1 Xmas Item A Month All Wrapped Up

Good morning to all my fellow 1 Xmas Item Elves, blogging friends and to those who may be visiting for the first time. Well the 15th December is here or almost here depending where in this wonderful world you may blog from .... time for our last sharing of Christmas goodies if you are like me and still had a few more to finish off this month.

My first finish was to add 4 buttons each to these 4 little fabric baskets. They will be filled with yummies and sent home with mum, DD and DIL (and 1 for myself of course).

This is the second scissor keep I made and remembered to take a pic this time before wrapping.

What I forgot to take a picture of was 6 Christmas Cards I made with a bead tree on the front .... still have more of those on my 'to make' list. Speaking of trees, I have a sweet new ornament hanging on my tree thanks to lovely Fiona.

My 'Christmas' Swag is hanging in the dining room and I finally cleared off the dining room table last night and added some cheery red decor.

A big Thank You to all the Elves who created in the Christmas Workshop throughout the year. It has been lots of fun sharing all the gorgeous finishes big and small each month. I'm sure like me you have so many more ideas to try and I am looking forward to more merry-ment and magic in 2014.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Christmas Business

First order of business is the 2 lucky 1 Xmas Item Elves who have won a small prize. My apologies for taking a week to finally visit all your busy workshops ... so much lovely eye candy to see. I do hope you are now enjoying gathering all your goodies and wrapping ready for gift giving or decorating your homes with your projects.

After adding pics to the 1 Xmas Item page and checking my list I have some great news. Six wonderful Elves made at least one item each month from January to November. Those names went into my lovely new fabric scraps tin and .... (Bells jingling) .... the lucky winner is Noela of  Quilty Bits from the Blue Room.

These 6 names then remained in the tin for a 2nd chance and everyone else's names were also added to the tin .... (more bells jingling) .... the next lucky winner is Shez of Enjoying Life.

Congratulations to Noela, Shez and all the merry Elves who made gifts or decorations throughout the year. It's been lovely to pop over for a visit and see all your amazing projects. Big or small, many or few, every one is made with love and will bring cheer to Christmas. Thank you for being part of this happy little group and I look forward to what 2014 may bring.

Second order of business? Yesterday was the 1st of December so it was time to start wondering which boxes contained which decorations and add a little festive cheer around the house. I've already noticed some lovely trees going up and tinsel being hung so here are my little Christmas corners.

 Good thing we don't need the chimney in summer.

My little forrest.

 'Tis The Season'

Merry Christmas to all.   >^..^<

1 Xmas Item - One Month and Counting

As the 25th rolls round once more it can't be ignored anymore ...

there's only one month till Christmas.

After all my early preparation throughout the year I still feel like I've almost run out of time with projects still to finish. However I do have a couple of small gift items to share. 

Four scissor fobs have been safely tucked away so I just had to finish the last 2 on the right and 1 on the bottom. 

These little fabric baskets just need red buttons sewn at the top of each corner but did I have the buttons purchased ready?  Don't be silly .... that would mean I'm organised. One for mum, DD, DIL and myself.

Oh, you have the camera out. Is this my good side?

So the time has arrived for all the lovely Elves to share what you have been creating ready for the big event. This will be our last official month for 1 Xmas Item and once I've checked and double checked my list I'll be doing a draw for a little giveaway to celebrate a great year of decoration and gift making. I would really appreciate it if you could either leave a comment here or email me once you have posted.

If you're like me and still have a few more things to finish off, maybe we can have an extra "Show and Tell" on the 15th December to wrap things up. Hope you are feeling a little less stressed about having handmade goodies ready ... Merry Christmas and thank you for sewing along with us.

Happy 25th ... It's 1 Xmas Item Time

So who was it that turned the switch on the "wheels of life" up to Full Speed?  I'm looking forward to a little down time over the weekend to catch my breath ... after the overflowing washing basket is emptied and I give the house a quick tidy ... look out dust bunnies!

