makeover: target dollar clutch purse

We're not so big on New Year's Eve parties. We would rather stay home and eat and play games and eat and watch movies and eat. Did I mention eat? It's a snack fest around here!

But when I saw these clutch purses in the dollar section at Target, I immediately thought New Year's Eve. Just for fun when staying home. But I also thought they could do with a bit of extra fun.

So this morning I pulled out some assorted trims and my glue gun, and we made three versions:

Silver with eyelet. My sister Grace gets this one.

Sparkle black with a string of sequins. This is for Anna.

Purple with gold ruffles. This gets to be mine. I even ventured out of the house and used it today!

I love when something so simple and cheap can be so enjoyable!

2010 plans in review

At the end of 2009 I wrote up a list of ten plans for 2010, and I thought it would be a good idea to look over those plans and see how things turned out. It also is a nice little look at the year, so here we go!

1. Take 365 photos for YIP Knitterly Crafterly. Hmm. I didn't do too bad with this. There were a few days that I missed (like yesterday!), but after today, I will have taken 355 pictures for this project alone. You can see the collection on Flickr, although there a definitely a bunch that haven't made it into the set yet.


2. Create lots of fun new products. I think it's safe to say that this went well. At least, I think that the things I made were fun! My favorites are the Cuckoo Clock pattern and the Animal Crackers sewing pattern.

3. Get business plans in order. Could I have been a bit more vague with this? I'm not sure that the plans are officially in order, but there are plans and progress has definitely happened. Advertising the blog and shop were one specific part of this, as well as building my sales. Check and check!

4. Make a jumbo granny square blanket. After a rough start, I can say this is done! Okay, so I still need to finish the edge and weave in ends. But those are details, right?

5. Write an e-book. Originally, this plan was going to be "Create an online class", but I thought that might be ambitious. It turned out that a class was more my style, and took the place of the e-book. I still have thoughts of writing one, but I also want to teach another class, so we'll see.

6. Paint a large painting (or 2!). I've started said painting. But it's not finished. Actually, there are layers of background. But a true subject eludes me. There's still time to get inspired tonight.

7. Overhaul shop: photos, sections, product lines, etc. This is still a work in progress, but I think it always will be. I've definitely made changes, but more are still needed. I would especially like to consider the product like part...


8. Design a game. Completed! And kind of twice! Back in the spring I worked out the idea of a stitching game for while watching TV, and in the fall I collaborated with Tara to create an embroidered memory game.

9. Conquer sewing machine fear. I'm not sure that all fear is gone, but I did get up the nerve to use the sewing machine again. There were bee bean bags as well as a few Christmas gifts.

10. Buy a World Vision sewing machine. This was one of my favorites plans. To celebrate a milestone on this blog, I bought a sewing machine through World Vision so that someone could improve their life exponentially. Thank you to all who helped spread the word.

I'm so glad that I ended on that good one, because I'm a little disappointed with my apparent inability to finish things! Or perhaps it's my inability to make good and clear plans. I'm not sure, but I do know that I have a new list of things for 2011, and I look forward to sharing them next week.

PS: Be sure to stop by and visit my December sponsors one last time! A few will be back, but there's new friends coming tomorrow!

vote for the solar system

As if I needed more to do this week, I decided that I NEEDED to enter the Spoonflower bunting design contest. I had a number of ideas, and the ones that I didn't create and enter may still come to be. In the end, I settled on making a Solar System banner, which you can make and display with all of the planets in order!

The contest is underway today, and I would love, love, love it if you would go and vote for my design.

Oh, and once I get the banner fabric that I ordered, and make one for myself, I'll be sure to show you all here! We've been coming up with a bunch of ideas for how you could use this out-of-this-world panel! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself...)

winner: pattern of the month club

Wow! Thank you all for the amazing response to the Pattern of the Month Club giveaway! 87 of you entered, each of you had some wonderful things that you're looking forward to in 2011. I read through all of your comments, and visited many of your blogs, and it's so good to know more about you.

But, then it came time to choose a winner and I had to let Random.org do the job:

Comment #85 was Julie, who is looking forward to lots of happy stitching in the 2011 and her 3rd son graduating from college!!

