SewCalGal's Handmade Christmas Challenge

SewCalGal has posted the winners of her year long Handmade Christmas Challenge today. She has links to the winners blogs, so you can go back and check out some of those Handmade Christmas gifts and decor. I managed a few gift items and it was fun to think about and post about them months ahead of the big day. My posts are here and here.

 I applaud SewCalGal for encouraging us to make those Christmas items ahead. Challenges like this get us going when we sometimes need that push to motivate us. Thanks, SewCalGal!

It's like putting a puzzle together....scrappy goodness!

I wanted to make some pillows for Christmas gifts, so I started looking through my fabrics to see if I could find some I could use.  I didn't really have a pattern in mind, but I did have several colors in mind that would match another project. As I was searching,  I found some flying geese that I made last year when I did a demo at our LQS, Cut Up and Quilt so I pulled them out and started playing with layouts. 

It's fun trying to make something out of scraps or scrap blocks, and I knew there would be lots of ways I could use these blocks. 

I decided on this star type block and was even able to use a pair of two color flying geese in the middle that I didn't think I would ever use. I found a teal floral print for the envelope back. Do you make envelope backs for your pillows? I always do as it makes them easier to wash.

For the second one, I just lined up those geese and started sewing. I debated using the pink floral ones as they were made with a slightly pink fabric instead of the white, but I decided that since it was scrappy, it would work. I found this blue and green for the back.

TaDa! Two down, one more to go. It won't be pieced, but a fabric that complements these pieced pillows. 

I am almost finished with my Christmas sewing. I want to make one more Whatcha Got? Bag. They are fun to make and go pretty quickly now that I've made several! Are you still working on projects for Christmas gifts? 

I am linking up with SewCalGal's last Handmade Christmas Challenge for this year. Follow the link and see what other bloggers are making for Christmas decor and gifts.

Bags bags bags

As you know, I'm addicted to making these bags now. I've been making the larger size bag on the Whatcha Got? bag pattern, but wanted to make the smaller version too. It's about 8" x 10" and should work for storing many items. I made one just like the pattern.....

but then for the second one I added the inside pocket. Love those pockets! I also did the checkerboard front a little differently, using only the 2 fabrics from the bag. I like this look too! What do you think?

Yep, there's that pocket. Pockets are always handy, right? I have been cutting an extra piece of vinyl the same size as the front window for the pocket. I was afraid that it would tear after using it, so I framed it with fabric before I sewed it in.

I've been making these bags to use as gifts for the holidays. I've lost count but have made about 6 or 8 now. I figure who couldn't find a use for one of these?

I made another large size too, this time just like the pattern....without the inside pocket. I love the fabrics I used and had a hard time deciding if the bikes should be the outside or inside. I think that is one of the fun things about this bag is that you can see the lining!

This is the only large bag that I put the handle on. Not sure it needs it, though I guess that depends on what you are using it for.

You can see the difference in size. The larger one is about 10" x 14". 

I like to work on small projects for gift giving in the summer since I have a little more sewing time and have linked up with SewCalGal's A Handmade Christmas Challenge. She is encouraging everyone to take the challenge and make gifts all year to avoid the last minute rush. Plus you will have beautiful handmade gifts for family and friends. If you have been working on projects for Christmas gift giving, join the challenge and head over there now and link up! You can link to this month's party until Aug. 25.

I did get some more quilting finished on my new quilt yesterday....love it when I'm past the half way mark, the 2nd half always seems to go faster! I am heading to Earling today to help my brother with some some staining and varnishing. He is building a cabin in a park near there and is ready to start some of the finish work.