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.
Two Sisters Snowflake
Posted 2025 December 19
When I bought two of these snowflakes a couple of years ago, I really didn't know what I was going to make with them. Inspired by a couple of childhood photos I found in my files, I ended up making a pair of special ornaments for my sister and myself. I think they are beautiful. See for yourself if you agree.
Avon Bottles for Christmas
Posted 2025 December 12
As a kid, I was fascinated by those beautiful Avon perfume decanters that came in oh-so-many intriguing shapes. They even had special ones for Christmas.
That fascination has stayed with me, so much so that I have gathered a small group of these festive containers to display as part of my Christmas decor.
Coca Cola Santa
Posted 2025 December 5
Remember those life-size cardboard Santa cut-outs that Coke used for marketing back in the day? Well, my family had one when I was a young teen, and now of course, we all remember it with nostalgia. I wouldn't mind having one for my own Santa display, but then such a large item would be a challenge to store.
Then again, what if you could have one that captured that vintage feeling, but wasn't quite so huge?
New Pig on the Block: Redux
Posted 2025 November 28
After making the new tartan Mini Stocking last week, I needed to choose a tiny toy to put inside. Should it be one of the 50 or so that I've already digitized, or someone entirely new?
You guessed it: he's new! See for yourself how adorable he is!
Tartan Mini Stockings: Update
Posted 2025 November 21
My sisters and I both love my little mini stocking ornaments, and I really liked the idea of making one with the family tartan on it. I thought I could digitize the tartan for stitching on felt, and I did! Take a look.
Halo X: First Impressions
Posted 2025 November 14
After just under a week with my new Halo X embroidery machine, I've amassed a few first impressions. To sum up, I think I'm going to love this machine as much as I did my PR600. Click for additional details and thoughts.
A New Embroidery Machine
Posted 2025 November 7
I love my Brother PR600, but the poor old thing is finally beginning seriously to fail, and I needed to find a replacement. I started out thinking that I'd purchase another Brother, but I ended up going in another direction. Here's why.
Juanita's Christmas Treasures
Posted 2025 October 31
This adorable Santa finger puppet is just one of the many Christmas baubles that my talented sister Juanita has made over the years.
Lucky me: I have a whole collection of her creations -- so many that it's hard to pick just one favourite! See what I mean?
Jack Frost Elf
Posted 2025 October 24
I made up yet another elf doll this week -- my sixth in all since I began with Elfis in 2023. It's Jack Frost -- blue with the cold and dressed in shades of blue, white, and silver. He was a particular request from my sister, who wanted him to join the Elf-on-the-Shelf game that she does for her grandson.
So here he is. See the rest of him and read his story.
Jen's Handmade Ornament Faves
Posted 2025 October 10
After I posted about Hubby's favourites from among our handmade ornaments, my sister suggested that I should post a list of my own faves from the collection.
I liked the idea, so I selected a sampling of special ones to share.
Hometown Map Ornament
Posted 2025 October 3
Map ornaments seem to be all the rage lately, and I bought a couple of nice ones for friends last year.
But this year, when I wanted a map ornament for another friend, I wondered whether I could make something just as nice. I think I did.
Dental Pick Re-Cap
Posted 2025 September 12
Okay, so my sisters make fun of me for saving odds and ends, but these bits and pieces sure do come in handy at times, like when I needed to replace the split cap on my pocket dental pick!
Repairing my Thomas Kinkade Santa
Posted 2025 September 12
My pretty Thomas Kinkade Santa ornament was damaged in a fall. The break could have been worse, but he will still need a bit of TLC. When he's done, you won't be able to tell he was ever broken.
A New Tee Dress
Posted 2025 September 12
My friend's favourite comfy tee dress is worn out, and she'd love another. She left the original with me so I could make a new one.
I could, and I did, and she's thrilled.
Hubby's Ornament Faves
Posted 2025 September 5
My husband prefers handmade ornaments over the store-bought kind, which is great for me, since I love making them. I asked him to identify some that he counts as his favourites, and not surprisingly, there's a bit of nostalgia involved.
Here are nine of his faves, including his top pick.
Geez Louise Ornaments, Phase II
Posted 2025 August 29
Last year my friend Louise and I began a collab that looks to become an annual thing: personalized ornaments for her friends and family.
