Tuesday, November 11, 2014

'Twas the Night ...

Twas the Night

I've done several blog hops over the last couple of years with Sew We Quilt!  This is the first one I've done that is more of a swap ... so fun!  Thanks once again to Madam Samm and Marlene!  Marlene is amazing and I know she spent hours (and hours) getting everything just right. (The complete schedule is here.)

There were a couple of rules to keep in mind this time around ...
1.  We were to make small gifts to be made in hours, not days.
2.  We had to mail it all off by Oct. 31 ... yes, Halloween =)

First, here is what I received from Theresa at Bumbleberry Cottage. (We need to encourage her to post about her fun projects ... if they're anything like this, I want to see MORE!)


Isn't she just precious!!  I was squealing like a 2-year-old when I opened the box.  I honestly don't know how she did this in hours and not days, but I am so grateful!  I just love everything about her ... from her curly red hair, to the pincushion and new quilting pins and finally to her perfect posture =)  I'm still trying to come up with just the right name for her ...  Thanks again, Theresa; I really do love her!


I'm usually starting on my Christmas crafting during the summer, so I didn't think this would be too much of a challenge.  However ... I had quite a time deciding what to send because (to be honest) I was a bit intimidated by Nancy and her beautiful Couer d'Alene blog.  I finally decided on a couple of tried and true gifts that we use all the time in my family ...


First, some rice hand warmers from my all-time favorite Blitzen scraps.  These are super simple and made from charm squares layered with flannel and filled with rice.  I add a few drops of essential oil (usually lavender) into the rice and mix well before I fill. We just throw them in the microwave for 30 - 45 seconds and put them in a coat pocket or at the foot of the bed to warm it up a little before we climb in =)  I use Lori Holt's tutorial here.  I also make some in the shape of sleeping masks that I keep zipped up in a baggie in the freezer and pull out when I have a headache or sore muscles; they feel sooooo good.


Next was a covered notebook.  I love me a good notebook and I figure every creative person could use at least one.  If I don't jot things down as they cross my mind, they are quickly lost forever.  I used this tutorial for the outside, and this one for the inside pockets.  I modified the dimensions for the pocket flaps to match the 1st tutorial.  Also I learned that you don't need to finish the one side of the flap as directed in the 2nd tutorial since I was flipping and turning via the 1st tutorial.  Clear as mud?


Finally I found these quick goodie bags at All People Quilt early in October.  I wanted to make some in bulk for a bazaar and figured this was the perfect opportunity to make sure I could handle it on a larger scale.  It came together with some of the last of my Blitzen scraps and I filled it with some fun Hershey kisses (dots found here from my favorite printables blog.)

Now, let's continue to get in the holiday spirit with some fast, fun ideas from these other awesome ladies today ...

Thanks so much for stopping by!

71 comments:

  1. Your hand warmers will be welcome this winter! Love the idea of the one to put into the freezer for those yucky headaches. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays!!!!

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  2. Wow - she is beautiful! And you have made some beautiful things too.

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  3. I'm glad you like her. To be honest, I'm really slow when it comes to sewing but for reason with the dolls.... I can actually make several them at one time. I don't know why unless it's because my mom was a doll maker. She would sew dolls for me. I really do love making them.

    Your journal is really great and rice bags are a great idea. I had a hard time coming up with gifts that only took a few hours too cause everything for takes more. Except for dolls. lol

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  4. I wish I had your hand warmers today, it is freezing! Very nice projects you made, and the doll you received is stunning!

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  5. I could have used one or ten of those great hand warmers today we only made it to around 18 degrees for the high. Toooo cold. Love the sweet little doll that Theresa sent you, it is just too cute. Have a happy Holiday season!!

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  6. Heather I truly Love my gifts, and I have them sitting on my Coffee Table so I can share how unique they are to my Guests!! Our temps here are dropping fast and the Handwarmers will be set to go! I just Love your New Doll!! I think every Sewer would want one~ Have a Wonderful Holiday!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  7. What a great idea those hand warmers are. Just in time too. I heard that the mud-west is in for some really cold weather and snow. (We are getting some of that cold but no snow) Your projects are all adorable and yes, you are quite lucky to get that lovely dokl.

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  8. Your doll is sewwww nice, waoh, I would have jumped like a ball in the house, such a fantastic job! I really can understand your joy! And your projects are really nice as well, I saw your cover in another post :-)

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  9. What a lovely gift you received...her dolls are every girl's dream I should think! Love your handwarmers...very useful here too when the temps drop! And like you, I use notebooks too...love the fabric you chose!

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  10. Hand warmers are on my list this year!! I love your basket and the dotted kisses--that is a brilliant idea!!

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  11. That doll is precious. The gifts you made are delightful and thoughtful. Very nice!

