Stocking stuffers are hands down the BEST part about the
holidays.
holidays.
I remember my brothers and I impatiently waiting for my mum
to get up on Christmas morning so we could dive into the presents Santa left
us. But my mum, understandably, wanted a little more shut eye – especially
after staying up late to get the presents laid out after we went to bed. Her
compromise was always to allow us to open our stockings.
to get up on Christmas morning so we could dive into the presents Santa left
us. But my mum, understandably, wanted a little more shut eye – especially
after staying up late to get the presents laid out after we went to bed. Her
compromise was always to allow us to open our stockings.
Trident gum and clementines were always my favourites. We can
now get clementines pretty much year-round, but back in the ol’ days (hahaha!),
clementines were pretty much only available during the holidays. So, to me,
they were a real treat.
now get clementines pretty much year-round, but back in the ol’ days (hahaha!),
clementines were pretty much only available during the holidays. So, to me,
they were a real treat.
To this day, every time I eat a clementine, I think of
opening our stockings!
opening our stockings!
Things have come a long way since then, and my hubz’ family
goes all out with fun trinkets in our holiday bags (yup, bags!).
goes all out with fun trinkets in our holiday bags (yup, bags!).
These are all meant to be fun, joyful and with a hint of
humour. Let’s dive in!
humour. Let’s dive in!
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FABRIC
Fabric. Ha! Yup, it was on the 2019 Holiday Gift Guide list too,
but what kind of quilter would I be if I didn’t include a little fabric fun in
the stocking?
but what kind of quilter would I be if I didn’t include a little fabric fun in
the stocking?
I’m normally a yardage girl, but I recently got this jelly roll which is inspiring some new design ideas. But any of these would be fun:
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THIS COULD BE FUN!
I was perusing Cloth and Candy’s haberdashery
section (don’t you just love that word?) and found these little cuties that
have me wanting to take my quilts and pillows to the next level:
section (don’t you just love that word?) and found these little cuties that
have me wanting to take my quilts and pillows to the next level:
Tassels – when I first think of tassels, I think stuffy and
over the top, but these fun colours and cute texture are anything but serious and
stuffy – seriously digging the smokey and pastels.
These neon pompoms are totally making me smile.
over the top, but these fun colours and cute texture are anything but serious and
stuffy – seriously digging the smokey and pastels.
These neon pompoms are totally making me smile.
I’ve been wanting to dive into some garment making and these
fun “Yes I made it!” woven labels would be a great addition.
fun “Yes I made it!” woven labels would be a great addition.
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ESSENTIALS
Now I’m not sure if this is weird, but I love getting essential
tools and notions as gifts. Last year I asked to be gifted this thread rack (which
is awesome) and this set of rulers (also super handy) and I was SO excited to get them. It was
particularly nice to get my thread all organized, although I’m already in need of
another one!
tools and notions as gifts. Last year I asked to be gifted this thread rack (which
is awesome) and this set of rulers (also super handy) and I was SO excited to get them. It was
particularly nice to get my thread all organized, although I’m already in need of
another one!
Speaking of thread storage, have you seen these nifty thread drops? I can see them being super practical if you love working with embroidery
floss.
floss.
Tulip Needles – just the other day, my quilty friend reached
out asking me about what type of needles I use for hand quilting. She mentioned
the ones that were recommended to her were causing pain and fatigue in her hand
already. I gather they weren’t staying sharp for very long. My go-to are these, but I’d been
eyeing these tulip ones for ages and finally got a delivery the other day! I’m all about balancing
costs in my studio, and these are kinda pricey, but if they live up to the rave
comments about sharpness, flexibility without keeping even the slightest bend,
and something about the way they are milled means they stay sharp and stronger
longer than I’m all for it. Plus, they’re pretty!
out asking me about what type of needles I use for hand quilting. She mentioned
the ones that were recommended to her were causing pain and fatigue in her hand
already. I gather they weren’t staying sharp for very long. My go-to are these, but I’d been
eyeing these tulip ones for ages and finally got a delivery the other day! I’m all about balancing
costs in my studio, and these are kinda pricey, but if they live up to the rave
comments about sharpness, flexibility without keeping even the slightest bend,
and something about the way they are milled means they stay sharp and stronger
longer than I’m all for it. Plus, they’re pretty!
Don’t forget to stock up on my favourite thimble too.
Can you ever have too many pins in your studio? When I first
started out I picked up this pack and they were fantastic! Last year I bought these cute ones after hearing
great things, but I find them to be a little thick and I wanted my pins to be slimmer
for some of the finer cottons I work with. So, I picked these up and so far, so good!
started out I picked up this pack and they were fantastic! Last year I bought these cute ones after hearing
great things, but I find them to be a little thick and I wanted my pins to be slimmer
for some of the finer cottons I work with. So, I picked these up and so far, so good!
