more Christmas gifts

I am still working on Christmas gifts.  My stitching slowed down after the holidays but I keep going.  Kind of like a very slow Energizer bunny.  I have added other projects and energy has been low.  But I had an unexpected day off due to ice.  So I got pajama bottoms for the Tall Short Person done. 

I started with two flat twin cotton sheets.  They were the stripe and the stars in one with a little bit of sky blue.  I was able to get three pairs of pajama pants out of them with a little piecing. The tall short person requested that they would all be long.  She actually wears them.  I actually asked if she liked this fabric about three times because it just felt like it got brighter and brighter!

Each pair is very unique.  But now I need to keep my eyes open for next year.  She would really like skulls, or skeletons, or Jack and Sally from Nightmare before Christmas.  The flying takeout boxes from last year worked though!  She is a strange child.

I will see what I get done tomorrow.  If I take another two hour nap like today it may not be much but my lungs feel heavy so I have a feeling healing is going on.  Better to do that with sleep then other things.  I only have a very long list!

My name is Viktor!

This is the last of the kid gifts.  As I said previously, my creativity when it comes to normal looking dolls or bears or such is really not great.  But let me do a monster or strange type creature?  Very cool!  I went through my scrap pile and came up with a black corduroy and a cool grey blue green cotton.  I layered the cotton on top of the corduroy and stitched it down to give the body of the creature some interest.

I then went back into my scrap pile and used a tattered cashmere sweater, ribbons, and leftover pieces of a different cotton for the hair.  I sewed the body together with the hair inside.  Turned it.  Stuffed it and added red and purple eyes.

My name is Viktor (with a good thick Transylvanian accent).  I have red and purple eyes that will see through all!

And outrageously gorgeous hair!  (Yes, he is little bit vain).

I live in this faboooolous birch tree bag!

I enjoyed making him.  He has lots of character!

rag dolls

At the last minute are plans changed for Christmas.  My Beloved's grandmother is not doing well so we traveled to his parents' home.  She does not live far from them.  But this meant we had to reconsider gifts, especially for his sister's children.  I truly feel if gifts are to be given it is all about the short people.  

The youngest is very into Disney's Cars.  Months ago I had found panels that would make him a small quilt in that theme.  I had everything else around the house so it was a fast stitching.

I decided on rag dolls for the two middles.  I used a very old eight inch doll pattern that I had from years ago.  

I have always had issues with faces and hair but I think the faces are improving.

I have to admit that I would use a larger doll pattern next time.  Getting my fingers in some spots was difficult:  turning arms for stuffing and getting the legs on.  These two babies actually stitched up quite quickly.  Twelve or eighteen inch would take more fabric for both the dolls and the clothes but they would be easier to make.   My Beloved thought it was scandalous to put a picture of them here naked!

Now the hair.  I am still not happy with it.  I used old cashmere sweater pieces that I was going to card into fiber to respin.  One short and one long haired because that is who they are.  

I made pillowcase dresses for them.  I think they were rather strange looking baby dolls so I am not going to be offended if they are never played with.  Just not my fortier but they keep getting better!

I did make bags for each of the babies and put a purple ribbon shoulder strap on each.  I find bags appeal to all people and they just may get used.

More Christmas

I am still stitching presents.  I will be honest and admit to always having presents and projects in my list for my loved ones.  The Christmas season is nothing new.  It is a constant (please read this with laughter because I am writing it while laughing!)

I try to make at least two nightgowns for my best friend every year.  I think I got one made last year.  She likes plain white and too the floor, just like I do.  I have been making her nightgowns for years.  

But they are plain and it is Christmas!

I had found some crazy sheets at the thrift store to make pajama bottoms for my tall short person (translation:  daughter).  I have always wondered if she wears what I make her.  Today I had proof.  She rescued my bicycle and myself from work after the heavens opened up and dumped water in buckets.  She was wearing the pink skeleton pajama bottoms I had made her last year.  So the crazy sheets should be good.

I had the thought that they might just brighten up my best friend's gift.

I made a bag for her nightgown.

All these patterns are from the same sheet.

The bag definitely brightens up the gift.  And I know she will reuse the wrapping!  Maybe as a lunch bag or something else on set.

white elephant present

Russell had a white elephant gift exchange for work.  I suggested that I make a bag for his presents.

I took four dish towels and cut them up, stitched them together, and made a bag.

We found some tool packs that came to the price limit he was told.  We always have really good luck with people liking tools for white elephant gifts or wedding gifts.

Stuff the tools in.  Is that nice or what?  There is no need to throw away the wrapping or figure out how to recycle it.  And the person who received it LOVED it!