Yay! Congratulations Julie! I'll be sending you an email shortly!

If you didn't win, there's still time to join the club at the discounted December price, and the club will continue to be available into the new year.

Thanks again so much for entering!

a birthday day

We have two birthdays within a week of each other around here, and with Christmas in the middle, it makes for a lot of presents, sugar and festivities. We get a little worn out by Grace's day, but make every effort to keep it special.

Grace requested a pink penguin cake, which is nice and specific, and fortunately, I felt up to the task. I think it came out rather well, considering that it was made in a bit of a rush!

After a trip to Chuck E. Cheese (I accept your sympathies...), we came home and I gave her this Doxie necklace that I made from Wee Wonderfuls' tutorial. It is oh so cute, but oh so tricky to turn. I think if I were to make this again, I'd make it from felt so that it doesn't need to be turned. And I think it would be equally cute.

Anyway, I think that for a mellow 6th birthday, it has been a good one! Happy Birthday, sweet Gracie!

giveaway: pattern of the month club

There are just a few days before the Pattern of the Month Club is officially under way, and I'm super excited. I've been working on finishing up the first set so that it gets sent on January 1st, which is also when the $30 early sign-up price goes away. So, if you've been thinking that you want a membership, and you'd like to save a few dollars, this is the week to sign up. You'll still be able to sign up in 2011 and get all 12 pattern sets, but the price goes up to $35.

However, for a bit of end-of-the-year fun, I have one membership to the Pattern of the Month Club that I'm giving away!

To enter, leave a comment with your name, email address (so I can reach you if you win!), and one thing that you're looking forward to in 2011. And if you've already signed up for the club, or you aren't a stitcher, you can still enter to win a gift subscription for someone else.

The giveaway will remain open until early Thursday morning, when I'll choose and announce the random winner.

Good luck, and I look forward to finding a new Club member!

the name of the recipe scared me

When someone tries to describe something that is called "Pretzel Salad", and they can't really tell me much about it, I get worried. I was told that the pretzels aren't really crunchy or mushy. I was told that it might have mayonnaise in it. I was told that it was like a Jello. These did not add up to something I wanted to try.

Thankfully, I found out that the pretzels form a crust layer, which gets topped with a creamy sweet cream cheese layer (no mayo!), which then has strawberries and Jello on top. I'm officially hooked now. If you would like to try this yummy (and pretty!) treat, here's the recipe I used.

make: wearable gift wrap

As the gifts were unwrapped on Christmas, I kept a sharp eye on the wooden charms that I attached to many of the presents I gave. They didn't cost much, or take long to make, but they were too cute to give up if folks didn't want them. There wasn't really a plan for what I would use them for, but in the moment, a quick necklace was fashioned.

Even if you didn't make wooden charms for your gifts, I think this is a necklace worth making. I'm already planning to make more with other little paintings.

So, go get some wooden discs, drill or punch a hole in them, paint a little design, and wear your gift wrap! Er, I mean your artwork!

(By the way, punching holes in wooden discs is the entire reason that I bought a Crop-A-Dile. It was just too amazing for me to pass up, and I'm happy every day that I have it.)

christmas in pictures

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Here's how ours looked:







There are lots of photos to go through, but these are my favorites. Now, this week I'm jumping in to a whole bunch of things for the New Year. Oh, and making a present for my baby sister's birthday on Wednesday!

since it's christmas let's be glad

For a number of years, Christmas felt a little disappointing to me. Presents, food, decorations, family; it was all good, but something was missing. The manger has always been a part of Christmas, so that wasn't it. But it's almost like I wanted...magic. And it wasn't there. Instead there was a lot of hurrying and preparing, and then...a quiet day.

I can't help think that it is much like God's people, waiting for their Savior. For years and years they had been getting ready for something big. Something magical! And then...a silent night. A baby.

I can't say exactly what caused the change for me, or when it really happened, but it's different now. All of the presents, food, decorations and family are still there. So is the manger. But those things are extras. Christmas, the Christmas season, and every other day, are about Jesus. Not the baby, but the Savior. And I can't imagine doing any of this without Him. I pray that the same is true for you.

