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I’m pretty excited to show this super cute french embroidery book I ordered off Etsy. Ma vie a broder, My Life Embroidered.
I whipped up one of the designs and used it for a journal cover. The tutorial is from Bloom and was featured on the Moda Bake Shop. The original design was for a bakery, but Paige suggested embroidering our SewMod logo and making it a quilt shop instead. Great idea Paige because it turned out soooo cute. That’s what’s great about brainstorming with a friend!
I’m so glad I bought this book. These designs are so girly. Especially the clothesline scene. I find it’s rare when you love a book from front to finish.
I also plan on purchasing this book too. Doodle Stitching. 
But of course, I did check this one out from the library to preview it first. I spent one day this weekend making these headbands. Couldn’t have been easier either. I didn’t get a chance to make the embroidered one in the book because I got hooked on making them out of my scraps.
A 4-1/2″ x 18″ strip of fabric and a 5″ piece of elastic is all you need.
Start by sewing the fabric right sides together down the long edge.
Press the seam open. Turn right side out. Press the headband so that the seam is down the middle of the back.
Fold the ends in 1/4″ and press.
Fold the ends to a “V” and tuck the elastic in. Sew several times across to secure and repeat for the other side, making sure not to twist the headband.
Easy Peasy!
I sent the two OU Sooner ones home to my sis-in-laws to wear during the bowl game.
GO SOONERS!!
My friend Susan, The Working Caregiver, came over today to make some homemade holiday gifts. We started with doggie treats for all the pups.
Oatmeal Peanut-Butter Doggie Treats
1/2C oatmeal
1/2C flour
1/2C corn meal
1/2C oil
1-1/2C whole wheat flour
2 eggs
2TBSP vanilla
2TBSP peanut-butter
1-1/2C water*as needed
Mix all dry ingredients in bowl. Make a well and add wet ingredients. Mix and add water in gradually till moist but not wet. Roll onto floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters, we used bitty snowflakes, and place on lightly greased cookie sheets.
Bake @400 for 20min. Turn oven off and let them sit in oven for another 20min. to dry out.
Cute cellophane Christmas baggies tied with ribbons!
What pup wouldn’t love these. I know Daisy does:)
Next was the Marshmallows. We followed the recipe from the Paula Deen Christmas magazine.
Lessons learned…easy on the food color! Now I have Barbie pink marshmallows.
And I think next time I’ll not use so much peppermint either….not really my favorite. But, I gotta say, it was easier than I thought. I will definitely make these again next year.
I also made Paula’s Three Chocolate Chip Cookies for the wonderful girls at the Petsmart Hotel who take such great care of Daisy once a week at Doggie DayCamp.
I gifted them in an empty hot chocolate container, covered it with paper, and tied it with cute ribbon.
I have lots of felt scraps. One year when my mother-in-law’s house burned and she lost a lot of her Christmas decorations, I made her an advent calendar out of felt. It was supposed to be a replica of the one she lost. 
I made me one too:) So, I have lots left over from this project.
I checked these two books out from the library to help out with that. If you don’t take advantage of your local library, you should! Mine has lots of quilt and craft books. Even if they don’t have the one you’re looking for, most likely they can bring it in from a different library in your area. This way you can see if you like them before buying them.
I made that cute little gingerbread ornament from the Fa La La La Felt book….so easy! This book might be a keeper. It had lots of great ideas.
I also made these cute gift card holders from The Farm Chicks Christmas book.
Using pinking shears, cut the felt 1/2″ wider than the gift card and twice as long plus 1 inch. Fold the bottom end up and the top down. You can hot glue the sides of the bottom to make the bottom pocket, but I just ran a running stitch around it. Cut a slit for the button and attach a pretty, fabric- covered button to the pocket and you have a great way to use some of your stash. Wouldn’t it be pretty with some embroidery on it too?
Woooo-hooo party!
I usually throw this party for the kids but now they’re too “old” and some are away at college this year. It wouldn’t be Christmas without one, so I decided to do it for the SewMod group.
Oh boy, did I have a great time! Candy was everywhere! I just knew Daisy was going to puke that night because she waited patiently for any to fall to the ground and let me tell ya that when I got up the next morning the floor was spotless:)
Here’s the setup
Does it look like I’ve done this before? I’ve given these parties going on about 7 years now. I Love it! 
I hope your Christmas parties are lots of fun too.
Enjoy the season!
Colorful Christmas Flannel from Riley Blake
Speaking of flannel…..need a quick gift?
Every year I make about 10 rice bag warmers and keep them by my door for the neighbors and friends. Super quick, super easy and everyone LOVES them, especially here in the frozen Midwest. I gift myself a new one each year and the old one goes in the freezer because they are also great ice packs. I probably heat mine up at least once a day in the winter.
All you need is flannel, long grain white rice, and the special ingredient is…apple cinnamon tea.
It’s a great way to use your flannel scraps. You can make them any size you want…square or rectangle. After you’ve sewn the bag, fill it a little over half way with the rice, I just use my judgment here…there are no rules. Cut open 1 of the tea bags and pour in with the rice. Sew the opening closed and you’re done!
I attach simple instructions for those who’ve never used one….
Apple-Cinnamon Warmer
Heat in microwave 1min & 45 sec.
It will come out of your microwave smelling like apple pie…you’ll love it! Just the thing for a snowy night.
I love pouring over all the quilting blogs out there and seeing what everyone is up to. I found a cute idea at abrandiecreation.com. These cute little coasters would be a great hostess gift if you’re going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving, so I made some up. And if you’re wondering what it is I have in the bowl, it’s Paula Deen’s french onion soup…It was so, so good!
I also worked on the April bag this weekend, from Sew, Mama, Sew. Paige and I are testing a couple of patterns out for a class we are going to teach during Christmas break for teens. An “Underground Sewing Club” (Sounds mysterious doesn’t it:)
And….I did my homework…..but I hope Paige doesn’t expect me to show it to you today because its just plain embarrassing. I thought I had an imagination but my doodling design proves me wrong. Maybe I’ll be brave enough by the end of the week after much practice. I’m having a hard time freeing my mind.
Have a great sewing day everyone!
SewMod