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.
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 pocket flaps 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. To see why, click here for my PDF discussion.
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.
To see more of the collection, and find out what makes them special, take a look at my PDF details.
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.
