Social Christmas Cards

This week I had a table full of crafters over. Everyone was busy with sewing and gluing,  painting and bleeding carving.

I made a lithograph stamp for christmas cards. I bought the carving tool a few years ago. Both the knife set and lithograph blocks (something like linoleum?) are available from craft or arts shops. Just prior to stabbing my finger I reminded myself of the last time I used this set and bled. Very dangerous tool! The stamp I made is very simple. I used a sharpie to draw the design on the block, carved out the image, and used a stamp pad for ink. Traditionally I think a roller is used with ink but I did not have that.

A selection of my guests' handiwork...

Button cards

Felt letters

Living room pillows

Sweater sleeve baby pants

Patched Jeans

Making Christmas Cards: 

Pajaritos de Navidad (Christmas Birdies)

These lovely little doves come from one of my favorite books, "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.

The birds have just three pieces. I do find they require a bit of manipulation to get the nose and tail line up right however, but if you can figure that much out, a quick little project that can be finished in 20 minutes or so.

I leave a little opening at the side to stuff the birdies and then sew them up by hand.

A pretty little gift for your own tree or as  a gift for a friend's.