Just the Wool...

Now that Christmas is over it is time for a round up of the handmade happenings around here this past month! Ginny over at Small Things is doing a Yarn-A-Long today just for that purpose!

I made a couple of plaid wreaths -- one for my pantry door and the other for the front door.

They were super easy and quite inexpensive to make. I bought styrofoam forms at the dollar store and used thrifted plaid cut in strips to cover the forms then added either some felt holly or some inexpensive "picks" from the craft store.

I sewed a tea cozy for myself, my mom, and Christina out of 6 vintage-y Christmas placemats I had picked up at Goodwill Outlet this summer. I had been contemplating for a long time how to best use them and I was happy with how they turned out and it meant that three households could enjoy them instead of just one at a time!

 I spent the first week of December getting 70 ornaments ready for Emily and Craig's shop! I made piles of holly and invented a new ornament -- the plaid heart.

I also sewed this purse from recycled wool for Emily's birthday, at her request. I took the basic pattern for the knitting project zip cases and added handles to it. I was excited with how it turned out and had high hopes of sewing one for myself in red plaid but that idea had to get thrown out. :)

I took part in my first ever calligraphy exchange with members of the Flourish Forum. It was great fun and I loved receiving cards from the others.

 I had promised a friend a wool tea cozy with a caboose on it and got it finished just in time to send it in the mail!

The other side had a tree on it.

And the polka dots inside gave it a bit of a modern flair.

Laura was the only one that I made homemade Christmas presents for. She received a large Velveteen Rabbit and this tiny one for her doll.

Here is Laura showing off some of the clothes I made for her baby doll.

And here she is with the Velveteen Rabbit, whom she really loves! I was very happy with how this pattern turned out.

I had the most fun sewing this Moses Basket complete with a pillow and blanket. I used vintage sheets for the basket and pillow. I think Laura was happy with all her gifts. :)

Phew.....Christmas creating is over for now! But, I do have a list of things that I am working on or need to be working on. I'm making progress on my blue sweater!!! And also on a vest for Laura.

For links to everyone else's Christmas creations, visit Ginny's Yarn-A-Long.

Knitted Bear

I made this sweet little bear last week to give to a friend who is having a baby any day. The bear is from Susan B. Anderson's Itty-Bitty Nursery and is so simple to knit! The entire bear is made of garter stitch (knit every stitch) squares!!!! The only thing slightly difficult is sewing the bear together -- all it takes is a little time.

So, all of you Knit Nighters out there -- you might want to consider making one of these! They make great gifts -- and mine only took one skein of Cotton Classic.

Photo courtesy of Tammy -- thanks!