Small Gifts Part II on Off the Wall Friday

Curves, Still using the scraps from this one!

 Well here on the banks of the Great Lakes, we are still waiting for spring to arrive.  I'm not sure how much snow and cold this girl can take but I'm getting close to my limit.  More daylight has helped though, and I started a new sleep routine ...working back to my goal of 8 hrs a night...every night.  I'm quite sure I haven't done that since the early 2000's so this ought to be interesting.

The nights I'm getting over 7 hours, I'm noticing that I do have energy to do stuff after work.  To that extent, I've started the small project for my teammate's birthday. First I started with a simple design.  When you are designing small, you don't need a complicated composition.  What I'm thinking is to do this simple flower that will show case big stitch embroidery.  Then add a simple quote...or words....or something of that nature.  As always, I like to make one design decision at a time. 

 

Then the fun stuff.  I tackled my stash.   In true Disney Princess fashion, my co-worker loves all things pink.   To that end, I had to find fabrics that said HER rather than ME. Starting with the backgrounds....

I have in mind doing a pieced background that will be stitched to a foundation . I'm not sure exactly how, but I think raw edges and stitching will be involved.  

Then the flower fabrics...I started in my stash...nothing that would work there, down into my studio's stash...nope.  All of them yelled NINA and nothing said Disney Princess.  Finally, I spied my scraps.  It really felt great to get back into my studio.  How did I forget that I had cleaned it so well?  My whole body just relaxed stepping into it.  For as messy as I can be, I love things neat and tidy.

Sorry I digress...yes I did find what I needed in my scrap bin.  This is about the time when I realized something that you probably caught on to ..that the background wasn't pink but actually coral.  Once that realization set in, finding the right scraps was easy.  I chose some left over from my curves quilt.  The improv piecing is already done and they will be the right value for that medium to light background...a Win - Win .  Plus she's so going to dig knowing that a bit of a quilt was in her little piece.

Running my fingers through fabric again made me think...why did I stop quilting again?

Just typing it all out gives me a solid plan on finishing this ...because finishing it I must ...her birthday is the beginning of April.  

Under Things I Like....

My sister in law, Susan recommended her new favorite show...The Great British Sewing Bee.  Am I the last to discover this show?  It has all the things I like in a reality show...regular people, showing us a bit about them and what they do and not too much ridiculous drama.  Honestly, I would rather watch this type of reality show than the Housewives of BumFEygpt anytime!  Because I've been limiting my screen
time in favor of ...wait for it...sleep, I'm only 2 seasons in but I just love to watch people create.

I'm always a little shocked that for as little as I know about garment sewing, I totally understand what they are doing and why.  It's nice that needlework crosses over.  Plus, I think this counts as cross training like we I said in last week's post.

You can find the show on Roku here ...watch online or download the app to your smart tv.  Commercials are short and not obnoxious.  Plus, it's all free which is refreshing.  

Has anybody else watched it?  What do you think?

and of course...

What Have You Been Up to Creatively?

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Small Gifts on Off the Wall Friday

Sarah Lyte, machine quilted
Rough organic edge

Caro Ramsey 
pulled tight on a board

 I learned long ago that I don't like "making" gifts.  I mean at first glance it seems like a broke girl's bestfriend, right?  But in reality, it's a lot of time and effort.   In today's world time is definitely equated to money. Making a gift even a small one can be hours of work.  

As for effort....well think about it...how hard is it anymore to whip your phone out of your back pocket, pick a gift on Amazon and press a button to buy??  In a day or two,  it will be easily shipped to the person including a personalize note. The other option?? You can design, make, finish AND deliver a gift.

Honestly both of those things (time and effort)  I don't mind actually....it's more the fact that most people don't appreciate the time and effort that went into the gift.  But is that a THEM thing or a ME thing??  Without this evolving into a long therapy session of  why you give a gift (to give some love or to recieve some love), let's just say, I don't like making gifts.

Well, until I do.

I think this is fused, machine stitched 
And the lettering was done on a 
computer 

Deb Smith, post card
Blanket stitch edges

I work with a Disney Princess of a young woman.  She's kind and empathetic to a fault  and it's been a challenge to blend her Gen Z warm heartedness with my Gen X snarkiness  cynicism   realism. But we've done it by finding common ground.  One of which is that we like things that are homemade.  

To that end, I want to make her a little birthday gift. Little gifts aren't as much time or effort and they still say I care enough to not buy a gift for you off of Amazon.  Especially for someone who will appreciate it.  So now that I am feeling better, I spent some time revisiting my pinterest boards and picked some cool ideas.  I posted some inspirational photos here which I tried to attribute properly but the older pinterest gets the harder it is to track that down.  

