Small Gifts

I made a few small gifts for friends this year.  I wish I would have taken better pictures -- but I only took pics with my phone I guess.  I'll share them anyway.  I'm linking up to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and to Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation.

My favorite of these projects is my "Here We Have Idaho" pillow.  I made it for my best friend -- we grew up in a small town in Idaho and I will forever love that quiet, beautiful, super-cold-right-now, but rarely-too-hot town!  When we were in the 4th grade we had "Idaho History."  Here are a few of the highlights from that fine history Unit:

1. Potato Pillows -- one of the projects we could choose to do was make a potato shaped pillow -- I don't think I made one, but remember seeing other's.  Whatever project I did, I did not keep it.  
2. County song -- My best friend also memorized the county song....I didn't have to, but I do enjoy asking her to sing it for me once in a while.  ;)  
3. State song -- We both learned the State song -- part of which is "And here we have Idaho, Winning her way to fame."  That line always cracked us up so i wrote it on the backside of the pillow (just along the edge of the envelope closure.)  I wanted to stitch it to the front, but I'm not that experienced in hand-stitching and wasn't sure anyone would get it anyway.  :)  

I got the idea for this Idaho pillow from another blog -- but I cannot find the source!  It's been a while.  

Another pillow I made using the same reverse-applique technique was this heart pillow I made for a friend who was having a birthday.  The fabric is a mini charm pack from the Moda Wishes line.  I used corduroy for off-white the background.  

Lastly, I made my first attempt at zipper pouches.  I used a couple of online tutorials.  My first attempt was on the blue owl pouch -- I didn't have interfacing so I used some batting instead.  Not sure this was a great idea because I struggled with those bulky box corners.  My second and third attempt were more successful -- the octagon bag is made with fusible fleece, and the tan corduroy/owl one is made with medium weight interfacing.  These were gift-able.  Phew.  I gave the pink one to our babysitter.  I really debated one what a teenager would like.....I don't have teenagers and wasn't sure which one to give her.  Hope she liked it!