Project 54 Place-mats

As part of my stash busting efforts, thought it was a good idea to make a few sets of place-mats as Christmas gifts. Original and personal gifts using African batiks. If then the recipients would not like them, well then they could either give them back and I would gift them elsewhere, or they could gift them to someone would appreciate them. It turned out my SIL liked the two sets I made her (2 green and 2 pink). The two for her daughter will find their way in February as she did not make it to her grandparents' house this year.

I finished them in time, wrapped them and then realized I had forgotten to take pictures. So I ended up unwrapping the smaller package to take pictures, rewrapped them, thinking I would take the other pics the 24th at night. Only to forget again and asked my SIL to take a few pics.

The place-mats are my contribution to OMG December of Patty at Elm Street Quilts.

I started making place-mats for ourselves using Christmas, and finished the top sides. And then my machine started acting up. The pedal became very hot and started making sizzling sounds. Not a good sign I think. Had to abandon them. I demonstratively put them in a plastic bag along with the remainder of the Christmas fabric .... something for next year. Next steps: bring away my two sewing machines, one is in desperate need of a servicing after 25 years and a repair of the pedal that stops and goes as it pleases, the second also needs pedal repairs ..... as I am not comfortable with a sizzling pedal. Are they telling me it is OK to go look for a new machine that allows for quilting ....

Project 53: Sock knitting bag

I always carry a craft-on-the-go project with me. Since I have discovered sock knitting is has become my favourite on-the-go craft as it is small and relative easy to take a long, not much thinking required other than for the heel flap and turning. I have this little mesh bag from WoolWare house in which some sock wool was delivered. It is not meant to drag my knitting in everywhere and the seems came unraveled. Yesterday I repaired the little bag and was thinking that I needed a bag to carry my knitting around. And I knew exactly the bag I wanted to make. This time around it was much easier, the first time I made this bag was back in January. It was a bit of a puzzle. Now it went rather quickly. The bag consists of three squares of 35 cm each in different fabrics and three squares again of 35 cm each in one colour for the inside. The handle is made in a different colour. And my knitting project fits perfectly in it.

I am submitting this colourful bag as part of the bag-it 2017 hosted by Patty of Elm Street Quilts.

Project 52 Bread basket

Months ago I bought a wired basket to keep the bread in, all it needed was a fabric basket to decorate it and keep the crumbs from going all over the kitchen. This "all" took forever. If it wasn't for the bag-it challenge from Elm Street quilts, I don't think I would have made it this year. In the end it did not take me a long time to make the breadbasket using the pattern from ESQ. It has some glitches as this was the first time I tried to make a basket. The next ones will be better, for next year aim to make a few, smaller ones though.

I used African fabric from my stash (Woodin) for the outer side and brown cotton for the inner-side. I used batting to give the basket some thickness and end up doing some FQM to make the basket a bit sturdier.

I am submitting this for Patty's bag-it challenge (just in time).

10 December

Project 51 Scarf for Slava

Slava lost his scarf, the one I made him last year. Nowhere to be found. Lucky for him I have a stash of left over yarn from my harmony blanket as well as some other yarn rests. Knitting the scarf on the bond was the fastest part, weaving in all the ends took some time. He is happy with his scarf keeping him warm.

6 December

Project 50 Quince Jelly

It is no secret that I enjoy making jams, jelly I don't make often though. I was given a few kilos of quinces and did not look forward to peeling them. To make jelly one does not peel the quinces, merely quarter them and remove seeds. The jelly is quite easyt to make, boil the quartered fruit in quite some water, filter the juice and cook with sugar. As I had too much juice (4 kilos)I froze a part. the fruit pulp also went in to the freezer and will be used to make fruit snacks and compote

One Monthly Goal December Christmas gifts Place-mats

Christmas is around the corner, gifts are needed and I still have a stash of fabric. Hence hand-made gifts it is this year. Thought to make place-mats (read mini-quilts) as they are fun and relatively easy to handle with my sewing machine. I had ordered a quilt Christmas book, some models I will not make - ever - others are good for inspiration. I need to make 4 place-mats for my SIL and two for my HB niece who needs to fit the gift in her suitcase.

My goal for OMG December from Elm Street Quilts is to make thus two sets of place-mats using my African batiks.