Hello Friends — Happy December, and Happy Christmas to you all! I hope you have been well! For those of you who have started to follow me at Instagram (ivory_spring), THANK YOU! I have enjoyed your visits and comments, and chatting with some of you even! I have lots more to share, but for today… I am going to focus on my contribution to the Michael Miller’s Last Minute Gift Holiday Blog Hop!
Operative word here is Last Minute!!!
Christmas is in full swing at my end despite a really busy work and life schedule, and I am sure it’s about the same at your end. No matter how prepared I think I am, I always end up with something last minute to do! If you are looking for a last minute gift to make — a pillow is always a quick one!
TIP: Make a quilt block (pieced or even cut from a panel), and add border pieces to the size of your pillow form. Then, construct your pillowcase, and voila!
I got to work with Hollywood Pixie fabrics for my blog hop project. This is a most adorable line, especially if you have a precious girl in your circle of influence who fancies herself a fairy or pixie. I have just such a girl living in my house! These fabrics are currently available in local and online quilt shops. Click here to view the fabrics.
So… I made a tree block from my Santa’s Tree Farm pattern, and added enough pieces to make a 24″ x 24″ square because I have a 24″ square pillow form from Hobbs Batting — softest pillow form ever, by the way!
I get asked a lot how big is that little star tree topper — it is 3″ finished! It is possible to make as long as you are careful with your seam allowances, with your seams pressed open.
Constructed throw pillowcase with the pillow form inserted — in the “kids” Christmas corner at my house.
FROM START TO FINISH — a little over an hour — can’t get more “last minute” than that!
I used the easiest “envelope” method to construct the pillowcase back because I don’t know how to insert a zipper! There — I said it! I just used the pixie print for the entire back.
Do visit Michael Miller’s Facebook page HERE.
GIVEAWAY: To win a fabric bundle from Michael Miller, please comment and tell me if you give handmade Christmas gifts! Winner will be announced on December 12th!
I hope this gives you an idea for a quick gift to make this holiday season! In case you haven’t checked out the other blog hoppers —
- Monday, December 3rd: Debby Kratovil
- Tuesday, December 4th: Stephanie Kendron: Modern Sew Society and on Instagram: @modernsewciety
- Wednesday, December 5th: Lish Dorset
- Thursday, December 6th: Sam Hunter (blogging on the Michael Miller Facebook page)
- Friday, December 7th: Wendy Sheppard
- Saturday, December 8th: Natalie Crabtree (Instagram: @njcrabtree)
That’s all for now, Dear Friends! Have a great weekend.
Ivory Spring 
I sure do – every year!
I usually do but as my main machine is in the shop, things are on hold.
Yes, I give handmade gifts to my friends and family who I know will appreciate them. Others get store bought.
Yes, I always make at least a few Christmas presents, a quilt or two & this year I made every one in my small sewing group a sewing machine apron. And wonder of all wonders they are already done & wrapped!
I always make quilted gifts. This year I’m making eight quilts with cuddle backing.
I try to, but don’t make it come true every year. But I do love to give handmade gifts.
Pretty blocks and quilt. I always make the family’s Christmas gifts. I love the envelope pillow back because no zippers to get stuck. Plus, I am not good at doing zippers, lol.
yes I love giving handmade gifts. I haven’t for quite some time as I recently have recovered from a 3-year depression Mega episode. But this year I’ve made a blanket and a table topper. Maybe I’ll send you a picture when they’re done. Haha, just need to finish the hand sewing on the blanket and get the binding on the table topper. They’ll be ready in plenty of time for a change!
Yes I do try from placemats to Christmas Stockings to table runners and ornaments. Of course it always depends on the receiver 😘
I sometimes make presents–made a table runner and napkins for my son a couple years ago.
Of course I make handmade gifts. Have done coasters, pillow cases, pouches, pin cushions already.
I make as many presents as I can. Some edible (jam, cookies, candied nuts), some sewn (Humbug Bags, composition book covers, table runners and the occasional quilt).
