About a week ago, I had really cleaned up and cleared out. Preparing for holiday making and the end of the year, I had it all planned out. I’ve got my little end of year to do list all written up, yarn caked, fabric pulled. Spoilers, the list has no check marks – I’ve needed a creative kick start.

I’ve been hemming and hawing with decisions about gift knitting, so naturally I put that on hold and started myself a sock. I’m only just a little sorry, but it did the trick.

This sweet pattern is Coast Range by Lindsey Fowler and the yarn is Stress Knits yarn in the Eucalyptus colorway. This color is just pure heaven! I’ve actually got a second skein tucked away for a colorwork sweater one day.

Sometimes when I have a hard time making a decision it helps to work on something that I don’t have to think too much about. The sock helped me settle down a little bit and now I’ve made a little headway on gift knitting. The one thing I’ve really been searching for is my sew-jo. To be honest, my sewing room has been a bit of a mess with little random bits and bobs that needed attending.

I had several minis laying around to be hung up – one of mine and two of Astra’s. We got hers on the wall in her room, I’ll have to write about her new foray into quilting – it’s been so fun! I also finally got around to hanging my Pineapple Mini. This corner of the sewing room gives me all the smiles.

On the other side of the sewing room, I’ve had a bit of a situation brewing. Cosi, like many cats, likes to be on top of things. Recently his favorite perch has been my pressing board, much to the its detriment. I’ll spare you the gruesome pictures of holes and batting everywhere, but let’s just say it needed an overhaul.

I’ve been putting it off since it’s not the most glamourous use of 2 yards of fabric but I finally relinquished this sweet Lori Holt floral and I’m so glad that I did. Definitely a bright and happy redo. Don’t worry, the board comes off the shelf and goes behind when not in use. No more cat-astrophes!

That shiny new pressing board finally got me in the mood to do a wee bit of sewing last night. I thought a quick, instant gratification project was in order and so… pillowcases!

I used a little kit and instructions from Maker Valley and honestly, it couldn’t have been easier. The whole thing takes a wee bit of pinning and pressing and literally three seams. Three! You even come out with some rather French seams on the inside.

All in all, from opening kit to finished object it took about a half hour. So I made another one. You guessed it, this was another kit. Holly of Maker Valley is a whiz at fabric pairings! I’ve got a few ideas for other fun pillowcases, this was a great pallette cleanser.

I’m very excited to have these paired with the Happy Christmas quilt on the guest bed this holiday season. My #yearofchristmas plans are really starting to come together. I think this makes eight finished Christmas projects!

I think I needed these little puttery projects to get the creative fires burning. I’ve got some weekend sewing plans that I am now super excited to get to. Finally.

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Happy making!