Check out My Wizard Of Oz Quiz: http://teamsugar.com/group/43820/quiz/505613

I love to sew. Plain and simple. No idea why, but I have a hunch that it's a combination of the relaxing, repetitive motions and the fact that I'm usually beautifying something for myself, my home, or for someone else.

So, whenever I go to the library I usually end up in the arts and crafts section, looking for new ideas for me and for others. I came across the book Two Hour Crafts and figured I'd take it home after I flipped through a found a few things that appealed.

But when I got home and actually studied the book, I found one project that I absolutely fell in love with - and one that would keep my tootsies warm on cold winter nights!

Both are ideal crafts to give away as gifts and obviously, both can be done in a limited amount of time. And I can guarantee that even if you're not a super sewer, you can see the beauty and ease in these projects!

Creature Comforts

I'm a girl who likes to spend the winter months curled up under a fleece blanket, hot chocolate in one hand and a good book in the other. This cozy throw can be used to tuck your feet in for a little added warmth or just slip the throw into the pocket for a little pillow. This project is the perfect present for someone who likes the same! Maybe you could even tuck some hot chcolate into the pocket...oh, the possibilities...

Materials

Fleece Fabric 60 x 80 inches (You can always buy a cheap one at Target or Ikea or the like)
Cutting board
Sharp sewing scissors
Sewing pins
Matching or contrast thread or yarn
Needles

Directions

1. Place fleece on cutting board. Cut 20 inches off the 80-inch measure ot make a throw of 60 by 60 inches. Trim off any rough or uneven edges. From the excess fabric, cut a piece 20 by 22 inches. This will be used as the pocket pillow.

2. Spread throw fabric out on the cutting board. On the lower edge, mark the center point of the fabric. Place cut fabric pocket center on this point with the 22 inch width at the top. Fold top edge of pocket under 1 inch. Pin down the fold and position the pocket on the center of the throw. Starting from the folded top of the pocket, blanket stitch the fold through pocket material only. To blanket stitch, enter the needle 1/2 inch from fabric edge on the wrong side of the fabric. Draw through hole and stitch down to the bottom of edge. Enter again from wrong side of fabric, stitch down and catch last loop, bringing needle under and around to form a scalloped edge. (You can see how this turns out on the finished project picture.) Repeat to the end of the folded top fo the pocket. Tie off and knot ends. Stitch the two sides of the pocket to the throw sewing through both pieces of fabric. If you're not comfortable with the blanket stitch, just use whatever works for you!

3. Blanket stitch all four edge of the throw, stitching through the lower edge of the pocket as you go along the pocket edge. Lay completed stitched throw on flat surface. Turn fabric edges in lengthwise on two sides of the throw, folding underneath the pillow pocket. Next fold down from top edge to top of pocket. Slip throw fabric into the pocket, smoothing away bumps and creases.

Duplicate Stitch Sweater

Duplicate Stitch Sweater

This is the project that I truly fell in love with in the book. It's such a great way to personalize something for someone. And who doesn't want a little bit more color in their lives?

But I will admit that while I love the pattern down the front of the sweater, I'm not a big fan of the additional embroidery floss on the neck. So, for myself, I'd skip that. But I love the way that the rest of the sweater looks!

Materials

Solid color cotton turtleneck sweater with a flat stockinette stitch front
Straight pin
Scissors
Embroidery floss in 6 colors that contrast with the sweater
Embroidery needle

Directions

1. Decide where you want the vertical stripes on the sweater; place a pin to mark where the strip is nearest the sweater center. Cut 24 inches of embroidery floss. Thread the needle with the color you want to be nearest to the center of the sweater.

2. On the inside of the sweater, knot the floss end to the shoulder seam as close to the pin as possible. At the pin, push the needle to the front side of the sweater.

3. Using a duplicate stitch, stitch the first vertical stripe. If you find you need to use additional floss, knot the ends neatly on the inside of the sweater. Do not pull the floss tightly. Trim the tails.

4. Work each additional stripe in the same manner, skipping one row of the sweater stitchers between each duplicate stitch stripe.

5. To accent the collar, use two plies of floss and make one large stitch near the collar edge. Knot the ends together. Trim the floss ends leaving 1/2 inch tails to resemble small tassels. Work stitches around the entire collar, spacing stitches evenly apart and alternating floss colors.

There you go! Two gorgeous gifts!