Category Archives: Holiday Projects

Crazy Patch Stocking

Posted on December 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

I have always loved crazy patch quilting but hadn’t used this technique for several years until I began this project.  Made for my dear friend, my daughter-in-law, it was a perfect diversion from my sewing marathon of baby/children’s items. 

There are so many things I love about doing crazy patch.  I like combining fabric with a variety of textures like silk dupioni, corduroy, velvet, satin.  I can’t think of another kind of sewing that would allow that. 

Adding little snippets of interesting lace, odd buttons, special ribbons and all the decorative stitches available on our sewing machines transforms crazy patch into a potpourri of sewing delights. Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, home dec, machine embroidery

Christmas Critters II

Posted on December 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Glenn button-on-bib

With only 9 days left until Christmas, I am down to the wire  finishing my grandchildren’s holiday outfits. Baby Alastair has been wearing his since Thanksgiving (see Lemonade post), but 4 year-old Robert and 5 year-old Laurel are expecting delivery tomorrow. This button-on bib is the last piece of Robert’s suit which will be complete just in time for his preschool Christmas program.

The Children’s Corner Glenn suit is made of a beautiful piece of vintage brown plaid Viyella from my stash.  Vintage!  Did you know? I didn’t. I just thought it was old.  (See below.) The button-on bib is made of a linen look-alike blend and embroidered with a design from Bernina’s Current Critters Continued. Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Special Angels

Posted on December 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

During the Christmas season, references and images of angels are as pervasive as Santa Claus. They appear on greeting cards, holiday attire, tree ornaments and home decorations. It is not surprising that there are so many embroidery designs and projects that reflect the public’s interest and fascination with these celestial beings.

In literature, angels are equally prevalent. There are Biblical references, such as, “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

And tongue in cheek references, “A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase. ~Author Unknown

We just can’t seem to leave angels alone.

Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, Holiday Projects, home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery, quilts

Alastair’s Temporary Christmas Stocking

Posted on December 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Alastair temp stocking

 

 

Talk about quick and easy!  This is truly a modern project for any kind of Nana. Purchased by my daughter for her son, Alastair, I was asked to personalize it for him, which I did.  But, as it turns out, this stocking is doomed to be a single use item, scheduled for replacement, Christmas 2010.

His name is embroidered in the candy cane true type font, about which I wrote in the Christmas Aprons post a few days ago.  At the intersections of the decorative stitching, novelty Christmas buttons are sewn. The Santa, snowman, gingerbread man, cardinal, Christmas tree and other dimensional buttons delighted Alastair.

Rebecca, too,  was delighted until she caught up with this blog and saw her nephew Robert’s stocking in the Flying Santa post. She had never seen it.   When that stocking was made and hung, Robert was a newborn and his Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Harvey were in Africa, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“You mean you can MAKE Christmas stockings?  I had no idea! Will you please make one for Alastair?  Uh, next year will be fine.” Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

PGM Gingerbread Aprons

Posted on December 7, 2009 | 2 comments

 

Gingerbread houses are truly old fashioned projects for old fashioned Nanas.  It can be one of the most lasting Christmas memories for your children  or grandchildren.

Since my children were old enough to lick the mixer beaters, we’ve made Christmas gingerbread houses.  And all the PlayGroup Mamas made gingerbread houses with their children (see earlier post, PGM-PlayGroup Mamas ifor explanation of PlayGroup Mamas).

 

PGM Arlene made four every year, one for each child.   Striving to make the best house or the best fire station or the best school or whatever,  they were fiercely competitive.  Each child  had a big idea and a big time.

A few Christmases ago, when a few of the PlayGroup Moms started backsliding in this time honored tradition, Arlene gifted each of us with an unadorned but constructed gingerbread house. We gathered together to decorate our cookie houses, each bringing a variety of decorative candies, a box of 10X confectioners sugar and extra electric mixers. Like Arlene’s children, we each had a big idea and a very big time. Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery, party accessories and ideas

Christmas Aprons with Candy Cane Font

Posted on December 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Josie

 

I’m not sure this guy knows what he is talking about.  These four ready-made aprons were embroidered for another doting grandmother who spends significant blocks of time with her two granddaughters and she seems to be aging not at all!

