Year End Review - Crafting, Quilting, Dancing, and a Newborn

2025 is at end and a review is at hand. Near year's end, I started using items from my craft cupboard for some of my creations. The beaded-dollhouse-quilt is a perfect example. I buy seed beads at thrift whenever they show up. So 15 years is about right. ↑

eBay sales fell flat in the last half of the year - down 60%. I guess there is less sewing, crafting, knitting and crocheting going on. Those are my three main selling categories: sewing patterns, needle kits, and yarn. 

A lot less quilting went on. There is a point when you have more quilts than you need. I did make three bridal party quilts given to the bridesmaids, and two baby quilts for my daughter. Great for gifts, which is the original reason I started the craft. But not everyone likes quilts. I love💜how the baby quilt turned out that I made for her. Mila Grace was born on December 9th. The first grandchild on both sides of the family. We are all sooo excited about that little girl. 

I recently branded myself as a Grandfluencer. Because, why not? I create original content. I am officially a Grandmother now too. It has been a good month for page views, 10,000 in November, and 20,000 in December. Yowza! Facebook page views increased by 74% this past month. Holy schmoly.💟

College update: I am beyond delighted that I am registered for the Design Fundamentals online art class through my alma mater Sacramento City College. It is also with my favorite Art Professor Adam Vermeire.😀Taking an online class allows me to study from home and still act as caregiver. 

On the subject of tap dancing, there was not enough interest to continue the class😢so I am segueing to beginning adult ballet. I took a few years of ballet as a child so it won't be totally foreign to me. I can take tap when some of the previous students return. 

I predict there will be more sewing projects in 2026. I have pulled market tote sewing patterns with the goal of chewing up my fabric stash. I might give this 1983 pattern a go. 

I have turned to sewing clothes rather than making quilts. Creating garments has become more satisfying than patchwork piecing. Seed bead detailing is also another interest I have returned to. Who knows what pattern I will pull from my downstairs sewing pattern repository? 

Female Sefiroth Cosplay Part 2

Now that the cosplay-jacket is completed, fabric has been cut for the Final Fantasy female Sefiroth outfit, Simplicity 8074 (2016). The knit lavendar fabric found at thrift will act as the skirt. This was the first fabric pull from my stash. 

The skirt portion presents a problem. I rarely work with knits. I may have to line the skirt and then hand quilt it. Doing some YouTube research to figure this out. 

The bodice was cut in the black floral print. The remaining portions were cut in the solid black fabric. 

The only hold-up is awaiting the arrival of more interfacing and some tailor's chalk I ordered online. 

It took an afternoon to press the pattern and the materials, and cut the fabric pattern. Because I have been using a lot of black fabric lately as lining for both the jacket and gift bags, I had to piece the belt portion. 

Sewing goal: To use up my existing stash of fabric, and there is a LOT OF IT. Pretty sure I have entered SABLE territory (stash accumulation beyond life expectancy). 

Until next time,

Tami

Fabric Lined Gift Bag

I went in search of a paper wine gift bag at thrift and found none. If there is one thing I have in abundance is fabric. Another thing I have in abundance are sewing patterns in my downstairs repository. 

Why not make a fabric gift bag? I had 1980 McCall's 7378 - Easy Gift Package pattern

Pretty happy with this first iteration of a wine bag. I like the drawstring feature. I had some gold metallic cording in my craft cabinet. This estate-sale fabric while not destined for a quilt, is perfect for gift bags. 

The pattern doesn't actually call for the bag to be lined, I made that alteration. I will keep playing around with this pattern and make a few more of them into the New Year. 

12/30 post update: I've been working on the bag construction. A couple more notes, the cording can easily be tied off at the ends to prevent fraying. When sewing the bag together with the lining facing outward, start from the top of the bag (rather than the bottom) so you can hide it if it is uneven. 

Merry Christmas

Countdown complete - it is Christmas Day 🎄🎋 Wishing this day finds you and your family warmth and peace. 

2007 Thimbleberries fabric panel. 

Creating this Countdown really helps me through this holiday. 

What I am listening to - 2004 Shimmy Down the Chimney, a Country Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

So happy to have hosted another year of this holiday countdown. Sending much love over the internet to everyone who visited and joined me in this annual celebration. 

