Presenting presents

Happy 2015 everybody!

I know this isn't actually my first post of 2015, but as my first was more of a necessity than a pleasure, I like to think the real business of blogging again is beginning today. Still, I felt I needed to let my EU customers know about the changes to purchasing patterns, so it had to be done. But let us now move swiftly on to happier subjects. Namely, christmas presents.

These are a couple of makes that I've been keeping under my hat as they were to be gifts. I'm not someone who generally gives many of my makes away scott free, but there are an odd few people in my life who I deem to be worthy. Also, when your darling Mother comes and tentatively asks if maybe, if you wouldn't mind, could you possibly make her a pyjama case for Christmas, how can you possibly refuse?

So that is the first present to show you, a pj case for my Mum. It was a lovely thing to make, I didn't manage to fit in so much sewing last year and I've been missing it. I did agonise over it quite a bit though, so it took a little longer than it probably should. Still, I wanted it all to be just right.

I'm very pleased with the patchwork on this one and especially how the quilting turned out. I'm not a very good hand quilter, not ever really knowing the right way to do it but rather just jumping in and doing what I figured would work, but this turned out nicely I thought.

I got her some lovely CK pj's to pop inside too. Really lovely light ones which I hope she'll like. She'd better, I could so easily have kept them for me!

My other little gift was for a very special lady I know, Sam, who writes a blog you may well of heard of, Betsy Makes. I'm sure if it wasn't for this little blogging community of ours I would never of met her, but I'm so glad I did. She shares my crafty passion and we could gab endlessly on the subject if allowed. So, most certainly worthy of a little handmade love.

I went for a sort of 'winter warmer' theme for her present, with some yummy flavoured teas and a pretty mug to drink them in, that kind of thing. As is very well documented here, one of my favourite things to wear in the winter are wrist warmers so I thought a pair of those would be appropriate. I made her a pair using my Cherry Basket pattern, just leaving off the top cross stitch this time, because the stitch on those mitts makes a lovely cozy warmer.

I used the Herriot yarn by Juniper Moon Farm yarn that I talked about in this post for these and oh my word, it is amazing stuff! It's so soft and fluffy and yet has a sort of silky quality to it too and it's so warm. I've made these mitts in Aran weight before, just for the cozy factor, but these are every bit as snug even though it's a lighter yarn. I had to try them on you see, just to check the fit you understand?

Anyway, suffice to say, these very nearly didn't make it out of the house. The pull to keep them all to myself was strong indeed so some more Herriot will most certainly be falling into a checkout cart near me very soon! I had enough left over to whip up a little mug warmer too. Quite a slim one, due to the nature of the shape of the mug I fell in love with but it may help keep it a tad warmer. If not, it occurred to me while making it that it could easily double up as a baby's headband. I'm not convinced that will make it any more useful though...

I shall have to show you the gorgeous gift I received in return by the way. I was completely delighted by it and so will share it with you very soon.

S x

♥

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