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  12. Adorable doll! And your projects will make wonderful gifts; thanks for all the ideas!

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  13. Those hand warmers are a great idea! The doll you received is so sweet.

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  14. wonderful ideas...love hand wamers and the chocolate kisses sack...soooo sweet and your doll welllll she is terrific at making dolls and this one gifted...MERRY CHRISTMAS

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  15. wow..she is adorable!!! as are your pieces

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  16. Great job on all of your projects!! The doll is adorable and surely Nancy was happy with your treats!

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  17. Love your sweet dolly. A nice gift. Your rice warmers can be used as rice coolers too, I never thought of that. Great idea.

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  18. Beautiful new friend for your sewing room. I agree she needs a special name. You gifts are wonderful, practical and oh so pretty in the fabrics you have chosen. Even here in Texas this morning I could use those hand warmers! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your holidays.

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  19. That doll is adorable...lucky you to have Theresa make you one! Your chocolate kiss sack is adorable and the hand warmers make a wonderful gift.

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  20. Isn't that the cutest doll from Theresa?! You'll enjoy having her sit around and encourage you as you sew.

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  21. Your gift is so precious. Love her to pieces. The hand warmers are a great idea, I've made the big ones but never the pocket size. Ideas, ideas, ideas. Great HOP

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  22. That doll is adorable! I have a daughter with red hair so that makes her even more precious to me! And I was just thinking this week that I'm going to soon need a new prayer journal....it will definitely be a fabric covered one. Last weekend we went to a ballgame and were so cold. A hand warmer wrapped up good in foil until we got there would have been so welcome - I bet it would have stayed warm for quite a while! blessings, marlene

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  23. OMG! I'd be squealing right along with you! She is a.dor.a.ble!! Your project of hand and tootsie warmers is perfect for my other half, his hands and feet are always freezing. Thank you for this super idea :D

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  24. What a sweet doll baby and your gifts are all great ideas, so glad you shared the links :)

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  25. I'm moving from warm and sunny Texas to IL, near Chicago and I'm guessing these hand warmers will come in handy. I too keep a notebook and it's saved me many times. I'll have to dress mine up. The goodie bags are perfect for many things Thanks for the link ups. Oh and your doll.... just too cute. Don't know how she does it in just hours either.

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  26. Oh, my goodness! Theresa's little doll is so sweet! What a cute little pinnie! Oh, and I love the idea of making rice bags - I'll put that on my to-do list for stocking stuffers... haha - I wondered if the kisses came that way - another great idea!

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  27. the rice packs in the freezer work for little one's boo-boos, as well. My little grand daughter can go to the freezer (bottom door) and pull out herself.

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  28. What a darling little doll!!! I really like the idea of the warmers that you made. They will be quite useful this winter.

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  29. Your little dolly is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen! What a lucky girl you are! What fun projects you have done. I love the fabrics you choose! I was a a craft show this past weekend, and they had rice bags that were very large and drapped over your shoulders...probably 2-3' wide and 18" long. They had lots of rows stitched in them filled with rice so it would drape over your shoulders. I can't tell you how many times I looked at them. I'm going to have to give them a try! It would be delightful on cold winter nights!

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  30. What an adorable little doll!
    Your rice bags and goofy bags are perfect for that sweet little gift for friends!

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  31. Hand warmers are super wonderful and to add the essential oil is a grand idea. Your little bags and book covers are wonderful gifts. Love that little doll. So sweet!!!

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  32. That doll is adorable!! I would have squealed like a 2 year old as well:) You are right that rice bags are always useful and the fabric you used is beautiful!!

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  33. What a cute doll! She's just so sweet. And lovely gifts you made also.

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  34. Wonderful gift ideas! Love your hand warmers and bag of kisses. No fair you got the cute little dolly... she is just adorable! Isn't it funny we never get over our love of dolly's? How fun that she thought to send you her as a cute gift. Enjoy her, she is a cutie! Hope you have a Merry Christmas! ~Cori

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  35. The temps are really dropping fast around here so the hand warmers would make awesome gifts. I love journals, too. I like to write things in them so I can keep up with what I am doing or want to do. Thank you for sharing today. You did a wonderful job.) The dolly is as cute as can be.

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  36. Like you I had no idea this hop involved swapping. I adore your doll you received. The gifts you sent are wonderful and very practical. Thank you sew very much for participating and hopping. Creative T'Was the Night Bliss...

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  37. What an absolutely adorable doll, sew sew cute. Your bags are great also.

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  38. what a cute doll! fun goodie bags.

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  39. The doll is adorable. How fun for you! And all your goodies are great. We love warm bags. I use them all day long, because I'm cold!