Christmas Eve to the Countdown to Christmas is about the Simply Delightful Thrifted Ball Gown. This one has a sequined bodice and to-die-for dress material. Sally Stand-In models the entire gown. I normally appear in these ball gown photos but either I couldn't get the expression right, or I couldn't get the right camera angles. 

This little darling will be thrifted back for someone else to enjoy. About once every six months I like to show off one of these incredible gowns. I dream of when I win a big Lotto jackpot I would claim the money wearing a ball gown and opera-length gloves. 

Found this 1954 Vogue sewing pattern at thrift earlier this month. A keeper. I thought she looked Christmasy in her red and white striped PJs. 

What I am listening to - 1997 Kenny & Dolly, Once Upon a Christmas. 

Female Sefiroth Cosplay Jacket

We interrupt our regular programming in the Countdown to Christmas for Part 1 to the Sefiroth cosplay project. Original concept post final-fantasy-female-sefiroth-project. Lined jacket Vogue 9219 pattern. The black batik and liner fabric were from my stash. This is the first time I have attempted to sew an adult jacket. Because I am pleased with how this turned out, I won't be sewing another version. The jacket liner thrifted material really is exquisite.  

I may even add some beading embellishment.😮

Here is where accomplished seamstresses will roll their eyes - I just discovered what bias tape is used for - binding the sleeve ends, among other uses. Duh! Since I didn't have black premade bias tape, I created my own. 

Part 2 to the Sefiroth project is the black shirtdress. Simplicity 8074 view C top portion. 

Sewing keeps my mind active and engaged. It also keeps my troubles at bay. More sewing in 2026! 

Bing and Grondahl Christmas Plates

I've got a thing for Bing and Grondahl Christmas plates. Day 23 to the Countdown features three more plates added to my collection.  

This 1972 plate came through at thrift for 99 cents.  The other two plates were purchased online for $5 each. I just couldn't resist. Missing plates 1961, 1969 and 1975. 

I also have a set of the Mother's Day plates that my mother collected. 

What I am listening to - 2002 City on a Hill It's Christmas Time. 

Lighted Christmas Houses

Countdown to Christmas Day 22 features lighted Christmas houses. I debated whether to bring out my houses this year, glad I did. I had a few more but I pared them down to these five - Victorian, Quilt Shop, Antique Shop, Tackle Shop, and Boat Shop.

The dog has left them alone so I know this decoration is safe from destruction. 

A quiet day on the Countdown, we are edging closer to Christmas!

What I am listening to - 2000 Hallmark 'Tis the Season Vince Gill Olivia Newton-John.

Christmas Greenery

Countdown to Christmas Day 21 is about the green - plants, that is. 

My Christmas cactus in full bloom. In the background is the bottle brush adorned with plastic ornaments. 

Bromeliad Tree

Catmas Wreath

Pineapple Tree

What I am listening to - 1997 Visions of Christmas, an Instrumental Holiday Collection. 

Beaded Dollhouse Quilt

Countdown to Christmas Day 20 is a beaded Dollhouse Quilt. 

When I first saw the image I thought it was a quilt for a dollhouse. No, it is a quilt that is a dollhouse. Lead-off image is my version of that quilt from the 1997 publication Simply Christmas, Craft Projects for the Season of Giving.

I utilized the templates provided in the book, drawn out on parchment paper. I deviated with cutouts in the window from Christmas fabrics. This was also indicated as a heat-and-bond project but I employed raw edge applique. 

As with all quilts, I think the quilt binding is the icing on the cake. An ornament print was used for the binding and the backing. The quilt was finished off in straight line quilting in a red thread. Image below is the quilt before washing and beading. 

Close up of beaded Christmas trees. 

What I am listening to - 2007 A Redneck Holiday. 

Lurch Look-Alike at Hospice Thrift

Countdown to Christmas Day 19 festive fellow spotted at Cameron Park, California Snowline Hospice Thrift. 

Plugging in a few more weird and wacky images. 

What I am listening to - Letters to Santa, a Holiday Musical Collection, United States Postal Service Exclusive.