Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Tutorials and Giveaways

Just a quickie today.... a bit of a linky one.

Saffron Craig - a super-talented fabric designer in Sydney - is having a fat quarter giveawy at the moment. Join her mailing list and she'll send you a FREE FAT QUARTER! She has some gorgeous Christmas prints right now. I love the tree decorations she's made from it.
Maya also has lots of Christmas crafting and tutorials happening right now. I think she's amazingly clever.... I might have mentioned that before...?
One Pretty Thing is another one to watch for great xmas gift ideas, and Whip-Up continues to inspire daily with lots of holiday gifts and decorations.

...Oh, and the Carry-All Bag pattern is at testing stage (WOO-HOO!!), so I guess that means we'll be having a giveaway, too.
Leave a comment to share your favourite xmas-themed or gift-idea tutorial link (on your own or anyone else's blog) and we'll draw the winner of the Carry-All pattern on the day it goes up on the website.


Just a bit of a reminder that we'll be closed over the holiday season - from 23rd Dec to 12th Jan. I need some serious R&R.... and a bit of recreational sewing.

41 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooh another new pattern, can't wait!

There are so many great Xmas craft tutorials around but I love this one http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2008/12/newspaper-snowflake-garland-tutorial.html

Look at the results you can get with it!
http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.com/2008/12/snowflake-curtain.html

I think the girls and I will try a less ambitious version when school and kinder breaks up :)

Kirsty said...

Maya's a goodie.

Alixandrrraaa said...

my favourite is this one

http://pixiegenne.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/the-ornament-wreath-words-of-advice-and-caution.html

so colourful and great parctical tips.

Melissa Antolovic said...

Wow this carry all bag looks like it might just fit all my "stuff" lol

For handmade christmas ideas I've been following Mels 25 days of Handmade christmas posts at http://www.melissagoodsell.typepad.com/

Candied Fabrics said...

Look at the cute knitted stocking advent calendar here:
http://whatsthatgonnabe.blogspot.com/2008/11/deadline.html
Too late for this year, but maybe next! Maybe I'll make a few little stockings as ornaments though!

Tricia said...

These paper ball ornaments are so simple, they hardly seem worth mentioning. But I can't stop making them! It's relaxing, and easy enough the kids can do it, too.

http://whipup.net/2008/12/04/paper-ball-ornament/

Selina said...

My current fave tutorial is this one: http://vacuumqueen.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-tree-napkin-pattern-download.html

So clever! Thanks for the links!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

That bag is fabulous! Mmm... I do need a new, cool looking laptop bag...

There are so many fabulous tutorials out there and not enough crafting time to make them all, it was hard to choose. In the end, I decided I liked this advent calendar best

http://ourhouse.typepad.com/full_circle/2007/12/advent.html

Serena said...

This isn't necessarily Christmas-y, but I thought it would be a nice gift: http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/10/homemade-sponge-and-soap-saver.html

I may be slightly practical when it comes to gifts...

Anonymous said...

hmmmm this one is very good - http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/2008/12/last-minute-gift-idea.html

Too cheeky?

Michelle said...

love a giveaway...especially a great pattern...
my favorite site for gift ideas and tutorials is alawys...
www.spoonfullofsugargirls.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hello Nicole

I love your designs and of course your give away. My Favorite tutorial is http://ourshabbycottage.blogspot.com/2008/10/want-to-make-shabby-christmas-wreath.html.

Groetjes from a cold and little bit of snow Netherlands

ZenCrafter said...

What a beautiful tote! I've been a lurker for a while, and I do admire your amazing sewing skills and your textile art. And of course you have already mentioned MY favorite Christmas crafting inspiration: Maya at mayamade and Rachel of One Pretty Thing. The two of them never cease to amaze me with their energy and skills! I'd have to say that Whip Up's Christmas tutorial roundups have been over-the-top wonderful: http://whipup.net/2008/12/07/flickr-handmade-holidays-ornaments/

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! It's nice to find a fellow Boggle lover/Scrabble failure!

coffeechris said...

Really enjoy your blog and I would not only love to win....I need it you should see my bag...busy sewing for others and here my bag is terrible. I real different tutorial I love can be found at Kristin Nichols...I am saving my cardboard to make with my son.
Happy Season



http://getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/2008/12/winter-holiday-birch-house-tutorial.html

Unknown said...

I keep pretending like i'm going to make a purse right away but i'm starting to not believe me *lol* I'd love to win this pattern, but if I don't I'm going to have to either buy one if I can find one I like, I just take the plunge and take mine apart, I love it but it's starting to fall apart on it's own anyways...

Janellybelly said...

Hi Nikki
Christy from Sweet Tidings has some love 'Christmassyness' going on at her blog with craft, baking and links - and she makes everything by hand! http://sweettidings.blogspot.com/
Janelle xx

Spool {} said...

