New Pincushions...

I really had fun making these pincushions for my Saturday morning coffee group friends. (There were actually five, but I took this picture before the last one was finished.)

I used beautiful, glass containers that are reminiscent of mercury glass pieces. After the poufs were gathered, stuffed with a silk-blend fiberfill and glued to the tops of the candleholders, I set about creating the embellishments.

All of them are matching. I first sewed a blue crystal button onto the pouf. Then I cut a length of silk ribbon and ruched it around the button - gathering, sewing and securing as I went. My final touch was the little pewter thimble charm that hangs beneath the button and ruffles. Finished, they measure approximately 4.5" high by 3" across.

I signed the bottom of each piece and presented one to each of my quilting friends when we met for coffee last Saturday. We meet each week at the quilt shop (two of the members of the group own the shop), and Nora immediately loaded hers up with pins that we sitting next to her machine! I think that each one will see a lot of use, and will add a pretty touch to the sewing tables of my friends.

Oh, and a little good news: I have two extra pincushions that are available for sale! If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or as a gift, just head over to the Boutique. (Click here to go directly to the listing.)

I had this list on my sidebar leading up to last weekend.

My Christmas Sewing "To Do List"...

• Set of placemats and napkins (DONE)
• 3 pairs of Grammies Jammies(DONE)
• a lap quilt (DONE)
• a stuffed animal (DONE)
• a couple of totes (DONE)
• two garment bags (ONE DONE. Don't like. Redo. Arrgh!)
• mug mats (DONE)
• 5 Pincushions (DONE)
• my Blissfull ATC swap card for Dec. (DONE)
• ...a small wall quilt and a few other items that I'll complete after the 15th and before the 20th. whew!

All the items marked (DONE) were completed by December 17th and were either shipped in plenty of time to arrive by Christmas or hand-delivered.

You can see that I still have to re-work complete the garment bags (for Handsome), as well as making that small wall quilt and the gifts for my friends in the Tuesday night Paneras group. Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute! I'll be working on those projects due tomorrow night today.

OK, Shell...Are we going to make a New Years' Resolution to have all of our gift projects finished by - oh, say - November 15th in 2012? That's my resolution and I'm saying it out loud now in front of you, God and all my blog friends!

I'm working to finish everything left on my list by Thursday. I want to roll into the weekend able to put my feet up and celebrate Christmas with decorations and a few special meals with friends.

A little reminder: Monday, December 26th is my next Memory Lane Monday. Perhaps you'd like to take a little time to reflect on Christmases past to share on your blogs that day. All you need to do is come back here during a lull in the after-Christmas excitement to link back to my MLM post. I'd love if you'd join the party.

I've sent the elves home to help Santa for the rest of this week. I assured them that I can finish up the last gifts on my own. Cross your fingers for me, ok?