I like Christmas fine, but I'm glad it's over! And 2015 is not far behind!
I have done a bit of sewing, as well as some other stuff. Let me catch you up.
TOC:
- Greedy Gift Grab
- Silk Zipper Pouches
- From a Dress to a Top
- Christmas Eve
- Diane Keaton
- LoriAnne Pattern Collection
- Elfriede's Fine Fabrics
- "12 Days of Christmas" Sewing Photo Hop
- Happy New Year!
As you may remember, I participate in a Greedy Gift Grab with some talented sewers every December. This year was no different. (In fact, Jillian posted about the GGG. If you click on the group photo in her post to enlarge it, you'll see me hiding in the back.)
This year I gifted a pair of red Bohin scissors and a black Zirkel magnetic pincushion. Once again, I wrapped my offering with some battery operated Christmas lights, this time in a glass bowl.
I received a gorgeous hand knitted cowl!
A few years ago I purchased a bag of silk remnants from a tie manufacturer, and I decided to use them to make zipper pouches as Christmas gifts. I have now given all but one of them away, so I can share.
My daughter needed a holiday top, and was having trouble finding one she liked. On my suggestion, she purchased a dress and I shortened it to a top. It was a lined top, but it was a fairly easy task.
I celebrate Christmas with my daughters on Christmas Eve. I like to find somewhere interesting to spend our evening. Two years ago, when my youngest was in Thailand, my eldest and I spent Christmas in a tree house. This year, I booked a yacht in Sausalito. Unfortunately, the day before our celebration, my eldest had her wisdom teeth removed due to an infection. That dampened her plans a bit (pain, swelling, and zero alcohol allowed), and I had to change our menu around, but it was still nice!
DD1 gifted me with a gorgeous wooden salad bowl and a necklace, and DD2 gifted me with a great hat. I'm sure both wearables will make an appearance at some point.
On Christmas afternoon, I went to downtown San Francisco to see Star Wars. I had purchased my ticket a month ago. Guess who stepped into line just in front of me? Diane Keaton! She smiled at me and said "hi", no doubt because my eyes were open wide and my brain was racing—I was asking myself if I was really looking at Diane Keaton.
But it was!
The theater was a chaotic zoo, and everyone else was completely oblivious to her, which gave me a sense of unreality.
Have you heard of the LoriAnne pattern collection?
I discovered her line of patterns last year at Puyallup Sew Expo and I got on her mailing list. She sent out an email recently asking people what kind of patterns they wanted to see, offering a free pattern to those who responded quickly. I sent her an email, quick like a rabbit, and was one of the winners. For my free pattern, I chose her Encore jacket.
(By the way, the brochure for Puyallup Sew Expo 2016 is now available. However, it turns out that I will not be attending Sew Expo this year. I have a conflicting work event.)
If you've tried one of her patterns, I'd love to hear about it!
After I posted my wool vest, it was pointed out to me that Elfriede's Fine Fabrics, in Boulder, Colorado, has this fabric in a few color ways. As of this writing, they have it in purple, blues and browns, rainbow colors, and black, grey, white, and brown.
I definitely recommend this fabric! And, one day, I hope to visit Elfriede's in person!
"12 Days of Christmas" Sewing Photo Hop
Finally, Rachel, of House of Pinheiro, hosted a 12 Days of Christmas photo hop on Instagram at the beginning of December. Why do I keep participating in these? They are sort of addictive, though I think I need a break after this one.
It feels like we have arrived at a time where peace, love, and understanding have never been more sorely needed. Here's to a more serene and caring 2016!