Thanks to Craft Gossip I can now enter my comment! I saw this cute birdie advent calendar and couldn't remember where it was. Fortunately Denise Felton featured it this morning. And here it is!
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/11/26/little-birdie-advent-calendar/

Aussie Jo said...

Meggie cat has some fantastic xmas crafts and templates on her site.

Dot said...

Dorothy said

I am really enjoying your blog and also your tutorials.........I am learning so much from you. Thank you

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Love your latest bag style - looks like a most practical design, and very fetching in the red and white!! I have been enjoying the line up at One Pretty Thing - so much inspiration, too little time!!

Belltree Family said...

This bag is cool. Your blog is so inspiring.

Here is a tutorial suggestion from me:
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-to-schoollunch-bags.html

I made several of these for kids in my neighbourhood for Christmas.

Bethany said...

That bag is fabulous and I am anxious to get my hands on the pattern.

And I am dying to make this advent calendar.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/advent_calendar/

Based on the projects on my list, and the fact that it is already December 11th, I am thinking that will be a project for 2009.

Nic said...

Love the bags, am not however loving the mad dash to the Christmas finish line.
I found this tutorial for a great tree skirt.
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-tree-skirt-tutorial.html

Just Susan said...

I'm liking the look of this tree skirt on Sew Mama Sew
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-tree-skirt-tutorial.html I'm going to get to it, I know I well.

Mary said...

A few faves are

Lots of cool ideas here http://thelongthread.com/

and here
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/

and here
http://blog.craftzine.com/

Anonymous said...

I really love window garland:
http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem/2008/12/jen-causey.html

Bellgirl said...

I've just added this one to my Following list: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

I love the ones that have tutorials and printable templates!

Jen said...

I'm looking forward to trying this bag as I need a new one!

My favourite Xmas tute is a simple one but perfect for my nieces:

http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2008/11/crafty-christmas-idea-3button-boxes_27.html

Anonymous said...

I love your bag patterns and would love to win this pattern. My favorite tutorial is http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2008/11/margaret-sling-bag.html

Anonymous said...

I just love what you do! You are very inspiring.

Unknown said...

Film in the Fridge has some great tutorials - I like this one for a fabric (paper) chain garland for the Christmas tree:

http://www.filminthefridge.com/2008/12/01/time-to-decorate-a-paper-fabric-chain-tutorial/


rachel.m.hopmoen@gmail.com

Tina said...

OH It's my Bday today, and I feel lucky!! :):)
I love this tutorial... cute isn¨t it? http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2007/11/15/christmas-favor/

Katherine said...

I just posted a tutorial to make a small drawstring pouch that would be great for gift giving over the holidays (or anytime - depending on the fabrics you choose). It's fast and easy to sew and a new favourite of mine.

http://sewmesomethinggood.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-sew-small-drawstring-pouch-from.html

I would love to win one of your fabulous patterns. I'm crossing my fingers....

KathyB said...

Hi Nikki, Beautiful bag, as usual!! My Chrissie ornaments are the ones my grandkids made at kinda and the tut is http://whipup.net/2008/12/4/paper-ball-ornament/ Merry Christmas :)

Sue said...

I have a LOT of fave tutorials, but my most recent fave is a cute little felted xmas tree I found here - http://thelongthread.com/?p=1656

it is on the list for next year since I ran out of time to go jumper searching to get it made this year :D

Bronwyn said...

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned the humungous list of 'Homemade Holidays' on Sew Mama Sew - that will keep you busy for a very long time!

sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=653

Nesa said...

Mine would be oneprettythings, lots of great compilation christmas gift ideas. Happy holidays

Liesl said...

Its such a lovely bag - I would love to be in your draw. (I am having fun with the kid's hat pattern at the moment!).

As to a tutorial (hmmm ... I think I am using the term tutorial very loosely here!) I have a series of posts on making a gingerbread cottage on my blog.

islandgirlA/alicia in Hawaii/Alicia DR Hankins/ The RealW8 Cook said...

Not a tutorial this time, but
I made Santa Purses:
http://curiosities808.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/crochet-project-santa-purses/
and a purse/wristlet combo
http://curiosities808.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/sewing-project-christmas-candy-wristlet/
and here
http://curiosities808.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/sewing-creations-christmas-candy-purse/
smiles,
alicia in Hawaii

Nikki said...

denise said...
I would love to win this pattern. I live in China and have finally found a warehouse area with purse supplies! Too bad it is too close to Christmas for this year, but there are always birthday presents that need to be done!

December 17, 2008 10:02 AM

Anonymous said...

I love the bag, especially in the brown and turquoise fabric. lovely

My favourite holiday tutoria at the moment is http://community.livejournal.com/handmade_gifts/117560.html it's for recycled crayons into toy car shaped crayons for kids. But really you could use any kind of moulds you have lying around the house. I tried it with some chocolate moulds I had in the shape of Christmas trees, Santa hats and chocolate bars. They look great!