Christmas Gifts

I made about 50% of my Christmas gifts this year. I guess if you wait until February to put them on your blog, there is absolutely NO CHANCE that your recipients will see them before they get unwrapped. I'll call that strategy and not blame it on the still-absent computer.

Michelle and I made at least a half-dozen of these. We combined the Buttercup Bag and Birdie Sling to make our own pattern for this not-to-small and not-too-big bag. I know. You want Michelle as a friend.

I made three in coordinating fabrics: this shimmery stuff, this, and the one below. The exterior is the coolest "denim" herringbone from the Wal-mart sale section. (Boo and hiss all you want; this was (said to be) made in America and just way too versatile.) I really wanted to get a glamorous group shot, but I guess I got too excited to give them all away.

My favorite part (and that says a lot!) are the tags I made at spoonflower.com.

Alicia got a freezer paper tee. I described my vision and Michelle made it better than I imagined-- are you laughing at that evil cat, too? The message couldn't be more accurate. The colors for the mystery gift were picked by Alicia, and I put them on quite deftly. I meant to put that big blob under the "E."

I won't put the picture of her puzzled face examining this on Christmas morning; I'd rather she still talk to me. But use your imaginations and then multiply the expression times two!