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Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Homespun Christmas  |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 08:45:27 AM
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Hi everyone. I know it's July but is anyone else starting to work on the Homespun Christmas? I've given myself a heftier goal of making 50% of my gifts instead of 25%, basically for financial reasons.
My problem is narrowing down my ideas. My mind starts racing with things and I end up with a lot of unfinished projects which defeats the saving money aspect. Anyone else struggle with this?
What are some ideas some of you will be making?
KTBug
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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janamarieje
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
Jana
Southern California
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 08:58:55 AM
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Yes I struggle with the same problem but good for you on the early start! Last year I made flannel blankets for each of the family members, and I made a quilt for my mom (I try to do one quilt for each member, but they need to wait their turn) and the year before Christmas stockings for all, but this year I am not sure what to do. I am thinking of flannel PJ bottoms for all, but am open to suggestions too!
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/cjcraftsstudio
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 10:30:40 AM
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Jana, I used to make PJ bottoms for my son and husband for every holiday when he was young. My husband still has his turkey ones for Thanksgiving! I think that's a grand idea. I know my boys always loved them and they can always use them as lounge pants as well. Don't forget to make yourself a pair!
KTBug
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 11:38:24 AM
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I am working on mine as well. I have started a couple already in hopes that I finish in time. My goal for this year is to have all presents the come from me, aside from my children, be homemade things. I plan to make 3 blankets, 2 hats, a headband, some hot pads and coasters. I still don't know what to make my husband though.
Krista |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 12:02:43 PM
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Krista have you thought about lounge pants for your husband?
I know what you mean in hopes of finishing on time. No matter how early I start I always seem to have a mad rush that last week. Of course much of it is my own fault because I make changes and add things.
Are you making full size blankets or baby blankets? Knitting? How are you making your coasters?
KTBug
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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Noreen
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Noreen
Essex Junction
Vermont
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2017 : 2:47:08 PM
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I am planning on making dryer balls!
Not very exciting but useful for the grown kids!
Noreen
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 |
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Marilyn Hartman Sullivan
True Blue Farmgirl
1138 Posts
Marilyn
Oxford
PA
USA
1138 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2017 : 05:33:56 AM
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Noreen -- great idea! I use mine all the time and they are truly useful and pretty unique.
I am knitting hats for the newly-weds in Alaska. Using the same pattern for both, but reversing the colors -- sort of a yin/yang meets the tundra kind of thing.
Doing a stained glass quilt table topper for the kids in South Carolina. I found inspiration in the little fish pond in front of their house. Doing a fusible stained glass with multi-green leaves and a couple of yellow blooms.
His Dudeness will get sox.
Making a photo family tree for my mother, who has dementia. Whenever we talk, she says it upsets her that she can't keep all the grandkids and their kids straight in her head, so I have asked everyone to send me 1-inch or inch-and-a-half head shot photos for it.
Whew. Makes me tired before I begin!
Farmgirl #6318
"Where there's a will -- there's probably a family fight." |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2017 : 06:07:22 AM
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Wow Marilyn! I love the photo family tree for your mom. That's so thoughtful!
KTBug
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2017 : 11:27:46 AM
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Katie, I am actually somewhat new to sewing. I learned to sew in school but haven't sewn up until Tuesday and I made a taggie blanket. So clothes may not be the best idea.
I started my boys blanket a couple of months ago and it literally only got started! lol I have a lot of work to do. I just get easily sidetracked to try new projects.
I am making one full size blanket and 2 baby blankets. Everything I am making is out of crochet, so my coasters will be crochet as well. We shall see if I dare make any presents with sewing!
Krista |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2017 : 3:01:20 PM
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Krista it does sound like you have your work cut out but at least you have a plan.
I have no plan except that 50% or more of my gifts will be homemade - Yikes!
KTBug
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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Cissik
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Sylvia
Kent
WA
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2017 : 10:21:33 AM
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I usually do some jam or pepper sauce to give away. Those newer 4 oz jars are perfect for gift giving. I also make spice mixes to give as gifts. After learning basket weaving, I make small baskets to put the jars and bags into. Now, one year our chapter made pint and quart jar gift bags. Found instructions online. Gift bags were cheap to make and so pretty.