Her requests have inspired some new digitizing, and a lot of creative activity. Get a close-up view of this year's ornaments, so far.
"The Last One I Have" Ornament
Posted 2025 August 22
I was browsing on line when I spotted this hilarious ornament idea, so naturally I decided to make a few for the guys on my list.
I know they're going to get a kick out of what I came up with.
Refurbishing my Vintage Stocking
Posted 2025 August 15
It's many decades since Mum sewed this stocking for my first Christmas, and it's been in service every Christmas since. But the fabric has gotten very thin, and I feared that it could no longer be used . . . until I plunged ahead with this refurbishment.
Making a Fishing Boat Ornament
Posted 2025 August 1
Among her ornament requests for this year, Louise wanted a lobster boat! That meant some more new digitizing and a few days' work, but I think she'll like the result. I know I do!
Here's what I digitized for her.
Elf Sack Stocking: Redux
Posted 2025 July 25
I've been making these sack-style stockings for just over forty years, starting on the sewing machine. Nowadays I've incorporated some machine embroidery into the process, and I'm still making little changes with each iteration.
Vintage Sequined Snowman Ornament
Posted 2025 July 18
This beautiful Snowman appeared on the stockings my older sibs had when I was a tiny kid, much to the fascination of my sister and me. I've previously reproduced the motif on banners and stockings, but never thought to make a sequined ornament . . . until now.
See for yourself how dazzling he is.
Watering Can Repair
Posted 2025 July 11
So my vintage watering can developed a split in the funnel part of the sprinkler nozzle, and it was leaking badly. I thought it would be an easy fix, and then Scampers happened!
Never mind. I managed to get it fixed even with his intervention.
The Undeer's Back!
Posted 2025 July 4
Hey, wait! Who are those red antlers for? If I'm not mistaken, it's my old pal the Undeer!
My new in-the-hoop ornament is darned cute, and he can do double duty as well. Curious to see the rest of him? Take a look!
Tom, Betty, and Susan
Posted 2025 June 27
Do you know these kids? I sure do! I went to school with them . . . in a manner of speaking, that is.
I've recalled them fondly all of my life, and after I met them again recently, I couldn't resist making a couple of memory ornaments.
If you remember them as I do, or even if you're meeting them for the first time, you might enjoy seeing the ornaments they inspired.
Bead Pick-Up Wand DIY
Posted 2025 June 20
Ever been intrigued by those bead pick-up tools you've seen in craft videos? I was, so I made my own using things I already had in the craft room . . . including this blob of green stuff!
A Sock for Grimmy
Posted 2025 June 13
When I stitched up my Tiny Grimmy last year, I intended to make a mini stocking just for him, but I never quite got around to it -- until this week, when I started my Christmas sewing in earnest. I wasn't quite sure what motif to use, until I browsed the cartoons again, and then it was obvious . . .
Tooled Metal Ornament
Posted 2025 May 30
This industrial chic of this tooled metal ornament looks both impressive and super cool. Believe it or not, it was actually a fairly simple make, with readily available household materials.
To see some other examples and learn how easy it was, join me in the craft room.
Maritimer: De Luxe
Posted 2025 May 23
I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a sewing machine badged Maritimer on Kijiji a few years back. And it's not just the name that makes it unique. For a closer look and a few details, read on.
Rain Jacket Pocket Snaps
Posted 2025 May 9
Hubby likes his new rain jacket, but he'd really prefer that the pockets could fasten somehow, so he won't lose his phone in the woods (again!).
Think I can make that work that for him? I bet I can.
My New Boots
Posted 2025 May 2
If you saw these Josef Seibel boots marked at only $15, wouldn't you grab them? Well, I did, but my deal was even better that!
Pentacle Geodesic
Posted 2025 April 25
I've been making some fortune-telling and mystical-themed ornaments recently, and I couldn't resist putting this beautiful pentacle design on a geodesic ball.
I know I've written before about this style of ornament, but in this post I've added more details on how to give them a shiny, sparkling finish for a truly festive effect.
