Christmas through the Year!!!

Fa-la-la-la-la!  It's that time of the month, Allie's Christmas Through the Year is still stacking up Christmas presents for the winter holiday! 

I've actually completed a number of things which is surprising considering that my mom was back in the hospital, my husband has been going back and forth to South America and the dogs and just about everything else is on my shoulders.

Here at 3 P and N, the focus has been on the Holiday Craft Bazaar coming up in October.  I'm also on a mission to use up scraps.  So here we have matroyshkas and ladybug baby toys:

Bibs, we have a new wave of babies coming in the family and this is a great way to use up some of the leftover pieces of novelty fabric I have:

 More strawberry purses, I can't seem to keep these around, people are always interested in them:

And crafts for the kids to make gifts too!  Below are simple little wall hangings that the kids can make artwork on (with fabric markers).  I hope to have a whole table dedicated to just kid crafts and my son has already offered to help me at the bazaar.  I'm about half done with the amount I hoped to do and this is a GREAT way to use up scraps:

You might remember Katie and Natalie experimented with this idea back in June:

At their request, we made pillows but we are going to do wall hangings for the kids because it will be easier for them.  I hope to get some coasters done too!  It will be a good way to use up small pieces of batting.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas in July!

Better late than never

I missed Allie's Christmas through the year this month by a day.  I became too busy yesterday to really get back to the internet (a regular occurence these days).  Anyway the only thing I really accomplished in June were these placemats and a few hot pads which I sent to my son Peter and his gal for Christmas in July.

For all you bloggers there are two neat drawsting bags I want to refer.  I can't wait to try both of these when things calm down!  The first is from Sarah's blog  and features a panel on the front.  Clever gal, I was wondering how she got such depth and it was simple, she quilts the panel!  The other bag is offered at Linda's blog and features a more elongated bag.  For both bags you will have to scroll down so check them out!

Off to start all my work, will check in when I can!

Christmas through the Year!!!

Jingle Bells!!!  Could use some snow to cool us off here :D  Visit everyone at Allie's, Christmas Through the Year.

I didn't think I had much to show this month but the last few days I've been playing with my embroidery machine.  But first I found this mug and it struck a chord with me because I had a machine embroidery design with two birds similar to this and I knew I had coordinating fabric:

So I made two mug rugs to coordinate with them:

Puppy madness: Sandra and I are doing a swap.  She is going to make zipper bags for me and I am making dogs for us.  One dog for Sandra, one dog for me.  Great stocking stuffers:

Lavender Sachets

I may not be able to do zippers, but my embroidery machine can so I made these strawberry purses (already gave one to Helena):

And this dog purse that I love :)

This was supposed to be tea bag purse but it didn't turn out so well.  I"m still working on that pattern. 

That's all folks for this month! :) 

Christmas through the Year!!!

My contribution to Allie's "Christmas through the year" are mug rugs!  I'm using up orphan blocks and odds and ends to incorporate in the mug rugs! :)  It's late, 11 pm and I've had a very busy couple of days and even more coming up.  But I just had to post my pics!

Nighty Night!

Christmas through the Year!!!

I'm currently on a small respite.  My mother is between surgeries and I've been able to attend to some of the (much neglected) other parts of my life.  With that said, I have to tell you a funny thing.  I won a washbasket full of fabric at guild (we had a variation of a Chinese auction that night).  All the fabric was donated by members and was fabric people no longer wanted.  Here is a look at my washbasket after I washed all the cloth:

Say, do you know what that bear fabric is?  YES!!!!  That is tablecloth material from the 1980s.  I know because my best friend had a whole bear ensemble of this fabric way back then when our kids were little.  It's a rather course polyester blend and I received ROLLS of this.  Now me, I love a challenge so I thought this was a blast.  At first, I intended to make placemats and did one prototype but didn't care for it.  So did this instead:

Yup more gift bags!  So far I've done about a dozen of them and have cut out another dozen to make.  I like these small projects that I can finish in a short time.  I think I need the satisfaction of that these days.  Will post more projects later this week.......

wait for me santa!!!

Well this month I didn't get anything done for Allie's Christmas through the Year.   But be sure to check out all the neat ideas posted by the crew.  Hopefully, I'll get to work on the mug rugs I have planned after the 8th.  This is a crazy time for me.  I'm giving some programs locally featuring my antique quilts and between nursing Mom, writing the program, and keeping the home fires going, I've had a lot going on.  My husband is coming home for about 4 days again this week (I think that will make 8 days he is home in 2011). 

My dryer broke but I've managed that the last 10 days because it has only been me at home (and the dogs).  Sometimes this old house is handy and all my old radiators became my impromptu dryers :) 
All in all, we are doing okay just too busy!

Christmas through the Year!!!

It's the end of the month and you know what that means!!!!  Time to post what we've made this month for Allie's fantastic idea-- "Christmas Through the Year". 

Thank goodness for Allie's post because I haven't been getting much time on the computer.  My mother was in the hospital for another 21 days and we got her home last week.  It's been BUSY BUSY for us.  Anyway, Mom is doing better and we will find out next week the date of her next surgery. 

But back to fun!  I only completed one project on my list for my contribution to Christmas, GIFT BAGS!!!  I love them and they were a big hit with the family this year so I am still using up my stash to make them.  Only got three done but three is better than none!

Thanks Allie for this great idea and keeping us motivated!  I'm loving it!!!!  Make sure to check out her site to see what everyone is doing for the holidays!!  We love the inspiration!