the blue blog archives: santa's coming to town

Since we're leaving for Germany next week (yikes!), grandma santa is coming this weekend to do early Christmas. This means that I had to finish up the handmade gifts I'd been planning for her.

These are my versions of the stitched scrapbooks from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. They were so much fun (and so easy!) to make. Mom loves these little notebooks, so as soon as I saw the pattern in the book, I knew I wanted to make her some. I picked out fabrics that she said she liked from (from left to right) my rulers quilt, my first quilt project, and Ikea.

The instructions in the book are awesome and it genuinely is a "less than 2 hour" project as the book claims. I thought it would be hard to stitch through the notebooks, but it wasn't (I used a jeans needle just to be sure and it went through the notebook cover like butter). I thought the thread would just pop right out of the cover, but it didn't (the pattern calls for a little Elmer's glue on the inside cover). I only wish I had bought more little notebooks to make more of these for me. What a wonderful way to use scraps from your favorite projects!

posted by alison at 9:36 am | in a crafty christmas , last minute quilts

Comments

Hey :-)
I hardly ever comment, but I always read...
Last time you were in Germany you wrote about a yarn shop in Frankfurt, since I live kind of near Frankfurt myself (close to Darmstadt actually) I was wondering whether you'd like to maybe meet some complete strangers while you're here. (Yeah, now that I write it it's not sounding so fun...) I promise we're nice and "normal" (for a given value of normal that includes squeaking and jumping with delight at the sight of nice yarn.).
If you're still not scared and/or shaking your head and rolling your eyes, email me (dyepalATgmailDOTTcom).

Posted by: nicole at December 15, 2007 10:14 AM

The notebooks are clever, and so sweet! Your mum will love them. :O) Must try it myself!

Posted by: samm at December 15, 2007 10:46 AM

Oh Germany for christmas! How exciting!! For some reason it didn't dawn on me that you were going there when you talking about being with your IL's for the holiday. How much fun!

Posted by: Deana at December 15, 2007 10:59 AM

I bet Germany is going to look great for the holidays I hope we get to see some pictures.lol.

That book is looking better all the time...soon I'll need to buy it.

Posted by: wendy at December 15, 2007 12:09 PM

I wish I were going to be in Germany for Christmas! Somehow, Christmas in Florida just isn't the same. Can't imagine why...

Posted by: Anne at December 15, 2007 1:25 PM

I love this project too. When I saw it I thought of you because I'd seen you buy those notebooks! You'll have to make some more for yourself... maybe a New Year's present.

Posted by: Johanna + Kaya at December 15, 2007 2:30 PM

I wish I was receiving one of these little books I just love them. I call them "inspiration books" and I carry them arround with me. When I read your post it inspired me to dig out my Last Minute Patchwork Quilted Gifts Book can't believe the Holidays are here I must get to crafting. You are inspiring...

Posted by: Cindy at December 15, 2007 2:58 PM

Oh, those are so neat. And what a cool idea.

Posted by: Sarah R at December 15, 2007 7:42 PM

Froliche Weinachten!! (And that is the extent of my German.) Love the notebooks.

Posted by: painterwoman at December 16, 2007 12:42 AM

Hi,
I think I need to buy that quilting book! Where did you buy the notebooks?!

Have fun in Germany!

Posted by: Lee at December 16, 2007 10:09 AM

Ikea...it's not just for furniture! Those books are really great! Have a great, safe trip.

Posted by: Laurie at December 16, 2007 10:38 AM

Lee, the Moleskine cahier notebooks are sold at a lot of bookstores and paper stores. They are also online at moleskines.com or moleskineus.com.

Posted by: ALISON at December 16, 2007 5:23 PM

Wow - those are adorable. Thanks so much for the link and the brilliant idea!

Posted by: Jennifer at December 17, 2007 5:50 AM