Monthly Archives: December 2011

2011 Year End Review

Hey Chickadees!  I’m back!  Christmas is over and the new year is upon us.  This year, especially December, has not been as productive as I would have liked.  Let’s start with December.  Sadly, I did not do any sewing for Christmas presents that I had originally intended.  Although, I do have a very very very good reason, being that my Etsy shop stayed pretty busy!  I have sold 2 full felt food sets, 2 breakfast felt sets, and 1 felt fruit set.  I also had a friend request a partial food set as a gift for someone else.  Knitting wise I did have a custom order for a hat and scarf set.  This was my very first hat and it turned out great.  Unfortunately, I didn’t even think to take pictures.  All this is well and good but the biggest news this month, and actually all year, is that I sold  the 2 scarves pictured  that are going to be used for an episode of ABC’s show The Middle!!!!  The episode will air January 18th.  If you are not familiar with the show it stars Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Neil Flynn (Scrubs) and it is about a struggling middle-class family in a fictional Indiana town.  I just started watching it and it is quite funny.

As you can see, my December has been quite packed.  Can you forgive me for not having any pictures to show of cool sewing projects? I did manage to fit in making 4 tie blankets for presents this month.  That used a total of 19 yards of fleece.  I only purchased 5 yards this month, which was last minute fleece for a last minute blanket.

Year End Totals:
Fabric bought: 194 yds
Fabric used:114.25 yds
UFO’s: 5/17
Muslins: 5
 
Garments for me:14
Tops:9
Pants/shorts: 0
Skirts:1
Dresses:1
Jackets/coats:1
Accessories:0
Costume pieces: 2
Garments for others: 18
Costumes pieces: 7
Men: 7

Women: 3
Accessories:1
Gifts: 4
Santa Swap:7
 
Yarn Skeins bought:40
Yarn Skeins used: 13.25
Scarves knitted: 8
Fingerless Gloves: 5 pairs

Hats: 1
Cup Sleeve: 3
As you can see from my year end totals I haven’t sewn much at all. Compared to last year I have bought 75 more yards of fabric and used 13.75 yards less!  I have sewn 6 less garments for myself but only 1 more garment for someone else. I bought 6 more skeins of yarn and used 7.75 skeins less.  I knitted 4 less scarves but knitted 9 completely new projects.

 2011 Goals:

Well not much has changed with my goals since I did my half year review.  To be honest, I am okay with that!  This past year has been kinda busy with life things.  I am working on some new goals for 2012 that I hope to get posted tomorrow.  They are going to be different from past goals so that I can better achieve them and make some room for major life changes!  More on that tomorrow though!  I plan on spending tomorrow and Monday cleaning the sewing room as it currently looks like a tornado swept on through.



Santa Sack Swap

I know I know, I am quite behind on posting about this! Check out the awesome goodies I got from my swap partner Vickie! Why yes, those presents in front are wrapped in fabric and ribbon!  How stinking cool is that!  I would have never thought to do that but next year I will.

First the handmade goodies! She made me an apron that matches our kitchen and will get plenty of use!  A couple of project bags that I have already started using as well as a quilted and embroidered notebook, scissor holders a gorgeous table quilt.
 
Next the essentials!  She got me a bin filled with elastic, which will quickly be used, the best seam ripper ever, pins, thread, a planner, and a couple of quilting pre-cuts!  I told her that I really want to start quilting and she has definitely helped me on my way!  She also included the coolest measuring cup ever!  It is the Pampered Chef one, my friend has one too and I have wanted it for the longest time. 
 
I must say that I am quite impressed with what I was given.  I love it all!  The table quilt is probably my favorite followed closely by the project bags and notebook cover! 
Thanks Vickie!!

An Apple A Day…

I have a new addiction!  I know, just what I need right now in the midst of Christmas sewing?  Well, at work we have so many left over scraps of fabric that just get tossed in the trash. So much so that I have started making a bow a day from whatever was cut that day.  Here are the ones I made last week and this week so far. 

Everyone of them is different in size as well as fabric types.  I am putting alligator clips on the backs of them so that they can be worn as hair accessories.  I am thinking about putting them up in my Etsy shop Mae’s Garden for like $4.00 each, plus having a buy 2 get 1 free deal on them.  What do you all think?  I really want your feedback on this.