Espritpatch

  Sadly no sewing at all in December but I am happy to report very little crafting, almost all involving the Cricut that I finally seem to have tamed! First there were many more Pillow Case Holders for the school plus one for my friend with a little diamanté and then there were some paper crafts with some gift labels and money holders And finally, not Cricut related but I finally finished the center part of the Nutcracker Parade during the holidays. Linking to December Furtle Céline

  I had great hopes when I joined Gail's PhD in 2023 challenge in January but I didn't do that well after all... Of the 12 projects I listed; only 3 are now completed: the Impromptu quilt (initially started in 2013), the mini Storm at Sea (started in 2010) and the Messenger bag. One more has seen some progress: I made more blocks for the Harry Potter quilt but the top is not yet finished. I unearthed 2 projects but didn't manage to work on them in the end so no progress for the Morgan Jeans or the Forester Coat. As for the last 6 projects, there has been no change to their UFO status sadly. So I will for sure be able to join the new PhD team for 2024: MS P Designs ! Linking to PhD in 2023: December report Céline

  December has not been very productive in terms of craft but I am happy to have at least taken time to create cute personalised labels for my gifts with my Cricut. I had found those beautiful labels on a facebook group and they came out very pretty. Since I used some plain paper, I asked my artsy daughter to colour them in for me, task she duly accomplished! I also made 2 personalised wallets to give concert tickets/cash which came out very pretty I think. Linking to  D esign  Wall Monday ,  Midweek Makers ,  Wednesday Wait Loss ,  Happy Needle and Threa d ,  Put your foot down ,  Brag about your Beauties ,  Off the wall Friday ,  Can I get a Whoop Whoop ,  Peacock Party ,  Patchwork and Quilt . Céline

 2023 is not quite over but we're nearly there... it has been a mixed bag in terms of sewing and crafting for sure with some productive times and some completely empty ones sadly. Life for our family has continued to be quite difficult overall so that's had an effect on my motivation, time and energy to craft for sure.  Never mind, time to dream for 2024, full of hopes for a better year for the world and for us too. I think it should be a rather busy year with some planned major changes (again) but despite that let's join in the fun with Yvonne's Planning Party and set a few goals for the new year. Before planning for next year, let's see how I fare on last year's plans.  I had planned/ hoped to finish 3 quilts, I finished 2 but didn't touch the third one.  I had selected 4 WIPs to progress and worked on 3. In the dressmaking department, my UFOs are still UFOs but I managed to make 2 blouses and PJs for the girls.  Bags and accessories, I didn't make the

  2023 is not quite over but we're nearly there... it has been a mixed bag in terms of sewing and crafting for sure with some productive times and some completely empty ones sadly. Life for our family has continued to be quite difficult overall so that's had an effect on my motivation, time and energy for crafting for sure. Now looking back at the year, here are my Best of for 2023. An oldie that's finally finished: the Impromptu quilt. 10 years since it was started, nearly finished 2 years ago, long arm quilted this spring and binding finally on in November.... Quick and easy project that I had meant to try for a long time, overcoming my fear of using my Cricut... the Pillow Card Holder Sewing up one of my favourite fabric: my City Pléiades Dress Linking to Best of 2023 Céline 

I made another batch of little pillow card holders, with a bit more colours this time and I remembered to take pictures!!  Still using the same pattern:   Pillow Card Holder pattern from Sewing Seeds of Love . I cut a pile of them on my cricut from various scraps of faux leather which had a nice enough wrong side since these are not lined.  Once cut, they only need folding and they are finished with 2 snaps. Task I delegated to my daughter since she was off sick from school.  And then my husband was called to the rescue to hammer the snaps and secure them.  I also made a special one, adding a hot fix crystal that I bought in New York last year and never got around to use! This one was gifted to my friend when she visited, an early Christmas present! All 12 have been given away, the main batch to school for their fundraising and the diamanté one to my friend.   Linking  to  D esign Wall Monday ,  Midweek Makers ,  Wednesday Wait Loss ,  Happy Needle and Threa d ,  Put your foot down , 

  I have no doubt December will be ultra busy, what with the festive period and everything else we have to deal with currently... but I'm so hoping to carve out just a little time for some sewing here and there. Maybe this is just wishful thinking of maybe that will help to keep me sane somehow...  Qui lting 1.  Dear Jane - hoping to finish row E, would be nice to finish it by the end of the year... all the blocks are cut now. 2. Farmer's Wife - will I finally make a few blocks on this one? Dressmaking 1 .  Undies 2. Winter coat (started 2 years ago) 3. Reusable kitchen towels 4. Reusable make up pads Bags 1.  Town bag by Grainline - cut and started but not progressing, really hoping to finish this one too... 3.  Scrappy baskets 4. Corkordion Wallet 5. Sac filet 6. Bag for the girls - these will be my  One monthly goal 7. Zippered pocket for my friend 8. Pillow card holder Cross-stitch 1. Nutcracker stitch along Céline