My mother in law loves to cook. So for Christmas last year, I decided to make her an apron. After a quick trip to the fabric store, Alice picked picnic cloth fabric with ants all over it. 

I made each section separately, kind of eye-balling it as I went. The only part I actually created a template for was the bib. I added a large pocket in the center for holding things like ties, measuring spoons, a small towel, etc. The top just goes over the head- no tying. There is a tie around the waist.

I think it turned out cute! 

I love Christmas. I always have and I hope I always will. I love giving gifts to my friends and family. I love baking yummy goodies to pass out to friends, family, clients, coworkers, and employees. I love hosting my mom's family on Christmas night as we share in the blessing of this holiday together. There isn't much I don't love about Christmas. And this love has grown exponentially since having a child. 

My first Christmas tree was a themed tree and while it was pretty, it just wasn't me. So in 2005 I started using various ornaments. That year I bought a bunch of cheap ornaments at the Dollar Tree but I have added sentimental ornaments since then. As a matter of fact, every year my family members get me an ornament for my tree and any time we travel, that is the one thing I buy when we stop in different towns. We have ornaments from the U.S. Treasury (it is actually a wreath made of shredded money), Hershey Park, Colonial Williamsburg, Tweetsie Railroad...just to name a very few. 

That being said, one of the special gifts I enjoy making to family and friends are ornaments. This year, I tried my hand at glass ornaments. I purchased several clear glass ornaments, various necklace charms (for Alice's ornament, I bought a guitar and drums to mark our trip to meet The Fresh Beat Band this year; for my teacher partner I used a flip flop and an "A" along with filling the ornament with sand from my wedding...just to name a few ideas), ribbon, and Epsom salt (which makes super great snow in ornaments!). At first, I tried to hot glue the ribbon to the top of the ornament so I could hang the charm from it. Well, that was disastrous! All I did was burn myself and make the ornament unable to close. After a few mess ups I realized I could just poke the metal hook THROUGH the ribbon...DUH! Oh my, how my fingers greatly appreciated that discovery! 

The ornament to the right was a simple Minnie Mouse ornament I made for Alice using Mod Podge and glitter...that is all! Using a q-tip, I applied the Mod Podge in the shape of Minnie's head WITHOUT the bow. I added the black glitter and let it dry for a couple of hours. Then I applied Mod Podge in the shape of Minnie's hairbow...or he-bew as Alice calls it...and added the pink glitter. She was THRILLED over this ornament! Below you will see just a few other ornaments that I made this year. Hover your mouse over them to see more of a description. 

Another cool ornament that I helped make last year was the "I Spy" ornaments that I did with the children on our Polar Express trip. I bought a bunch of clear PLASTIC ornaments, tons and tons of BABY DOLL items, such as tools, vegetables, sodas, books, etc., and of course, Epsom salt. Each child picked their own items to include inside their ornament. Once they put their items in, we used a funnel to fill the ornament with "snow". Super cute and wonderfully kid proof! We had children from 2-5 doing this on our trip with ease. Unfortunately, I cannot find my photos of this right now, but I promise I will keep looking and as soon as I find it, I will post it.

This year, my husband and I were really excited about Christmas. It was technically Alice's third Christmas and it was the first Christmas that she would really be into opening gifts. We had decided to take her to ride the Polar Express in the mountains of North Carolina. After talking to my sister in law and some friends, we all decided to rent a cabin so everyone could go. In all we had 6 adults and 5 children. (Poor Alice is the only one without a sibling...maybe 2013 will change that!) 

I wanted to do something special for the kids. I knew that the best part about the Polar Express train ride was wearing your pjs...oh, and meeting Santa. At first I looked for matching pajamas to buy then I thought, "Why buy when I can sew!" The next time I get that thought, I hope someone smacks some sense into me! While it was so fun getting it all done for the kids and it was just precious to see them in their matching pajamas, it was a ton of work! (Of course, I know I would do it again in a heartbeat!)

I drew my own "template" based on the sizing measurements for each kid. Because we were going to the mountains, I made the pants with a flannel lining. Each pair had a cuffed leg. The shirts were made using the same train template, just shrunken down based on the shirt size. I cut out the train using the same fabric that was used for the pants so they would be a matching set. I used interfacing on the shirts. 

When it was all said and done, it took me about three weeks to complete all 5 sets. These were the first big project I made (other than curtains) and I learned a lot about sewing while making them. Now I feel like a semi-pro...especially when they didn't fall apart in the wash!