Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Secret Gift Making #1

secret gift making

Here is a little gift I whipped up for someone, hehe.
I know the recipient of this little drawstring bag reads
my blog, so I hope I am not ruining a surprise too much 
by posting this..!

secret gift making

I made this using the same method in this tutorial, but instead of
2 1/2" squares, I used 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" rectangles, which makes
a 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" drawstring pouch. I also sewed the patchwork
panel onto thin muslin to stabilize it.

If you are anything like me, you had a longest list of to-make-for
Christmas gifts to begin with, but now you are finally realizing that 
1) Christmas is just in 10 days,
2) you don't have time to cross off everything on the list,
and 3) you need a Plan B - switching your initial ideas to something a lot 
quicker and simpler. At least for me, this happens every year, haha.

secret3

Here are some tutorials of small things you can whip up little quick
and can be great gifts for your friends and family just to name a few:

Scrappy organizer by Leila of Where the orchards grow
Quick scarf and lined drawstring bag by Jeni of In Color Order
Mini tote bag by Kerry of verrykerryberry
Scrappy armrest pincushion by Amy of During Quilt Time
Needlebook by Amy of nana company
2011 star desktop calendar by Nathalie of An once of creativity

Oh and you must have seen Kerry's amazing newest paper pieced 
Candy Cane pattern by now. It's on sale in her shop, but if you would
like to win the pattern, leave one comment on this post by Thursday midnight.
A random winner will be announced here this Friday.

One more thing! I would be so thrilled if you checked out
my sister-in-law's etsy shop here! She's got lovely
handmade jewelry for unbelievable prices! If you snatch 
anything from her shop, please say hi for me ;)

Hope you're having a great week!

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55 comments:

  1. theaDecember 13, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    nice little bag!

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  2. Heather D.December 13, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway, also for the list of quick gift ideas!

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  3. FarahDecember 13, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Its a sweet little darling... cute and with a practical approach...
    Happy if you come to see me at
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    with love from
    Farah

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  4. lorenaDecember 13, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Oh that Candy Cane Love pattern is too cute!

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  5. Kim with a KDecember 13, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Love your little bag!
    Adore the Candy Cane pattern too!
    Side note - I made your wristlet for my daughter and she gets so many compliments on it.
    Thanks for all your wonderful tutorials!

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  6. PoppyprintDecember 13, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    What a sweet pink bag from Pink Penguin!! You know, last weekend I attended a craft fair and there was a young Japanese sewist there with all her lovely sewn pouches, key fobs, iPad sleeves. All made with Echino and Yuwa. Of course she reads your blog and IDOLIZES you Ayumi! Yes, you! She was adorable and very surprised that I 'knew' you, too. That was fun.

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  7. RitaDecember 13, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    love your candy canes -- they are just too dawgone cute! please count me in the draw, and thank you for this grand opportunity! yay!

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  8. {Leila}Where the Orchids GrowDecember 13, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    This is such a cute bag Ayumi!!
    I'm in the same spot as you are, there isn't enough time eeek! With all the sewing I have done I've only made one proper Christmas present and that's it. Time for a back up plan indeed. Wish I had some jewellery on my list so I could shop at your sisters shop.

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  9. Mrs Flying Blind...December 13, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    That is the cutest little bag!

    I think I am on about Plan E already - where does the time go!?

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  10. VanesaDecember 13, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    What a great idea for a quick project, thanks for sharing the links too!

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  11. verykerryberryDecember 13, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    My plans are all over the place- I forget how little I can get done in last week of work. That is such a cute girly bag!

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  12. SheilaDecember 14, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Love those fabrics you have used. Thanks for all the links Ayumi and have a great Christmas.

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  13. pippablueDecember 14, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    what a sweet little bag! I have already made some of the things on your list, but definitely it's time to keep it simple!

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  14. Bree at "Bree's Way"December 14, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    I know I have said it before, but I love your blog ! Ty for sharing all you do :)

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  15. Claire @ Gemini NutritionDecember 14, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Love the drawstring pouch very cute :)

    Claire xoxo

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  16. IndiannaDecember 14, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    I'm secretly making one of your lunchbag/bento box for a friend - but I know she will guess it is for her if I put it on my blog....so I'll leave it 'till after Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  17. andreaDecember 14, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    really cute ayumi :)

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  18. NickyDecember 14, 2011 at 4:04 AM

    Oh! That is SO adorable! You have a lucky friend! : )
    Thanks for the links you have attached to this post. A treat to the eyes and a present for my imagination. Have a fabulous Christmas break.

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  19. TatkisDecember 14, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    Your bag is adorable!
    Thanks a lot for all those great links!

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

    ReplyDelete
  20. SuzanneDecember 14, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    I'm on a bag kick right now, searching for great tutorials. Thank you for showing me yours and for all the great links. Ya know, if I spent the same amount of time sewing as I did searching and browsing craft blogs, I'd be a lot closer to done. :-)

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  21. SashaDecember 14, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Oh that bag is sooo cute!!! I love all of the pink!! Thank you for all of the wonderful links! I can't believe there is so little time before Christmas is here. I'm just like you...I will never be able to cross everything off of my list. Every year it's the same :)

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  22. SarahDecember 14, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    yes, I'm frantically sewing the binding on a quilt for friends and wondering how I'm going to wrap up my other handmade gifts! I'm hoping to give paper piecing a try in the new year (scary!) so would love to win a copy of Kerry's pattern!

