Gifts to Mwanza

I mentioned and showed previously the fabric bought in Mwanza and the table runners I made. One of the table runners I had made as a gift for Tammy, the American Missionary couple we stayed with. I also made gifts for some other ladies there, that have a place in my heart, along with Tammy.

I made these needlecases, embroidering their initial on the front.

Also a Japanese knot bag each. I used the pattern from Mirkwood Designs where you can make it with or without a base. I used the one without the base. Also in the past have used this pattern from littlegemsession.

Another gift for Tammy was this County Carry Bag in the Australian HOMEMADE 2005 Vol 22 No 2 magazine. Which I posted about on March 1st.

These are the photos I received from Tammy after they were happily received. I was glad they arrived safely as it took nearly a month to get to Tanzania from Australia.

Tammy's photo with the table runner on her table and the country carry bag hanging on a bag hook off the table.

Icecream Container . . and . . Mug Pouch?!

I mentioned two posts ago about the Re-Invention challenge by Jenny of ELEFANTZ. I can now show you what I did with the icecream container.

A few years back I saw the pattern for a mug pouch, by Christine Book, in the Australian HOMESPUN magazine No. 38 (Vol. 7 No.4). I wanted to make one then, but never did. Recently our patchwork group decided, as it’s growing “too big”!!! and to make it easier on the hostess, where we meet once a month, it was suggested to bring our own mug along. I knew exactly what I wanted to make, to take along my mug with.

I also made a couple of others for friends in the group also. So I’m using the last one I made, as the model for the process of making it and how the icecream container came in useful. I tried something new – colouring in with pencils the stitchery, painting over it with Textile Medium and iron setting it.

1. The pouch is made in two pieces, like mini quilts. With some embroidered pockets. One goes on the back for a teaspoon, and the teabags plus sugar.

2. It’s folded in a certain way, which makes sense soon…!!!

3. Embroidery completed, which I did as Crazy Quilting, as my friend loves CQ! Also a piece of icecream container. What’s if for? It will sit in the bottom of the pouch to hold the base out. I used it because I didn’t have any template plastic like the instructions suggested.

4. The pockets have been sewn on the front and the back, and now the two pieces are hand sewn together, to form the pouch.

5. The completed pouch!!!

6. Here are the three I made. The rose one is mine.

7. The back of my pouch, showing what the "spoon" pocket looks like.

Gift Mail

I discovered this wonderful Free Craft pattern site, where she links to tutorials and patterns….. I discovered on her personal blog, she loves owls!!! Her name? Khris . I decided to make Khris a crocheted owl night mask end of last year.

Well a lovely surprise arrived in the mail, back in February, for me!!!

Gorgeous owl paper hiding the gift within

Fabric covered note book (now in my hand-bag) and beautiful pastel fat quarters.

All just perfect.

Past Christmas Gifts

A couple of years ago hubby made the suggestion that for Christmas we make or give something we already have, as gifts in our immediate family.

I was very happy with the idea, an “excuse” to make something different.

The first Christmas for my son – I converted a cartoon he had drawn, in to a small wall hanging.

My daughter got a Manicure Set from HOMESPUN March 2007


I was taken with the knitted Plum Puddings in HANDMADE Vol 24 No 12 (2007). I knitted up three of them for a small display. I made some extras as the Christmas Swap gift for our local patchwork group.

IDEA: If you make something you like, make another one and keep it in store for a birthday gift, “just because” gift or Christmas gift. I do this often. I figure if I “like” something, then someone else would too!!

Last year I made a valet tray for my son, from COUNTRY THREADS Vol 8 No 8 (2008). It involved recycling a skirt.

For my daughter she got a Babushka Doll from HANDMADE Vol 25 No 10 (2008).

My daughter celebrates her birthday two days after Christmas, which means I have to be very organized for her. For her 10th birthday she got Little Miss Mushroom from HOMESPUN.

I added the magazine details, because I know I often see something someone has made and "wonder where that pattern is"!!