I normally make at least one handmade gift every year…usually for my mom.
I was just thinking about you today and whether all was well with you and yours. So glad to hear from you—-yes, I make all kinds of gifts for Christmas. Now that my children are all grown with oldest 2 having children and my baby expecting a baby in April—we draw names and give handmade gifts at Christmas….of course Gammie buys for the grandbabies as well as giving handmade items. Love those tiny little Ohio Stars on the tree tops. Adorable! Thanks for a chance to win.
Such a cute pillow. Neat fabrics as well. I want to give handmade gifts next year. I’ve worked on a few this year but those were practice :-) Enjoy your day! :-) :-) angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
I love making homemade gifts, and am always on the lookout for new ideas.
Yes, I often give handmade gifts! Each year it seems that I get busier than the last, and am unable to make as many gifts as I’d like to. Maybe I should start in January for Christmas 2019, lol!
HI Wendy, I make some handmade gifts every Christmas. Thanks for the giveaway! I miss your emails. Merry Christmas to you and your family. :)
I do make small handmade gifts for some people. I have made cool bracelets from fabric and little snazzy findings, I have made buckets, pillows runners and quilts. and bags, and ornaments!!
Merry Christmas Wendy to you and your family
I try to make something every year for someone. It puts me in the spirit!
All my gifts end up being last minute! I have just managed to finish a quilt for the grandsons. I have made a “roadway” Each block is a different building. I smashed it in grey and that’s the road. They are going to keep it for camping trips.I still haven’t finished my cards. They are all cross stitched. Why do I do it? I bet you are totally organised and all your decorations are up!
Love the pillows and that fabric is gorgeous.
I make Christmas tags and Christmas mug rugs
Yes, I make several quilts for Christmas gifts.
I have made gifts in the past but not this year. Have given many family members quilts so that’s their handmade gift! Love Michael Miller!!
Yes, sometimes it’s big, sometimes small… but always something!
I do give handmade gifts, sometimes very special ones, often a batch of the same gifts to a bunch of people (for example, this year I’m sewing up bowl cozies and giving them with soup mixes). I like giving and receiving homemade gifts.
I give hand made gifts for Christmas and other occasions. My adult kids do a Christmas gift exchange with each other of either handmade, remade (repurposed), or newly bought at greatly reduced prices. You should see some of the things they’ve made such as wooden beverage coolers, pegboard craft storage, Minecraft quilt, etc. When my youngest son was 16 he sewed, a pair of fleece pajama pants for the recipient. kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
I always have grand plans to make loads of handmade Christmas gifts, but sadly don’t get around to making as many as I’d like to!
I love to make presents for Christmas. I never have enough time to make as many as I want.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Yes, I am giving handmade gifts to my daughter. I‘ve made placemats and 2 US Map quilts to my grandsons.
Cheers,
I give exclusively hand made gifts. My girls, too! For us, that’s our heart…what more can we give! Thanks for the great post idea!
I have always given hand made gifts! From an ornament to a throw! Thank you, Susan
I love to give handmade Christmas gifts. My youngest grandson is going to get a tumbling blocks quilt for Christmas.
Yes, I always give handmade gifts!
Yes! I love giving handmade gifts for Christmas and for other occasions. My best friend and I always do a project together for Christmas too. I think this year I’m doing more gift making than in the past. Have a Merry Christmas 🎄
Yes, I’ve made quilts for Christmas and Birthday gifts, and for “just because”. I’m now working on a wall quilt for my dog groomer. Thank you for offering this give-a-way.
I am making crazy heart blocks and incorporating pieces of my grandmothers wedding dress for my family this year. Giving a hand-made gift with a piece of family history will make the gifts very special.
Thank you for the opportunity to win the giveaway.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
Hint hint…maybe in 2019 you’ll have a BOM? I love your work and the birdhouse quilt “we” did! :) :)
I made several Christmas gifts last year, but this year I haven’t had much time for sewing due to babysitting my adorable little granddaughters and going back home once a month for several days to spend time caring for my elderly mom. Such is life! Thanks for the opportunity to win, and I love your tree quilt.
