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From: MaryW
Date: 08-09-2004, 12:25 PM (1 of 21)
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Will you be making gifts for Christmas or will you be buying gifts? There is a lot of time and frayed nerves at stake sometimes when we decide on our holiday projects. Not only that, not everyone appreciates how much work, planning and time goes into even the smallest things we love to make. What will you do this holiday season? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-09-2004, 01:00 PM (2 of 21)
I make items for people who appreciate handmade items.. The others get whatever I can find in a store to suit them..I give the same people every year, so I pretty much know what everyone likes.. One man(relative) on my list is very tall and also very frugal.. So , I make him a tall man t-shirt or sweat shirt and he is so happy that I thought enough of him to take time to sew for him and also that it saves him the extra expense of going to the tall man store instead of regular dept. store.. Then, if I need something that requires his special talents, he is glad to help me out.. So, we have worked that out to mutual satisfaction and we are both happy about it..Another person on my list does not want anything "homemade". That person gets nothing handmade from me.. Then , I do the baby bibs out of the decorative fingertip towels and donate them to the Christmas Bureau or Salvation Army so the moms with babies can have a decorative item for their babies, even if they are too young for toys.. My Grands get pj's, boxers, t-shirts, sweat or fleece shirts according to what they need or want each year.. My friends and I don't usually exchange gifts, unless it is an inexpensive trinket.. I make them bazaar type items sometimes for use in the Christmas season, but I don't count that as a gift.. Aprons, scissors holders, etc..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 08-09-2004, 01:24 PM (3 of 21)
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I buy and make things for my sister....but I usually buy things for the in-laws...not this year...I'm embroidering a table cloth for them.....(hopefully..I have the fabric..now I need to get busy and finish the quilt I started, so I can embroider)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 08-09-2004, 04:33 PM (4 of 21)
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I'm making pj's for the grands again this year. I found lots of Bob the Builder flannel for the boys and lady bug and pink poodle flannel for the girls. This year I have a co worker who has asked (sort of) for sleep boxers so that is what I'll be making. Just have to find the right fabric for them. Many of my other coworkers will get homemade cookies in a reusable tin.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-09-2004, 05:11 PM (5 of 21)
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I make something for immediate family only. 3 dtrs, 3 SIL's, one sister-in-law and one ex-husband's sister that is very much part of our immediate family - I divorced her brother, not her and two grandchildren, but should have 3 by this Christmas. Sometimes I ask the kids what they would like and sometimes I just make them something. It may be sewn, quilted, painted, beaded, crocheted, etc. as I enjoy doing all crafts. This year one dtr and SIL asked for a stained-glass sunflower wall-hanging quilt after seeing the one I made myself: another dtr and SIL asked for placemats and table runner in the same pattern as mine - Lover's knot, but different colours: and the 3rd dtr wants a beaded African doll, like the one I made for myself and I am surprising her other half with a wall-hanging using pictures he took when they went to Ireland to visit his granny. The current sister-in-law requested another small wall-hanging quilt (she got a Snowman one last year) so I made her one with spring flowers on it (only one I have made so far). I was going to make the other SIL some hand towels with the crocheted top to hang on her fridge but she had a fainting spell this weekend and may have to move to a retirement home. Very sad as she is one of our favorite people and does not want to leave her apartment and independence but may have to. I may make her's last. Not sure about grandchildren yet. It is a toss up between a wall-hanging quilt (dinosaurs for him, something Egyptian for her which is the problem as I can't find any Eygptian material) or I may paint them their own Christmas plates. I don't exhange presents with siblings and their kids or friends - too many of them and we are too spread out. We agreed years ago to concentrate on our own families and just send each other good wishes. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: wifetod
Date: 08-09-2004, 05:32 PM (6 of 21)
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I can't decide on this one. Last year I made no sew fleece blankets for the GKids. I had thought about making those for each of the adult kids and their spouses but I just don't know if they would appreciate the time I would put into it. I have a great source for good deals on fabrics at the fabric warehouses in Dallas. We have at least a dozen of them over there. I would sure like to come up with something because I feel the kids have gotten too materialistic and would like to bring home the true meaning of Christmas again. Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-09-2004, 06:37 PM (7 of 21)
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I don't know what your budget is, but if you're having trouble finding egyptian fabric, here's a link to equilter's "African, Tribal and Egyptian" section: http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?catid=124&sid=31U9Hz0-mM6x925-56104300515.49 Their fabric is wonderful. Jessica photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-09-2004, 09:09 PM (8 of 21)
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Jessica: Hi, thanks for the link. They sure have nice fabric and the cost to ship to Canada is pretty reasonable. I was hoping to do a wall-hanging quilt similiar to the ones on a Sewing with Nancy show that were landscape quilts for kids. If I can't find what I want soon I may order from this company. I assume from your comment that you must have ordered from them? Thanks again Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-09-2004, 10:32 PM (9 of 21)
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I've ordered from equilter several times and always been very happy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-09-2004, 10:41 PM (10 of 21)
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Yes, I have ordered from them. I made my DH a basket weave quilt with fabrics from them. They also have wide backing in prints (I chose a black/gray paisley). It's nice to have a non-pieced backing in something other than a muslin! Good luck! Jessica photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: MariLynnTX
Date: 08-10-2004, 02:51 PM (11 of 21)
