Crafting Again!

I get so much inspiration from blogland and Pinterest and friends and have been creating gifts for Christmas. 

I recently discovered a newly opened quilt shop in my town and took a class a few weeks ago.  Yes, I could have made this table runner without the class, but I want to support this independent business.  I mean, I love JoAnns Fabrics and Crafts but do get so tired of that as my only convenient resource for purchasing fabric.  Find X Designs is a great little shop that stocks high quality quilting fabric, beautiful yarn and some sewing accessories.  She also is a Pfaff dealer and has a long arm quilting machine.  They offer classes in quilting, knitting and crochet and stay open a couple of nights a week so that you can come in and work on any project you have.  What a great way to meet other folks who have similar interests. 

Here is my runner that I made for myself and a second that will be somebody's Christmas gift.  Mine is complete except for the binding; the other needs backing, quilting and binding.  I was really drawn to using the black print for the binding but it seemed a little formal for me, so I've chosen a red coordinate.  I might go back and get the black though.

I know burlap wreathes have been all the rage for the last two years but I'm not one to jump onto fads.  While I love burlap, I didn't have the desire to make a wreath until last Saturday when I visited my friend, Gail's, nursery.  They have been holding seminars on making burlap wreaths and when I saw one in person, I was really excited by them.  A few years ago I had made myself a lined burlap valance for my living room out of the bleached burlap and have really enjoyed using it in the summer.  I had some of that burlap left so purchased a straw wreath form and went to work making my own wreath using this tutorial. 

My plan is to leave it up all year round and change the ribbon and embellishments for each season.  I haven't added my fall ribbon hanger to this yet and have made one of three burlap rosettes to attach to it.  This wreath took me about 3 hours to make over two evenings.  The most tedious part is cutting the 4 inch squares but other than that, it goes together pretty quickly.

My next project is also a Christmas gift for somebody.  I've been bitten by the crochet bug again and love all the free patterns and projects found on line.  Darned if I can locate the exact site I used to make this one but if you search for free crochet soap on a rope pattern, you'll come up with several patterns.  Here's my little creation complete with a yummy bar of verbena scented soap.   I'll be making one for myself and a few other people.

Somebody threw out a bent birdcage a few weeks ago and I immediately saw the potential in it.  I did a makeover on it yesterday and couldn't be more pleased with it.  I'll show you that and another make over next time. 

Right now I'm getting ready to take Pete to another adoptathon.  He needs his own home so I can save another life.  He's had a bath and looks as pretty as he's going to.  I made a little Halloween collar for him and am going to take an angel headband to put on him to attract lots of attention - wish us luck!