I decided I had to try it, so we ran off to Michael’s for a heart punch (I should have just cut them with some scissors, but I was far too excited to think rationally) and Julia punched away for me. Once I got started, I just kept going, trying out different arrangements and colors and paper thicknesses. I think I like this haphazard tissue paper style the best.

I didn’t really have anything to wrap except all the cards the kids have been making, so I made envelopes. I love them!!! Far more than is normal I think. I want to mail everything in wax paper envelopes!

My mom came to visit recently and when we visited the fabric store, she bought all kinds on fabric for me to make her more placemats with. These, of course, were needed for Valentines. The picture isn’t good in that it makes the ribbon color look like it doesn’t match. Rest assured it does in real life.

Those little bows took longer than I expected the first time or two.

I’m also trying to figure out making a doll or two…

and we’ve been gearing up for valentine’s cards. I’m working on some placemats for my mom that need to be finished and mailed cross country before Valentines, but no pictures there yet.

People told me they liked it cause it ‘took the edge off’. I never really felt like I needed anything to be less edgy I guess. Until this week. Every night around 5:30 or 6 I start feeling done and craving something. What I didn’t know, but something that would just be relaxing and (oh!) take the edge off. I’m still not ready for something real so much, but I found my own little edge-taker-offer.

A picture of trash bags??? wtf? Boring I know. I’m sorry. But I can’t resist. I’ve been trying to take six bags like this to the thrift store for about a month now and I just haven’t been able to do it. I keep looking at those clothes and seeing all that fabric potential. So much to make into something else. I’ve resisted a bit cause it seems a shame to cut up something somebody already spent time putting together, but I finally went through them yesterday and kept about two bags worth. Maybe now I won’t need to go fabric shopping for the next couple whiles. or maybe i still will.

the  gifts were well recieved

and we even got some snow which was received by some better than others,

Overall I’d have to say it was one of my favorite christmas’s ever.

This next year, I’m hoping for all kinds of good things. Like sewing and paper cutting and excercising and looking absolutely fabulous in my clothes and sleeping and just being with my family. They’re pretty awesome.

this is the tote I made my sister…first time I’ve added some little applique patches. I like them. rather a lot. but my favorite bit is the lining.

and a table runner for a sister-in-law. for some reason i did not want to make this and procrastinated quite a while, but once i finally started it was fun. i think i thought it would be hard for some reason. why i’m not sure. maybe those loooong straight lines intimidated me.

And these are some of the placemats for my mom. There are six altogether, but only two with this fabric. the place mats are double sided, so there are six of one fabric, four of another and two of this one. This wasn’t exactly intentional, but I made a slight mistake on the cutting of the fabric with four place mats and decided to go with a completely different one for the last two. This way she’ll have lots of fall options depending on how many people are eating.

Julia and Jeremiah and I have spent a lot of time in the studio making some christmas cards to send to everyone. And I do mean everyone. Julia made sure that all of the pets we know got a card.

And there must, there really must be sugar cookies at christmas.

And a little half apron. Not so sure about that bottom ruffly trim.

Joann’s is having quite the nice christmas sale. I got lots of good flannels and I’ve been making us some stockings. I’ll show you when I’m through – still have two more to make.

mmm-mm.

when he put the cup down the candy cane was sticking to his head.

And I have *loved* the daily project ideas and tutorials over at SewMamaSew this month. I can’t tell you how many of them are currently stored in my “to make” bookmark folder.