Christmas is Coming?!?!

Oh, man, Christmas is coming so quickly. So many things I want to make, and well, just not enough time. If I were a more seasoned crafter it may not be such a problem, but since I feel like I need to make a "test" version of most of the gifts I want to make, it's taking me twice as long.

But, I finished up one of those test projects last night - a very cute purse (pics to follow.) So, I just need to go pick up the fabric for the gift & I can get started on that one. Nana wanted me to knit her a sweater, but I just don't see that getting done in time...I haven't written it off completely as her gift just yet, but I'm thinking that I may embroider some tea towels for her instead. Nate suggested that I embroider a Corvette on them...although this may sound completely silly (since she is 91) but she does have a lovely jean jacket with a rhinestone Corvette on the back. I love that crazy lady!

The Weekender Travel Bag

My bag is done... if I only had a weekend getaway planned! I picked up the pattern & fabric for this bag probably close to 2 months ago & was a little too intimidated by the instructions to start on it. I had cut the fabric a couple of weekends ago when I was really sick & then I didn't do anything with it. I finally decided to just go for it this weekend & start sewing. It's definitely not perfect, but I think it looks nice & will work well for me. Once again, I've learned some things while I was making it, so that's a plus.

I took the pattern & added feet to the bottom of the bag & a couple of pockets to the lining fabric...because I've never had a bag with too many pockets. Here's what it looks like:

Top:

Inside:

Sweater for the Sweetest & Littlest Girl I Know

I finally finished Elsie's sweater! For some reason it took me a lot longer than I figured a teeny tiny sweater should have, but I think it turned out really cute. I just need to block it & then it's ready for her (well, it'll be ready for her to wear pretty soon - it's still a little big):

Fall Veggies

I took a look to see how things are growing in the garden so far this fall & things seem to be coming along nicely...

CARROTS

BROCCOLI

??? (I can't remember what this is since I planted it from seed - beets? spinach? We'll see once it's ready to harvest!)

MUSHROOMS

RED ROMAINE

Puppies Putting Their Bed to Good Use

Love those pups.

Dog (and cat) Bed

Here's the dog bed I whipped up last night:



I love the fabric - I saw it at Ikea awhile ago, and once I figured out a use for it, I was super excited. I also hadn't made any buttonholes with my new sewing machine, so I figured this was a good opportunity to try that out. I used 4 buttons to secure the cover on the back of one of the ends.
Rufus & Sophie love it (while I was sitting on the couch, I was holding it in my lap finishing up a seam & Rufus actually jumped up on the couch & then proceeded to try to get on top of the pillow to lay down.) They're not the only fans though...when I woke up this morning, both Woody & Charlie were snuggled up in the middle of it.

Quilt = Complete

Finally! I'm done w/ the quilt. Done, done, done. Lots o' love (and just as much frustration) went into it. I'm glad Nate convinced me to keep making it, but I'm also glad I decided to just make it a lap quilt instead of a quilt for our bed. Maybe another time. I think I'm done with quilts for awhile. But, I am happy with the way this one turned out:



I couldn't get a very good pic of the back of it, but it's a dark green heathery flannel with orange lines through it:


Next project - dog bed.