All of them have two things in common...they all involve stitch texture which I still want to explore some more and they have a cool collage element.  Plus, I want to keep the size 5 by 7 or so.  I love the fabric post card ideas too.  

Pretty aren't they?  Our team is small and we've established a rule of small little gifts...nothing elaborate or expensive but just things that say ... I appreciate working with you everyday.  Let's see if I can actually get it done by April.

Oh that's a good thing about making gifts...it comes with a built in deadline to help a girl along on her reset!

Do you have any good ideas for small scale quilty projects?

So What Have You've been Up to Creatively?

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The Best of Christmas Gifts Quilters Want on Off the Wall Friday

So today the sun shone in my part of the county while our lakefront once again got pelted with snow. 

Erie is easily up over 60" inches of snow and it's not even winter.  It's been exhausting and kept people from truly enjoying Advent and the Holiday season.  I have a bit of the blahs that have been continuing for about the last 3 weeks.  Sigh the joys of dark grey days.  

Anyways...

Over the years I've done a series of posts about Christmas gifts I thought were what every quilter needed but might not be on the conventional quilter's gift list.  Since I have a lot of new readers, I thought I would pick my favorites and repost them today.

These are the gifts I've gotten ... some asked for ....some not.... ALL have stood the test of time....

In no particular order...

A Functional Pincushion and Bobbin Case  ...both changed my lives.  I got my first little basket pincushion about 28 years ago from a fellow quilter.  I LOVED it.  No matter where it is on our table you can use the handle to stretch and grab it.  I literally wore it out and have made 2 others since then.  No ... sorry...3 others.  Plus, I had fun hunting down just the right baskets for them.

I looked forever to find just the right bobbin case that would be inexpensive, durable, keep my bobbins dust free and wouldn't split open when dropped on my hard wood floors.  Found it on Amazon finally and they were like 5 bucks each  I have three now.  One for just bobbin thread in neutrals, one for bobbin threads in colors and one for 50 wt cotton.  

Amazon for about $4 each

Sharpies and Tracing Paper ... so many uses...I have sharpies in 3 widths and use them for a ton of stuff in my studio.  Also, all the different colors are great.  The tracing paper is amazing

because it comes in a roll and can be used for patterns and mock up designs.  You can find both cheapie on Amazon as well.

A table size cutting mat....stop reading this and go add this to your Christmas list...you need this.  My husband bought me mine 4 years ago and truly I don't know how I lived without it.  It almost fits my worktable perfectly and even though it doesn't feel like a Olfa mat it definitely is self-healing and durable.  I love that no matter where I'm working, I can cut on it.  (He said he found it on Amazon as well, but I do know they have specialty sites which will make them to custom size.  I just happen to have a 4 by 8 foot table)

Finally  - truly my favorite thing ever is  ...

Kai Scissors....I know, I know quilters rave about their Karen Kay Buckley scissors and I have a pair too that like for applique...but...nothing compares to my professional series Kai's.  The action on them is amazing and they stay so sharp.  Really, I haven't ever used anything that even comes close to being as amazing as they are.   Plus, now they have new sizes for every taste.  

The best gift though is TIME.

 Now I just don't mean in the literal sense... like hours to sew....which really is a nice gift.... But I mean piece peace of mind time to sew.  Free of anxiety, free of depression, full of quiet and hope...creative energy in abundance time.  If the people around you can give you that kind of environment, well that's the best gift of all.

Well not quite as good a gift as my Kai scissors.

No, I guess better than my Kai scissors.  But just barely...grin.

So, What is Your Favorite Quilty Christmas Present?

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Where to Donate Fabric on Off the Wall Friday

 So is anybody else doing their spring cleaning?  Since this is my 30th year of quilting, I thought it would be a good time to downsize the stash that I've been collecting all this time.  Recently we did over our dressing room/fabric closet and this is as far as we've gotten.

The Before

The So-Far

Notice what great shelves the upcycled church pews made?

AND I still have some more bins to fill for the bottom shelves and the small boxes are going into the closet.  From the looks of it, you'd never know I donated 8 13 gallon garbage bags of fabric to my favorite charity, Erie's City Mission's Urban University.  The program consists of variety of classes in all sorts of interesting (including sewing!).  Through these new pursuits youth can develop leadership, academic and faith skills.    Yeah never know where the next great quilter is going to come from right?

