"There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own."

Edwin Markham

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Christmas Bag

My husband and I became grandparents for the first time in 2006. Our granddaughter was born in January 2006  to our daughter and son-in-law, and our first grandson was born in October (nine months less one day later) to our son and daughter-in-law. So, for the babies' first Christmas, I decided to make, and fill, stockings from Grandma (and Grandpa, too). I found a cute, small stocking pattern and went to work. By the time I had finished sewing and shopping I had great little stockings with way too much stuff to ever fit into them. So, the next year I made bigger stockings, and ended up with the same problem. (I really should carry a measuring tape with me.) By the time their third Christmas rolled around I realized I needed a better plan. Enter the 'Christmas Bag'.


I had already discovered that Easter baskets didn't hold a whole lot, either, and had used a pattern from Quilts and more magazine to make colourful lined bags for their Easter goodies. Why not do the same at Christmas. Sometimes the bags are fancy, like these from last Easter, and sometimes they are simple, like this year's Christmas editions.

We have a third grandchild now. Our son and daughter-in-law welcomed a second son in February 2009. We are crazy about all three, and love being able to spoil them with a few extra treats.






And, at last...

The Hello Betty quilt is finished. Just in time, too, as it is to be a gift for my mom (who is a Betty). It is not perfect. It has lots of little tucks and puckers, which I noticed while hand sewing the binding. But, it is done!


Merry Christmas, everyone.

Sandy

5 comments:

  1. The bags you made are a great idea! They hold the gifts then afterward can be reused for toy caddies or trips to the library or where ever. Great Idea! I love the Hello Betty quilt, the colors are beautiful and the white makes it look so crisp. It is wonderful and nothing is ever perfect, so don't worry about little puckers here or there. It gives the quilt more character! It is made with love and your Mom will cherish it. Merry Christmas!

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  2. The bags are a cute idea and they're all cute. And I LOVE the Hello Betty quilt. Kinda makes me want to go buy some fabric for myself!

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  3. I am working on "gifting bags" for my girls to use to give each other presents for Christmas. After almost pullling my hair out when working wiht my 4 1/2 year old to wrap her sisters present (which of course was an ackward to wrap thing ANYWAYS!) They are going to be more like oversized pillowcases though.

    glad the quilt is done for you. I have a few that are less than perfect but moving off the list!

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  4. The kids will love those bags! They will hold so much more! ...... Your quilt is gorgeous! I love how you did the geese, which by the way, look perfect to me, as does the quilting. What a special gift that will be! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Enjoy the time with your family. ---"Love"

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  5. Good ideas with the bags. Your mother will love the quilt. The fying geese in the border are a lovely touch.

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