Happy New Year

I'm ready for the new year, are you?

This is my blank book that I plan to fill with some good stuff for next year.

Have a safe and happy NEW YEAR!

Another Naughty and Nice Gift

Yesterday was the annual Christmas party at work.

Tradition has it that we have a white elephant gift exchange at the party.  I have received hair scrunchies, one size fits all popcorn shirts, VHS tapes (not g, pg or r), and a tangled ball of Christmas lights, to name a few of the gifts over the years.  

Last year I made an apron for this gift exchange and it was such a hit

I made an encore.

If you are a regular here, you know I like to add a sense of humor to my projects every chance I can.

With thanks to Alexander Henry for the fun fabric

I've created the Naughty and Nice apron

again.

A reversible apron with a ruffle of snow.

One side sweet and perfect for entertaining the family.

The other side, well, it is perfectly entertaining.

Here are the recipients of the Christmas aprons both this year and last.

They both prefer the naughty side.  lol

My apologies for the long absence.

Work has me very busy

this time of year.

I have been sewing 

 (between work and social engagements) 

and will be back to share soon.

Hope this finds you happy and healthy!

Choose You Own BlockAlong 12/1/14

I've made a little progress on 

my

Choose You Own Block Along

My hope is to make the 

blocks in Tula Pink's City Sampler book, "100 Modern Quilt Blocks" 

starting with #1 and going in order to the end.

Last week I showed 1-5.

These blocks are addictive and fun.

I am keeping them scrappy 

and

organizing my scrappy mess as I make the blocks.

Here are my finished blocks for this week:

Looking at the pictures and the blocks I have made is such a thrill.

I am just storing the blocks in the book.

Each end of the book has a flap to keep your place and it just so handy to leave the 

blocks tucked into the book.

I'm not quite ready for the design wall.

Rene' has made some progress this week.

Did you find any great black Friday deals.

I did.

lol

Choose Your Own Block Along 11/24/14

Counteract Crazy

This time of year is absolutely nuts at work for me.

Everyone needs their hair ready for the holidays.

So when I have a few hours to myself

a block or two five is a great way to escape.

This book has been on my list for awhile.

A couple of weeks ago

Carla over at Grace and Favor 

posted about some blocks in the book and joining a block along.

Over the weekend I jumped in

and

am joining 

Choose You Own Block Along

with hopes of making the blocks in Tula Pink's book starting with #1 and going in order to the end.

My plan is to use only scraps on the blocks and to make all 100 blocks

for a king sized quilt.

I need more bed quilts around here.

Check out the progress Michelle and Rene' have made and all the others playing along here.

What have you been up to?

Want to make up your own block along?

Winner - T'was the Night Blog Hop

Have you tried these?

Well, I tried one

and 

another

and 

another.

I think I like them.

They are evil

Let's announce a WINNER!!!

Two 1/2 yard cuts of fabric - Sherri Baldy's 

 Besties Forever by Quilting Treasures 

1 of the Besties

1 of the pink stripe

Congratulations

JOYCE!!

 Joyce said...

Oh, Carla, you have came up with so many beautiful things for giving. I love the towels, but my favorite is the billows. How cute these are! They would be wonderful to make and keep in the car for the kiddies. Thank you so much for sharing.
Wonderful presents received, too.
Thank you for the giveaway.

I'm sending you an email right now, Joyce.

I am off to make a blillow to show my steps to cozy goodness.

Back soon.

T'was the Night Blog Hop- Quick Gift Ideas and Giveaway

Welcome to the Creatin' in the Sticks
version of quick gifts
for the
T'was the Night
blog hop.


The participants in this hop have shown amazing "quick gifts" for the season.
Check the complete schedule 
at 
Stitchin by the Lake.

Part of this hop was to swap with other bloggers - gifts which can be made in an evening.
Something that says,
"I care."

Look what arrived in my mailbox:

Kathy from Kwilty Pleasures 
 (love that blog name)
must have known I had this mug when she chose the fabrics...

