Making Joy - Keep It Simple, Santa

Yes, Christmas is coming and I'm getting ready! I'm sure you are too! I have a few things to share, but I'm not quite ready to share yet. In the meantime I had to start making a LIST so I had something to check twice. {wink wink}

I know I wanna make a couple of things this holiday season AND stay sane. 
Two years ago I made a gift giving post that you can check out - Basic Making to Give Guidelines.

My tip for keeping it simple:

 Make lists. Who you need to give presents to for starters. THEN who you want to MAKE for. Only make from the heart!

Places to look for things to make: {an unofficial List within a List}

Bari. J's blog - I was scrolling through {falling in love with her newest line of fabric} and found her series of posts on beautiful, easy things to make.
 Start at day 14 of 14 Days of Lilybelle and keep going back!

Lori Holt just posted her next row for her quilt - cocoa mugs! Perfect to make as individual mug rugs!

The Aurifil Designer blog hop has started. Embroidered different ornaments for teacher gifts or as gift tags. Or just make one for yourself! Refer to this post by Pat Sloan that has all the links.


And I just received an email from Sew, Mama, Sew which reminded me of their fantastic link up of holiday making grouped by theme {pet lover, tweens, etc.} Visit their blog and get inspired. Handmade Holiday Series at Sew, Mama, Sew.

  My tip to avoid feeling like an underachiever and not make anything because you can't make everything:

Pick ONE thing to make.
 Make just one or make several of the SAME thing. 
Here's a link to Quilting Daily's blog post about turning your sewing space into a production zone. Prepare Your Studio for Holiday Success

 One more tip:
Give yourself a making deadline - an early one! Especially if you like to bake too, you'll need time closer to Christmas for that.  I'm planning to be done my making by the end of the first week of December. That's an early gift for me AND my family!



How are you keeping your making simple this year?

Sarah Vee

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Basic "Making to Give" Guidelines

Is it really almost time to hug this guy again?!

Judy at Patchwork Times is putting together a link list of gift giving ideas for the holidays.

She's already done a great post of things to make and give that don't involve sewing, but food!

While I'm not planning to divulge this year's goodies, I did make a lot of Holiday gifts 2 years ago.
I've compiled some of my projects and ideas into this:

Sew Joy's

Basic "Making to Give" Guidelines:

*Use what you have*

I made my nieces some doll quilts using leftover strips and squares.
I added some rick rack too!

*Think, make in a day or two - not weeks*

I made my daughter a makeup bag with leftover strips from a project.
It was loosely based on the tutorial at Moda Bakeshop.

*Keep track of what you made for people previously
so you don't do a "repeat" make!*

I made all of my nieces some diapers for their dolls one year,
using this tutorial.
They loved them!

*Consider making all of the same thing and vary the colours*

Tablerunners, tea cozies, and placemats can all be made unique with fabric choices to match the recipients taste and decor.

*Make PART of the gift*

Judy has already mentioned making part of the gift.
Think potholders with kitchen gadgets.
I like to make the friendship bag.
It's great for putting something little in -
some fabric, a toy, fudge, be creative!

*Use Free Patterns*

I have a selvage coaster tutorial that makes up quick, unique gifts.
{they fit in the friendship bag, too!}

I've also posted a tutorial to make this stocking.

If you want to design your own,

here is the free template I put out to celebrate 50 followers.

*Ask!
Sometimes people desire the littlest things
{like knitted washcloths!}*

I hope you enjoyed this post of ideas.
Please feel free to add more in the comments -
or even join Judy's links with a blog post of your own!


With lots of Holiday Cheer and JOY,
Sarah Vee

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