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  23. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison LaneDecember 14, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Such a cute bag Ayumi. I know whomever receives it will love it.
    Good luck with all of your holiday sewing. I have some to still finish too and can't believe we are 10 days away! I bet get going!!
    Merry Christmas my sweet friend!

    Thanks for the chance to win the Kerry's paper piecing pattern- I love those candy canes.

    ReplyDelete
  24. BethanyDecember 14, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    I do love that pattern so it would be fun to win!
    Also--if you DO spoil the surprise by posting it you can surely send that sweet little drawstring bag my way :)

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  25. Lucy | Charm About YouDecember 14, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Such a cute bag! Love the fabrics and I like that it's rectangles rather than squares - good idea!

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  26. sukieDecember 14, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Love the bag!

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  27. evamarieDecember 14, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I'll be bloghopping this evening instead of sewing, thanks to yor list! (-; i'd love to win....

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  28. ChristineDecember 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    So cute!

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  29. Archie The Wonder DogDecember 14, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Gorgeous bag! I'm not doing any Christmas sewing this year, I did loads last year and decided I deserved a year off!!

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  30. **nicke...December 14, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    oh it is so cute! thanks for the list of quick makes...my handmade christmas is quickly turning into a giftcard christmas!

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  31. Live a Colorful LifeDecember 14, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Cute bag!

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  32. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    This is so cute, I find it so hard to match pink fabrics for some reason but yours look like they were made for each other. And your seams are perfect!

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  33. amyDecember 14, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    i absolutely adore that little patchwork bag and you've inspired me to hopefully make one soon. Thanks for including me in your round up, off to check out the other projects! xo amy

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  34. Katy CameronDecember 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    What a cute wee bag (and I've also been bloghopping tonight thanks to you lol)

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  35. SkooksDecember 14, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    I'm sure it's not for me (hee hee), but I really do love it. Whoever gets it is a lucky duck! :)

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  36. AlliDecember 14, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Your little bag is adorable! And you're so right about what happens to our Christmas lists! I was just revising it today -- I'm planning smaller things now, but I'm still optimistic that I can make eight presents before Christmas. :D

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  37. PattiDecember 14, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Thanks got the list of great tutorials! Your little bag is a perfect size. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway.

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  38. Crafty Tokyo MamaDecember 14, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I'm going to give your patchwork kinchaku a try soon. What a great way to use up scraps! I've also resolved to learn paper piecing next year and Kerry's pattern looks like a good one to start with. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  39. annemarieDecember 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Love your little bag and the fact that it is reversible is fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  40. MarileeDecember 14, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Keep at it...you are making great progress.

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  41. Rachel at Stitched in ColorDecember 15, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Sweet, Ayumi! I am currently shaking in my boots because a Christmas present that MUST be is still waiting a fabric shipment. Please come soon!

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  42. The Hungry CrafterDecember 15, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Thanks for all the tutorial links! I am most DEFINITELY needing to scale back my crafting list!!! Shhhh -- it can't POSSIBLY be 10 days til Christmas???!?!? :D

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  43. KelseyDecember 15, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    what a cute bag!!

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  44. quirky granola girlDecember 15, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    this is so darned pretty, Ayumi!

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  45. RachelDecember 15, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Thank you for the inspiration! I've been making Christmas gift bags based on your tutorial, but have been falling behind. Thanks for getting me excited about bags again!

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  46. KatarinaDecember 16, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Ayumi, I thought your first reversible bag was the cutest thing ever.. but now I guess I love this one even more! Thank you for being such a great inspiration :-)

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  47. LenyDecember 19, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    wow! it's so pretty :D

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  48. AnonymousDecember 20, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    I am so in love with that secret gift bag, so colourful and fresh it will be a lovely present.
    Greets Olympic 2012 apartments

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  49. IsaDecember 20, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    This is so adorable Ayumi.
    The owner will be thrilled !!!

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  50. Sandra :)December 23, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    I got to see this bag in person a few minutes ago - the recipient is a friend and lives just up the street :) IT IS GORGEOUS! It's so pretty - the fabrics are just delicious, and the back is just as pretty as the front - I can't believe my friend has an original Ayumi, and I got to fondle it!!! Ayumi you are a doll!

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  51. quirky granola girlDecember 27, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    this bag is so fantastic, Ayumi. i love how you mix fabrics together.

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  52. SuzeJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Very cute!

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  53. tiffany jewelleryFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.

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  54. AliciaMarch 19, 2012 at 4:55 AM

    QUE LINDA---
    SALUDITOS

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  55. lunaticgMarch 24, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial. Will try to make this for my wife birthday gifts.

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Thanks for taking the moment to leave a comment ;) I always love hearing from you!