Just came home from a shopping day in town and raced outside with my Christmas Banner to take a photo before the light faded. Of course I actually had it finished at the start of the month but didn't get around to taking a pic till tonight. This will be going up in the house on December 1... when do you like to start your Christmas decorating?

I bought these cute buttons recently and added the sleigh to the left side and a reindeer between each letter.

Sometime over the weekend I'll pop over for a visit to see what my fellow elves have been creating this month. It's always fun to see all the beautiful gifts and decorations...thank you all for sharing.

Happy Christmas Sewing ... It's not long now    >^..^<

The 25th......Already?

Yes, it's here again. Time to shake the tinsel out and share your One Christmas Item for this month. I've scraped in again putting in some marathon stitching over the weekend to finish my last letter for the swag. Now to make up the last 4 letters and join them all together.

How did everyone elf go this month? I look forward to seeing all the lovely creations all ready for Christmas ... getting so much closer now and I've already noticed some countdowns about.

If you could leave a comment here when you post, or drop me an email, it would be very much appreciated. Then I'll add this months pictures to the One Xmas Item page for everyone to share.

Happy Christmas Sewing

August One Xmas Item

UPDATE to Elf Check List:  Mardi Meanderings has also added to her stash each month but was unable to post last month. Well Done!

Wow! A whirly wind just wizzed past and now it's all quiet again. A bit like my sewing really. Last weekend I was in a whirlwind of sewing and this week there's been very little to show.

Thanks to the movie 'Madagascar' on TV last night, I managed to put the last stitch in my letter "S" for my Christmas Swag.

Just one more letter to stitch and then the final 4 flags to be made up before joining them all together.

This past week would have been perfect for ice skating around to visit all the One Xmas Elves to see what you've been creating this month. Our temps dipped as low as 1 deg. C here and I heard that Bundaberg had their coldest August morning in 17 years. I took some photos on my drive to work.

 

 

 

Happy Sewing    >^..^<

Check In Time

Won't be too many days and the 25th will be here once more. I really do need to make a start on this month's stitching ... how about you?

 As Chief Elf  I would like to extend a huge WELL DONE! to the following Elves who have been able to add to their Christmas stash each month this year. A great achievement as we all know how 'things' can get in the way of our plans.

Jeanette's Place

Sisbabestitches

Enjoying Life

Gone Stitchin'

Quilty Bits from the Blue Room

Quiltmekiwi

Cheryl's Stitchings

 

Quite a number of you have only missed once which is also a super achievement! 

 

BubzRugz

Charlotte's Webb

Hibiscus Stitches

Anita's Quilts an Handwoerken

Lou's News and Crafty Creations

Mardi Meanderings

Channelbank Creations

 

 If you've been like me and found a gap or three in your stash, not to worry. We still have 4 more opportunities to add to our gift or decorations boxes.

 

Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey to get ahead with our Christmas Sewing. At times it would be too easy to think "no, not this month" but then I work out how many days till sharing time on the 25th and get crackin'.

 

Please, please, if I have made a tally error, please let me know. I try to visit everyone but sometimes it's a rush.

Happy Christmas Sewing and see you on the 25th.     >^..^<

Soft Landing?

If your merry-go-round won't slow down enough ... just look for a cosy spot, close your eyes and JUMP!

I managed to land onto my lounge chair in front of the TV (can't remember what I watched) and picked up my knitting needles. Relaxing and not having to think resulted in one finished scarf from my previous bundle of wool purchases.

Love the little baubles on the edge of this one. But wait .... there's more!

This little bundle was found huddling from the cold in my mailbox. Of course I couldn't leave them out there so they also found their way into my wool stash. Yes, more scarves :o)

Finally found a moment after lunch to pin and finish off my 1 Xmas Item for July. Not a huge task but pleased to be able to stay on track so that I can hang my banner come December.

Big thankyou to every-elf for your encouragement and friendship as we cheer each other on each month. Big or small, many or few, each item will make Christmas all the more special.

Happy browsing through the lovely July pics on the 1 Xmas Item page and thankyou for sharing.    

