i’ve got holiday projects on the brain. WIPs i’ve gotta get done in time to ship for christmas, projects i haven’t started that i’d like to finish in time to give as gifts, and projects that help me get in the cozy winter mood (even though our daytime highs are still reaching the 80s on a mostly-regular basis).
but the same few questions keep running circles in my head. how much is too much? how do i balance crafting with baby raising and (oh yeah) looking for a job outside the home? will my giftees really appreciate handmade? what the heck do they want anyways? (my immediate family doesn’t exchange wish lists until thanksgiving, which leaves sadly little time for crafting up wonderful gifts!)
but i’m not the only one who’s already thinking about christmas projects. i remember at least a few months ago, standing in the cutting line at the fabric store and the gal behind me mentioning how she had ALL of her christmas sewing DONE for all of her 20 something kids and grandkids! crazy!
since we’re not all that fast, and since there’s always WIPs to be found, click on the WIP button above to see all the lovely projects linked up with Lee over at Freshly Pieced!
while i’ve got you here, feel free to check out what i’ve got cooking on my crafty workbench (sorry for the lack of pretty pics!):
prepping:
this is a new section i’m adding for projects that i plan to start soon-ish. i’m hoping it’ll be a way to keep my “fresh” (and now renamed as “mixing”) section as a “new project” section instead of “everything that sounds awesome that i’m hoping to start this week” section. really, if you want to see the “everything that sounds awesome that i’m hoping to start this week” list, you should just go check out my pins.
– advent calendar – i’ve seen a few different ideas for these, but this one from So You Think You’re Crafty is actually the first one that made me think i SHOULD make one; and since my Hubby’s German, and his family keeps this tradition alive, i think this could be a fun tradition to carry on with our Little One
– marble crinkle maze – as seen on pinterest (except i plan to add the crinkle feature), i think this would be a great game for our next plane ride with the LO
– handprint ornaments – also inspired by a pinterest find, or maybe this pin instead, i’d like to have these ready to give for the upcoming white winter holiday
mixing:
– nothing new this week
simmering:
– sampler quilts – using pinterest for a lot of amazing inspiration, i’ve started making 3 (that’s right, THREE) small sampler quilts that will hang from the bottom of my workbench to help hide clutter; more details here and here; i plan to add a little chart here with the block designs listed for each quilt and a check box for me to fill in when complete! but here’s the start of my first block:
– cathedral window pillows – nearing the finish line! 2 are totally complete, and i brought the last 2 pillow cover fronts with me on a nice long car ride last weekend; it was the perfect time to finish up all the hand-stitched cathedral window borders! now i just need to add the envelope closure backs and stuff the covers with the pillows!
– doll quilt – this one i mentioned earlier this week; the binding is machine attached on the front with 2 sides hand stitched on the back; almost done!
ready to serve:
– nothing this week
back burner:
– BSUQ – a quilt requested by my Hubby, how could i say no? still no progress, though, as i’ve been working on the cathedral window pillows (that i’d like to finish for the holidays); since the college football season goes past the new year, i’ve still got time if i want to get it done this season!
– Comforter Q – i keep thinking about this one because i’m so excited to finish off the last couple of blocks and get them all squared up; after that it’s time to play with the layout!!
– memory game - about half the pieces are pretty much done except for tucking loose threads away; i’ve finished about 3 pairs of these and the LO seems to like grabbing at them and trying to eat them
– Hubby’s tailored shirt – no progress, still need to hem the bottom
totals:
new – 0
complete – 0
total in work – 7
what are you working on?
Paper piecing….looks great so far! Wow, you have a lot on the go.
I like the colors in your summer sampler. I’ll bet it will be gorgeous when it’s done!
Mary
http://www.quiltgenius.com
Don’t feel bad, I’m sorely lacking in completed projects for the holidays too. I’ve got that marble maze on my list of things to make, I like the crinkle feature! I might have to add that to mine too! Good luck getting it all done
ooh – Love the colors in those blue/green diamonds!
the beginings of your sampler quilt looks bright & cheerful
I have been wanting to try a cathedral windows quilt, but have been hesitating making it as a full size quilt. maybe I will follow your lead and make a pillow 
I love the great, bold colors in your paper piecing!
Great paper piecing!
my wip wednesday posts are so long and intricate that i need to add them to my wip projects list. i think i have 15 projects in the mix right now. how much is too much, indeed. good luck with your list!
I like how you section out your WIP post.. very creative! And I know what you mean about deciding what to make and such. I have a brother who I love dearly.. but a handmade quilt just wasn’t going to be understood by him for a wedding gift — so I went the more traditional route and focus more on making stuff for those who enjoy handmade. Best of luck with your Christmas sewing!
Can’t wait to see your advent calendar – I love advent calendars, have lots of fond memories of them growing up. Good luck with your holiday sewing!
Balancing everything…. I don’t think anyone has the answer for that
Good luck!
Your idea of samplers on your sewing table is brilliant and the blocks so far are lovely.
paper piecing terrifies me! good luck!
Something is always brewing for me.
RIght now I’m sewing up 2 hotpads…..but since I have to sew in the living room I am sewing on commercials.
I think the idea of doing sampler quilts is really good… I often start new projects because I’m curious and inspired by something I’ve seen online and then struggle to finish the quilts because I get a bit bored with it after having don 2 or 3 blocks
I love how you used cooking words. So many fun projects.
Oh I must try Cathedral Windows one day – good luck with your list!
He hee, love the cooking ‘process steps’. Your sampler’s looking good, I’m determined to tackle it in the new year
Sampler quilts are good practice. I have one that I never finished, though….
Good luck with the samplers – they’re rather addictive, aren’t they?
I really like the way you designate each of your categories! Like the way that blue pops in the sampler.
I love your layout for WIP Wednesday! I am with you on everything you said in your first paragraph, trying to balance everything is always so difficult!
I am very in interested in which Advent calendar you end up making; I have been wanting to put together one for a very long time. I love this time of year crafting and making things for Christmas, the hand ornaments are an excellent idea for us for next year (We have a little girl due in February). I am going to add it to my pin board too! lol.
PS. Check out Sew Mama Sew for a advent calendar pattern. I saw someone on another blog make theirs from that pattern and it turned out super-cute.
[...] You’re Crafty is actually the first one that made me think i SHOULD make one; last week, Shanna suggested i check out this quilted one from Sew Mama Sew and i think i may have found my [...]
[...] Think You’re Crafty is actually the first one that made me think i SHOULD make one; but then Shanna suggested i check out this quilted one from Sew Mama Sew and i think i may have found my [...]