Getting a Head Start on Christmas Gifts

Last Sunday afternoon I finally got to start working on a project that I have been thinking about for a long time! Yes, the title of this post says getting a head start on Christmas.... but before you think "oh that overachiever" or something like that, I'm going to be pretty ambitious with all the handmade gifts I plan to give this year.  Pretty much everyone on my list is getting something handmade, which is really daunting and exciting at the same time. Most years it's December before I even think about making things for people and then I don't sleep in order to finish the projects or I never get around to finishing them. So this year I'm changing how I do things. I really enjoy giving handmade gifts more because they have so much more meaning than store bought gifts. I will end up spending multiple days making this project alone. So much love and thought will have gone into this blanket and that means everything to me.

This project is just the beginning of another quillow, the pocket to be exact. I ended up with a lot of flannel scraps from the auction I went to for my quilt guild but none of the scraps would've completed four (or more, not sure yet) 2-yard quillows. Plus, it would be significantly more time consuming to complete if I pieced all of the quillows. I decided that just piecing each pocket would be much better and more realistic for my hand made gifts goals this year.

This particular quillow is bright an vibrant for a little girl who I hope will love it!

still working on my piecing

The final product ready to be put together for the pocket!

I'm glad that I did not attempt to make a whole quilt like this yet because I've realized that I need some more experience and I should be more thoughtful when cutting out pieces for blocks! I would've been much happier with a fussy cut for the big print. I do like this and I'll update with the final project when I'm finished :)