With that I want to encourage you to clean out your stash (it was one of those bad habits) and donate to a worthy cause.  WHERE  you ask?  

FABSCRAP If you're in the NYC or Philadephia, I highly recommend you check this program out.  You can donate, volunteer to sort and even shop at this recycle/reuse charity!  It's an amazing idea and a great use of fabric that would have just ended up in the landfills!

Donate Directly to the Cause 

Quilts of Valor   The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.  They will accept quilts and fabric.  Their website shows how to donate easily or connect with a sewing group! 

Project Linus provides homemade blankets to children in the US who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.  The President Patty has a monthly zoom call that will help anybody get started in working with the organization.

Days for Girls  increases menstural care and education world wide with sustainable solutions.  They
accept fabric donations as well as menstural supply bags.  Talk about women who have empathy for other woman!  

I'm sure there are many more out there.  You can also donate directly to your favorite charity/thrift store.  I know there are many a little sewer that will comb through the shelves of the local salvation army looking for fabric to use!  For that matter, you can contact your local women's shelter and see if they need fabric.  Then there are schools, church programs, summer programs...geesh ...you get the drift!

The one thing you don't want to do is hoard it!  Keep what you need and will use and donate the rest!

So What Do You Do with Fabric You Don't Need?

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Quilter's Christmas Gifts on Off the Wall Friday

 As the years go by this post gets harder and harder  to write.  Now don't get me wrong.  It's not because there is any shortage of gadgets and fabric for a quilter to acquire.  It's more about coming up with a list of things that a "real" quilter would want and use.  After a quick investigation of the
web, it seems like the same things kinda popped up on all the lists.  Sighhhhh....I hate blog posts that aren't original or filled with fluff. (BTW, One great post I found which was definitely worth the read is here at Amy Smart's blog ) So after wimping out of  last week's post, I finally came up with a new twist on this year's "What Every Quilter Wants for Christmas". (Yes, I have been thinking about this post for nearly two weeks now!)  I thought I would tell you what I want for Christmas and maybe that will give you a jumping off point for yourself or the quilter in your life!

Nina's Christmas List

* A Big Item   -  A Custom Sized Self Healing Mat - For years I've been annoyed by the cracks between my Olfa mats.  My husband who is very smart said what you need is a mat to fit the whole size of your work table.  YES I do!!  Of Course I do!!

Also under this category is Daylight Slimline 3 Clamp Lamp.  After
seeing a few videos on this, I thought "Oh this is exactly what my aging eyes need!  It gives off an amazing amount of light and can be clamped to your work or sewing machine table or even your quilting frame.

* Something Practical -  Kai Scissors  - I have been using the same scissors for 28 years of quilting and I thought it would be nice to get some that fit EXACTLY what I want in a scissors so I picked two pairs from the professional line and added them to my list.

* A Surprise -  Fabric From the Fabric Shack - Any choice from the sale pages but especially  a remnant bag. (Yes, I know there is a whole therapy session on why I don't like to pay $12/yd for fabric...I don't even want MY FAMILY paying $12/yd for fabric).   I love the Fabric Shack.  Not only do they put a TON  of their fabric on sale for good prices but they also have free shipping.  I got a remnant bag this year and I LOVED it.  There was a bit of something in it for every quilter's taste and I love the surprise of it.  I pretty much could use it all ... welllllllllll maybe not the fish fabric!

* Some Art - I love original art and have a habit searching out ebay for a bargain or something

unique.  Last year my husband got me this pen and ink drawing and with an inexpensive framing job it looks great in my studio!  I absolutely love it!

*  Some Small  Things - Some Sampler Packs from Wonderfil, Quilt Car Decal, Sewing Socks, Wonderguard

*Something New - Just when you thought you had every book you needed, you find something new...The Better Bag Maker .  I thought it would be fun to use some of this extra fabric and make custom bags!  I mean, how hard can it be right?  Big Grin!!

*Something Annual - Finally, I can't start my year without my annual Art Calendar.  Omgosh I love mine.  Day after Day it's like a little art surprise on my desk.  Not to mention, working from home I lose track what day  it is!!

Our family uses the Giftster site which works wonderfully.  In theory, we are suppose to be adding things to the list all year long so that when it comes to November our family knows what we need.  But year is like most where we are filling out lists late.  I don't expect to get everything on my list but at least my family gets the general idea.  

Here are prior year's Christmas Gift Posts.  So What's on your list?  What did I forget?  Do I need to add something to Giftster?

