Thanks for the well wishes all week long. I haven't been getting back to comments or emails in the past few days, so please accept this as a collective thank you. Sending some love right back atcha.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Despite the coughing and cuddling and fevering going on over here, a few projects have amazingly found their way to completion. As of last night I have actual gifts to wrap. I am delirious. Lupine's big gift is finally done (!) as is Sage's. And they are cuter than I ever imagined. Just a few more loose ends and I'm home free.
Normally we wrap in playsilks that we dye in kool aide, but this year we are low on silks (having given them all away as gift wrap last year). So I needed a new plan. Inspired by Amanda's recent post on quick gift bags, I dug into my fabric stash and stitched up a few of these just before midnight. The bags pictured above were made from a thirfted vintage skirt, and I have a stash of vintage polka dots and other coordinating fabrics on hand to make a sweet collection of all sizes. I'm thinking one pattern per person (most years each child gets 3 or 4 small handmade or second hand gifts. I've strayed from that a teensy bit this year, but that's our m.o.)
You will also notice that the gifts are not under our tree, but on our bed. When Sage was little I realized that gifts under the tree for more than 10 minutes equated to some form of medieval torture to him, so we've always kept them stashed until Solstice eve. Just this morning he suggested that we "wrap fake presents" and put them under the tree. "They'll look nice and I won't be tempted to open them!"
Um, no.
So back into the closet they go (his anyway) until next week.
Dear,Rachel! I am happy that I find your blog, it is very interesting and helpful. Your girls are so nice. And i like your pictures too.
Would you send me tutorial and a pattern of gnome hat, please. I need it for happy new year party in the kindergarten of my son. I like green hat very much. What kind of material did you use? Why doesn’t it fall down? What have you done for it?
Thanks so much!
Natalya
Hello Nataly,
The gnome hat pattern was featured in Living Crafts Magazine. You can contact them at editor@livingcrafts.com to see about getting a copy. I wish I could give you one, but as I sold the design to them it is no longer mine to share.
Blessings,
Rachel
Rachel you are so ambitious. The bags are beautiful.
Lori,
It is a fine line between ambitious and bonkers. I think I may have crossed over.
~ Rachel
Hahaha well whatever it takes to get it done. I’ll be bonkers next week getting last minute things done.
Where do you get all your beautiful vintage material? I a beginner crafter and new to sewing. As always love the blog. Peace, Jen
Jen,
There are loads of great sources, mainly rummage sales, flea markets, and my personal favorite, second hand stores. Many thrift stores run a special on a certain tag color each week as well, so therein lie the super-bargains. Just look a the fabric condition, material (cotton vs poly), and size of usable pieces. Ive been known to make clothes out of linens and linens out of clothes!
~Rachel
hi rachel your vintage so beautiful nice giving idea to us.
Hi Rachel,
Realy a great post, I am going to recommend it to my friends and going to add it to my bookmarks as well..
these bags are really nice, I wish if I can send one of these as a gift to my girl friend, I am sure she will like it.. hahahaha ..
keep it up.. 🙂