Love the little star on top of the trees! So clever! I do usually try to make some gifts, but I’m a bit behind this year. I still hope to make some pillowcases for the grands and the “adopted” grands!
I make a few handmade items for the holidays, but not many. It is usually something specifically personal.
Absolutely!!! My family enjoys handmade gifts…quilts, zippered bags, dob kits for the guys with their favorite shaving lotions inside, and pillow cases for the little one. Hoping you and yours are well, Wendy!!
I always give a few handmade items for Christmas. Some I make myself, others I buy from local crafters at markets I visit 🎄☺️
Over the past three years I’ve made my Mom a quilt each Christmas.
I always include some handmade gifts for Christmas. Sometimes they are big, and other times they are as small as a coin zip bag.
Oh yes I do – it is so much more fun than shopping.
Marti Morgan
I love giving hand made gifts for Christmas, or any other occasion. So far, they’ve all been very well received.
Trying again.
I live giving hand made gifts for Christmas or any other occasion. So far they’ve all been well received.
I had a typo in my email. It’s swbell.net
I love giving hand made gifts. They really show the Love. Thanks for sharing
I have given handmade Christmas gifts, but not every year. It depends on the time I have and the people I have to get presents for.
Of course I give handmade gifts every year – I think it shows how much I care for that person!
yes
I try to include a few handmade gifts along with store bought items.
It seems like I run out of time to make all the handmade gifts that I want to make…so I usually only manage to make a few andsome gifts are delivered late.
Yes! And this year I’m helping my girls make homemade gifts for each other!
I make Christmas gifts every year, either knitted or quilted.
I give as many handmade gifts as I can get completed! Usually that means I buy some, and I make some! What gets started and not finished will wait until next year!
Yes, I always make handmade gifts’
I only give hand made gifts. I think the people I gift to really appreciate that something was made especially for them
I usually make some of my Christmas gifts. Thanks for the great ideas.
I have given mug rugs but that is not a usual occurance.
Yes I do! I made matching placemats and napkins for six and four, a quilt with matching box spring cover and curtains for our eight year old granddaughter, another quilt for my 96 year old mother, plus pillowcases and sham.
I love to give handmade gifts but I don’t do it every year. I am also picky about who I give them too. I put a lot of myself into my sewing so I prefer to give them to people who appreciate them. This year I’m working on a quilt for my niece who is graduating with her B.S. degree next week. (She’s not getting the quilt next week though!)
I have been enjoying making handmade items for my loved ones. My favorite is the first quilt I ever made, it was a Christmas present for my son and daughter in law.
I love giving handmade gifts. Everyone who receives my gifts are so happy it makes my heart sing. I love your trees. Have a happy holiday.
Oh yes, I do give away hand made gifts… but not his year. That will have to wait as I had a medical emergency this year and I look forward to better days to make gifts for everyone again!
I’m up to my ears in hand-made gift projects this year, from quilts to quilted placemats, dinner napkins, snack mats, and ornaments. Oh yes, four totes too. Merry Christmas!
I love to give homemade gifts. This year I made some baskets made with clothesline rope., zipper pouches n potholders.
I made wall hangings and kitchen gifts, and ornaments!!! Thank you!!
I usually gift at least 1 quilt for Christmas every year. Have one finished for this year, but haven’t decided who it will go to.
Yes I always make some of m Christmas presents
Some years Yes, some No.
This year one friend is getting a cushion (pillow) made of friendship stars. I am putting a zip at the back – but it has taken time and practice.
Yea, I love making Christmas gifts whether knitting, quilting or sewing. ‘This year I’ve knit a pair of socks, pieced 2 spy quiltS for grand children. I’ll finish quilting this week. Still have to make 2 doll quilts and pillows. They will be fast using fat quarters. Oh, and several quilted christmas tree gift card holders/ornaments for older DGC. It’s all fun for me! I’ve missed your more frequent blog posts!