And so, since it's Christmas, and our Savior is born, let's be glad!

finished and wrapped

Done. All of them. Wrapped. All of them. Making gifts is one of the things that I love about getting ready for Christmas. It helps me to prepare myself. But it also can get a me a little worried as I struggle to get everything in. Still, it was another good year of making, and here's a look at a few things that are safe to show:

A little cushion using Cate Anevski's Mischievous embroidery pattern.

A cushion/doll using Loobylu's embroidery pattern.

A happy trolley made from the Wee Wonderfuls book.

A banner using the Wee Wonderfuls Gnome pattern.

I'm quite happy with how they all turned out, and hope now that their recipients will appreciate them. Now, do tell. What have you made, what patterns and tutorials have you used and are you finished?

a gift arrived today

I have some handmade gifts to share later, the kind that I made. But I couldn't wait to show off what came in the mail today...handmade gifts for me! My young friend Stephanie in Canada made me a blanket and stocking. The blanket is sooo soft, and will be perfect for snuggling up with a movie or some stitching, and the stocking is all stitched by hand!

Thank you so very much Steph! Christmas hugs to you!

the mustache was a hit

Thank you to everyone who convinced me that PJ needed the mustache. He loved it, as you can see!

I've reached the point where I'm just about all worn out from Christmas gift making and cookie baking. But the good news is, I only have one more gift to make. Okay, maybe two. Yay! Tomorrow will involve a bit more cooking and baking, but I'm up for it. I think. Yes. Yes, I'm ready. I'll talk myself into it!

How are you feeling? Tired? Ready to be done?

birthday mustache making

Must. Finish. PJ's. Present.

(today's his 11th birthday!)

make: felt friends stocking stuffers

As a maker of things for presents, I am very lucky and happy that I have three siblings that love little soft toys. My sister Grace and brother Max especially love them and carry them all over. They are 6 and 8, so I know it won't go on too much longer but for now I treasure it. I love that they think it's soooo cool that their sister can make things for them, even if they are the simplest of toys.

I used that to my advantage when making some little guys to add to their gifts this year. They are each only about 4-5" tall, and go together pretty fast. Here's the super simple instructions:

Cut out the pieces from felt. All of the features get stitched on first, then do a running stitch seam around the body, leaving a gap for stuffing. Stuff, then stitch closed.

So, download the pattern, and then take a look:

I think the owls are my favorites! The beak overlaps the eye piece a little, and I left the bottom edge free. The bottom of the feathers is also loose.

I made both a gingerbread and a sugar cookie person. You could add more features, but I went VERY simple. The bow is attached with just a few stitches that also are decorative.

This is the fun part on the beaver. His tail that flaps about! This is just sewn on at the same time as the main body seam. The ears also get sewn in while stitching up the main seam.

These will get lots of wear, and most likely will look rather sad and pilly in a few months. But the felt was all on hand, and they'll be loved for a time, so I'm okay with it. And then I'll just need to make more. (Is the need for the kids, or for me to be making? ...I'm not sure...) I'm thinking a robot is in order next. Or a hot dog, which Grace has requested on more than one occasion!

Happy Making!

woodland gingerbread

More cookies have been baked...this time gingerbread. Instead of the traditional little men, I went with some woodland IKEA cookie cutters. There are squirrels, hedgehogs and a few moose (which my sister mistakenly called camels).

I had hoped to make owls, but there was no owl in the collection. Sigh. I did make some other owls though...and a pattern for these sweet and soft little guys will be coming here very soon!

january sponsorship available

I added the opportunity for people to sponsor my blog back in May, and I did so only for blogs. The idea being that I want people to connect with other people and their stories, not just their shops. (Mind you, I love shops too...of course!) Stories continue to be important to me, and will play a larger part of this blog in 2011.

Throughout the year, I'll be featuring beloved stories, folk and fairy tales, and even some true stories. They'll find their way into the look of the blog, the freebies, and the projects. And perhaps your story, told through your blog, a guest post or giveaway, should be part of it too.

Starting in January, I'll have three ad sizes available:

$20 per month (1 ad available, no back to back months)

$10 per month or 3 months for $25 (4 ads available)

$6 per month or 3 months for $15 (10 ads available)

This past year, my readership has grown quite a lot. For the year ahead, I'll be making more and more improvements to the look and focus of the blog. The goal is to make this an even better space to spend some time, therefore giving my sponsors more opportunities to have their ads viewed.