This ageless Granny and her daughter will be making Christmas cookies with the girls. I’m sure there will be some great photo opportunities for the multi-generational baking crew.   And I doubt either Granny or Mommy will look any older when the kitchen is finally cleaned up.

 

Josiebear1

When I embroidered aprons for my grandchildren, I had a hard time finding any appropriate designs. There is a plethora of chef collections, including those by Loralie, Amazing Designs, Adorable Ideas and Hatched in Africa. But none of these are for children.

Then I found Roberta’s Creations Cookie Cutters. www.robertasreations.com Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, linen blanks, machine embroidery, techniques

Flying Santa Stocking

Posted on December 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Before I learned to sew, I knitted Christmas stockings for both my son and newborn daughter. Their names were knitted into the cuffs and Ryan’s featured a choo-choo train, Rebecca’s a doll and wreath. I really dislike those stockings now, but my children hold them dear. Even though they are parents themselves, they think tradition trumps good looks and age appropriate designs. Memories of childhood Christmas magic are precious, I know.

When I was asked to make stockings for my grandchildren, it seems that I would have learned my lesson. But I reverted to my preference for childhood fantasy.   I might regret it years from now if the children prefer something more contemporary.

If that happens, I will not make a Spiderman or Dora the Explorer stocking. I refuse. So all three get traditional juvenile Christmas designs. If they want something else, they can shop at Cracker Barrel. They always have a nice selection. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Candy Cane Christmas

Posted on December 2, 2009 | 1 comment

 

buttons pending!

buttons pending!

 

These brother-sister outfits are truly modern projects for old fashioned Nanas.  They are quick, easy, wash-and-wear and contemporary.  Yet, the classic styles and candy cane theme are as old fashioned as can be.

Our Christmas tree decorations have always included  a dozen celophane wrapped candy canes.  When little guests  visit, they are invited to pick one from the tree.

Last year, when Robert and Laurel were 3 and 4 years old, and their visits were blessedly frequent, I knew we needed more.  For them, it seems that here is just something irresistibly delicious about a candy cane that actually hung on a tree.  Their Christmas outfits  reflected their holiday appetite for the striped sugar classic.

 

Xmas card

 

Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, brother-sister, girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

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Santa Claus is Coming

Posted on November 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

With Thanksgiving over, it’s time to pull out the Christmas pillowcases. This bedtime message gives children  something to think about before  “visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.”  It is just one more element that adds to the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming festivities.

Before I had grandchildren, I made this pillowcase for a special little boy whom I love very much. His intelligence, imagination and grasp of fantasy delighted me then and continues to do so now. Years ago, 5 year old Grey and I were discussing  Santa’s amazing ability to deliver toys to children around the world.  This led to further discussion that showed an amazing understanding of geography for a child so young.  Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, home dec, machine embroidery

Gobble

Posted on November 25, 2009 | 4 comments

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.  ~Erma Bombeck

Judy Day, my very dear and extremely talented friend,  made this Thanksgiving shirt for her beautiful granddaughter. Judy has been sewing almost forever–30+ years–and teaches computer, sergers, machine embroidery and heirloom sewing at one of the largest Babylock dealers in the country.  She smocked and sewed heirloom clothes for each of her three children.  I think she said her daughters refused to wear smocked dresses when they turned 15, but I could be wrong about that.Correction:  This shirt was made by Judy’s daughter, Amy Spriggs.  The turkey design was a freebie from Embroidery Library.  Amy added the text.  Wait until you see some more of Amy’s projects!

Cute as this shirt is, it isn’t even the tip of the tip of the iceberg of Judy’s creativity and skill.  She has graciously agreed to let me post some of her things from time to time.  Everything Judy does is pure perfection, from design to execution.  I love getting an e-mail from her with a photo attachment of her latest creations.  I know you will enjoy them as much as I do.  Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery