Sewing Gifts

The holidays are coming. No need to tell everyone. Walmart has the Christmas decoration section totally loaded and everywhere you look is a banner or ad about a sale for the holiday. OK, but there are a number of us who like to make things for those we love. Whether it is a hand knit sweater or a hand sewn stocking the thought of making handmade is more important than the sale at Macy's. It is the handmade goodies people put up at holiday time to decorate with that make faces glow with love and pride. Not sure what to make? Here's a few pattern ideas: Butterick 4370 Victorian Christmas Decorations Beautiful stockings that will be treasured forever. McCall's MP 238 For Muttly Much nicer than a bone (but you can still give him a bone). He probably needs a new toy or bed anyway. Hobby Portfolio McCall's 5120 Know someone who scraps? Someone who needs a portfolio? Oh you do? Hee hee, me too. So, check out GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.Artfire.com for craft patterns. Remember, with your imagination, a plushie can become a pin cushion, a quilt block can be a tote, the ideas are endless. Happy Sewing from GoofingOff! GoofingOff...It's what I do best.

Hanukkah

Team EtsyChai's Miracles of Hanukkah sale starts on October 31 and I have been filling my shop with the most beautiful Judaic fabric fat quarters I could find. I finally found some Aleph Bet fabric, this time in 2 different colors. I also found some white on white, blue with a country quilt look, dreidels on yellow or white backgrounds, and much more. For some reason, good Judaic fabric is hard to find. The manufacturers just don't make it too much anymore. What I have in the shop took some digging and it was well worth the dig. So many things to be made for the holiday! Little gift sacs, great for jewelry or little gadgets, gelt bags, ornaments. Fun!

Miracles of Hanukkah

Hanukkah is coming and a Hanukkah party with a scavenger hunt is going on now to get everyone in the mood. There are wonderful prizes and great creations waiting to be discovered. There are 37 shops taking part in the party. Check it out! Look for the menorahs in the shops and win prizes! Go to http://etsychai.blogspot.com/2009/11/miracles-of-hanukkah-promotion-sales.html and click on the links. Get your Christmas, ahem, Hanukkah shopping list done with wonderful gifts....and have a jelly doughnut while you're there. L'Chiaim!