I finally got back to sewing this weekend by making an ice pack for the boy. He's been training for his 6th marathon and hurt his ankle a week ago. He's been icing it up every night, but would only put the bare ice pack on his leg. The suggestion of using a towel with the ice pack was shot down immediately. But I wanted to make an ice pack for him anyway. I knew it would be more comfortable.

Yesterday, I cut into an old towel (one that didn't match the rest of our gray set) and based the size off of the ice pack we had in the freezer. I happened to get some red velcro at the Crafty Swap & Beer from the previous week, so it was perfect. I put the velcro on both sides of the wrap so that you could just put it on without looking. It's just easier that way.

And... he uses it! Good.

I have to admit that it hasn't been good these last couple of weeks. I've been feeling very down. Way down. Even during the three day weekend, I found myself unable to do anything, let alone any of the sewing tasks I had planned. Then by the end of it I felt so guilty. A weekend wasted.

Everyone keeps telling me it's the winter depression come early, but I don't remember it being this bad. Do I block it out? Why am I surprised every year when it happens?

One theory I had was that every year I blame it on a failed new years resolution to get fit. This year, though, I am actually doing really well - exercising four times a week. It's a miracle! I certainly can't place the blame there this year.

Thankfully, the feelings have slowly started to lift. I don't know why it started or why it's stopping, but perhaps forcing myself to do things have helped. I baked twice this week for our Charity bake sale at work to benefit Haiti. AND I sewed something. 

I made two matching pot holders as a Housewarming present for my friend, who just bought her first home. I don't know how she decorated her kitchen yet, but hopefully it matches. 

The red striped fabric is the back of each pot holder. I had exactly enough fabric left of this cute kitchen print, which I found by going through my scrap pile. Very lucky. Why did I ever put such a large scrap in there anyway? 

UPDATE: Umm.... Am I psychic now? The pot holders she already had were blue, green, and then a red and white striped one. How lucky is that?

Made a little something for myself as well. I lost the scarf I bought in Italy on the honeymoon, so I made myself a new one. This year I have a gray coat and a sneaking suspicion that I would soon own a DrikaB bag this Christmas in yellow and gray. I already had some super soft, black & white houndstooth fabric on hand, so I bought some fabric to match with a hint of yellow.

At first, I just sewed the two pieces together without any other padding, but after the crazy winds began to blow, I added in a layer of thermolam batting. Now it's a soft, cozy, wall of fabric to protect me from these ridiculous winds.

Oh, and I was right. Here is the great bag I got for Christmas. I love it!

See how happy I am now?

It's been a busy couple of weeks here in my sewing room. I've been finishing up gifts almost every night. Of course, this could have been avoided if I wasn't such a hopeless precrastinaor and didn't wait until the last available week to finsh out everything. When will I learn?

Anyway, I can finally show you some of the things I've been making.

First up: The finished Bridle Bag and last minute matching Pony Tail Bag. 

I finally finished up the Bridle Bag. It's going to a friend's daughter for Christmas. I personalized it with her name in embroidery instead of the horse's name. That way she can use for a long time. I hope she liked it. 

And then I made a coordinating Pony Tail Bag. I had no idea that some Ponys need a little extra help, so they have fake tail extensions for shows. This bag will house the fake tail when not in use.

They are going to take some pictures of the bags in use, so I'll post them whenever I get them. I'm curious to see how they hold up, considering I've never made either of these before.