Two gifts are done!

Once upon a time I would have had my Christmas shopping and crafting done by now. I think shopping has become harder because most of us treat ourselves to things throughout the year and we replace items when they wear out. I have few people to shop for, but the search isn't easier. Do you find this to be true too?

Two long time friends and I go out to dinner once per month. Although we all live on the same street, Our families' activities and our returns to the work force put a stop to the casual chats on the street. Sometimes we go from one dinner to the next without ever spotting each other except for a car passing by.

December dinner dates always include a special activity. In the past we have seen a stage production of A Christmas Carol, comedic Christmas reviews, The Nutcracker, performances by the Rockettes and shopping at Canterbury Village. Next week we are going to Michigan's most famous Christmas shopping area, Frankenmuth and will be enjoying a dinner show at Zehnder's, a place famous for chicken dinners. If you've ever seen a catalog or shopped online at Bronner's, they are in Frankenmuth too and a must see if you're ever in the area.

The three of us don't exchange birthday gifts, but we do exchange gifts in December. We try to keep it simple both in size and expense. After many years of gifting, sometimes an idea for these dear ladies is difficult too. This year I made reversible aprons for them. We all cook for our families and even if they already have one holiday apron, they both have daughters, daughters-in-law and one has grown granddaughters helping out in the kitchen.

The aprons are from a Mary Mulari pattern that has a band in back instead of ties, and closes with a strip of Velcro. Because of size, I lengthened that band from the original pattern and used more Velcro than called for in the pattern, and I omitted pockets. The pattern used one yard each of two prints and called for 6 inches of Velcro.

 Here is the back closure

 

How are you coming with your shopping and crafting?

9 months early or 3 months late?

If you made some Christmas items this week, would you think you were 9 months ahead of the game (having them ready to enjoy this December) or would you admit to being 3 months late in working on Christmas 2009 projects?

I am in the latter group. 

Oh well, these items (and more to come) will be brand new for the 2010 holiday season. The candy cane is made of jumbo red and white rick rack and a fine gauge wire. I don't know the number of the wire, but it is very easily shaped. After intertwining the two rick racks, I laid the wire over it and zig-zagged by machine over the wire. A drop of Fray Check on the cut edges of the rick rack and a tiny bow almost finish the project. I will be making more after I buy more rick rack and will decide whether to leave them as is, possibly to use on Christmas cards that I will deliver to neighbors, or to add a hanging loop for ornaments. They would also be cute on packages. Hmmmm, I wonder how this would look made up as hearts for next Valentine's day, maybe in pink and white or all pink or all red?

 

 The second project yesterday was a Christmas purse. The finished size on this is roughly 10" wide, 8" high and almost 4" deep. The interfacing that I used was a bit too stiff for my liking and the purse sat open like a bucket until I tucked the sides in along their seams and pressed them with an iron. I added a button and loop closure. The larger print fabric forms pockets all around the purse, but they aren't very roomy. I will  change that if I use this pattern again. I would also make the handles a little longer. I've gotten away from long should bag straps, but I still like the strap(s) to be long enough that I can hoist the purse up over my shoulder if I want to do so. This handle is 7" tall from the top edge of the purse. Ten inches would have be better but I didn't have enough of the strapping to do that.

 

A friend of mine has been completing unfinished and never started projects that have been aging in her stash. She is my inspiration and I hope to have a few more Christmas items done by the end of the week. I am working my way backward through my pile of things to sew. I hope there isn't a baby outfit cut out and waiting for Chuck or Billy at the very bottom...considering they are both in their 30s now!

Oh, but wait...just like Christmas 2010 will be here and no one will know the candy canes and purse were originally intended for Christmas 2009, soon another little boy will be in life and I don't think he will care if a pattern is 30 years old! Two weeks from this Friday is the Little Prince's due date!