Christmas present reveal!

I've been secretly working on Christmas presents since last June, and I'm excited to finally reveal the product of all my hard (and clandestine) work. I was bursting to tell my family, but I kept it secret! I'm so proud of myself. :)

This wall hanging was for my sister Allison. The wise men and star are paper-pieced. It's too complicated to try to explain adequately, but with paper-piecing, you sew the fabric onto the back of the pattern and then rip off the paper when you're done. (If you really would like to know more....you'll have to look elsewhere.) :) Look at the cute presents that they're bringing. I sewed them in last. Thanks to my mother-in-law for this idea.


This lap blanket was a wedding present for my sister Ashley and her husband Tom. I made the front and my mother-in-law quilted it on her quilting machine. I was so excited to give it to them!

Paper-pieced nativity for my sister Mauri.


Same nativity paper-pieced wall hanging for my mom.

I found this felt ornament tutorial here, and I made West Virginia ones for an ornament exchange in December. (The website is really cool. I've found lots of fun, easy crafts there.) I also made the other ones for the states that we've lived in together. I think they're so cute! And incredibly easy...trust me.


This spinning wheels project was the bane of my existence toward the end of 2008. I went to a class to learn to make this, and getting the spinning wheels to spin the right way was so hard. (Putting the right fabric in the right place.) So at the time, I made 9 of these squares, three of each color, and then couldn't bear to look at it until November of last year. Instead of putting all the squares together, I made a table runner instead. I gave one to a wonderful friend, and have 2 table runners left over to make! I think they turned out pretty fun. Whew....bring on 2012!