I love those trees with that tiny star. Yep, lots of handmade gifts come from here.
What a great Pillow! LOVE this Collection…the Fairies are soooo cute! I do make most all the gifts we give,,,I crochet, sew things & always make new Jamma’s for the Kiddo’s & few Grankiddo’s have been added to my List lol…I have made Throws, and doll clothes too. We make Caramel Corn, Fudge & Cookies most year to share as well. Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too. (I have a Grangirlie that thinks she’s a Fairy/pixie too) .
I do try to make some handmade gifts every year. Love your pillow.
I usually make something for someone for Christmas. Thanks for the draw.
I do give homemade and they are loved … between things I sew/create to Jams/Jellies!! Thank you for the giveaway …
I prefer to give homemade gifts whenever I can. This year it will be pillowcases. Thanks for the chance to win, and for sharing your delightful trees!
YES! I love to sew homemade gifts and I also love to receive them. A nice memory of the person that made the gift!
Yes, I make handmade gifts every year. My family loves them.
I start a lot & even manage to finish some of them!!
I’m still working on some handmade gifts this year
I like to give items that I have made, but do not do it every year. That way it is more of a surprise when they do get it.
I give homemade gifts every year to family, friends, co-workers, my class. This year I made 16 pillow cases for the displaced people in Paradise, California. The fires were only two hours away and I wanted to do something….anything…and this is what was asked for. I made 20 pillowcases for my class, some notebook covers for friends and family as well as the cutest paperclip angel ornament for almost everyone I know!
Love this. The fabrics are so cute, and the tree shape is perfect. I do make gifts for a few people. Most often it’s pajamas. Sending hugs.
Yes I do. Mostly small items filled with goodies, like baskets, pouches …
I love to give handmade gifts at Christmas and for birthdays. Your pillow case idea will definitely be added to the list of things to make. Thanks!
Handmade items make the best gifts. Your pillow is adorable. Happy Holidays. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
I make handmade gifts every year. This year I made table runners, pillows and knitted hats. I love your Christmas pillow. Thanks for the giveaway! ☺ ❤🎄❤
I do make handmade gifts. For 2018 I am giving fabric adorned flour sack towels and ribboned key fobs!
Wendy–good to hear from you! I’m making table runners and potholders and pillows for my gift list. I’m about to finish all the tops, and next will be marathon quilting and binding. hope to finish by Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I give handmade gifts every year!
Yes, I definitely make and give handmade gifts. I beats running around from mall to mall not knowing what you are looking for. Plus finding a parking spot and standing in long lines at the check out.It is a cozy feeling sitting in my sewing room making something from the hand. I work on Christmas gifts all through the year.
I love making and giving homemade gifts to family and friends.
Your pillow is so adorable. I LOVE the tree.
Yes, I like giving handmade gifts when I can.
I often make little gifts to give out to the family at my family Christmas party and Christmas Eve for my husbands family. Everyone seems to enjoy them and look forward to see what I give. Unfortunately, this year I did not get to making gifts because I now watch my two grandsons four days a week. Time is a premium now. Love your tree pillow.
Very sweet pillow! Yes, I love to make things for Christmas.
Yes, I do like to make homemade gifts. Two I Spy quilts are in the works this year.
Of course! This year, it’s holiday table runners!
I love to make handmade Christmas gifts. For the last 16 years I have made pillowcases for Grandchildren. The tradition began with two pillowcases, it has grown to nine pillowcases over the years. They are a Christmas Eve tradition. 🎄
At least some of my gifts are homemade. This year no sewn gifts….but dog treats for all my friends with dogs.
Love giving handmade gifts and this week end is my sewing marathon to knock them out.
Yep!!! Stuffed smart phone stands, Turtle mops and a couple of egg aprons this year!
Most years I make at least one Christmas present but not this year. Merry Christmas
I only make a few handmade Christmas gifts a year. Usually tablerunners!