Alsoooooo, As the holidays creep up on us, (hopefully Covid won't manage to cancel THEM too!) I decided that I will be posting Off the Wall like normal.  I haven't decided if  I'm blogging, but feel free to join in if you wish.  

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What's New!! On Off the Wall Friday

Well its been a luscious, amazing, busy fall.  I've had a couple of big projects on the homefront that have taken up my time and energy.  Then there is work.  For what was suppose to be quiet little job that I could spend my menopausal years, its starting to get way out of hand.  Busy!  Busy!  Busy!!  Still I do love my customers and being busy in the retail world is not necessarily a bad thing. Little by little I'm throwing off the blanket of depression, and the old Nina is starting to emerge.


One of the things that has brighten our house  this week is our newest purchase arrived.  I'm not talking about the new front loader washer/dryer set I finally bought after 25 years of old one (amazing as they are ... OMG ... doing laundry is quick and easy now!).  No, I'm talking about the latest acquisition to the Sayre art collection.  My husband, Paul, came back from his week at Marc Adam's School of Woodworking in Indiana this year all excited by some paintings he saw displayed. Apparently one of his fellow woodworkers is an accomplished  artist.



Gabrielle Lehman is self taught painter who lets light be his muse into the surrealist world of his imagination.  I'm not quite sure what I was more surprised with.  The fact that Paul was introduced to Lehman's work at woodworking school or that he actually said to me why don't we buy a painting.  Well Aduh!!  Of course we need to buy a painting.  I myself was drawn to the bright colors, the use of light and curves and motion.  Paul on the other hand, picked a piece that was quieter, mostly monochromatic and mysterious.

As it Lept Off the Page that is relatable and mysterious all at once.  It brought memories for me when I first started indulging my love of books and now it reminds me of my daughter reading on our Victorian porch by lantern light. It really has captured my heart and looks amazing in our family room.  I know that art doesn't necessarily need to match the couch but it always good when it fits in well with it surroundings!  All week, I've caught my family stopping to look at the painting being drawn in by it.  Yes we are in love!  His site has his original art, prints and cards if you want to get a bit of the magic!!

Let's See What Else is New..

We are all starting to get  ready for the holidays.  This week we discovered the Giftster site where it makes it easy for a family to get together gift lists!!  If you're looking for ideas to add to your Christmas list take a look at past Gift posts!


And finally....I got a nice email from Vanessa over the VISIONS ART MUSEUM.  Its time for the

Quilt Visions 2020

Call for Entry: January 1^st, 2020 to February 9^th , 2020

For details please visit quiltvisions2020.com.

My friend, Emily Richardson is one of the jurors this year, so I'm excited to see what gets juried in!!

I will endeavor to get some of my own work that is in progress up next week!!  I swear I just need to shut the world out and create!!

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7 More Christmas Gifts Quilters Want - Off the Wall Friday

So here is yet another list of ideas on what to give your favorite quilter for Christmas.....or maybe.....what to put in your letter to Santa!  You can see previous lists here from years gone by.  This year I thought I would go a bit more traditional since lately I've been doing more traditional work.    You'd think I'd run out of things that quilters want....but no..... there is always something new and interesting coming out!!!!

7 More Gifts Quilters Want

1. Quilt Fiction ....Most quilters I know like to read and now there are several series of quilt-centric fiction out there.  Some to try are Elm  Creek Quilt Series,  Kilts and Quilts Series, and
Cobbled Court Quilts.

2. A Design Wall......Not everyone is lucky enough to have an full size design wall....but pretty much every quilter needs one.  Cheryl Ann's Design Wall is perfect for the quilt that needs a temporary but useful design wall!  Plus they come in three sizes!

3. Wheeled Crafting Table....Now here is one from MY Christmas list this year.  I needed a small  table that could be wheeled around my studio to.... hold assorted items, act as a temporary pressing station....hold up the end of a quilt while I'm sewing etc.  There are a quite a few
out there so you have to decide what size you want and what features you need!

4.  Sewing Themed Odds and Ends....Let's face it...Most quilters are creative types which means we're weird eccentric.  So a sewing machine pouch, sewing machine socks, a Bob Ross Bobblehead,   (ohhh come on  - 'fess up - you've always wanted a Bob Ross Bobblehead or chia head right?) ...quilt calendars, 
mugs, jewelry  etc etc - basically anything that is fabric, sewing theme is welcome

5. Everything Mary Totes and storage  - Quilters also like to take their stuff with them.... there are classes, conferences, sewing bees, and Guild.  If you need to tote and store .... Everything Mary has a design option for you.  Its like the Vera Bradley for Quilters!!!

