Time to get moving on gifts and things. I have been working on all such things this week.

I finished up the second clue for Indigo Way, a day after the third clue was posted. I am hoping to have some free time later this week to put it together. It is similar to the first two clues in that it is matching sets. I find that these take a bit longer to do than random scrappy pieces. I need to come up with a system to streamline the cutting that won’t mix up the order and matches.

I saw a video link for a fabric basket the other day, it was such a good gift idea, I made two. Sorry no pictures, I wrapped them up and packed them for the mail. The pattern is from Noodlehead, called Divided Basket Pattern , the video is by Jess at Oklaroots . Jess also has a bunch of other bag making videos, that are well done and easy to follow. I found one for mini box bags, and I am going to make a bunch for the people at my horse barn. I am new to this barn, and they exchange small gifts and treats. I thought that these little bags would work for dog treats or key fobs and a credit card. Mostly I thought it would be a cute way to carry around those rolls of bags for cleaning up after dogs. I have to make 16 of them, assembly line sewing for the win! Bonus that they can be made from less than a fat quarter. I needed to order zips and swivel snaps as I don’t have them in quantity.

I set up and used the embroidery system on my new 780Pro. Wow, what a difference from the last model. Much more smooth and faster, I had the speed adjusted to half and it was still moving along nicely. The first project I did was an embellishment of a horse pad. The design was one from Embroidery Library, its from a new collection that uses a light stitching pattern and a few colors. This one only has three, red, yellow and blue, but the blending and the black outline make it look like so many more.

I went on to make two candy cane holders, due to my own inefficiency, it took me about three hours to make these. I couldn’t figure out how to make two at a time in the hoop work. The second one was a lot faster, but I wasn’t about to make another one last night. I am going to try two snowman ones, and a mug cozy today. Oh, and a book mark and embroidered cards, just because.

PRESTO! its the next day. I managed to get quite a few things done yesterday. Packed up gifts and I’m posting them today. I’m a bit upset that a bunch of gifts I ordered two weeks ago, aren’t here yet. I really wanted to send them out today. Most are for adult gifts, so they’ll understand if they are late. All the kids things are accounted for, that’s a big task done.

Thinking of maybe getting the tree up and decorating a bit more today. I’ll see how much energy I have left after a round of errands and such today. I would like to get the Indigo Way block pieces cut. Also I have to put the sewing table back in sew mode. In order to embroider, I have to move my elevated desk/cutting mat and move my machine out of its cut out area. Not to mention putting the embroidery unit away and all its accouterments.

Be Kind.