Make It Monday Week 2

This week was mostly a planning week for me — and honestly, that’s one of my favourite parts of the Handmade Christmas Challenge.

I did give in to a little temptation during the Boxing Day sales and bought some beautiful fabrics at $4 a metre, marked down from $30. I was thrilled. That’s cheaper than op-shop sheets or doona covers, and the quality is gorgeous.

The big difference this year? Every piece had to have a purpose.

A few very pretty bolts were put back on the shelf because I simply couldn’t think of what I’d make with them. And you know what? That felt really good. Now the stack of fabric at home is fully allocated — no guilt, no “one day I’ll use that.” My goal this year is to mostly use what I already have, without buying anything else.

Over the weekend I cut out some canning mats, matching pot holders, and a few kitchen towel toppers. To mix things up a bit, I downloaded some free patterns and templates from AccuQuilt. If I decide they’re keepers, I’ll transfer them onto plastic so they last longer and are quicker to trace and cut in future.

I also downloaded a free pattern from Spotlight to make fabric Christmas ornaments. They’ll be perfect for using up scraps as I go through the year — because my plan is simple: no scraps left by December.

What Have I Been Making?
I’ve already started two bottles of vanilla extract. If you’re planning on making vanilla (or other flavoured extracts), start now. It may feel early, but they need time to mature. Most extracts need at least six weeks, but the longer they sit, the better they are. Starting now doesn’t cost a cent extra — and it’s another gift crossed off the list early.

During the Boxing Day sales I also picked up five iron-on transfers marked down to $2 each (from $7.99). This year, I’ve set myself two rules for anything new that comes into the house:
• Have a plan for it
• Use it immediately, so it doesn’t disappear into the “I’ll do that later” pile
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So on Sunday afternoon, I washed and ironed five little cotton bags I’d picked up for $1 each on clearance, and spent half an hour ironing the transfers onto them. I love how they turned out. They’ll be part of my gift wrap this Christmas — practical, reusable, and pretty.

​I also restocked my work basket with tea towels and yarn so I can easily pick up some knitting or crocheting while I relax. On top of the pile are the Christmas tea towels Hannah picked up, and I’ve been quietly working on those whenever I have a few spare minutes.

Made pineapple, corn & black bean salsa for fajitas on Wednesday and it was so delicious. My recipe makes a huge 3 litre bowl full, so there was plenty leftover (and it is even better the next day) for lunch on Thursday when it was so hot. I opened a packet of corn chips, spooned salsa into little rice bowls and let everyone help themselves. It was nice to have something chilled on such a hot day (at lunchtime it was 36C).

I had a good laugh when Sareena said there was no way she was starting this early. But I love getting things done ahead of time. Starting early means I can take my time, enjoy the process, and avoid that frantic rush at the end of the year.

Slow, steady, and handmade — that’s exactly how I want this Christmas to feel.

What have you been making this week?