Merry Christmas!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I am taking a break from blogging to celebrate with family. See you all next year!

Handmade Holiday Gifts (A Sneak Peek)

I have been doing some serious sewing, cutting and baking lately! Trying to get all of my handmade gifts complete this week. The biggest undertaking I took on this year is this art piece I made with silhouettes of each of the grandchildren in my husband's family. I purchased the frame and had the matte custom cut to arrange the children in clusters by family. The names are printed below each child on a piece of cardstock and the silhouettes are cut out of black cardstock and glued onto each space. I really love this project and I'm excited to present it on Christmas.


I also sewed this patchwork apron for a gift. I used an old Anthropologie apron I own to create the pattern and chose red and blue reproduction vintage fabrics.


I also made some doll clothes for Jane's new BlaBla doll (blogged about here) and a little quilt and matching pillow for the doll bed we purchased (made out of the apron fabric scraps).


Last of all, I made Jane a flannel nightgown to open and wear on Christmas Eve. This was my very first attempt at using a pattern to sew. I'm worried it will be really big on her, but I guess that is better than having it too small. I used the the Portobello Pixie "Claire" dress pattern which I borrowed from a friend.

Christmas Crafting To Do List

I am now ten days away from Christmas and busy finishing up this year's homemade Christmas gifts. If I can get the items on my list checked off all will be well.

To Do

1. Sew apron
2. Cut ut grandchildren's silhouettes
3. Embroider/embellish set of dish towels
4. Bake more caramel corn (and deliver!)
5. Sew a doll blanket/quilt
6. Sew doll nightgown
7. Sew children's pajama pants

Celeste's Homemade Doll Clothes

I splurged on this adorable Bla Bla Kids doll for Jane for Christmas but I didn't want to splurge on her expensive wardrobe (sold separately) so I tried a few experiments and ended up using some leftover fabrics to create this little top and skirt. I think it turned out pretty well considering I have no idea how to sew clothing and I avoided using buttons or zippers. I really like the colorful skirt but I would love your honest opinions on her ensemble?

Holiday Baking and Printable Labels

The baking has begun. I've decided to keep things simple this year and just make my favorite caramel corn (recipe here) for family, friends and neighbors. I printed some free holiday labels from Martha Stewart and Inside a Black Apple. If you are looking for printable labels/gift tags check out the lists compiled at OhDeeDoh or IDIY.

Richard Scarry's Best Rainy Day Book Ever

I ordered Jane Richard Scarry's Best Rainy Day Book Ever for Christmas (which I stumbled upon online)and it came in the mail yesterday. She is off at preschool so I am peaking in it to see what types of activities are included. The children absolutely love all of the Busy Town books and characters. Jane is always doing arts and crafts: coloring, cutting, pasting, etc. and I knew this book would be perfect for her. The pages are nice and sturdy and the book includes activities for each month including coloring pages, dot-to-dot pictures, holiday cards, decorations and more. If I am feeling really ambitious, I may make a felt Lowly Worm plush (like this one) to package with the work book.

Snow Bunnies

I've been working on this set of bunny puppets from the Happy Gloves book. The projects are simple but a lot more time consuming than they look. I am happy with the way they turned out but I realize that I prefer hand sewing puppets using felt. Anyway, this little rabbit mother (a hand puppet) and her three bunny babies (finger puppets) are off to their new home as a birthday gift to our little friend Mae.

Printable Holiday Gifts for Kids

A really simple and sweet holiday gift or stocking stuffer for a child could be a lovely paper doll book, small coloring book, or book full of paper crafts. Chez Beeper Bebe has free downloads and directions for putting together these little vintage-inspired books.

1. A Little Book of Vintage Paper Dolls


2. A Little Coloring Book of Animals


3. A Little Book of Vintage French Paper Crafts

Dear Santa

I adore these printable boy and girl letters to Santa from Martha Stewart. The letter is filled in with all the mandatory information ("I've been a good girl this year...") and there are also lots of fill-in-the-blank spaces to put what items you are wishing for, what good deeds you have done to merit these gifts, etc. You can even send a friendly hello to your favorite reindeer. Jane was so excited to fill out the letter today and even included a portrait of Santa and Mrs. Clause on the back. It is on its way to the North Pole.

Printable Advent Calendar

With the month of December underway, there have been many advent calendar's featured on my favorite blogs. I had hoped when making my own advent calendar this year to put together a tutorial but the whole calendar was pretty much worked out as I went along and the process wasn't as simple as I'd hoped. However, there is still time to print out this pretty (free) paper advent calendar from Mibo recently featured on How About Orange.

Seattle Book Signing Tonight!

Amy Karol of Angry Chicken is having a book signing tonight (Bend the Rules with Fabric) at 7pm at The Quilting Loft in Seattle. I am trying to come up with a plan to make it there and hoping to score a free tote bag with the book, Amy's labels, and chocolate.

Let the Countdown Begin!

We had a very busy Thanksgiving weekend as you can see from my lack of blogging. Now we are in the full swing of the Christmas season. We cut down our tree last weekend, put up the lights and hung the stockings. We are beginning a new tradition in our home by using the advent calendar I made this year. The children are learning how to take turns choosing a candy each day as we await Christmas day. They have been anxious to do the advent each morning so that means chocolates for breakfast. A great way to start the day.


Jane also created a very sweet advent calendar at preschool depicting the baby Jesus in the manger. She brought it home today and proudly hung it from her bed. Twenty-three days until Christmas!

Seattle's Urban Craft Uprising December 5th & 6th

The 5th year of Urban Craft Uprising is happening in Seattle this weekend, December 5th and 6th at the Seattle Center Exibition Hall from 11-5pm. Check out the list of vendors.