The 12 Days Of Christmas in July Blog Hop, ‘tis My Day Today!!!

The 25th of July down here in NZ,an auspicious day for sure. My Mum was born in Cambuslang in Scotland on this day, at their home,  her birth certificate says ‘ Father present”.  I was also born on 25th July, in Auckland Hospital, I guess even then all those years ago there were emergencies and the caesarean  op was changed  from 23rd to that day.,What a  surprise to wake up to a daughter, .

Once again Sarah has hosted this fab blog hop, where we get to meet others, new readers, familiar faces, and put our minds to a new project or two. Thanks so much Sarah for including me once again.

I have two projects for you today, and keep reading as there are TWO giveaways, one for my friends and readers over the seas,or overseas!!  and one for those who live in our own beautiful New Zealand.

First up are the gift wine bags. And they can be used afterwards for storing all sorts of goodies, including  shopping bags, dusters, even socks might get a new storage place.

Choose your fabric. I looked out all  the reds and greens, and chose these.Yes, that is a  spinning wheel there, and you can see just a smidgeon of the Freefall Quilt.

I chose a variety of fabrics, and used a strip of the same top piece for the top of the lining. They are 12 inches wide and 17 inches long. You can vary the strips to make the total length, or use one fabric  only.  Cut the same for the lining. Sew the strips together, press the seams, and add some interfacing or batting. I did straight lines to hold the fabric to the batting ( lightweight and not iron on). Sew the long sides together and the bottom seam, I had the long seam in the centre of what I call the back of the bag, Sew the lining the same.

Turn the outer bag to have the right side on the outside. Iron over about 1/2 inch at the top of both the bag and lining.  Place the lining in the bag, wrong side to wrong side., Push the lining firmly down to the bottom. Pin the tops together, and close with a stitch of your choice. I used a wavy one, to make sure the edges are all caught together. Measure down 3 to 3.5 inches, and at the back seam. sew on ribbon, cord, or ties  about 28 inches long.

Put the wine bottle in, tie the cords, and VOILA, there is the first bag.

The second bag has a circular base and sides of 13.5 inches  wide by 15 inches high.  To cut the base, I measured 5 inches across on a piece of card, and found a small basin that  fitted in,You can use a compass  , a cup or bowl.I added batting, and also a thicker firmer piece to reinforce the base.

For the sides, you can again use one whole piece of fabric or do it like mine, and have the panel in the centre, and strips either side. Cut the lining the same . Wavy lines to add some texture, and again on the base and the base lining piece.

Sew the long sides of the main piece together, and the same for the lining. I pressed that seam open.  Mark the bag into quarters with pins, the same for the base.

Insert the base into the bag, starting at each pin marking. Ease the base, or the bag, I did  little cuts at the very outer edge on the bag, base, and for the lining too. I tried both ways for sewing the base in, having the base at the top, and then the bag sides underneath ,I found it  easier to have the bag sides at the top, and sew slowly round, I did a second row to make sure it  was firm, checking the underside first.This is the lining. Again, iron down about 1/2 inch at the top of bag and the lining.

Turn the bag right side out, insert the lining wrong side out, so both the wrong sides are together. Push that lining firmly down ,match up the tops, and sew together.  Measure down 4 inches at the seam, and sew on ribbon.

That is the  Wine Bags all done.

Now the fabric Christmas trees. I chose some green glittery cotton, for each one. Cut out the pattern, a wedge of a circle in different sizes. They are all made the same way.

22 cm side length, 11.1 cm diameter  for  circle base

20cm length,  14.5 cm diameter  for circle base

18 cm side length,  9.5 cm diameter for circle base

The wedge is a quarter of a circle,you can do this in a variety of ways. trace a circle with a plate, then cut out the wedge. use a compass for the correct diameter, or start in a corner of a piece of card, and measure down in an arc.

Cut out the cone, then for the base,  fold the pattern in half, and add 2.5 cm to the long straight edge, and cut TWO pieces.This gets turned back when you sew it up.

Embellish the cone now, before you sew the side seam. If you are adding fancy ribbon lengthways, make sure the ends are either covered by another ribbon going round, or long enough to get sewn in at the bottom.

Add batting or interfacing to the base pieces, stopping at the line before the turnover. Sew the seam at that 2.5 cm line, but start at one edge, sew about 2.5 cm. stop, reverse to reinforce, then  do the same the other side. Turn back the 2.5 cm, and trim to match the curve. This gap leaves room to insert the stuffing, and the trunk.

Mark the base and the cone into quarters and match it up, Clip the edges of both base and cone, and sew together. I tried both ways, and found it easier to have the cone on top. Sew this twice. Turn out the right way, using a pencil to push the cone tip all the way out. I then rolled the hem line, and did one row of top stitching with the cone on top,This gives it some firmness.

Decorate with more ribbons, or fancy streamers.

Stuff with wadding and insert a tree trunk. You can use dowel, or a piece off a tree, or  a thin piece of firewood. I painted my little sticks brown, used some double sided tape, you could use plasticine, or another piece of wood with a nail from the bottom. Arrange on a tray and leave for the cat to admire

A lovely gift for someone in a small flat or unit, with no room for a regular tall tree.

Now, Congratulations if you have read this far. a VERY ….Lengthy post, lots of words, my Dad would say “ You write as much as you talk,     LOTS”!!!

There are TWO giveaways, one  for all those readers who live overseas, and another for local New Zealand people. I am not familiar with Rafflecopter, so will decide how to do the draw on 27th New Zealand time.

It will be done with Feline Supervision

For the  readers who live over the seas, you  can choose,

#1, fabric pieces,  if you are a sewer or quilter,

or #2, a microwave bowl holder and a holder for the cell phone charger , for sewers or quilters or others!!!

New Zealand people,  take your pick, all made by Hugh,

#1  a larger size thread holder,

or #2  a frog pencil and pen holder.

Please indicate on your comment if you prefer #1, or #2,

That is it for today, I am celebrating in usual style, with some gardening and housework.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Give from your heart,

and you will know real joy”

Greetings from Jean.