Progress from Santa's Sweat Shop

So, some progress in the past couple of days. This is good. If I can keep up this pace everything should be done in time for Christmas. This year even. Well -- ok, so I may have to speed it up a little...

Anyhooo --- I thought I would share the full extent of the insanity that I'm playing with here in the cornfields. So, like Santa it's time to make my list. Check it twice. And see whether I'm going to get done or not. In no particular order of importance, my "to do before Christmas" list:

1. Commission for Mom. Done!!! In the mail. Out of here! Yahoo!!! (all 5 of whatever it is I was making)

2. Gift for my god daughter. Done!!!! A cutie pie little pair of funky monkey pj's (she loves monkeys -- go figure). And, as a bonus, a little bag to put them in (instant and reusable wrapping paper -- woo hooo). And before you think I'm crazy for making the bag (well -- you will when you see the rest of my list) I will say that I wasn't going to do it. Until, well, someone -- I'm not naming any names mind you, but someone may have forgotten to look and see if this fabric is directional before cutting out the PJ bottoms. And, well, this someone may have had to recut them (thank goodness I someone bought WAY more fabric than the pattern called for). And well -- someone may have decided to make lemonade out of lemons with the bottoms that were cut upside down. Someone mind you -- I'm not admitting to the mistake!

3. PJ's for dd. DONE. Remember that we've been in Santa and Rudolph heavy rotation these days? These will be part of her advent calendar gifts this year. I saw the fabric at Joann's and couldn't resist. Not the best stuff in the world to use -- but for a pair of PJs that are going to be worn for a limited time -- yeah, it works. And since I already was making a pair for my god daughter -- easy enough to make two instead of one.

And just because I can't resist -- a close up of the t-shirt. A simple patch top stitched down. And I chose Santa vs. Rudolph because she loves Santa. Me? I'm in love with that green and red polka dot fabric. Don't know why -- it makes me happy!

4. Knit bag for B's gift. Almost done. Need to finish the icord -- she's getting a smaller (and different color) version of this (the cover photo, not the cabled one).

5. Knit bag for AL's gift. Haven't started. Need to get B's gift off needles.

6. Weave in ends of knit scarf for AL's gift.

7. One on One doll quilt exchange. Blocks made. Need to get together, quilt and bind.

8. C's messenger bag. I have the stuff -- need to design and make.

9. Train panel play mat for dd. Need to back, sandwich, quilt and bind.

10. Hand quilted pillow. About 80% done. I have the hand quilting done. Need to make the pillow backing and binding. Not too bad.

11. Ornaments for teacher gifts. Done!!!

12. Dolly for dd. In progress. Doll body made, need to finish stuffing, attach arms and paint on the face and hair. After that just need to make an outfit. Or two. As for the accessories -- um, we'll see. (and no -- you're not seeing double. I couldn't decide which color fabric to use for the body so I made two. I probably won't give both to dd -- I'll figure out what to with the second one later).

13. Doll crib mattress for dd. I have the stuff I need to make it. Simply covering some foam so shouldn't take long.

14. MIL's apron. I was going to make my mil a quilt this year. Really. I was. I even have the fabrics cut and ready. Um, so not going to happen. I mentioned this to her -- and sweet woman that she is understands completely and asked for an apron. An apron? I can do an apron. And I KNOW this project is an afternoon or less.

15. Small handbag/bag for S. This one -- um, she may be getting a gift card. This one is truly an "If I can get around to it" gift. Though, PamKittyMorning's pattern does work up quickly...

16. Messenger bag for DH. May get delayed until his birthday. Since it was supposed to be a gift for our anniversary, leaving it a bit longer may be ok.

17. Advent calendar. Yeah, I know it's already December. I know this should have been done a week ago. Um...it's not. On the plus side, it's almost done. Really. I just need to finish sewing down the binding and the hanging sleeve. Though, I would appreciate it if you didn't look too closely at the quilting. This was a quick and dirty. I've had this panel by Makower UK hanging around since dd was in an infant carrier. So, it's been a PIP (sorry -- I don't keep my undone projects in grocery sacks. I keep them in plastic bins -- so PIP instead of PIG) since sometime in 2005. So, this is a bit of a stashbusting effort, and a FWYH entry.

I'm really not in love with it either (HEY -- HEY -- I see you, I told you NOT to look at the quilting!) -- which may be one reason it's taken me so long to finish it. It's cute and all, but -- not sure. It just doesn't sing to me. And I've been seeing such cute ideas for Advent calendars all over the blogosphere. Really -- look here, and here, and well -- there's an entire flickr group dedicated to them. Some of the ideas are really great and they are fun and funky -- something my little offering isn't. Hmmnn...next year. At least I can introduce the concept this year and then work on a new one that speaks more about our family's personality AFTER the holidays. For now -- those little tiny pockets (honestly, you can't fit much in them) will get stuffed with pieces of paper that either give dd a chance at some goodies in a grab bag and/or activities we have planned (including some more handmade Christmasy goodness -- but, um, this list thing is starting to depress me -- so, I'll take pics and talk about it as those happen).

And what am I doing hanging out on my blog?!? (other than taking a break from the slave driver elves here in the sweat shop?) I've got sewing to do!