Post Christmas Wrap - Up

I have one project to share this week that was a present that I couldn't post before.  Last year I made so many handmade gifts for people for Christmas.  This year I really kept my gift making expectations in check. Every time I thought, 'I'll just make something for them', I got my wits and stopped myself and I didn't feel guilty about it.  I focused on a few people that I wanted to make things for and it was a success.  Less stress is always a good thing, and you don't want to turn what you enjoy into an obligation.

One person I did make a lot of things for was my Mom, which I shared previously here and here. The last thing I made was this divided basket, which is another wonderful pattern from Anna Graham at Noodlehead.  I used Lori Holt's Vintage Happy and Modern Minis lines for the fabric.  When I got the Modern Minis I couldn't believe that there was a panel that had You Are My Sunshine on it...bonus, as this is the song my mom always sang to me growing up.





















































































Linking up with crazymomquilts.

Handmade Style Floor Pouf

After making the Carry-all Pincushion from Anna Graham's amazing book, Handmade Style, I decided to make the Floor Pouf.  I'm really happy with this project.  It is similar in construction to the pincushion, but a lot bigger.  It was definitely an effort to wrangle this thing together, but totally worth it.

The top is 24 inches square.  I quilted the top with (not so) straight line quilting in three different colors, off-white, gold, and dark pink.  For the side panels I used a curved shell stitch on my Bernina which has come in handy on a few projects now.  It's fast and looks really good.

 I used an orphan block I had on hand and made a finished bottom for it as well, just in case the recipient wants to change it up every once in a while.  It has a zipper closure in case you need to wash it.

I recommend Handmade Style, so far both patterns I've worked with have been excellent.

One more gift checked off the list...though it's going to be tough to part with this one.  Can't get enough of the Cotton + Steel fabric either!

Linking up with Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation, Lorna at sewfreshquilts, and Amanda at crazymomquilts.

Handmade Style Carry-all Pincushion

My last WIP post was related to the book Handmade Style by Anna Graham.  This project is also from that book, it is the Carry-All Pincushion.  I used the same fabrics from this post.  Another present to check off the list!

If you do make this pincushion take note....it's really big...almost 9 inches wide.

Linking up with crazymomquilts.