What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #338

On the kitchen table today, a few things ready to be traced and/or cut out. Some booties and a bib/apron for the new baby, due next month. My niece has chosen a grey and white colour scheme for her nursery and I thought these fabrics would fit.

I bought a copy of Love Sewing this month, because there was a pattern I wanted, and found it much improved. It's quite an expensive magazine at £5.99, but worth that just for the Megan Nielsen Kelly skirt (full size paper) pattern which was free inside and the cute red wool coat ornament from Posie Gets Cozy. There are lots of others, including dresses, children's clothes and festive makes.

I made this pair of cards for a class, back in October, but it was just too early to share them here. I cut the little houses on a hillside with an edgelit die, stamped a sentiment and added a punched glittery star. It doesn't get much simpler than that for mass production.

I liked the negative and, by cutting a full size mat in white, I realised I could make two cards with one cut. To finish off I embossed with falling snow and added the same sentiment as before. I do like making cards that require a lot more effort, just not at this time of year!

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers, after a missed week due to that pesky migraine. Hoping for some festive inspiration when I go visiting later. Happy Wednesday.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #330

Guess what? I actually have a desk shot for you this week.

I'm playing with my new embossing folders and dies. Coming up with a plan for next week's class. It's the first session of the month, in which we make four cards. The class is split down the middle. Half would like Christmas cards, the other half wouldn't. I always like to get double duty from my seasonal products so the answer is obvious. Make one Christmas and one birthday card from each.

Once I've finished giving myself brain ache with that task, I'll be pondering which of these fabrics to use in a little quilt for a new arrival. Gender unknown and due around Christmas time, I'd better get my skates on!

Linking up with Julia and the deskers on this sunny September afternoon.

Five Things I’m Loving This Friday ~ Handmade Gifts

Now I know not everyone wants to start thinking about the ‘C’ word just yet, but a couple of friends have been nagging asking me nicely, to start posting my lists of handmade gift ideas. You know who you are!

Apparently it is 100 days away as of today and if, like me, you would like a more handmade affair this year, then we’d both better get started.

A few friends have had babies over the course of the year, so that will be the theme for this week.

First up some very sweet baby hats. You could of course leave off the flowers and use any other colours you like, if you have boy babies on your list.

Once you’ve made the hat, perhaps you’d like some cute little shoes too. If you need something a bit less flouncy, there’s another pattern here.

Tag blankets have become very popular lately, but I wanted to find something a bit different and I think this little owl fits the bill.

If you’re looking for something a bit more practical to give to parents to be, then how about this snuggly blanket to fit in a car seat.

Lastly a beautiful baby quilt, which is actually fairly simple to make and not as time consuming as you would imagine. Inside the border strip, it is one large piece of fabric, so very little piecing involved.

Even if you don’t have any babies on your list this year, you’ll have possibly found a few more lovely blogs to browse around, that you hadn’t come across before. I’ll be back next Friday with another set of ideas. If there’s anything in particular you’d like to see, then just leave me a comment.