Just like potato chips ...

you can't stop at one! I stitched this tonight to tuck inside a Christmas bag I'm doing :) The pattern is from the Christmas Whimsies set from Designs by Sick :)

I learned tonight that I can fold my stabilizer in half (I generally cut it 7x9 to fit into my hoop) and just hold it in place under the fabric while attaching the hoop to the machine - it stays in place perfectly when the stitching starts and I don't need to use 2 x 7 x 9 sheets of stabilizer to get a double layer - now why didn't I think of that earlier? LOL!

Vroom vroom :)

Close-up of embro

Reclaimed denim and (sexy!) convertible embro - this is the "wrapping" for a Christmas gift ;)

Embroidery pattern set is Redwork Convertibles by Designs by Sick :)

A little preview ...

I stitched this out today to use on the lining of a bag I'm making :D  I wish I could remember where I got the pattern - it was an online freebie in a set called PetStuff.  If anyone knows, could you let me know - I'd like to post a link - thank you!

She's done :)

Here's the Santa 'mingo zipper bag I made for myself (link to freebie embro pattern is here) - even the lining is 'mingo fabric, but I forgot to take a picture of that :D  This is going right into my purse for Christmas use :)  It stitched out SO perfectly - Teri did a wonderful job (and I'll be emailing her to let her know!).  I'm very very pleased with how this turned out!

Hair and manicure - part deux - the completions :)

3 piece set - tote, panty bag, round bottom bag

Close-up of panty bag and round bottom bag

Stitchery added inside all the bags

Blow dryer zipper pull

Brush zipper pull

Blogger insists on arranging photos the way they want them.  Here's a zipper pull with a nail polish charm - I made this same pull for each bag in this set

Manicurist tote and tall pouch - panels are by Loralie

Back of tote

Nail polish stitchout in both bags

Santa Flamingo :)

I decided to take a bit of time and make something for myself today - I found a cute Santa flamingo freebie @ Sew Teri-fic Designs - I downloaded it and am stitching it out right now onto a piece of reclaimed denim (salvaged from worn out electrician's jeans, hehe). So far so good!  I'm using a jeans needle and 2 layers of tear-away stabilizer - the pattern is somewhat stitch intensive so I don't want any warping or stretching :)

It stitched out PERFECTLY - I think the extra layer of stabilizer made the difference. I have a bit of housework to do (booooooooooo, lol) and will be going out tonight, but hopefully I'll get the stitchout "installed" in MY project tonight and can post it :)

Hair and Manicure #1 :)

I got a request for a gifty for a hairstylist and a manicure. Here are some in-progress photos:

Hairdresser tote lining

Inside embellishment for hairdresser set

I hadn't thought much about taking in-progress photos while I was doing the hairdresser set, lol.  When I started the manicure set I had the house to myself for the whole day and evening (hubby and kids were going to a work Christmas party after work)  so I got to play sewing machine and photographer all day!  ;)

Manicure tote - panel is by Loralie

Tall pouch

Nail polish stitchout, for the lining of both bags

The nail polish pattern is the first embroidery pattern that I actually paid for - until I go that one, I had only downloaded freebies.  I wish the designers would put their names/websites on the files so they can be given credit!  I save files by topic, not by designer, and I don't even remember where I found this one - but it cost $3.99 ... HA!

Reporting in from Santa's Workshop :)

Like most crafters, I've been busy in the dungeon workshop for a while now - here are a few photos I can safely post ;)

Pillowcases for Blue Hills

I misread the stitching directions and got an orange car instead of blue, LOL (stitched on reclaimed electrician's denim :D)

"Redwork" stitcheries for a friend, using variegated thread

Thread purchased during our recent trip to PA

Zippers purchased during our PA trip

Off to download more photos from Chris's camera ;)  BTW - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!!!  Today is my brother's birthday - I called him on the phone tonight but he was out - hopefully having a lovely birthday dinner!  As a gift, I did *not* sing Happy Birthday to him --- you're welcome, Kim!  :D

Baby 1 and Baby 2 :)

The colour in the second picture is rather scary - the bibs are actually a soft banana yellow - very pretty!  These are for our expectant niece/nephew (well, nephew + his darling wife) who are expecting twins in the spring :)  Right now they call the babies (a boy and a girl!) Baby 1 and Baby 2, hence the above project :D 

Last night I drafted the text in Stitch Universal Era (a very detailed program, in which I can only do the most basic of tasks) and did the stitch-outs, then this morning I sewed the bibs on my new old 411 Singer :D  Will deliver the bibs in an hour when we see hubby's family for lunch!

