Mail!

Canada Post is currently in full-out strike mode (boo!!), but before that happened, I had me a good mail week :-)

First off, I have to say a big thank you to the awesome people in Blogland who encouraged me to get back up on the swap horse after my first (crappy) experience. After I posted about that one, the amazingly thoughtful Sandy insisted she send a gift my way. And then in the last month or so, I have "inadvertently" gotten myself into a bunch of private swaps, ALL of which are going so great! So, this week, I trotted down the to the post office with my little side kick, bribed her with a cookie to keep quiet while I taped up my first bundle of packages (these ones going to Sandy, Alison, Kaelin and Amy). Ladies, don't judge a package by its cover because my packaging/tape job is really quite comical! Look like they were done by a cat or at least an animal without opposable thumbs. Anyways, after selling a kidney, I was able to pay Canada Post what was required to send them on their merry way. More on the contents later :-)
Speaking of swaps, I have already received my parcel from Amy...check out this adorable kidlet basket she made for me using her sweet new "My Happy Place" fabric. I love it, Amy! And she included some extra fabric, a button and a bloom transfer in its pocket. Thanks so much! Lucky me :-)

My new friend Jeannie also sent me a huge bundle of interfacing in the mail. She had said she was going to send me samples of a couple types so I could see their texture and such before ordering online, but instead she sent me a whole stack which will be put to good use in my framed purse production line of late :-) Thanks, Jeannie!

My mate Kelli was kind enough to send me a load of Denyse Schmidt's Australian version of her latest fabric. Drool! I will put it together with my stack of the American prints and plan to use it in Elizabeth's quilt-a-long! On my own schedule, of course ;)

Also, got myself some yardage of Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks voile. I actually still have this whole line, uncut- so why order more? I plan to use this buttery goodness on the back of a yet-to-be-designed quilt involving my rainbow Liberty of London bundle! And I WILL get over my anxiety and cut into the Little Folks bundle, eventually!

Lastly, I got myself a little something for the sewing room from Aunty Cookie in Australia. How cute is this print?

While I was at it, I got a half yard of this adorable linen. Expensive, but I know just the project(s) for it!

Now, just a couple more swap presents to send out! I love mail :-)

Mini-Monet Christmas Ornament Tutorial

Searching for the perfect heartfelt Christmas gift for that special grandparent, aunt or teacher? Look no further! These ornaments are the perfect personalized gift from your child. Using a piece of their art, you can make a very special keepsake to cherish for a lifetime.



Here is what you will need:
-white paper and colored markers for your Mini-Monet artist to work their magic!
-a scanner, color printer, and heat transfer paper (I got mine here)
-minimal picture editing know-how to add text to the art
-wooden embroidery hoop (mine was 3")
-hot glue gun and glue sticks
-a piece of white or natural colored muslin, cotton, or linen- to transfer image
-a piece of Christmas-y fabric for backing to image (note- I used an assortment of polka dots and stripes from my local fabric shop, plus some Moda Figgy Pudding)
-a piece of felt to finish the back of your hoop
-embroidery thread or Perle 8 thread in a coordinating color
-a piece of coordinating ribbon
- some jute, yarn or raffia for hanging


Time to create!
(Note- I have to apologize for the terrible photo quality, these were all taken in the wee hours of the night when there is no natural light to be found!)

1. Have your little artist create a holiday themed picture

2. Scan the picture and save to your computer

3. Use your computer's editing program to add text as desired (note- I used bold "teen light" font). I suggest a name for the art, the name and age of your little artist, and the date.

4. Open Microsoft Word (or equivalent). Click "insert" and then "picture" and "picture from file". Select your saved image. Scale this image by clicking and dragging on the corner until it prints out about 2" square. Make sure your text is still large enough to be readable!

5. Print onto transfer paper- be sure to select "print mirror image". Note- you may want to print a test-run on regular paper first to be sure of scale/size.

6. Transfer image to white fabric using iron according to transfer paper instructions.

7. Use a circle cutter or scissors and a steady hand to cut around the image in approximately a 2.25" circle.



8. Cut the backing fabric in a 5" circle. Center on hoop and tighten screw of hoop in place.
Use hot glue gun to fold over on back side and secure in place.

9. Hand stitch image white fabric with image onto backing fabric using embroidery thread or Perle 8 thread.
10. Cut felt or other back material in circle measuring 3.2" in diameter. You may want to add a tag like mine before attaching. Glue in place using glue gun, and use scissors to trim any excess.


11. Tie on a piece of ribbon to the screw of the hoop. Add a string for hanging.

You are done!

I hope you and your "Mini-Monets" enjoy hanging this special ornament on the tree for many Christmases to come!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I would love to see your creations in my Flickr pool! Please feel free to blog about them, but do link back to this post, please! Thank you!
Linking up to some of the great parties on my sidebar like Crafty Soiree , Sew-and-Tell Fridays and Quilt Story :-)