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  40. Your sweet dolly is adorable - she looks like a Molly to me:)
    I love Lori Holts' hot/cold packs- I made 75 of them in a few hours for our volunteers a couple years ago. Great fabrics - for all your projects! They just made me smile

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  41. Your doll is absolutely precious! Love your ideas. Thanks for sharing

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  42. Oh my,what cutie your gift is! I would have squeeled too! Love the little goodie bag made from scraps.

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  43. Your doll would make me squeal with delight too ! What great fabric you used to make your bag and goodies !

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  44. Lovely and funny doll with a pincushion, a nice friend to sit in your sewing room,
    always reminding you about this wonderful hop ☺
    I like the gifts you made too, very good ideas, thanks for sharing!
    Bente

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  45. What an adorable doll! I'm not sure who would squeal the loudest: my 5 yr old or me! And I love the idea for those goodie bags! No more ugly plastic or paper ones!! Merry Christmas, Heather!

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  46. The little goodie bag is wonderful. Did you decide it was doable on a large scale? The ribbon handles are a nice simple touch. Now those lavender/rice warmers are a fantastic idea! I love those things, I have those things, but I never thought of making them! Fab!

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  47. Love your projects....I've always thought I would make a rice warmer and not sure why I haven't tried...I think you may have inspired me. And what a cute doll....we're all little girls at Christmas don't you think?

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  48. I am in need of hand warmers tonight and it isn't even Winter, yet. I will certainly be borrowing your idea for those. What a darling doll! I, too would be squealing in delight if I were gifted that cutie. Very nice projects...love them all.

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  49. I love your doll. Shes is precious. The bags you made are so neat. Happy Holidays.

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  50. That doll is too cute! I know I couldn't sew one up in an hour, she did a great job. I love all your goodies as well. I've made quite a few of those small goodie bags and I love them. 24 in one evening one time. They are quick and fast and yours look fabulous. Great job on all your projects!

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  51. Great ideas. I like the rice bags for hand warmers. We use something similar for sore achy muscles.

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  52. You received an amazingly cute gift! I love the little goodie bags! Nice work!
    -Brittany

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  53. Gorgeous doll, I an sure you will have her named soon. Love your projects. Hand warmers a must for older hands. Love the idea of a journal cover( maybe it would brighten up my "budget book") Have a Merry Christmas.

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  54. The sweet little doll is absolutely the cutest!!! Before I started quilting, I made dolls and bears...that was 15 years ago, seeing this little sweetie is making me want to make dolls and bears again. Your gift ideas are wonderful....rice bags for hand warmers are awesome!! Thanks for sharing your quick gift ideas!! Happy Holidays!!

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  55. Wonderful! I'm so impressed with all the different ideas people have for quick Christmas gifts. And then...to share them with another blogger...brilliant. The doll is adorable and how great is it that she holds a pincushion, too.

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  56. Great idea making warmers. I smiled at the Hershey kisses!

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  57. The doll you received is adorable. I love the idea of the mask filled with rice and will be making one for myself. Thanks for the idea!

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  58. Ooo, a goody bag! Thank you for that, I need more bag ideas. Your doll is precious, maybe she could be named Precious! Or Sally. Hahaha, I'd have a difficult time picking out a name as well. Great idea with the essential oils in the rice, thank you for sharing!
    ~Brandy

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  59. The doll is wonderful! Great gift.
    You made lots of projects perfect for gift giving! I love notebook covers.

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  60. Lovely gift ideas, Heather. I love that you make the hand warmers from flannel (how cozy!) and add drops of essential oil (mmm... would smell so good). Thanks for sharing such cute and useful gift ideas!

    Oh, love that doll - she's so sweet!

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  61. Everything is stupendous, Thanks so much for sharing your great ideas. I would have squealed too if I received a doll like that. So many ladies here make such cute dolls. I need to learn. Your goodie bags and warmers are a great idea to whip up quickly. I think I will give them a try. Thanks again!

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  62. Your doll is sooooo sweet! I could just squeeze her! Thank you for sharing your quick gift ideas with us... The hand warmer is something I need... my left hand has some arthritis in it and the top can hurt like heck sometimes.

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  63. She is just delightful..and your gifts are very wonderful useful items to have thanks for sharing.

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  64. So cute.. Especially the Hershey kiss dots. Wonder if they would last long enough to be decorated at my house?!?

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  65. Your gift is sew sweet and your ideas for gifts are lovely. Thank you for sharing in the hop ... :) Pat

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  66. Lots of really cute goodies there. Nicely done.

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  67. You have been a good little elf :) I need one of those rice bags. I go to bed many nights with an ice pack. I just made a draft stopper for my daughter stuffed with rice. I have some left over rice I could use! Thanks for sharing your goodies. Janita

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