A Little Giving...A Little Receiving!

So it was brought to my attention that we only have TWO WEEKS until Christmas!! Of course I said..."ACK!!" Where is all of the time going?? I'm not done!! I don't have the lights on my house...I haven't baked the first Christmas cookie...although I plan on making a couple from recipe's found on Wee Folk Art...yum!! I haven't taking pictures of my children in front of the tree to print out Christmas cards to put in the mail!! I do plan on doing that tomorrow since I am going to my folks this weekend and can save myself a couple of stamps :) I THINK I am done Santa shopping...it was such a whirlwind on Black Friday and then I just shoved it all in the attic...I really need to get in there and see what I actually got and make sure there are equal amounts of gifts, or we will NEVER hear the end of it!! I also plan on making a few things, but I was so stressed last year and didn't get everything finished on time that I did not want to put that much on me this year!

So on with the giving... my brother's birthday was at the beginning of November, and because he didn't want anything specific from me...he did what all good husband's should do and let his wife decide what I should make for him!

Good choice, huh? This is a fabric banner. I made it with some corduroy scraps, felt, ribbon, tulle, and a gold "rope" that I found on the Christmas ribbon aisle at Hobby Lobby. Here is what the scraps were left from...

So this was the birthday/ Christmas present from last year that I FINALLY got around to making!! Since I missed the Christmas season, I was told that it was no rush as long as they had it for THIS Christmas!! I cut it pretty close, but sent it back with my sister this past weekend! Here is a close-up of the embroidery design...isn't it pretty?

My sister was over this way for her husband's family. They were doing their Christmas with ALL of the relatives. So my sister calls me last Tuesday and says, stop me if you've heard this, "so what cha got laying around?" Excuse me...WHAT? Sorry, I am NOT Walmart! I am definitely not organized enough to have pre-made gifts just waiting for someone to call me! So I say, "Just tell me what you need/want and I'll tell you if I can do it in 4 days!" Her response? "Well I don't want you to have to go buy anything".....UGH!! JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!!! You know, I love my sister...but she does this to me ALL OF THE TIME!! At least my SIL gives me 6 months notice and tells me what she wants!! Ok...moving on!

We decided to go with simple and quick...a pillowcase dress and a bib, can't get much simpler than that! And since the next time my BIL's family will all get together again is Mardi Gras, that is the designs she chose.

A pillowcase dress for an almost 2 year old.

And a bib for a 9 month old. The back is a super soft fleece.

"Oh and by the way, can you make me something for my boss' baby boy?"

I love this flannel. I have tons of it and plan on making PJs for my children...someday!

It is kinda "Christmas-Retro", don't you think?

So, while I am working like CRAZY to get this all done for Saturday...my good friend Jane calls me up and asks if I have a shirt for a "Birthday girl"? Umm...no...but I can make one for you.

It was a rush job, and EMMA is not centered....oops. But she loved it anyway and that is all that matters, right?

Ok..I've had this since the end of October, but waited until Thanksgiving to give it to my Momma. It put me ON TOP of the "Favorite Child" list!

It is all of the grandchildren, and was made by my bloggy friend Melanie!! She is super SKILLED in the ways of Polymer Clay! And as you can see...custom orders are welcomed!! Go check out her Etsy shop!! TONS of beautifulness going on!! And she just finished the Princess Collection...they are too sweet!!

Ok, NOW for the RECEIVING!!

My friend Beatrix has been SPOILING me!! She sent me this little ornament because I DIDN'T win her giveaway!! How sweet is that!! I can't find my little note that came with it, at the moment..but I will tell you about it when I do!! And then she surprises me with THIS:

AWESOME, right?? And those little sayings...SO ME!! At least that is what my husband says!! HA! And it came with this little sachet filled with the calming smell of fresh dried Lavender!! MMMM!

AND, I just received her Elise Doll .pdf pattern to "test"! So far, I am loving it!! I will post pictures and do a "proper" review when I am done!

So...THAT is what I've been up to...with LOTS more to post at another time because it is 2 am, and I am TIRED!!! Until later...