Easter Piggy Needs Surgery
Posted 2025 April 11
When I picked up this adorable Easter Piggy, I didn't realize that he was in need of surgery. Once I got him home, though, I discovered that an intervention was in order.
He's happily recovering now and looking forward to bring a smile to everyone's face for Easter. Read all about it here.
Gift Bag Rack . . . on Wheels!
Posted 2025 April 4
Come on in and see my new storage system for all those cloth gift bags I've been making! It's organized, it's convenient, and best of all, it's on wheels! Now all I have to do is figure out where to park it in the off-season . . .
Bag Sealer -- and Shrink Wrapping?
Posted 2025 March 28
Believe it or not, second only to my sewing machines, this gadget may just be the most used item in my craft loft. Find out why.
Gift Bag Update
Posted 2025 March 21
I've stitched several hundred gift bags since I started making them a decade or so ago. They make quick and easy work of wrapping gifts, but in the past two years, I've made them even more user-friendly by changing the way I do the drawstrings. To learn more about this simple change, click here for the PDF.
Mini Hamish MacSporran Doll
Posted 2025 March 14
It's been years since I made one of these little dolls, but I was happy to revisit the design when two of my sisters requested their own Mini Hamishes for Christmas 2024.
To see the dolls I made for them, and to learn about how they're constructed, take a look at my PDF description.
I Heart My Button Machines!
Posted 2025 March 7
I thought I had all the button machines I'd ever need, until I saw that you could make buttons in specialty shapes. What's a gal to do?!
Get some great sisters, that's what! Wait til you see what they sent me for Christmas.
Office Chair Makeover
Posted 2025 February 28
My vintage office chair is looking pretty exhausted, with its worn and faded arms and seat cushion. I'd say it's time for a complete re-upholstery job.
To read about how I did that, and to see the newly refurbished chair, click here for the PDF report.
Button Machine Earrings
Posted 2025 February 21
I've always loved costume jewellery, particularly kitschy earrings, and I also really like making things with my button machine, so I suppose it was inevitable that the two would come together!
And as usual, the best thing is that I can make cool earrings with *any* theme I wish. Wow!
Read about my method and see some more of my earring creations in this PDF discussion.
Pot of Gold Chocolates
Posted 2025 February 14
A box of chocolates is always fun for Valentine's Day, and for Christmas too,but what's up with this tattered vintage box?
Well, just wait til you see what I did with it, and what's inside. Click this link to find out!
Return of the Magi
Posted 2025 February 7
Oh my, Joseph has lost his head!
I was pretty upset when my beautiful statue of the Holy Family and the Magi took a tumble down the basement stairs and broke into pieces. But: I was cautiously optimistic that I could effect a decent repair.
To see the devastation for yourself, and learn how I fared with my repair efforts, check out my PDF discussion.
Santa Claus Gift Bags
Posted 2025 January 31
What to do with this vintage panel that I got for Christmas? I'll never sew it as intended, and I don't want to just tuck it away among my fabric stash.
How about some more Christmas-themed gift bags? We never seem to have too many of those . . . .
Actually, the panel yielded 8 bags in various sizes. To see the results, check out this PDF.
Red Grinchy
Posted 2025 January 24
After I showed off Grinchy the Elf to my friend last October (see my post for 1 November), I knew I'd have to make another one. I didn't have any green fleece left to dress him in, so I ended up reaching for this red houndstooth printed fleece. To my surprise, he looks great in red, and my friend loved him.
To see the latest in Grinchy style, click here for my PDF project sheet.
Ornament Painting
Posted 2025 January 17
These adorable ornaments are among our favourites to put up at Christmas. They're not Hallmarks, but they're just as nice, and they have a personal touch that ordinary commercial ornaments lack.
See more of the collection, and find out what makes them special.
Elfie Needs a New Ski Pole
Posted 2025 January 10
My little elf seems to have broken his ski pole. How's he going to make any headway on his cross-country trek?
Fortunately for him, I have a solution. Find my PDF discussion at this link.
Goin' Bananas
Posted 2025 January 3
My sister -- Juanita Banana to her younger sibs -has lots of banana-themed paraphernalia, but she didn't have a stuffie of her personal banana logo . . . until Christmas 2024.
To learn how I made it, and see the result, click here for the PDF.