>^..^<

It's The 25th ... Who Am I Kidding?

I'm only kidding myself if I think I'll have finished bunting letters to show today :o) Try as I might I can't get motivated to finish off the letters by adding some ric rac and sewing them up ... maybe later?

So instead I shall share the 2 letters that I did finish the stitching on for June.

Only 2 letters to go and then I will have to whip myself into gear and face that ric rac.

I've seen some lovely makes this morning and thankyou all for sharing your lovely Christmas items. I have also been making a list and checking it twice ... gonna find out who's naughty or nice been keeping up each month. Just as an incentive to keep up the good work ... remember the number 1 rule in this group is No Stress ... make what you can when you can and any progress is a great head start on Christmas. It's also a lovely way to see all the wonderful ideas that the clever elves are busy creating. Check out the 1 Xmas Item page for this months pics.

Happy Christmas Sewing   >^..^<

Super Moon Sunday

Wasn't sure how good my camera would be at taking a night shot but this is what I captured last night.

If you're like me and didn't know what all the fuss was about, click HERE for an explanation.

Last week I swapped a day at work so that I could be on hand for my usual Chief Tally Keeper job out our school sports day. Of course that was the only day it rained so sports has been postponed. Which left me with last Tuesday at home so I was able to get the next 3 blocks finished for my Workshop Mystery Layout Quilt.

Block #2

Block #3

Block #4

Tomorrow will be the 25th for some. How is everyone going with this months' 1 Xmas Item? Do you have it finished and are waiting for the 25th to share your post or are you like me and still have a seam or two to sew?  Remember your item can be a gift to be given at Christmas or it can be something for yourself to use or decorate with at Christmas. 

Happy Sewing and see you soon      >^..^<

1 Xmas Item and a No Sew Zone!

Very little thread has passed through my needle this month except for a patch of curtain sewing on Friday with DD.  There's also been a quilt   pieces of fabric pinned to a sheet laying over a bed which last week I managed to pin and sew a few seams of an evening. With family home on the weekend it was carefully folded and put away to give more bed space.  I've tweeked it some since last posting a pic and have take one dark block out, found 2 more main fabric strips and 2 matching solids, shuffled a few squares and made a replacement block ... much more happy with it now.

Early in May I finished off the letter 'S' which should have been for April.

Then made a start on sewing the 'C', 'H' and 'R' flags but missed that goal too. Here they are cut out ready for sewing.

I think it was waaaaayyyyyyy back in April, I finished the last stitch in the binding of the wedding quilt for DS and his new bride. Don't think I shared a final picture. Instead of wrapping I placed it on their bed the next time they visited after the wedding ... SURPRISE! (I used various horsey fabrics as they both love their horses)

I've also been getting some hexie therapy with my 1/2" hexies during lunch time at work. A few petals a day and won't be long till another flower blooms.

Time to go put the kettle on and find my jingle bell slippers as I slowly make my way around all the 1 Xmas Item workshops. Do you think Santa would lend me a couple of reindeer?

Happy Sewing be it a little or a lot     >^..^<

Unders and Overs

Thankyou so much for all your lovely comments on my last Scrappy Sunday post. I love reading them and prefer to respond to each but alas time got the better of me.

I'm snowed under and overwhelmed by how much time it takes to achieve very little these days. I wake up, get through the day and go to bed so I can do it all over again tomorrow. Nothing special ... just everyday stuff and work and driving about to get there and back ... just life. My tiny little bit of stitching has been for 1 Xmas Item A Month and I didn't even make my own deadline. Never mind because I'm not. Like the Seasons I'm sure it will come round again when I can find some time to sew.

Here is the letter 'I' and 'S' for my Christmas Swag.

 

I'm slipping into my jingle bell slippers so that I can come visit all the other sewing workshops to see what has been created this month. Please leave your comment here or flick me a pic in an email so that I don't miss anyone. Hope you've been able to achieve atleast a little something to pop away ready for Christmas.