A few photos from our recent vacation :)

Hubby sleeping @ Kim & Heather's house

Graci relaxing @ home

Sabretooth Graci and Heather

Kim and his girl Graci

Kim sleeping

Matt with a Graci scarf

Matt without a Graci scarf

Teddy, Seamus and Greta @ Mickie's house in PA

As usual I forgot I had a camera with me, and only got a few shots!  A natural photographer - I am NOT :D  The first photos (of my brother Kim, his wife Heather, their son Matt and their pupper Graci) were taking here in Ontario, and the last photo was taken in Pennsylvania, where Mickie lives :)

Jenn's shower gift :)

Last weekend I went to a baby shower held for my expectant niece Jennifer - here are the gifties I made :D

Playmat with loops and velcro to attach toys to keep baby entertained :)  My friend Nancy made the stuffed seahorse and starfishies!

A matching wet bag and bib complete the set :)  She also got a set of 4 Sens bibs I made when I first found out she was pregnant, lol.

Baby Black is due exactly one month from today - I know I'm excited and momma-to-be is excited, but I suspect my sister Sherry - soon-to-be-Grammie - is probably more excited than everybody, if that's possible, LOL!!  Sherry "you're" in the home stretch!!! ;)

A few gifties for PA ...

Here are a few gifties I made to take on our recent vacation to Pennsylvania :)

Sunbonnet Sue zipper and boxy bags

Labels for panty bags

Panty bags for Kat and Peggy

3 flamingo stitcheries

Introducing ... Maxine :D

Maxine the Owl :)

I bought this pattern a few days ago and whipped one up to go with the quilt set I made recently.  The pattern is quite simple, and easy to whip up.  I see more owls in my future - this little lady is TRES cute!

Reason 4,763 why I love my vet :)

My kitty has on-going health issues but they're pretty much under control with medication.  Hubby and I are going away for a week and the kids will be taking care of Le Beast.   I took him to the vet tonight to make sure he's not having any issues, as the kids might not be as quick to catch them as I (hopefully) would be.  Dr. Nora checked him over and pronounced him fine, and gave me some hints about his medication - then told me that the visit was on her, because she knows I'm very conscientious about taking care of his issues :)  Zoomer and I both thank you Dr. Nora - your kindness is much appreciated!  Everybody in that office is such a delight to deal with - so caring and concerned, and they treat Zoomer like he's their own kitty :D

I love my vets - 3 cheers for Drs. Nora and Jacqui!

I like big bundts and I cannot lie :D

Tomato soup bundt (I call it Walnut Spice) made to celebrate I Like Big Bundts (#3!) -- 30 days of bundt cakes - by Mary, the Food Librarian :)  I made this last night and had to slice and pack enough slices for our oldest son to take to work for lunch this week, lol.  Yes, the cake went over VERY well - thank you Mary, as always, for hosting this decadent smorgasbord!

I think this will be my next one, although it's going to have to wait until we get back from vacation, lol.

Michael Miller's Strawberry Tea Party :D

Had to take a break to get some stuff done - hubby and I are going on vacation this weekend and I needed to finish up stuff :D  I'm not done yet, but I'm not in the frantic stage anymore, so that's a good sign :)

Here's a little set I finished up ... I hope the recipient likes it - and thanks Nancy for the binding fabric!

36x36 quilt :)

Minky-ish backing :)

Extra bits and pieces :)

 I have scraps left over to make one last extra if I have time, depending on how my To Do list progresses before the weekend, lol.