Advent calendar

Advent calendar, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

Finished it just in time!

I went on a search for an advent calendar tutorial without pockets. I wanted something different than the norm, something that I wouldn't have to think hard about what to put in pockets. I'm too lazy for that (and cheap).

I came across Wee Folk Art's Advent Tree tutorial and went for it. I liked the hand sewing aspect, which allowed me to stay warm by the fireplace while working on it. I also was able to use up a good bit of a box of 1" buttons I'd bought a while ago that I never used.

You might not be able to tell from the picture, but the star has a button hole, and it starts at the bottom. Each day, a lucky kid (in our case) gets to move it up to the next number. They are already stoked to begin. :)

My new file cabinet

My new file cabinet, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

Okay, so it's not sewing, but it does involve fabric.

This was my first time to decoupage anything and I think it turned out pretty good. It beats an old ugly putty-colored file cabinet and fits in a lot better with sewing room stuff. :)

I used fabrics from the out of print Moda Uptown line by Erin Michael, one of my very favorites. I consider myself very lucky that I had a fat quarter of all the fabrics in this line. I was real nervous and was hoping that I wouldn't be wasting my fabric on this project. Now I get to sit and look at it whenever I want. :)

Clothespin bag

Clothespin bag, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

I found another use for a couple of snaps! This is a clothespin bag I made using a tutorial from My Lucky Chicken. It was very simple and fast, and now my clothespins have a real home.

November 2009 008, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

This was made several months ago, so I don't remember the pattern, but it's from Ottobre. :)

Kiddie snuggle blankets

The kids saw that commercial for the blanket with sleeves and wanted one for themselves. I'd gone on a fleece buying spree a few years back and was happy to find a reason to use it up. Note the sideways flames on the boy's "snuggie". I was not impressed when I discovered the printing was sideways (not my fault - it was actually made that way). The boy was a little disappointed that his didn't come with a free book light. I handed him a flashlight.

The tutorials and templates for both the adult and children's versions can be found here.