6. A Good Purse size Sketchbook.....maybe a moleskine one, or leatherbound....something small enough to travel with you but nice enough that its special and you'll
actually use it!!

7. A Happy Planner from Me &My Big Ideas.....So I always wanted to plan things... I bought planners with good intentions and never - ever kept with them .....until.... I got a Happy Planner!!  What I love about it is that all the stickers are themed to meet pretty much every need so you can put your creative touch to it but its not a big time investment.  It usually takes me 20 minutes to plan out a pretty page layout for the week and since its creatively fun, I've kept with it.  Another tip is that Joann Fabrics are now carrying them so they are much cheaper on sale or with a coupon!


So that's this year's ideas.  As always feel free to comment on what's on your list or maybe what you're buying a quilty or artsy friend!!


So What Have Been Up to Creatively??

10 MORE Gifts Quilters Want - Off the Wall Friday

Its time for my annual "What to Buy a Quilter for Christmas" List.  You can read the first two years of the lists Here and Here.  I even made a list of what to buy a Creative Kid (all tried and true on my own creative kid).  So here are this year's selections!!

10 More Gifts Quilters Want for Christmas

1. A Big Cutting Mat - Having a big self healing cutting mat makes a quilter's life so much easier.  You can buy a couple of 24" by 36" ones but they also sell bigger ones and even CUSTOM ones!   Getting a custom made one for my studio table is still on my wish list!

2.  Color Pencil Case - Every quilter ends up with several sets of color pencils.  Want to make her  

life easier?  Buy her a case to put them in.  They have them made of all different materials and all different sizes.  I bought mine at Dick Blick.  Its made out of just regular nylon with several pages and holds A  LOT of pencils.

3.  Tracing Paper - Did you know that tracing paper comes in all sorts of sizes and rolls?  Yessssss it does!! Now its not the sexiest of gifts but  having an assortment of sizes at my disposal has made my life easier.  I can't believe how much a roll can hold.. . . its like the "Loaves and Fishes" of tracing paper!

4.  Quilter's Planner - Although I have never successfully been able to use a planner, I think they are a fabulous idea.  A planner that is themed for quilters is a Really fabulous idea.  Now if I could just get myself disciplined enough to actually use it!

5. Class - There are a ton of great classes out there for your favorite quilter in all different price brackets.  You can give a $15 class from Craftsy, a several week class at Academy of Quilting, private classes from your favorite local teacher or the mother of all gifts - a week at a quilt conference like Quilting by the Lake.  My mother has more than once given me classes for presents and I LOVED them.  The gift of knowledge is one gives a lifetime.

6.  Audible Gift Card - I'm not a huge fan of gift cards because they aren't the most personal gift, but let's face it, they are practical.  With an Audible gift card, a quilter can pick out  her favorite book and listen to it while she sews.  For that matter you could give an Echo Dot  for her to listen to it on.

7.  Thread boxes - I love my thread boxes.  They have made my life so much easier and they are so much fun to paw through. I have two sizes, the slimline boxes for my small skinny spools and  ArtBin thread  boxes for my regular and medium spools.   Ohhhhhhh, and what's better than giving a a thread box??  Filling it with her favorite thread.  

By nancysJLifestyle

 8.  Etsy Creative Gifts - I love Etsy because the artisans there make gifts that I as an artisan really want.  This year I have my eye on a ring that is made out of a needle - yes - A NEEDLE.    You can find all sorts of things quilt themed including THIS GIFT for the quilter who has everything including a wicked sense of humor (Tessa and I are still debating whether that was intentional or not!)

What's On Your Christmas List This Year? 

Creative Gifts for Creative Kids - Off the Wall Friday

Tessa's Senior Portrait

Okay, let me brag a little.   I have the best teen daughter.  I mean really!  I'm not saying that just because she's my daughter, but really because she's amazing.  She's smart, emphatic and dramatic.  Ohh and she's creative....really creative.  Honestly, I can't really take credit for the first three traits - but the last  - well - let's just say that I try to nurture that in her from when she was little.  And now that's turning 18 (GASP!!  How did that happen?) I can say that it stuck!!

So how did I raise a creative kid??  Why giving her plenty of creative gifts and the space to explore with them!!!  So since I know you all have kids and grandkids that need their creative spirits nurtured I thought I would share some of secrets!!

The Best Creative Gifts to Raise a Creative Kid

(that won't cost you a fortune!)

