Presenting presents


Happy 2015 everybody!

I know this isn't actually my first post of 2015, but as my first was more of a necessity than a pleasure, I like to think the real business of blogging again is beginning today.  Still, I felt I needed to let my EU customers know about the changes to purchasing patterns, so it had to be done.  But let us now move swiftly on to happier subjects.  Namely, christmas presents.

These are a couple of makes that I've been keeping under my hat as they were to be gifts.  I'm not someone who generally gives many of my makes away scott free, but there are an odd few people in my life who I deem to be worthy.  Also, when your darling Mother comes and tentatively asks if maybe, if you wouldn't mind, could you possibly make her a pyjama case for Christmas, how can you possibly refuse?



So that is the first present to show you, a pj case for my Mum.  It was a lovely thing to make, I didn't manage to fit in so much sewing last year and I've been missing it.  I did agonise over it quite a bit though, so it took a little longer than it probably should.  Still, I wanted it all to be just right.

I'm very pleased with the patchwork on this one and especially how the quilting turned out.  I'm not a very good hand quilter, not ever really knowing the right way to do it but rather just jumping in and doing what I figured would work, but this turned out nicely I thought.

I got her some lovely CK pj's to pop inside too.  Really lovely light ones which I hope she'll like.  She'd better, I could so easily have kept them for me!



My other little gift was for a very special lady I know, Sam, who writes a blog you may well of heard of, Betsy Makes.  I'm sure if it wasn't for this little blogging community of ours I would never of met her, but I'm so glad I did.  She shares my crafty passion and we could gab endlessly on the subject if allowed.  So, most certainly worthy of a little handmade love.

I went for a sort of 'winter warmer' theme for her present, with some yummy flavoured teas and a pretty mug to drink them in, that kind of thing.  As is very well documented here, one of my favourite things to wear in the winter are wrist warmers so I thought a pair of those would be appropriate.  I made her a pair using my Cherry Basket pattern, just leaving off the top cross stitch this time, because the stitch on those mitts makes a lovely cozy warmer.



I used the Herriot yarn by Juniper Moon Farm yarn that I talked about in this post for these and oh my word, it is amazing stuff!  It's so soft and fluffy and yet has a sort of silky quality to it too and it's so warm.  I've made these mitts in Aran weight before, just for the cozy factor, but these are every bit as snug even though it's a lighter yarn.  I had to try them on you see, just to check the fit you understand?

Anyway, suffice to say, these very nearly didn't make it out of the house.  The pull to keep them all to myself was strong indeed so some more Herriot will most certainly be falling into a checkout cart near me very soon!  I had enough left over to whip up a little mug warmer too.  Quite a slim one, due to the nature of the shape of the mug I fell in love with but it may help keep it a tad warmer.  If not, it occurred to me while making it that it could easily double up as a baby's headband.  I'm not convinced that will make it any more useful though...

I shall have to show you the gorgeous gift I received in return by the way.  I was completely delighted by it and so will share it with you very soon.

S x




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Comments

  1. Oh poobags. I wish I'd seen your EU VAT post before I addressed the wretched business in mine. I hope I've understood it correctly. I have a bit of a mental block when it comes to such matters - there doesn't appear to be any logic to grasp onto.


    Absolutely LOVE your pj case - I bet your Mum is thrilled with it. I really must send my daughter off for sewing lessons so that she can make me beautiful presents!!! :-) Gorgeous mitts for the lovely Sam too - that colour is divine and reminds me of my favourite smoothie. Random but true.


    Heather xx

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  2. Beautiful gifts Sandra! I particularly like the pyjama case, it is beautiful!! Happy New Year! :) xx

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  3. I love the pajama case. Your stitching/quilting is beautiful. I love hand quilting and I personally love the larger running stich rather than aiming for stitches so tiny they cannot be seen. I love the white 'scallopy' thing you added - very sweet and feminine. I might have to re-create some of your ideas for a project of my own.

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  4. Such wonderful makes, especially the PJ case for your Mum!! That really is beautiful, you are a wonderful sewer and quilter from what I can see! xx

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  5. All beautiful makes, the case for your mother is especially stunning.

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  6. I think I need some of those wrist warmers in my life!

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  7. Such pretty things you've created, Sandra! I've always wanted to make a quilt, but me and the sewing machine, well, we don't really get along. But maybe a smaller project like the one you made would be a better starting point for me. Those mitts look so cozy! And I especially like the heart/button detail. I may have to steal your idea. Pinning now... ;-)

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  8. Really love your gifts, especially the pyjama case. What a lovely idea. You executed that quilting beautifully. xx

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  9. What gorgeous gifts, especially the pyjama case, no doubt your mother loved it. CJ xx

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  10. Hello Sandra, firstly can I just admire your Mum's pyjama case, it's so lovely and the quilting is wonderful. I find myself liking hand embroidery with floss the most these days. I am wearing the wrist warmers as I type - I've hardly taken them off! You are right the yarn is very lovely and does have a silky feel to it, and I'm glad I now know what yarn it is! But the best thing about them (and the cute mug warmer) is that you have made them and that's really special. My friend Sharon who you met in the football field was very impressed by your wrapping and ever so slightly intrigued by what was in the pretty parcel, I'll be able to show off to her next time we work together :o) Thank you so much for the wonderful gifts
    See you soon, Sam xx

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  11. Gorgeous gifts. The quilting is looking fabulous.

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  12. Lovely gifts - I'm sure they have been appreciated. The PJ case is gorgeous - your mum is very lucky! Have a great weekend. x

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  13. These are lovely holiday gifts. I especially like the hand warmers. That is a terrific color and the texture is wonderful. Really cute too how you added those little hearts.

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  14. Such beautiful gifts, they will definitely be treasured in their new homes :-) xxxx

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  15. I was just practicing some quilting stitches last night. I agree with you there is a length of stitch which is just right. The really teeny ones, which I can actually do, while looking amazing close up, from a distance look kind of weird and not like 'proper' stitches. Sandra's stitches are perfect, beautifully neat and compact. I must say I don't like the very large stitches that some people do though.

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  16. Such lovely gifts - very lucky recipients! Home- and heartmade gifts are the very best! Marianne xx

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  17. I'm oohing all over those adorable heart details on the mitts and mug cozy! How cute!

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