Bags o' cheer

There was a mad rush of sewing last week...mostly bags for Christmas gifts. I finished my second Downtown Purse, this one for my friend Cheya. Since the first one for Joanne was slightly floppy, I used the recommended Timtex interfacing this time...that is some sturdy stuff!


Blue and pink purse


Polka dot lining

Unfortunately my sewing machine did not cooperate when I tried to attach the handles, so I attempted to hand-sew them onto the bag...still too hard to get the needle through...luckily the expert seamstresses at Stitch Lounge took pity on me and helped with their super-duper industrial machine. Phew! Not sure if I will attempt using Timtex again though.

I also made a couple of Swing Bags, a cute reversible tote bag that I like to think of as a mini-Nappy Bag. This one was for Dan's sister Cecilia...


Red Japanese floral

And a peek at the lining, which can also be the outside, since the bag is reversible...


Kaffe Fassett floral

And this one was for Joanne...who just got engaged to a great fellow...go congratulate her!


Swinging in the new year

Winter solstice

The amaryllis St. Nicholas left at Chez Arrow last year is blooming again...just in time for winter.


Pretty in pink

There were Christmas carolers on our street last night! We heard them during a break in the rain...so festive and neighborly. They sang "Little Drummer Boy" outside our house...one of my favorites. Dan and I brought the beagle outside to listen, and there was another pooch with the carolers, in a Santa suit...tee hee hee! It has been horribly cold at Chez Arrow so we got the beagle a sweater...but she wriggles out of it all the time...so now she is referred to as "Houdini," and sometimes "the great Splendini"!


I'll be taking this off soon...

Crafternoon tea

As I love the festive cheer of the holiday season, I was disappointed I could not host a Sweet 'n Knit this year (Chez Arrow being an unbearable icebox as well as just a big wreck waiting for improvements)...but I need not have worried because Joanne had a wonderful Crafternoon Tea at her abode! I made peppermint bark...


Christmas candy

...and tried my first biscotti recipe, but the cookies turned out very hard. Definitely required dipping...


Orange nib biscotti

What could be better than an afternoon of knitting with tea, mulled cider, and many delightful treats? Joanne's crafty friends also shared other crafty endeavors, like origami and scrapbooking! It was so much fun. Thank you Joanne, and all the crafty ladies!

Holiday greetings

I love holiday cards...giving and receving them...and I enjoy looking at the different designs each season. (All part of my paper fixation...mmm...pretty paper...) My favorites usually are letterpressed, but the cost can be prohibitive. So this year I decided to make my cards.


Green square cards

The beautiful rubber stamped creations at Paper Source are always so enticing, but my stamping efforts never turn out so lovely. Ah well, there is always next year, I suppose...


Gingerbread snowmen and silver stars

The cards were sealed with stickers and mailed in brown square envelopes... don't forget the extra postage!


A peek inside the cards

Sweet 'n salty soak

The seemingly endless gray days and constant rain inspired me to make lavender bath salts for a few friends. A mixture of Epsom salt, pink mineral salt, sea salt, lavender buds, and a few drops of lavender essential oil...and voila!


Festive green ribbon

A couple years ago I included little rubber duckies with the salts, but alas I did not plan so well this time...I think tissue holders would also make a nice pairing, as they are another winter weather necessity!

How to knit

Knitting in the Sunday funnies...



The hands often hurt, but I'm thankful I have them!

Red sky in the morning

My heart is still heavy with sadness. Dan and I did not know the Kim family lived just a few doors down from us until our neighbor told us on Saturday. My first post on this blog was about a visit to one of their shops, and I pass by the other almost everyday, often stopping in to admire the lovely things. I cannot even imagine what they are experiencing, but my thoughts are with them.


Sunrise at Chez Arrow