Project: Christmas Gifts

Screen Printed Flour Sack Towels

 For the last several years I have been making Christmas gifts for friends and family. This year due to some time constraints we decided to screen print most of our gifts and limit the amount of sewing time. This ended up being a good decision because my foot controlled died a week and a half before we left to visit family out of state. Making the screens still took a lot of time, but the actually printing was over in a matter of minutes.

Queen Anne's Lace

 We have been inspired by so many things since our move to Pittsburgh. This Fall I marveled at how beautiful Pittsburgh becomes as the leaves change colors. It reminded me of the time I lived in Canada. Ah... seasons. We designed the images for our screens based on some of the Fall foliage that stood out to us while we were traveling and walking all over the city. Looking out our window was also pretty inspiring due to the beautiful view of the park across the street. I took pictures of various leaves, sketched, and collected samples as they fell from trees.

Japanese Maple Leaves from the Yard

 We were able to complete three handmade screens using acrylic paint. My next challenge with these screens is layering the design with detailed accents. Ginko leaves have these fine lines that fan out to the ends of each leaf. I imagine lawn creatures using them as fans or shade when the sun is high.

Ginko Leaves from Our Yard

We heard our nephews were getting a kitchen for Christmas. They love to "make" food when they play together. Just the other day Sebastian was opening a candy store and made me soup out of blocks. I thought it would be fun to make them some play food they could use while playing in their kitchen.

Felt Bacon Strips

Se

Sushi Roll

 It seams like we rarely have a weekend breakfast without bacon; therefore, the boys needed to have bacon, too. Although the boys are young, 2 and 4, they have incredibly cultivated palettes. I think it is great they both enjoy eating sushi. The sushi was a little experimental, but I was happy with the results- especially the "mock-i". The place mats were an extra-special touch contributed by The Architect.

Different view of the sushi roll

Tuna "Mock-i"

Tuna "Mock-i"

We also made a couple of turkey legs just for fun. It was an opportunity for The Architect to practice sewing. That was a lot of fun. He did well, which makes me hopeful for our next sewing project- his new messenger bag.

Turkey Leg

My favorite t-shirt/oneies combination

We attended the tree lighting ceremony last December at the capitol with two of our good friends. In addition to electrifying a tree and a lot of Christmas carols led by lovingly annoying KUT radio host John Aielli all of Congress opened up its doors. The local Farmer's Market even set up after hours, which allowed me to enjoy some much craved kettle corn and do a little shopping for baby.

Burro and burrito t-shirt and onesie for The Architect and Baby

The above pictured "burrito" onesie was picked up while browsing the Farmer's Market. It's from Will Heron, who is a local designer. He does children, women, and men's clothing. The Architect loved the onesie so much I went to Will's website and found the "Burro/burrito" t-shirt for him as a part of his dad-to-be Christmas gift. Will was prompt to respond to my order, and I had it in less than a week even though it was Christmas time.

Do expect a photo to be posted at a later date of the boys wearing Will's gear. I can't wait.

Charley Harper Inspired Baby Mobile Made by My Architect

The Architect made me (and baby) one of the most incredible gifts for Christmas. He knows my love of Charley Harper, whose artwork and design is the key inspiration of our nursery, and has access to a laser cutter. During his lunch breaks he crafted a mobile to hang over the baby's crib. It's absolutely beautiful, and I am in awe of his generosity, love, and incredible talent. We will have to post more photos once it is hanging in the nursery.