Fourth Christmas Reveal: All the Rest!

Now that I have dragged you through all the cat and dog projects (I mean, really, what could be more important?) I will speed things up a little with this post!  This is still a long post...get a beverage of your choice and enjoy!

The Recycled Bag
This is what happens when my son decides that his favorite pair of jeans that he wore through four years of college and beyond have crossed over into the realm of unwearable:

Can you see where the knee was worn out?

Lovely script fabric inside for my son the writer.  I was a little apprehensive about taking the rotary cutter to the jeans without his approval (despite the fact he had abandoned the pants some time ago) but he seemed very pleased with the gift!  Here is my #1 Man modeling to ensure the strap length would work:

Daughter-in-law's Bag
Ever since I saw this pattern for the 241 Tote, I wanted to make one.  I am so impressed with all the different fabric combinations for this bag that I see on Flickr.  Finding just the right fabric for our B's bag took some time.  I had almost given in to a "not quite right but good enough selection" the week before Christmas, when I found what I thought was the perfect fabric for her!

The Sweetwater city print reminded me of my world traveling DIL!  This was another great project for learning new techniques.  The pattern is very clear and I pretty much followed it step by step.  I did make the straps a little longer and padded them with batting.   I am looking forward to making something with the scraps from this project!

Almost-Daughter-in-law's Bag
You might recall this special group of fabric we purchased on our last trip to Chicago:

 Well, those lovely ladies in the back reminded me of my lovely (and stylish!) future daughter in law!  The pattern is Amy Butler's Charm Clutch.    I am working up my confidence to tackle her Weekend Bag someday.

Cute!

Pouches for the Nieces
For my two fave teenage nieces, I made my first zippered pouches:

Wow!  So much fun...and fast, even with the quilt-as-you-go patched bag!  I used the tutorial from Noodlehead for open wide zipper pouches.

OK if you are still reading...we are getting close to the end....

Kitchen Sets

Remember the fabric I was given on my birthday by my son and his wife?  Time to re-gift!  An oven mitt and towel for them:

Lesson learned:  do NOT trace your hand as a template for oven mitts when you have a son who is 6'4" tall...he will lose circulation in his thumb when he uses the oven mitts!  They fit his wife perfectly!  I promise to use a pattern next time!

And a set for his brother and fiance:

The pot holder pattern is from In Color Order and is a great technique and fast to assemble.

And last...the Yankee Swap Gift!
Last year we started what will certainly be annual tradition based on how much fun we have had with it.  After the younger ones have opened their gifts and after the main dinner, the adults participate in a Yankee Swap.  From fabric that I picked up on my husband's birthday weekend Maine Shop Hop, I contributed this to the swap:

It was perfect that my older brother selected this gift as we all grew up watching the Stooges (and, despite that,  I think we turned out (almost) normal!).  The apron pattern came from Purl Bee and the oven mitt pattern (yeah!) I found on Raechel Myers site.  Whew!  Finished this Christmas Eve!

Thank you for reading all the way down to here.  And just in case you haven't had enough, here are the previous posts with the cats and dogs!  First, the Cat Quilt, Second, the Cat Bag and Third, the Dog Pillows!  If I can answer any questions about any of these projects, please leave me a comment!  Linking up with Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday!

PS  All sewing aside, it was another wonderful Christmas shared with many of those I love.  I feel so blessed to have so many friends and family nearby to share the season (and my sewing addiction!) with.