Christmas Gifting

One of the advantage of giving up your job just before Christmas is that you suddenly have time to do nice things like MAKE gifts for people. My music group exchanges gifts in an ad hoc fashion, the rule is you only give a gift you feel like it and generally it's musically themed. This was something I've had in mind for them for a number of years and have never managed to get round to until now. What are they? Mug Bags of course. Why would you want one? Music retreats and other varieties of retreat often ask you to bring your own mug. This give you a way of safely transporting your favourite themed mug along with pockets for whatever other items you may need to carry. The bags are fully lined with a quilted bottom to help protect the mug. The pattern is from an old back issue of Australian Patchwork & Quilting magazine. I made these two for my musical partners in crime.

I included a mug, sadly not musical but I know they have something more appropriate they can substitute. I filled the pockets with a teaspoon, teabags, cookietime cookie and an instant chai latte sachet. Of course, I didn't want to feel left out so while I was making two I made three.

Then, getting completely carried away I decided Mum might like one to take to quilting workshops. A quick change of fabric theme and number four was born.

It's the first time I've sewn for ages and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I must make a point of doing more. It's not as if I'm short of stash or kitsets to make up after all.