I spend quite a lot of time each week on digitizing or tinkering with the website, but I also like to work on other crafts and projects. This page showcases mostly things I've been working on, though I do sometimes feature items made by my sisters. Most are embroidery-related, but some show other crafts and activities as well. Many of the items, though not all, are gift items for friends and siblings, mainly for Christmas, the biggest gift-giving time of the year in my family.
If any of these project ideas interest you, please let me know and I'll post some detailed instructions.
Remembering Dad's Little Piggies
Posted 26 April 2024
Each Christmas back when I was a teenager, I used to make a little felt piggy for my Dad's Christmas stocking.
Thanks to my sister, I have a few of those original vintage piggies in my own Christmas stash, and I thought it might be fun to try making another one. Click here for the PDF showing the new piggy.
Replacing the Missing Piece
Posted 12 April 2024
This lovely Springbok puzzle is missing a piece. It's still workable without it, but I'm kind of goaded by the absence. Wouldn't it be nice to find -- or better, create -- a replacement?
It's fiddly work, but I did it -- and it was even kind of fun! Click here to find a PDF detailing my process.
Repainting the Little Green Desk
Posted 5 April 2024
For years, I've been meaning to give this old child's desk a makeover, and -- with my new determination to finish up projects that have been languishing on my to-do list -- I finally got it done.
To see its new look, and to discover why I bothered, click here for the PDF.
It's a Puzzle, All Right!
Posted 22 March 2024
We're staring right down the barrel of . . . just what the heck is this thing I'm holding?!
If you're a fan of jigsaw puzzles, it might be just the thing you've been looking for. In fact, might just want to make one for yourself. Read my PDF to find out how!
Mighty Mouse Gets a Makeover
Posted 22 March 2024
Much to my friend's disappointment, his Mighty Mouse ornament has been damaged. The little super hero needs a hand . . . and a couple of feet.
So: here I come, to save the day! Check out the PDF to see how I was able to restore him.
Reupholstering Bearly's Stool
Posted 15 March 2024
A few weeks ago I wrote about repairing the leg on this little stool that used to assist Bearly to get up onto the bed. At the time I thought it would benefit from a new upholstered seat, which I've now completed.
To see what the stool looks like in its new garb, click here for the PDF.
Grom's New Sock
Posted 8 March 2024
Last week I featured my mini toy of the faithful doggy companion to Wallace, the wacky inventor in those wonderful Aardman animated films.
But my little dog, designed to fit into one of my Mini Stocking ornaments, didn't have a mini sock of his own . . . until now.
Click to see the PDF of our little yellow friend in his completed sock!
Note: This design is fan art strictly for my own use and is not for sale.
More Tiny Pets for Mini Stocking Ornaments
Posted 1 March 2024
After last week's post about the tiny pets I made for one of my sisters, another sister fell in love with them and suggested some of her own. I was a bit carried away myself, and added a couple more.
Click to see the PDF with the rest of the toy doggy "portraits" that my sisters will be giving to friends next Christmas.
Custom Tiny Pets for Mini Stocking Ornaments
Posted 23 February 2024
It all started when my sister asked me to create this little pug as an insert for one of my mini stockings . . . . and then it snowballed from there.
Click to see the PDF with the other toy "portraits" that I made for my sister to give to her friend next Christmas.
Partylites Fireplace
Posted 16 February 2024
This gorgeous ceramic fireplace caught my eye just before Christmas, and I thought it would look nice along with my Santas.
Unfortunately, the little stockings that should have been dangling from the mantel had been broken off.
I want to re-attach them, but the ceramic is too hard for me to drill into. What to do? Click here to see the PDF with my solution.
Garland Embellishments
Posted 9 February 2024
This altered puzzle ornament has lots of eye candy, including six glued-on embellishments that might have cost $4-$6 if I'd bought them at a craft store. I didn't.
The little lobster is one I embroidered; the "Merry Christmas" is an inexpensive spangle. But the two holly leaves, the cluster of berries, and the snowflake cost me a total of 15 cents!
To read more about where I got these inexpensive embellishments click here for the PDF.
Crow Tales
Posted 2 February 2024
This crow figurine arrived with a badly broken tail -- but I was pretty sure I could restore him.
To read more about how I did that, and why it mattered, click here for the PDF.
Wood Finial Ornaments
Posted 26 January 2024
This finial ornament came to me with a covering of coarse glitter . . . What were they thinking?!
The effect is unfortunate, and the glitter very difficult to remove. But remove it I did, and the result is stunning.
To see how I managed to rescue two of these finials, click here for the PDF.
Repairing Bearly's Stool
Posted 19 January 2024
Dear sweet Bearly loved to nap on the bed, but as he became arthritic in his old age, he needed help to climb up there. We bought him a stool as an assist, but it had a wobbly leg that needed repair.
To see how I fixed it, click here for the PDF.
Elf Sack Makeover
Posted 12 January 2024
DH has had this sack-style Elf stocking for 30 years. Elf is looking pretty good for his age, but after all this time, I wanted to spruce him up a bit, without dramatically altering his look.
To see the result of his makeover, click here for the PDF.
Last-Minute Looney Tunes Christmas Stockings
Posted 5 January 2024
We love Looney Tunes at our house, so I couldn't resist this scrub shirt with a Christmas print showing vintage LT characters.
At first I intended to make gift bags, but at my brother's suggestion, I ended up making stockings: four of them -- on Christmas Eve.
Click here to see how beautifully they turned out!
For more on how I construct my Christmas stockings, you can find a PDF at this link. It illustrates the making of a stocking other than this one, but the procedure I followed is the same in both cases.