Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Thankful, Garlands, and Gifts

We had a lovely Thanksgiving here in South Carolina. Friends we haven't seen in five years! visited from Memphis. It was good to be together again. Lots of food, lots of fun, lots of noise, and lots of rest on Sunday after church when everyone went home! Now to the Christmas holidays...


It took me a while to decide how to make my garland for the GaGa for Garlands swap this month. My first attempt was to make these pretty poinsettia package decorations from a Martha Stewart project I found at Michael's. I was going to string them along. However, though they came out pretty, I thought the glue seeped through a bit and made the paper dark, and the gel glue didn't seem to really make the mound for the glitter as it should have. You know, my transcription business name is The Perfect Type, so obviously I couldn't send the poinsettias out! I was reading Old School Acres at some point and saw her cute yo-yo banner and posting on 11/12/2007 and got my muse. So, I made a "Merry" garland with fabric yo-yo's and punched paper circles and Christmas-decorated chipboard letters and buttons. I like the twill tape I found to string the garland along. My garland partner is Maria. She sent me a sparkly, glittery NOEL garland. I have yet to take that picture because I want to do that when I have the cupboard in my kitchen set up with decorations. I'll amend this posting then. Her garland is very pretty. My only regret is that I didn't make TWO garlands so that I can keep one for myself. Oh, well, maybe in January....



My daughter had a Sweet 16 party to attend a couple of weeks ago. Since I have that great workshop downstairs and because I spend so much on my fabric stash, I want to make as many gifts as I can rather than buying. Sometimes Camille likes this, sometimes not. However, this time, she liked the bag we saw in a project book and picked out the fabrics for it. It turned out fabulous. It has inverted pleats in the front with contrasting fabric. That's a good switch on the tote bag. I hear the Sweet 16-year-old liked it. I'll really believe it when I see her using it! Poor Camille. It's like the cobbler's children -- they had no shoes. Camille sees the cute stuff I make and send out - and sees her friends with our creations but doesn't have one for herself. I always say I'll make another for her, but you know how that is... I need to make a list of the items she would like and get to it!



Have you seen all the aprons I have been making? Check out the mishflicks - look in the "clubbmish studio" set. It is Apronland downstairs. Some are at the Old Barn in Lexington. Some are tagged for gifts. Some are for special orders. Those are really fun to make. Just squares and rectangles and seam binding - which I have been making on my own to contrast with the main fabrics. I'm really enjoying the ease of putting those together. The one pictured is two-sided. It makes for a nice weight of the apron and is useful for two messes!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Your garland is really cute. I'm sure the recipient will love it.

I'm honored that you were inspired by my garland. Thank you so much for letting me know :-)

Happy crafting!

Anonymous said...

Love the garland and bag!

djinstantbacon said...

Victoria still carries the bag. I was hoping to get it but I can't get it out of her hands. Love your stuff Michelle.
Sherri