Under Age 8 (or so depending on the kid!)

• Scotch Tape  - yep - just plain old tape.  I would buy it at the dollar store and give Tessa a ton of it.  She would tape scrap papers together to for collages.  She would unroll  and wad it up to make sculptures,  She would tape her other toys together to come up with new toys.  
• Blank White Books.  I mean totally blank books.  They make them in all sizes.  With lines.  Without lines.  Kids can become instant authors and illustrators.
• Perler Beads.  These little plastic beads can be arranged in any designed and then adults iron them so that they stay together.  Forever.  I loved this one because not only did it foster independent creative time but it encourage a more focused approach to a project (plus helped in fine motor skills!)
• The Day the Crayons Quit.  I LOVE this book.  Kids love this book.  You'll love this book.  
  
• Tempura Paint and tons of paper.  Did you know that you can buy tempura paint in the 16 oz bottles along with reams of paint?  Plus its all washable!!!

Tweens and Teens

• Art Supply Kits - I would give Tessa small kits of art supplies with all the proper accessories so she could explore to her hearts content without worrying about "wasting" supplies.  I told her I expected her to use up all the supplies by year's end and let me know what she thought.
• Usborne Introduction to Art - I love this book.  Tessa learned a lot.  I learned a lot!
• Sharpies.  In all colors.  In all thickness.  Sharpies are cheap, versatile and fun! Possibilities are literally limitless (if you have have a doubt - see pinterest!)
• Duct Tape and Washi Tape - Point your favorite teen to pinterest and give them a box of decorative tapes - see what they come up with 



Washi Tape

• Zentangle - Everyone can doodle.There are a ton of books out there that can get anybody started including Artist tiles that you can make little masterpieces on them!  I call doodling the gateway media into the fine arts!

So this should get you started!!  After all that, though, what media did Tessa finally choose to concentrate in?  Writing!!!  LOL!!  Yeah, although you'll see here dabble in the fine arts, she writes every night and has 75.000 words written of her first novel!  

I do have a good creative idea gift idea for her this year but shhhhhhhhhhh its a secret and since she actually reads my blog, I'll have to let you know in January!!!

So what are you favorite creative gifts for kids??

Anddddddd - What  Have You Been Up to Creatively?

10 Gifts that Quilters Want! Off the Wall Friday

The 11+ inches of snow Erie got today, was the signal that maybe its time to start thinking about the holidays.  Does your significant other ever wonder what to get you?  Do you ever wonder what you really need? Mine does. . . so I thought I would make a list of gifts that any quilt/fiber/textile (or whatever LOL!) artist would like to get.


1.  Prepared for Dyeing (PDF)  Fabric and a gift card to Dharma Trading Co. or Prochem Dye.  Most every quilt artist I know loves to play with dyes but hates to spend the money!   Giving blank fabric is  like giving a million possibilities waiting to happen. (PDF can be found at Testfabrics, Equilter, Joann's online etc)

2.   A Pincushion or  Bobbin Box.  I know mundane right? But I get a lot of compliments on mine  (cute but functional). Also, I  just found these amazing bobbin boxes that are just right (sturdy plastic, holds the bobbins tight)

3. Derwent Inktense Pencils.  These pencils let an artist easily achieve a watercolor painter effect on fabric!  Several color sets are available.

4. DrinkKlip.  Every quilter I knows likes to  have her favorite drink nearby while she's working.  Now she can without spilling it on what she's working on.

5. A Great Creative Book.  Suggestions?  The Creative Habit by T. Tharp, The Artist Way by J. Cameron, Art & Fear by D. Bayles, Bird by Bird by A. Lamott

6. Thread.  A gift certificate to Superior Threads or Red Rock Threads is always welcome since there is always some new thread a quilter needs.

7.  A Magazine Subscription.  FiberArts Now, Quilting Arts and American Quilter would be my favs!

8.   Gelli Printing Plate and Brier.  This is a new product that a fiber artist probably doesn't have but is easy enough to provide plenty of hours of play!

9.  An Online Quilting Class - There are all sorts of formats to choose from - video classes you keep, Quilting Colleges that host a whole selection of classes and teachers, private teachers . (My mother gave me Elizabeth Barton's Masterclass last year and you know how much I enjoyed that!)


10. Time!  A gift box certifying a set block of time just to sew and create - without interruption  - is an amazing gift!  

 Okay!  So what did I leave out??
  What's on your Creative Christmas List????? 

oh and . . . .

What have you been up to Creatively?