My heart skipped a beat at the quilt photo of all your beautiful trees! With the added pillow, it makes a gift that would be tough to give up! I do make hand-made gifts, but usually lean towards smaller ones like table runner and toppers. Love in every stitch!
Good Morning! This year I have actually made two gifts for presents. The first is a lap size quilt for a young man who just bought his first house. I can hardly wait to give it to him! The second gift is a table runner made from 48 HSTs that went together really quickly in a chevron pattern. Happy Happy Saturday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne
Every year, a circle of my friends send each other handmade gifts. I make something for most on my list but so look forward to this groups exchange.
I exchange a handmade gift with one friend and occasionally give sewn gifts to other friends and relatives. Last year I made a cute tote bag for my hairdresser with beauty shop fabrics. It was a big hit.
I finished a Christmas quilt, and mailed it to a special friend last Friday. I hope she peeks in the package! That way she can use it longer this season. (and I just finished a doll quilt with 8 of the 3″ finished Ohio stars. Not all points are perfect, but the quilt sure is pretty.)
Yes, I sometimes give homemade gifts.
Last year I gave away a few zippered pouches but just haven’t had the time this year
I always make quite a few handmade gifts for Christmas swaps
Yes, I make my grands something handmade every year. Last year I made reading pillows, and even the oldest grandson loved them.
This year I’m making large fleece throws. We also have a little tricky game planned.
I make most of my gifts but not all of them. My grandchildren are really picky.
I make pouches and tissue holders for quick gifts.
No, don’t do handmade gifts anymore!
This year I’m making reindeer (head) coasters for a fun Holiday gift.
Love to make & give handmade gifts! Pillows are my go to gift! Would sure love to win !
I make some handmade gifts.
I have made each of my siblings a Christmas throw, something to remember me. I also bought this pattern last year and really want to make it and now a pillow to match. Thank you for this giveaway.
I haven’t made any this year but hoping to get an early start for next year.
I always have good intentions but let time get away. I really need to learn to do zippers.
Yes, I love giving handmade gifts! Right now I’m working on a bunch of table runners to give to members of my husband’s extended family.
Oh yes, I love giving homemade gifts, when I have the time to make them. My imagination is always bigger than the time I have to create!
Your quilt is fabulous! I am given potholders and pillowcases for stocking stuffers this year!
Love to gift home-made. Missed your posts. I don’t do instagram.
Wendy, so glad to see your post on your blog!!! Have been missing you! Yes, to handmade gifts. My small quilting group does “Handmade Christmas” every year and we each bring a gift to exchange. I love this party! Have gotten some of the neatest things…..knitted scarf, table runner, small winter painting, candy, cookies, soap, candles
Nohomemade gifts this year. I had rotator cuff surgerylast week. 😢
Wendy, glad you asked. This year I am making 4 adorable pillows that have an embroidered center and are centered with a patchwork border around each. I try to choose a design that fits the family member I am gifting it too! Ps Love Michael Miller fabrics.💕
I love making pillows! I usually make gifts, but I think the only one I’ll be making this year is for an ornament exchange for out guild. I’ve been in full free motion quilting mode trying to get two quilts for me finished in time to use this season.
i love giving handmade gifts but so far this year my quilting is lagging behind! LOL but I did get my sister’s table runner finished and given to her at Christmas in July this year!!! very proud that I have given her Christmas quilts two years running (even if the first one took three years to get finished!!!!)
I give a couple handmade gifts, mostly just to my mother and/or sister. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
I always give some handmade gifts, but never finish as many as I’d like.
I do make homemade Christmas gifts. I wish I could make more but there just is never enough time. I make my honey something every year though. I LOVE your tree block and the star is so perfect! Merry Christmas!!!
Yes. This year, my grandkiddos are getting placemats made from my scrap stash!
I’ve missed you here!
Yes I make quilts every year and one year I made pillow cases and wrapped the presents in them with a big bow!! Love the tree farm quilt bought the fabric and pattern but only made a few stars so far.
Just finished the last of them today, bowl cozies.