More Progress

Stack of twos

Pressed stack.

I'm making steady progress on this project.  I know a young man who would be thrilled to hear that... if he even knew about this project.

What I'm working on...

I finally have a Friday Finish to post this week, but you'll have to wait and see it on Friday.  I'm mailing the package tomorrow and it would arrive by Friday.

In the meantime, here are some teasers for my current project.

There are over 300 3 1/2 inch squares in the shoebox. 

I've been able to spend a little time in the sweat shop this weekend and hope to continue the trend this week. I'm working on a newly reworked schedule and I should be able to get 30-60 minutes on most days to sew.  I have to say that I LOVE the navy flannel I'm working with. It is just simply the most gorgeous blue and SO soft!

I'm feeling more and more confident on this project.

Secret Projects and New Arrivals

It has suddenly become that time of year when I cannot talk blatantly about the projects I'm working on.  I finished a birthday gift for one of my sisters (I can post pictures next week after she receives it) and am now beginning to work on Christmas gifts.  It took me a while to figure out what projects to make this year, but I think I've got it.

I did place a small order with Fat Quarter Shop.  I had received a coupon for 20% off my next order and I had already started looking at patterns.   

My booty (plus kitty):

First up is this selection of Farm Fresh - a new line of baby fabrics.  I liked this one because it was gender neutral.  I have a few plans for the fabric.

The other fabric I bought was this Desired Things collection. 

For this pattern:

The original used a blue for the border, but with our bedroom walls a different kind of blue, I thought I'd go with a more neutral color for the border.  I'm looking forward to making this in the spring!

 Finally, I bought these patterns:

 They are mostly quilt patterns, but there's a bag pattern in there too.  I also signed up for the Miss Rosie's Quilt Company pattern club.  I love these patterns and keep buying individual ones, but this way they will automatically ship me the new patterns as they arrive for retail. 

This is the first time that I have bought pre-cut collections beyond charm packs - pretty exciting for me!  Have you bought pre-cuts before?  What did you think of them?  Were they more or less helpful?

The Facebook Challenge

So at the beginning of the year there was a challenge that went around Facebook.  Essentially, one posted a message about crafting gifts and the first three (or in some cases five) people to respond would receive a hand-crafted gift from the initial poster.  I chose to post it and had three responders.  

I've spent the last few weeks thinking about what I might send to people.  I could quilt or crochet or cross-stitch something for these friends.  I think I've finally decided on the project.  Stay tuned for pictures of the projects.

Request for advice...

I have a bit of a dilemma for which I could really use your advice.  But first, let me provide some background information.

I challenged my siblings to a homemade Christmas this year.  Each of us has some pretty awesome talents and this would be an easy way for us to continue to play with our hobbies while providing quality gifts to all.  For years we've drawn names (with 6 siblings and now three of us are married... that's a lot of people to have to buy for), but none of us is rolling in the dough, shall we say.  Which, even though we draw names, has become more of a hardship than a pleasantry.  The difficult part is that some of us are perfectly content spending money on manufactured items.  The other aspect that I haven't been able to understand is why we don't do it by family.  Why not do away with the name drawing altogether?  But that's not the dilemma...

Anyway, I have decided that no matter what the others do, Mr. BB and I are making our gifts.  The problem comes when I consider my sister-in-law (SIL).  This young lady and soon-to-be-mother is not exactly appreciative of handcrafted gifts.  My brother (we'll call him... B1 for first brother) has asked for items for the baby who will be born at the end of October.  However, SIL has not indicated that as her desire and has already had two (yes, I said two) baby showers.  I made a lovely sweater set and blanket for the first baby shower (and one of my sisters made a blanket as well).  

Last Christmas, I had made my youngest sister, her family, and my parents quilted Christmas stockings.  Naturally, it took a lot of time and thought.  My other siblings were instantly envious and gave their orders to me immediately.  B1 and SIL were married the previous summer and when I asked if they'd like personalized stockings as well, the offer was declined.  "But if you'd like to make a set to keep at your parents for when we celebrate there, go ahead."  No thank you, that's not how this works.  

Given the unappreciative nature of said future-parent, I'm hesitant to even make this poor child the  first Christmas gift of a quilted Christmas stocking!  I am truly afraid that it would either be destroyed before the child could grow up or that it would be "lost."  I'm considering asking my parents to keep it at their place until the child is an adult and can make up it's own mind.  (That's dilemma number one - What should I do about that?)

Furthermore, I have been given her name in the Christmas drawing.  I go round and round with what I should do.  Should I go ahead and make her something that I know she won't like - or at the very least appreciate?  Should I collect some local products to promote my new state (as you know we moved and now live several states from B1 and SIL)?  Should I just say "to hell with it" and buy her a gift card that she can use anywhere?  Is there another option?


*Sigh* Please help.  What would you do?


PS (added Sept. 22, 2010): It's been noted that this post feels angry.  I'm stuck, not angry.  I don't want to treat her differently, but she's been difficult for me to become acquainted.  To be honest, I'm leaning towards a gift card that way my feelings won't be hurt regardless.