Early Christmas

Because part of the family is visiting from Germany and they won't be back for Thanksgiving or Christmas, my daughter decided to have a multi-holiday celebration this month.  Since I already gave my great-granddaughter her Halloween bag, doll and baby doll quilt, it left me a little empty handed.  So, today I made small bags complete with pockets and zipper tops for Mackenzie and my 10 year old granddaughter Kaylea.  I hope that they aren't too big for 4 year olds and 10 year olds, but will be still big enough for a few more years.  Sorry about the lop-sided photography,  Now, to figure out some small gifts for the other little ones. 

What's Going On

Small things amuse small minds.  First I had to get over my wonder that "What's Going On"  could be a question or a statement, the first clue being that there isn't a question mark.  Oh well, it's one of those days.  My grandson, his wife and their two children got in Tuesday evening and so we've been able to spend time with them Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and now they are in Memphis, Tn. visiting her side of the family and taking care of some business.  They'll be back in a week and then will spend a couple of weeks here.  The kids are adorable, we are getting reacquainted with our great-granddaughter, who will be 4 in December and meeting her brother for the first time, who will be 1 this month.

   We also had a beautiful new granddaughter Friday the 4th.  We've only gotten to see her once so far, but I'm sure we will see a lot more of her. 

Not much sewing going on between visiting, home health people for my husband, and doctor appointments, but yesterday I did go to Hobby Lobby and picked up some fabric to make new pillowcases for the small pillows on our bed.  Do you think maybe it's time.  As you can see by the first photo up at the top, mending isn't my best talent. 

This morning I got up and made these 8 pillowcases.  They aren't fancy, just simple little rectangles with French seams and a hemmed top, but I'm so glad to have them.  We use quilts on the bed, and they are all scrappy, so anything goes pretty much.   Yesterday, I must have been in a purple mood.

Christmas Bags

I stumbled across some videos on You Tube by Jean JellyRoll Queen about adding a zipper to the charm pack totes video by Missouri Quilt Company.  Here
and here .  I have been using velcro on my totes, and thought that zippers would be an improvement, so I made three more to test it out. 

I'm sure that you believe that all went perfectly, and that this one tote has pockets on the outside instead of on the inside on purpose.   All in all though, it was pretty simple to add the zipper, and if you are like me and like things contained, you should check out You Tube.

One More

And I think it turned out pretty cute.  I used what I had, (except for the Nutcrackers, I bought those) and if I were shopping I might have gotten different fabrics, but all in all, I'm happy with it. 

Even the inside is Christmasy.  I do the lining in my pockets upside down, because when I reach in, they are kind of right side up.   I'm already getting the urge to make some for my SIL's, I can't seem to help doing that to myself.   I didn't make that side of the family Halloween bags though.

And Yet Another

Another Afghan and another tote bag.  The Afghan is for my daughter. 

I gave away all my Halloween bags, and didn't have one for me.  Not enough fabric left for another bag, and so I decided to do a fall bag instead.  I didn't want to buy more fabric, so this may not be the best combination, but it is done, it was all from stash and scraps, and it is mine.  I can use it for 2 months too, instead of one.   I will have at least one more bag, when I cut this one out I also cut out a Christmas bag and it is about half finished now.  I've run out of steam though, my husband and I spent about 6 1/2 or 7 hours at the hospital today, he was having fluid removed from around his lung and the prep and waiting after it was over to make sure that everything was ok took awhile.  It's a puzzle why sitting around can make you so weary. 

RSC 9 Patch Doll Quilts Finished

The doll quilts are finished and ready to be mailed.  It's been a busy day.

Halloween Bags - Check

The last 7 of the 14 Halloween bags, done.  Now, I need to make a few Christmas bags, not 14 though.  I don't think so anyway.

Rainbow Doll Quilts

I've kept up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge until this month, but I did use some of my RSC nine patches to make doll quilts for three little sisters.  Since I wasn't doing all twelve months, I didn't want three blues, so I substituted a brown nine patch.  They are only tops now, but I hope to finish them soon.

I'm going to let their mama pick who gets which, I'm just hoping that no one will be disappointed because they wanted a different one. 

I know there is one pink lover, but I can't remember which.  I do know though, that if you want to see lots of pretty baby blues you can visit Soscrappy here. 
I hope to catch up, but between medical issues and company coming, it may not be for a month or two.

And if you're disappointed that there were no baby blues, here are some that most any quilting lady can admire.

Nabby's Dowry Two Done

This is what was left before Nabby's Dowry Two. 

Not pretty, but not too bad, and free.

This is all the binding scraps that I have left now.  I did have a large magazine basket smashed down with batting scraps and a large very full garbage bag sitting on top of it full.  I'm rather proud of myself, that's 14 bags, 2 small quilts, and I think I can get another bag or two. 

Not a good picture, but it's done and it's a little busy, but I think it's going to have a place on my wall.

Mackenzie's Dolly has a Quilt

And it's very very pink. 

Even the back.  Mackenzie's favorite color is pink, I hope her dolly's is, too.
31 inches by 31 inches.  Probably 30 x 30 after it's washed.