Handmade Holidays 2013

Thanks to making the tough decision to close my shop for a bit at the end of last year, I was able to complete a BUNCH of projects that had been on my "maybe if I end up with time {HA!}" list.

On that list {in a very general manner} were Christmas gifts for close family / friends.  Did I think that would happen?  NOPE!  But...... I was actually able to find a little bit of time at the end of the year - and this is some of what I came up with!

A personalized zippered pouch and matching mini wallet (made using this Modest Maven tutorial) for my brother's girlfriend {the fabric is one she
picked out herself, and with my help sewed up a cover for her kindle.... so I knew it was one she liked!}

Three sets of hanging kitchen towels (also sold in my Etsy shop - though I really need to add in some non-holiday ones!) - for my parents, my sister & brother-in-law, and my brother

A set of two coffee sleeves for my parents (also available in my Etsy shop!)

And... of course.... the 7 pairs of PJ pants for my boys!

I also sewed our family custom stockings this year - finally - after having stashed fabric for a couple years now (that I didn't end up using!) - and after realizing we must have just grabbed a "sample" stocking for Little Man #2 last Christmas (yup... mom of the year!).  I used the Stockings With Style pattern from one of my FAVORITE pattern writers, Tie Dye Diva Designs.  Can't wait to share more pictures of those very soon!

Merry Christmas!!

From our family to yours - in our Christmas jammies! :)

The night I sewed seven pairs of pants

A little while back I made my boys some pants.  Simple, silly pants - made from mustache fabric.  Colby {my 3-year-old} LOVED his mustache pants.  He wore them for a couple days {yes, I let my 3-year-old wear the same pants for multiple days in a row}.  He then declared he couldn't wear any of his other pants because "they're not REAL".

It took LOTS of convincing.... and maybe a few idle threats.... to get him to put on pants that were not REAL.  It made me giggle.... but also warmed my heart.  He walked around looking through my bolts of fabric - picking out more favorites for all the "real pants" he expected me to make - - - for our whole family.  Watermelons for Daddy, strawberries for Mommy, more mustaches for Brendan, and "Go Beavers" for himself.

The seven pairs of pants I mention in the title of this post?  There are not watermelons or strawberries..... however, I did make seven pairs of pants... for my kiddos, in time for Christmas.... and NOT on Christmas Eve! ;-)

Yup..... seven pairs..... some matching, and one more pair of mustache pants!

We have penguins.....

{our family LOVES penguins.... the boys will be getting these pants Christmas Eve!}

Fabric purchased from a member of Fabric Crafters U Bid It Destash

.... and dinos rocking out ....

... and another pair of awesome mustache pants 

{this is the fabric I used for Brendan's original mustache pants.... and Colby LOVES it and tried to convince me I had promised him a pair from that fabric, too....}

I also made matching pants from a cute light blue flannel with trains on it - but I guess I didn't take a picture of those!

So.... I hope my kiddos don't give me the "seriously mom, clothes for Christmas?!" look!