Now I can show you some gifts!

For the past few years, we have exchanged handmade gifts with Peter's parents. This year, I asked Emma to draw a picture of Papa and Mamere's "mountain house" in rural Colorado.  I realized when creating this post that I don't have a good picture of Emma's artwork. What she came up with was her own twist on what she considers a place full of fun memories.  Their house is the one on the top right hand corner (doesn't seem to show up well in the photo, but its the small tan one), up on the *snowy* hill (elevation at their place is actually close to 9000 feet, so she's got the right idea).  Below it is a pond with a pink fish (of course) and a lily pad (why not?).  There is a stream running through the picture, with a white horse, a cat, and various other houses, plus a church (cause my kids think God lives in Colorado- but that's a post for another day...)

I was originally going to make this into a pillow, but I've done pillows more than once for them so I needed an original idea.  I decided on a wall hanging.  I appliqued Emma's artwork onto canvas with fabric and felt (all of the felt colors were chosen from the stash I got from the very generous Alicia back before Christmas).  Since Emma outlined everything in the original picture using a blue marker, I used blue embroidery thread to sew everything on.  The only thing I did which varies from the original is that used a printed yellow fabric for the biggest house- which was approved by the original artist.  Its all backed with plain muslin, and three green ribbon tabs at the top for threading a dowel through to hang.  Some more photos and details here and here.

Jen got a canvas zipper pouch (I'm suddenly realizing I used a lot of canvas) with an embroidery idea I got from this book.  The inside of the bag is lined with this vintage feedsack.

For my niece Kate (Jen's daughter), I had bookmarked this incredibly cute sock monkey from Blackbird Fashion back months ago.  As far as Kate is concerned, his t-shirt says it all and can't you just see this on a Freshman college dorm room bed?  We're still trying to make up for the fact that her mom told a member of this band backstage that she loves to listen to their music- when she's on the treadmill.  True, yes, but apparently not a cool thing to say.  Therapy is expensive, so I'll be mentally filing this one for future reference when Emma is 16.  You're still the coolest in my book Jen.