School Auction Ideas

My kiddo's school hosts an art walk each spring to showcase the work the students are doing and local artists and crafters donate to the silent auction. I'm thinking a collection of reusable market bags might be a good addition to the auction. Which pattern would you like best?

From Keyka Lou: Her market tote pattern is $5.00, has a reinforced handle, is lined and so darn cute!

From Burda Style: The Charlie bag is free, has simple construction, pocket to fold and store bag and a zig-zag finished handle.

From Earth Girl Fabrics: The Quick Carrier for free is easy to construct and has a reinforced handle.

Sunshine

Sunshine
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

In the Pacific Northwest we wait and wait for the sun to appear. I couldn't wait anymore, so I played with 2" blocks in sunshine colors. It is now by our front door so even when it is gray, we have some sunshine to greet us.

Spring Tutorials

We've been so distracted with holidays, birthdays and wonderful family weddings that I haven't done much sewing. I have a few little knit bits to share--a really adorable baby hat for a new little one due any day, but I wanted to share some things on my "to do" list. You might love them too. bookshelf mini-quilt by don't call me betsy upcycled skirt from a men's shirt from Lex paper daffodils from alpha mom post from the writer of the long thread paper dogwood flowers from Martha Stewart table setting placemat from punkin patterns I feel like these are projects (except for the mama skirt) that my kiddos can helpme create. They can choose fabrics for the books, they can draw and fold the flowers and they can choose their fabrics and colors for their placemats. I know the list seems short, but I don't want to over promise and under deliver. We made these without any pattern--just circles and free-handed petals and pinwheels. Give it a try if you like! Happy spring!

Wee Wonderfuls Elf Boy

Wee wonderful elf boy
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

Stitched, quilted and stuffed, this is the boy version of the Wee Wonderfuls Elf Stitchette. The girls are adorable, too! The kids got them early so they could be part of the holiday decorations. The photo of all three on the couch was fuzzy, but the boy alone turned out great. The one for the big girl in the house is very sweet and has her dark hair.

The one for the little girl is darling, too. It has her blonde hair. Many thanks to the designers who share their talents with us for free. I have purchased the some other embroidery patterns from Wee Wonderfuls and look forward to making those, too. Happy Holidays!

Reversible Runner

December 8 2010 170
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

I do have a thing for toille. This Santa toille really stole my heart. Right now, it is hosting our gingerbread house, snow globe and Happy Santa on our console table. I did some simple line, organic quilting and put a white, winterberry print on the other side wo it will work for the holiday and through the winter, too. I completely cheated and used bias tape to bind it, but it turned out almost as well as if I'd spent the time making the binding myself. Sometimes, it is good enough for who it is for, as my friend, Nancy says.

I hope you are enjoying decorating for the season.

Sweet Water Quilt-as-you-go

December 8 2010 169
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

So, I gave this a try. I enjoyed that I could try different patterns on small pieces--it alleviated the decision making and commitment phobia. Once I had quilted each square, I trimmed them as wonkily as I felt comfortable. I found this method easy to do and like that I learned which patterns I appreciate most. This is just a lap quilt, but I think it will make a nice gift.

Hope you are having fun trying new things!

Winter Banners

The weather people are forcasting a snowy winter in the Northwest. Who pretty snowflakes and lights that twinkle in the night? My kiddos and I made these little banners to welcome winter.

With two pieces of felt, scrap ric-rac, and felt stickers, these little banners came together easily.

The only sewing I did was to sew on the ric-rac which became the string for the lights. You could glue it on in advance and then let the kids get started. We're working on counting here, so they counted and sorted the different light stickers. We had 30 so they each got 15 (one pack from Joann's for $1.00). They divied up the colors that went best with their sensibilities and with their felt. Then they made their patterns. Once they had the designs ready, they pulled the adhesive and placed their lights along their strings.

I helped with the snowflakes because some of the felt stickers didn't cooperate with the intended die cut. Joann's has other stickers--gingerbread men and ladies, penguins, etc. You don't need kids to make this project fun. They would make great gifts for the holiday season, too!