pam!

A somewhat flamingo-y post :)

Merry belated Christmas, Happy belated New Years, and HELLO!   I hope the holidays were good to you, and that you made it through them without going crazy :)  I was rather sickly during the month but managed to get most of my Christmas sewing done ... note to self ... don't leave sewing with December due dates, until December.  **** happens, and it's not fun to be doing Must Do sewing on Christmas Eve, haha.  Maybe I'll be better prepared in '18 - one can always hope!

Here are a few finishes from December that I don't think I've posted. At least - they've been sitting in a draft post for a while, so I assume I haven't posted them!

3 shark kids wallets - tutorial here :)  I love this shark print from Joanns - I like having it in stash all the time because it's suchg a cute design for kids :D  It would be 1000% even more awesome if it came in PINK!

Beanbags for a little girl who will be 2 in a few months - I'm thinking of doing number beanbags for her 2nd birthday, with the same pink cloud fabric so the sets match :)  I hope she liked them - I haven't heard from the parents.

Superhero pillowcase for the brother of the little girl who got the beanbags. I hope he liked it - it would have been nice to hear *sigh*.  (I know I'm not the only one that that happens to!)

I have more things downstairs that haven't been photographed, but I think they're all donation items.  Apparently my goal of being more organized in 2018 hasn't yet taken effect, haha.

My sister gave me the funniest gift for Christmas - a box of 100 flamingo mailer envelopes from Amazon - she absolutely nailed my sense of humour :D    I told her that I was going to use them for anything I would be giving to anyone and that when I use them all up I'll be asking her for another box - HA!  I sent her these pictures earlier this afternoon - the husband of a friend of mine recently had a car accident during an ice storm (he was fine) - I thought that some flamingos and treats might make him smile :D

What have we here?  A mailer, a card and cookies? 

I cut a car sticker in half to decorate the card :)

I think this will fit in the envelope ...

The cookies and card DID fit!  I delivered them to him in person, but left before he could open them - I hope he isn't offended by my weird sense of humour :D  I told my sister that this was my first use of the mailers for Flamingo Hilarity - my oldest son's birthday is coming up and I think he probably needs his card presented to him in a flamingo!  :)

And now I'm off to get supper ready --- I'm doing to do Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Instant Pot, and hubby is going to bbq some steaks.  I was supposed to do roasted potatoes to go with --- I better get those in the oven pronto, LOL!