Monthly Archives: September 2012

There are so many resources to search through online to find Christmas gift ideas. Although I explained that my first instinct is to go through Google images, it can be only a small first step. All year long I am … Continue reading →

If that immediate bolt of inspiration lightening has not stunned me, I have to go looking for ideas in other places. My first go to place to look for ideas is Google images.  Somehow, just flipping through hundreds or thousands … Continue reading →

Coming up with Christmas gift ideas is challenging.  There are several criteria for making the list of gift possibilities; price, attractiveness, how labor intensive, etc. Because my list is long, I need to start the process early.  However, looking for … Continue reading →

Part of the methodology in determining Christmas gifts is the study of history.  What did I give to whom, last year and in the previous years? I tend to do a lot of similar gifts in batches.  Some years everyone … Continue reading →

There is an old saying., “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”.  I try hard to remember that when I am sewing Christmas gifts. I sew what I think is interesting, useful, cool or something the recipient would want.  … Continue reading →

Once you have a good pattern and the proper instruction, the quality of your product is all in your own hands. Diligence is the key.  There is a fine line between “good enough”, shoddy workmanship and crazy making compulsion. You … Continue reading →

There can be quite a difference between store bought mass produced items and lovingly made from home gifts. Those differences can range from much worse than imaginable to much, much better than you can buy. A few considerations determine which … Continue reading →

The second group of people who receive gifts that I have not made myself is that group who don’t want or don’t appreciate home made items. There are many who compare a home made quilt to a quilt purchased at … Continue reading →

Some people fit into the “buy something at the store” list.  Most of these are our parents and offspring. My kids and grandkids have given us wish lists.  There is rarely sewn by grandma item on any of those lists. … Continue reading →

After determining who is actually on my Christmas gift list and who is off, I need to figure out who receives “store bought” presents.  Very few recipients fall into this category. Because my Christmas gift list is so large, there … Continue reading →