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I think I an going to make each of the ladies in my Bible Study group a machine-embroidered organdy angel. I make some of these every year, but used all I had when I was living in Friendswood (just southeast of Houston and adjoining it) the last 3 years. There are 9 or 10 of us, but then I mentioned it when we were talking about Christmas gifts at 'N Stitches meeting last Saturday a.m. and everyone said, "Oh, are you going to make them for us too, if we vote to exchange gifts again this year?" So I don't know about that: 30 angels? Of course they are pretty quick to make, but 30??? I used to sell them in a gift shop here in Bastrop...I would make about 3 dozen of either the angels, wreaths, Christmas trees, stockings, or snowmen (none of them exact duplicates) and sometimes some Battenberg angels and trees, but I'm much tireder and lazier now!! And I have to make a small Christmas stocking with her name on it for baby Michelle...all the other grandchildren (I have 16) have them and they are rather complicated in a 6" size, which is about the size I make all of the ornaments. MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: codycnichols
Date: 08-10-2004, 04:49 PM (12 of 21)
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I typically make at least a few things as Christmas gifts. I usually go by the person. (A lot of people don't like homemade items.) Last year I sewed a Christmas tree ornament for each person in my office. I've given other sewn items in the past as well as a number of things that I've cross stitched. Everyone has always seem to really like them. A lot of times though I will give something I've made in addition to something I bought. One year I gave my family all bought gifts and made them all a cross stitched bookmark with thier name on it. I think the thing is to know the person you're giving the gift to, will they appreciate all the time and effort you put in or will they think you gave them something you made because it was "cheap". Another thing is to plan in advance. I always end up with projects I'm finishing in January that were really intended to be Christmas gifts 
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User: codycnichols
Member since: 06-16-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: Liana
Date: 08-10-2004, 06:52 PM (13 of 21)
| For this Christmas I think I'll sew some kitchen gloves for the ladies I know and I'll finish a nice sweater for my husband. Useful things, huh? |
User: Liana
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 18 |
From: MartySews
Date: 08-12-2004, 06:44 PM (14 of 21)
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Again this year, I'll try to tackle making Christmas gifts. My brother was pleased with his fringed fleece scarf that had his initials embroidered. However, this year, I'm thinking of eyeglass cases or holders for cell phones and digital cameras for the guys. By adding an embroidery design to the front, it should make them extra special. The girls in the family will get placemat and matching napkin sets. Mom will get a travel sewing organizer. All of these are quick and easy to make with minimal stress. My 5 yr old niece will get a special angel ornament from my embroidery design collection. I think all will be pleased. This is what I have planned for my Christmas sewing. I'll save the garments for myself. I have already cut out 3 tops and 2 pairs of pants plus a beautiful dark purple velour dress. Now to get all of this sewn. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: MariLynnTX
Date: 08-12-2004, 07:07 PM (15 of 21)
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everyone has decided on an agenda! I am so much less motivated than I used to be! And a lot tireder...also I am spending a week a Jon's & Melissa's and then the week of Thanksgiviing in Arizona with my son Jay and his wife Christian. I will come home and likely do nothing for several days because I am also much lazier than I used to be! MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: Liana
Date: 08-13-2004, 04:46 AM (16 of 21)
MartySews, thanks for the idea with the holders for cell phones  I think I'll use it, as I know some people here who would love those. Thanks again
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User: Liana
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 18 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 08-13-2004, 01:33 PM (17 of 21)
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I like that idea of cell phone holders, too. I am very bad at remembering to carry it with me, and even worse about not turning it on. My children keep pointing out that it doesn't do much good to carry it around without turning it on! I've decided to go with the angels for church friends, and I am going to make cooling neckcloths for a lot who love to work in their yards in summer, and perhaps cell phone holders. Now I have to get clothes together to take to Friendswood Sunday for a week's stay there. And tomorrow a.m. is 'N Stitches meeting. Have fun! MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: Liana
Date: 08-13-2004, 05:57 PM (18 of 21)
The first cell phone holder will be for me, as I, too, don't carry it with me unless I have a bag  and the next will be for my parents because they, too, like to work in the garden and must have the phones with them. Nice idea , thanks again.
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User: Liana
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 18 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 08-13-2004, 06:24 PM (19 of 21)
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Well, Liana, the cell phone holder was your idea in the first place! So thank you, too. MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: SBEAR
Date: 09-16-2004, 08:13 AM (20 of 21)
 MANY FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ASKED FOR CAT TOYS THAT I MAKE OUT OF LEFTOVER POLAR FLEECE AND STUFF WITH A LITTLE CATNIP. THESE ARE TINY SQUARES THE SIZE OF A SMALL STRAWBERRY, AND THE CATS JUST LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALL AND LIGHT. YOU CAN GET ORGANIC CATNIP AT WAL-MART, AND A SMALL PINCH WILL DO FOR EACH TOY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILL IT ALL THE WAY UP. YOU CAN PUT A JINGLE BELL INTO THE TOY IF YOU WISH. I INCLUDE A PRINTED WARNING TO SUPERVISE EVERY CAT WITH EVERY NEW TOY, THIS ONE INCLUDED, BECAUSE A TOY THAT IS SAFE FOR ONE CAT IS NOT NECESSARILY SAFE FOR ANOTHER. I MAKE THEM ON THE SERGER IN A LINE AND JUST CUT THEM APART LATER. YOU COULD ALSO USE THE STRETCH STITCH ON YOUR REGULAR MACHINE, MAKE THEM IN A LINE, AND CUT APART LATER. THE TOY CAN ALSO BE PUT ON THE END OF A FISH POLE TOY FOR INTERACTIVE FELINE PLAY, BUT OF COURSE FISH LINE IS DANGEROUS, AND THE FISH POLE AND TOY MUST BE LOCKED UP WHEN PLAYTIME IS OVER! |
User: SBEAR
Member since: 09-15-2004 Total posts: 31 |
From: Liana
Date: 09-16-2004, 05:11 PM (21 of 21)
| Would those toys be good for dogs, too? |
User: Liana
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 18 |
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