Monday 17 December 2012

Some Secret (Santa) Sewing Revealed!

I've been a bad blogger, a bad follower these last few days...but it's all in an attempt to be a good daughter. I've been working on my mum's quilt (which she has been waiting a loooong time for) and because of the block I close, I had to make a few of them.  After stealing the batting from the quilting fail that was my Stained Man with a Curious Nature quilt, it's basted and ready for quilting on my mum's machine after we get back tomorrow. So there should be a finish before the New Year...and I shall re-quilt the man quilt in January!

So you may remember I'm a member of the Stitch Tease bee.  This is a great group of women and the brain child of lovely Di. A few weeks back, when I had a happy machine, I suggested a low stress Secret Santa swap and the mama and fellow bee mates agreed. We gave some helpful suggestions to our partner and one of mine was a stocking for Zaki.

My partner was the funny and very talented Katy and look what she sent...

Photo courtesy of my mum
...the most gorgeous stocking with dinosaurs appliqued on to it and his name of course. Zaki is completely dinosaur obsessed and a dinosaur quilt is on the bucket list.  I haven't shown him the stocking as I want it to be a surprise but I just know he is going to LOVE it. Because of the unpredictability of the postal systems at this time of year, Katy sent it to my mum's - I can't wait to see it and to give it to Zaki!  Thank you Katy - you did an amazing job!

My partner was lovely Danny, who hangs out in Arizona and has a totally edible 1 year old called Clara-Mae.  One of Danny's requests was for a Christmas toy for Clara Mae.  I decided to make her a Christmas soft book.


I used some Essex linen for the outer cover and  Kona Regal for the inside lining.


I appliqued some Christmas themed pictures...





..and as I am in Morocco, there had to be one of the wise men's camels and a Christmas star.  I think this one is my favourite.


As I was making this on my old machine and without a walking foot, I wasn't able to top stitch the pages or bind the book with a central seam - there was no way I could stitch 3 layers of pages together!  So I had no choice to to tie the book together with some embroidery yarn.


While I like the look, this isn't ideal for a one year old and I hope Danny will cut the ties and whizz the book through her machine. I hope this book will be chewed and loved!

We leave for England tomorrow so more once we're back!

21 comments:

Kelly said...

Love the stocking and the book is the cutest thing ever! Safe journey home x

Canadian Abroad said...

Love the stocking and the book is genius. Danny will be so thrilled, as I am sure Zaki is!

Ellie said...

You guys are all so talented at making these sewing projects. Everything is looking great.
I hope you enjoy your time at your mums. :)

Anonymous said...

lovely stocking and soft book. Have a wonderful Christmas!

blandina said...

The stocking is lovely but, oh the book! I think it would be a wonderful gift for anyone, not only a toddler.
merry Crhistmas, dear Annabella. I am flying too tomorrow.

Dianne Neale said...

The book is brilliant idea Annabella. I think the camel is my favourite too! And your stocking for Zaki is wonderful. It was a great idea to do this swap

ScissorsandThread said...

Lucky Zaki! Love the book, fab idea.

Katy Cameron said...

Fab job on the book, and glad I could help on the stocking, although I hope your mum fished out the contents before leaving it by the fire for too long o.O (Or you'll have an interesting surprise inside ;o) ) Safe trip home!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

Katy made a perfect stocking for Zaki! So perfect! But your book for Clara Mae is adorable. I bet she just loves it. Such a sweet idea.

Judith, Belfast said...

Such a cute wee book! And a lovely stocking for Zak. Hope you have a safe trip home and enjoy a peaceful Christmas with your family. Jxo

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Love it! You're a genius, pure and simple!

leanne can blog said...

What a gorgeous book!

Susan said...

The Christmas book is wonderful! What a clever idea!

Kirsten said...

The Christmas book is so lovely - the camel is my favourite too.

Leanne said...

Such lovely presents. Have the best holiday!

Danny Heyen said...

And Maze loves it!! Thank you SO much!!

FleurBleue said...

Fantastic job with the book. Well done!

Fiona x

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

Love the book Annabella - I bet Danny was thrilled!

Ms. Becky said...

Hello Annabella! Yes, it has been a long while between visits. I've not been posting much on my blog - and not taking many photos either. Your stitching endeavors are beautiful. My sister recently retired from her job as school librarian and she's taken up quilting. One of my birthday presents last year was a quilt and it's one of my most treasured things ever. Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season and a healthful new year. take care now.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Welcome back to the rain!
That book is amazing and Zaki is going to be thrilled!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

That little book you've made is exquisite! Hope you get home ok through all the floods and have a lovely Christmas and New Year :) x