While on the topic of needles, I also finally got this bulk pack
of sewing machine needles – I would have been thrilled to find these in my stocking 😉
of sewing machine needles – I would have been thrilled to find these in my stocking 😉
Another essential we can’t live without is thread and I
found the 40wt and
50wt Aurifil cones
on super discount. They’re on clearance, so only select colours are left, but,
if they have your colour, you’re in for a score!
found the 40wt and
50wt Aurifil cones
on super discount. They’re on clearance, so only select colours are left, but,
if they have your colour, you’re in for a score!
I have these quilting gloves, which I love, but these look like my hands would get less sweaty. Have you tried them?
I know this is considered an essential in many sewists’ tool
kits; however, I haven’t picked one up yet. These wooden ones are tempting me!
kits; however, I haven’t picked one up yet. These wooden ones are tempting me!
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TRINKETS
I’ve been loving these enamel pins; I just haven’t decided what I would do with them! What do you do with yours?
Here’s some I found while doing a little online browsing:
I’m a no BS kind of person, so a Cut the Crap pin totally spoke to me!
Hahaha – yup, this one sums me up perfectly!
These 12 notions of Christmas set would be super fun – especially if you popped them in an advent calendar!
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NEEDLE MINDERS
Picture this, you’re sitting all nice and cozy curled up on
the sofa happily hand stitching away, when you go to change your thread and
realize you can’t find your needle.
the sofa happily hand stitching away, when you go to change your thread and
realize you can’t find your needle.
Eeek – QUICK – don’t mooooooove!
Yup, been there more than once. And I always panic that Pips
will find it before I do.
will find it before I do.
This is where needle minders come in.
And they’re cute as a button (no pun intended – it just
happened 😊) too!
happened 😊) too!
Tink in Stitches is a great place to score them. Including this cute strawberry one or this Christmas Car.
Cheri also has some really cute hand embroidery designs for
you to stitch up I just read that some millennials are taking up embroidery to keep their
fingers busy and off social media – love that!
you to stitch up I just read that some millennials are taking up embroidery to keep their
fingers busy and off social media – love that!
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SEWING STUDIO
Whether you have a full room dedicated to your sewing or
whether you’ve only got a tiny corner to sew from – large or small, there’s no
getting around having to clean…at some point!
whether you’ve only got a tiny corner to sew from – large or small, there’s no
getting around having to clean…at some point!
I generally clean my studio as I go and then give my machine
and iron a good clean at least once a week or more if I’m quilting a lot that
week (you can read more about my Sunday Studio Maintenance routine). One of the best
tips I picked up from Tiffany over at Village Bound Quilts is to use a pipe cleaner to clean the fluff out of my
sewing machine (you know, for those tight nooks and crannies). Mine actually
have these metal bits in them,
but you can easily just go with the standard colourful ones. While shopping, I
also found these brushes that are made just for our sewing machines! And this kit with
bigger brushes and a microfiber cloth.
and iron a good clean at least once a week or more if I’m quilting a lot that
week (you can read more about my Sunday Studio Maintenance routine). One of the best
tips I picked up from Tiffany over at Village Bound Quilts is to use a pipe cleaner to clean the fluff out of my
sewing machine (you know, for those tight nooks and crannies). Mine actually
have these metal bits in them,
but you can easily just go with the standard colourful ones. While shopping, I
also found these brushes that are made just for our sewing machines! And this kit with
bigger brushes and a microfiber cloth.
You know I love my DIY Design Wall (tutorial to make your own here), but I can see
these mini design boards being super practical if you’re short on space or just want to play with some
block ideas. They come in 18”,
14” and 10″ sizes.
these mini design boards being super practical if you’re short on space or just want to play with some
block ideas. They come in 18”,
14” and 10″ sizes.
Since we’re hanging out in the sewing room, one of the
things I get asked about is whether I pre-wash my fabric or not. I used to, but
then stopped when I started incorporating some pre-cuts in my quilts. I have,
however, picked up this no need to rinse soap (I went unscented, but there’s some fun scents to choose
from) and look forward to giving it a try. I actually picked up several bottles
so I can gift them to people who I’ve gifted quilts to. I love their Flatter spray, which I use
for getting stubborn wrinkles out of my fabric and it works like a charm. I’m
hoping I have a same love for the soap. Oh, and the wash is also great for
knitters too.
things I get asked about is whether I pre-wash my fabric or not. I used to, but
then stopped when I started incorporating some pre-cuts in my quilts. I have,
however, picked up this no need to rinse soap (I went unscented, but there’s some fun scents to choose
from) and look forward to giving it a try. I actually picked up several bottles
so I can gift them to people who I’ve gifted quilts to. I love their Flatter spray, which I use
for getting stubborn wrinkles out of my fabric and it works like a charm. I’m
hoping I have a same love for the soap. Oh, and the wash is also great for
knitters too.
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And that’s a wrap!
Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday
season!
season!
xo
Shannon
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