...and now, another musical interlude.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

Even when I can't hand make every gift, I still enjoy making the packaging special. So much so that I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to it. There's still two sleeps until Christmas, plenty of time to add a special touch to your wrapping. Unless, of course, you were done and wrapped back in August (go you!) -- just keep these ideas in mind for next year then.

L-R: source; source; source

Hand Sanitizer Jackets, Check!

I'm making my lists. And checking them twice. As of today the teacher gifts are checked!

VOTE! Twelve Days of Christmas Blogger Challenge

It's time to vote! Twelve days, 28 entries, one winner! And it's up to you to decide.

What's in it for you? Twenty-eight awesome tutorials collected in one location! Go! Go check them out and then vote for your favorite -- *ahem* Christmas Forest Pillow or Print, thankyouverymuch.

Sewing for Home!

Friday bonus post: get your home ready for the holidays with these six tutorials!

TUTORIAL: Cozy Tall Tree Pillow

...three free sewn items, two December tutorials, and a Cozy Pillow with a Tall Trimmed Tree. It's not a partridge but it is one more Christmas gift from me to you: sew a cozy pillow with a Tall Tree Appliqué perfect for the Holiday Season.

TUTORIAL (& Giveaway!): The Three-Ten Tote

Three fabrics, ten steps, one lined tote bag tutorial, zero bottom seam; the perfect showcase for your favorite fabrics!

CHRISTMAS! I love Christmas! And I have to work hard to keep myself in check and not over-extend myself baking and making all the gifts for all the people! (Surely, I'm not alone in this.) But as the year draws to a close, and the January anniversary of this blog approaches, I want to make sure I have just the right gift ...for you. How would like another December tutorial? Humbug! That's not enough. How about the actual tote from the tutorial? Read on for an opportunity to get your hands on both, and more!

Marsala: Pantone 18-1428 -- 2015 Color of the Year

Leatrice Eisman, executive director of The Pantone Color Institute, describes Marsala as an earthy wine. Last night, when I saw the announcement on the Wall Street Journal website I told Mr. Wren. He asked, "what is 'Marsala'?" I described it as a dusty burgundy. However you describe it, 18-1428 is Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year.

Image source and source

PICTORIAL: Christmas Forest Pillow

Christmas is my most best favorite AWESOMEST time of the year! I can never get enough music! Or lights! Or decorations! [Mr. Wren and I were even married during the Christmas season just so we could have the music, lights, and decorations as part of our ceremony. True story.] Today I’m starting my Christmas celebrating by joining Deanna from Sew McCool for her 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Blogger Challenge. I'm sharing a pictorial for a custom pillow (or print) with a Forest of Christmas Trees to bring the holiday into your home.