A little journal to keep all my holiday lists organized and

a mug rug for a cup of hot chocolate or coffee or tea.
Thank you, Kathy, I love them!!!
The fabrics are so "me."
I went over and found Kathy's tutorials for both projects.
The Journal is here and the mug rug is here.

I've had so many visions of sugar plums dancing through my head to share.

Here are a few  you could whip up in an evening for holiday gift giving:

Want a quick hostess gift?

Just finish pre hemmed toweling with a ruffle and a little applique.

2 tea towels - 90 minutes.

I used binding to finish the other edge, but you could always just hem it.

Want a cozy gift?

Sometimes I don't have time to make quilts for family gift exchanges

but that doesn't mean I can't show up with a cozy gift.

To make one of these in 3 hours, 

I skipped the batting and just backed them with fleece or minky dot fabric.

So I call these

Blillows -  Blankets that fold into pillows.

Perfect for a car blanket or a cozy television watching blanket at 42" x 58"

and great for family gift exchanges.

When you just can't cut into that special fabric
make a blillow.
When you cuddle up with one there is a pocket to put your feet into.
BONUS!!

I will do a tutorial for these, but if you are in a rush - do a search for quillow on the web and you will be happily surprised by the number of tutorials that are out there.
So I'll just add another.
*grin*


Want a gift for a stitcher?

How about a teapot pincushion?  About 2 1/2 hours for these.

This free pattern was the inspiration, although

 I changed the handle, spout, size and added a ruffle. 

(so it's quite different).

I used Madame Samm's tutorial to make the little pins, although mine aren't as fancy as hers.

You will see one of these at your next stop on the hop... 

 From This To That 

Looking for a trendy unisex gift?

You can always expect the unexpected from me ;)

Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the movie, turns 50 years old this year

and to celebrate, Quilting Treasures has a line of fabric, 

Rudolph - 50 Years and Still Glowing

I used one of the fabrics to make a hanging deer head.

You can make your own with this free pattern from Charming Doodle.
This is a quick project with only 5 pattern pieces and about 3 hours of time.

This one is going on my wall at work
I just can't give it away.


Don't worry

 I didn't forget the other reindeer...

Olive!
She was made for my niece who is walking 60 miles to raise awareness for breast cancer this weekend. This is the 7th walk she has participated in this year.  That's 420 miles walked this year.
I have a special reason for making her a pink buck.
But more on that in a different post to come....

The deer heads can be made in miniature for great ornaments.

The one on the right is in OU - University of Oklahoma fabric for my dad.  He is one of those sportsman with real deer heads hanging everywhere.

(I'll stick to the fabric ones)

How about a gift for you?

Sorry, giveaway is over.

Fabric - Sherri Baldy's 

 Besties Forever by Quilting Treasures 

that I used for one of the blillows.

I was lucky enough to receive two 1/2 yard cuts to giveaway to one lucky reader.

1 of the Besties

1 of the pink stripe

Just leave a comment to enter.

I will ship this anywhere and anyone can win.

Giveaway ends Saturday at 11:00 pm Eastern time.

Winner will be announced Sunday, November 23rd.

Many of the above projects have already found new homes 

The deer heads are very popular with my loved ones and I have at least 2 more to make...
I only thought I was ahead of schedule...

Have fun creatin' quick gifts this holiday season.
I still have so many visions dancing in my head
 and
 have a few still on the workbench to share
so come back soon.

Now Dash away, Dash away, Dash away all

to the other blogs sharing my day.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Quilt N Queen

I Piece 2 Mary

                                                              Kwilty Pleasures  -Kathy made the journal and mug rug for me

                         Creatin’ In The Sticks  -You are here

                                                 From This To That  -See what I made for Bobbie

Sew Me Something Good

Gracie Oliver Arts

Leaving comments is like blog candy and always makes a blogger smile.

Please leave them sweet treats.

For the highlights of the hop check the Pinterest board

Thank you Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt and Marlene at Stitchin by the Lake for putting this blog hop together and giving us all the gifting spirit.  

You two are the best elves of all!

A Photo or Two, I just have to share

LOVE.

There are more to share, but this is a moment I will never forget.

Part of the photos are finished and the album can be viewed (for now) by clicking on the photos.