 

I'm not stressing as I've had a lovely April with all that has been going on.  Easter ... our 26th Wedding Anniversary ... Son's Wedding ... Daughter's Birthday ... local Show ... visit from lovely friends ... Anzac Day and a morning tea for Grandmother's 96th Birthday. Sunday I'm off with the gorgeous patchwork girls to a Quilt Exhibition.

 

One mail day last week I received 2 parcels. One I knew I had ordered and the other I couldn't think of a reason for it's arrival until I opened to such a wonderful surprise which really made my day. Thankyou so much to Joy for a very special parcel of goodies that I will have lots of fun creating with.

 

My new kitty addition has been feeling left out so I took him for a stroll outside and snapped him peering through a tuft of grass. He was a birthday gift from Mum and Dad and watches my every move.

 

Happy Sewing and enjoy some me time today if you can.

 

>^..^<

1 Xmas Item for March

Finally found time to sit down at the keyboard ... just before bedtime.

I decided on a slightly different plan of attack for my Christmas Bunting as all the letters are traced on the one piece of material. If I list it here then I'll have somewhere to come back for a reference when I forget what I'm supposed to be doing :)

February - stitch 'C'

March - stitch 'H' and 'R'

April - stitch 'I' and 'S'

May - now I can cut away C,H,R and make them up.

June - complete making C,H,R

July - stitch 'M' and 'A'

August - cut away and make I,S

Septeber - stitch 'S' and 'T'

October - make up M,A

November - make up S,T

December - assemble bunting

Confused yet?  I am so I've colour co-ordinated to make sure I've covered each letter to stitch and make.  Better show what I've managed for March ... 'H' is complete and 'R' is almost.

I took R with me to work today to do a little stitching at lunch time and .... half way to work realized I'd left my glasses at home.  Arrrrgggghhh!

How did everyelf go with their Christmas sewing? If you would be so kind as to leave a comment when you post your 1 Xmas Item, I'll pop my jingle bells on and come over for a visit.

Have I missed adding your picture to the 1 Xmas Item page one month?  If you can't find your picture by the end of each month, don't be afraid to say "Hey - You missed mine". I won't mind a gentle reminder :)

Happy Christmas Sewing and enjoy viewing all the lovely creations this month.

>^..^<

1 Xmas Item ~ February

It's here!  The 25th of the month that is :)  Time to put on your christmas bells and jingle around the blogs to see who has been making their headstart to a stress free Christmas.  I have already added a couple of early bird photos to the "1 Xmas" page.

Luckily I had the stitching on this one done very early on as the time slipped away on me this month as it seems to have done for quite a few bloggers.  I am loving how the thread is stitching up and enjoyed some chain stitch on the letter.

I may be a little slow making my way around your elf workshops this week so please bare with me.

Happy Christmas Sewing

1 Xmas Item ~ January

It's a lovely and very wet morning so far.  This rain was very much needed and I only hope that it fills our dams and creeks and continues on further south to those who are still waiting and also dampen the fires.

Time for our little group of Elves to share what they've been creating ... to be put away in a safe place ready for Christmas 2013.  (Don't be like me and forget where that safe place is.) 
I had made one of these and gifted last year and also started on a second for myself.

'Tree of Christmas Cheer' by Hatched and Patched

 

 

Being a wet day, I have to share computer time with hubby so I shall pop round and visit when I can. Come back and check the '1 Xmas Page' to see what everyone else has to share ... use the sidebar links to say hello and cheer each other on. If time didn't allow for an item this month don't worry ... it's all about having less stress so just make a start and join in when you can.

 

Enjoy the journey as much as the finish :)

Double the Fun Friday

It's Friday tomorrow and I've just been over to Heidi's to link in for Friday Night Sew-In. The way the weather is today I'm looking forward to stitching and listening to the long awaited rain on the roof.

Not only is tomorrow Friday but it's also the 25th so time to share those items you've been working on for 1 Xmas Item A Month ~ January.  I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has been creating.

Happy Sewing