I am getting a lot of sewing done lately!  Yeah!  The last two fridays I went to E's house to hang out and sew, her friend also comes.  And guess what?  yes, I am starting gifts for Christmas 2012.  This year will be quilted  demin hot pad holders (decision made), something I made about 5 years ago, but noticed my bother in laws are wearing out and he loves them (to the point of requesting some for his sons last year).  They are a little time consuming but worth it, I have finished 5 so far.  Ornaments are still on the thinking about what to make list.

I finished a third square for my crazy quilt and now have 16 squares.  After laying them out on my bed yesterday, it looks like 4 more are needed.  I don't want it to hang over the side, just to lay on the top.  It will be for decor, either folded at the foot of the bed or spread out.  I am not going to go to nuts and embroider every seam, but yo yo's might show up.

I had a great time with the girls and am glad they include this "old" lady!

Amazing!

Instead of being overwhelmed with down sizing the whole house, I am using a pinterest idea of  '100 things'.  Two days ago I finished my 2nd 100 things and today was my 3rd 100 things. This all came from our main living spaces NOT the frightful abyss downstairs.  Tomorrow I will deliver 4 sacks to donate, a small amount went into garbage and garage sale boxes.  This is exciting and so easy to 'feel' the progress! 

I started a different pattern/look for a jean bucket that came from pinterest also.  It's half done so I will post on it later.

Denim Re-use

What have I used denim for!  A list of things I have made over the years:

• Purses, 4 styles - lined (sold a few, too)
• Coin purses - lined  (from back pockets)
• Rail fence quilt (UFO)
• Circles quilt - with frayed (started, a while ago)
• Heart wall hanging (gift to brother)
• Pocket wall hanging
• Vest, strip pieced
• Toy carpenters apron for toddler
• Organizing hanger for a child's bed
• Round purse (experiment)
• Heart shaped drink coasters - sets of 4 (gift)
• Flower (experiment)
• Backpack (stolen from my car)
• Chair covers - stapled over previous one
• Pillows, 2
• Picnic blanket, large triangles (gift)
• Soft 'buckets' - stay upright when full 
• 'Sleeve' to hold plastic grocery bags

My projects have come about from necessity, I love to sew and tight incomes do not leave room for personal  interests.  Since this happened off and on during the kids young years, they came first!  Friends started giving me their cast off jeans, I could turn to sewing with a little creativity without the guilt.  And recycle, which I am passionate about!  I have 3 of the large garbage bags full of jeans still.  My newest  project find is the 'buckets', I absolutely love them.  Gave 2 away and have one myself.  Will need to make more, because I am going to store sewing and knitting supplies in them.  The 'jeans' are the inside with pockets and fashion fabric on the out (found the instructions on the internet),  been looking for a new ideas lately.