etsy success and more gifts

Woo-hoo!  I sold through my entire stock of sweater pants on Etsy!  Ok- so my entire stock was only three pairs.  I'm still excited!  I need to get sewing before winter is over.  Unless I make sweater shorts...hmmm...

Also, I feel weird posting Christmas presents mid-January, but here is a round up of all the other items I made over the holidays.

Wood bead necklace:

Wood bead fabric covered bracelet:

Leg-warmers!!!

Have I mentioned my husband roasts coffee?  I am lucky enough to get fresh roasted coffee every day. We decided to spread the joy to friends and family.  John made a special holiday roast and I put enough beans for a pot of coffee and homemade gingerbread cookies in some cute take-out boxes.  I got the cookie recipe here, and they are hands down the best ever!

suitcase dollhouse

Continuing on with some more handmade Christmas gifts... I made a suitcase dollhouse for my niece.  The idea and instructions come from Stacy at Hart + Sew.  What a creative idea, right?

This project was definitely a labor of love...it took forever!  I mean hours and hours drawing it out, cutting the pieces out, ironing them on felt, cutting that out, sewing each piece individually on the background fabric with corresponding thread....well, you get the picture.  I'm proud of how it turned out even though it's not perfect, and proud of how my sewing skills have improved throughout this first year of sewing/blogging.

I made four different room scenes, I didn't made a doll because she has some really tiny baby dolls that she likes already.

Entryway:

 Kitchen:

Living room:

Bedroom:

All have pull tabs on the side so she can get them out easily.

The floor is also removable so that she can keep her doll underneath.  

This was a fun project despite the time required, most of the elements are things I wish I had in my house.  A whole entryway with cubbies for jackets, boots, books, backpacks, etc?  Yes, please!  Saarinen tulip table and chair for the kitchen?  Love!  Wood burning stove in the living room?  How cozy!

I probably should have waited a couple years to make this for my niece, she is only two.  But eventually I hope she will get it out and love this happy home for her babies.

rollie pollie

It was another handmade Christmas!  It is so much more fun to give people something you made...and they will be too guilty to tell you they don't like it!

I started with a bean bag chair for Max.  He always likes sitting in chairs that are his size.  I saw the Rollie Pollie here and bought the pattern, only $8.  I went to Ikea for the fabric, there are so many inexpensive, cool fabrics there.  The filling was more difficult.  It can get pricey when you need so many bags of filling.  I ended up buying a really cheap bean bag and using the filling.

My first zipper since college.  Did I tell you I sewed through my finger in college?  This was an improvement.

More Christmas goodies to come soon!