But like you, no matter when I start, I always end up crazy working up to Christmas. Someone help us please!
Sylvia
Kent, WA
Farm Girl #5389
Back Door Farm Girls Chapter
http://vintagehousegoods.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/Vintagehousegoods |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2017 : 11:01:27 AM
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Sylvia, those are some great ideas!
Katie, you got this! Maybe start with some basic gifts that could go to anyone just to get started.
Krista |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2017 : 1:42:45 PM
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Sylvia it is but a gift and a curse we are blessed with.
Krista, thank you for the words of encouragement. I've been working on a merit badge the last 2 days straight because I am scheduled to go to a concert tomorrow and that is the expert level. I have to finish my intermediate - I'm almost there. Then, I will go to my sewing room and take inventory.
I gave salsa and relish out last year. I love the idea of making bags. Do you know where online you found the instructions by any chance Sylvia?
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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Cissik
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Sylvia
Kent
WA
USA
582 Posts |
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Cissik
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Sylvia
Kent
WA
USA
582 Posts |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2017 : 1:12:29 PM
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Thank you so much Sylvia!
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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ceridwen
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Carole
New York
USA
899 Posts |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2017 : 12:36:54 PM
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I really like hand applique. I was thinking of going that route.
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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Cissik
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Sylvia
Kent
WA
USA
582 Posts |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2017 : 06:01:06 AM
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I love to embroider but never used the flour sack towels before. I actually just had a bad experience. Are all flour sack towels not created equal? I picked up a few at Walmart they seemed very thin to me. Did I just get a bad batch or should I pick them up somewhere else? I was expected a higher quality, thicker cotton. It was almost like trying to embroider on cheesecloth. Needless to say, they are being re-purposed for another project.
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2017 : 09:21:14 AM
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What sort of Christmas ornament decorations will you be making for the Homespun Badge?
Krista |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2017 : 10:14:58 AM
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I haven't done any designing but I will probably do wool applique. I want to research 1900 Christmas trees and see what they would have hung back then and do my designs based on what I find. You?
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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Cissik
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Sylvia
Kent
WA
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2017 : 11:39:09 AM
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I have found thicker flour sack towels online. The thickest ones which weren't bleached, don't dry as well. Real tight weave and you didn't have to put any backing to them. So now I'm trying some new ones. Will post update later.
Sylvia
Kent, WA
Farm Girl #5389
Back Door Farm Girls Chapter
http://vintagehousegoods.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/Vintagehousegoods |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2017 : 11:18:12 AM
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I love wool ornaments. My grandmother used to have some on her tree and they were beautiful. I have found a couple of patterns on Pinterest for some crocheted ornaments so I am thinking of starting there. I would also like to make some handprint and footprint ornaments of my boys.
Krista |
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farmgirl68
True Blue Farmgirl
369 Posts
Katie
Bangor
Pennsylvania
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2017 : 05:21:32 AM
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I don't know how to crochet. I'd like to teach myself after the growing season.
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
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ceridwen
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Carole
New York
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2017 : 08:15:01 AM
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Katie, I too love to hand embroider towels. Once the design is stitch, it's done! lol
And NO, not all flour sack towels are created equal. I like the Aunt Martha ones. She has two sizes 28" x 28" & 33" x 38" (nice as a small table cloth) - they allow you to stitch a larger design. I have also used Aunt Martha's smaller tea towels. I always pre-wash.
A product that I like to use is Transfer-eze. It allows me to stitch without having to transfer the design. It is a water soluble stabilizer that you can photocopy/print your pattern on. It also acts as a stabilizer making the towel a tad stiffer for stitching. I find the flour sack towels not as stiff as the other tea towels. Once you're done stitching, you rinse it off and voila! A done deal!
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com |
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Merit Badge Chit Chat: Homespun Christmas |
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Homespun Christmas