In addition to the ads in the sidebar, sponsors are also featured in regular posts during the month. Each sponsor gets a welcome post, as well as a group sponsor post. Sometimes we mix it up a little with questions, guest posts, giveaways or more.

For detailed information on my stats, or to schedule sponsorship for January, send me an email (molliejohanson {at} gmail {dot} com). I look forward to sharing your blog...your story...in 2011!

the best free christmas music

I will admit, I've been listening to Christmas music for at least a month already, but I've waited to share a few things here until now. So here's my list of favorites that you can download or stream for free!

Sufjan Steven's Songs for Christmas. I shouldn't have to tell you about this, but I can't not mention him.

Hey It's Christmas! Vol. 1 This collection of 15 classics (and a few "new classics") has some new to me artists, and I'm really liking it.

A Familyre Christmas from Sounds Familyre. They are adding new songs to this album right up to Christmas!

FaLaLaLaLa. Retro Christmas music at its best. My family goes back here every year for more cheesy goodness.

For Folk's Sake It's Christmas. This one I just found on Bandcamp when searching for Christmas, and I'm still digging into it. Nice music and for a nice cause!

Now you've got some new tunes for finishing up your Christmas crafting! (You're almost done though, right?)

lazy gift wrap

I'm already feeling a little better, because I at least have one gift finished and wrapped! Although as the post title says, I think this is lazy wrapping. Simple and pretty (I think, anyway), but lazy.

This is a paper lunch bag, wrapped with crochet thread. The tags are a printable that I ordered from Hello Clementine (love them!), and then I added a wooden disc which I painted and punched with my Crop-a-Dile.

I didn't even use tape.

My plan is to wrap all of my gifts this way. And if they won't fit in a paper bag, I'll default to kraft paper. And actually the no tape thing really comes from my love of a scene in Sense and Sensibility, where Elinor is wrapping a gift. Of course there's no tape involved so the tie has to hold the paper in place. I think it's quite romantic.

But is this cheating? I hope not.

making a list, checking it twice

Do you have goals for the coming-way-too-fast new year? I started my list in October, and I'm really very excited about them. I've been trying not to jump on them too soon, but save them for when the calendar turns. The list needs to be refined a bit before I share it, but I will share it. Along with how I have done on 2010's goals.

My to-do list for this next week is a little stressful, but what comes next is getting me all giddy! I know you can't tell by looking at this blog and these words, but I'm giddy! Really! How about some extra exclamation points?!?!?!! Believe me now?!?! Giddy, I tell you!!!

christmas wish lists (part 3)...

I think we're at the last of our series of handmade Christmas wish list items. My fantastic sponsors and I have been sharing items that we love, and think you might love as well!


A wish list item from Michelle: If I don't get a puppy for Christmas (lol - would you consider puppies handmade??), I've really really had my eye on some goodness from one of my Etsy favorites (and also a fellow Vancouver-based shop) Flight Path Designs. (I bought my husband a belt last year for his birthday, and it's just gorgeous!!) I've had my eye on this amazing pirate ship necklace for a long while...But who am I kidding? I'd be insanely excited about anything from the shop!

See Michelle's beautiful blog, Scissor Quirk, for all kinds of inspiration. (And I do hope that necklace is wrapped up for Michelle on Christmas morning!)


From Katie: There are two handmade items on my Christmas list. One ridiculous one that I don't expect anyone would ever buy me: Forest, and one slightly more sensible....I'd love a book necklace like this one.

Read more from Katie, and see her delightful drawings at Green Bean Studio.


And finally, we have Kara: I just think these lace necklaces are the prettiest thing. So delicate, feminine, and quirky! Hey, Santa?

Kara shares lovely photos, deep thoughts, and more on her blog, I Just Might Explode.


And now it's my turn! I am SO loving this Alice in Wonderland inspired print. The green matches the walls in my work space, and more art is always a good thing, yes?

Oh, and I'll choose a second one too. My second handmade wish list item is that I would actually get all of my handmade projects finished in time! Things are going slow...yikes!

How about you? What handmade item is on your Christmas wish list?