Hello all, Mary Ellen here.

I’m back at the sewing machine in earnest now. The yard work is done, and the machine is back from its tune up. I hate sending it away, but it does make a difference in its performance and sound. Working on a Christmas table runner from an Edyta Sitar pattern, and a springy wall hanging that is a sample for a class I will be teaching in April.

Was cruising some of my favorite sewing blogs this morning and came across these cool pattern weights. At least that’s what the designer had in mind for them, but I can see some other uses as well. I love their shape and when she used the correct mathematical term for them in her directions I was sold. Tetrahedrons–yep. You can take the girl out of the classroom but I still like to call things by their correct name. These make such a great arrangement in her photo. Great gift idea for a sewing friend. Click here.

I found those weights from links at the Sew, Mama, Sew annual Handmade Holidays blog entries. Every year in November at Sew, Mama, Sew there is a round-up of links to cool things to make. They categorize them nicely and I find them very inspiring for year round–not just holiday–projects. Definitely you should check them out if you are looking for some gift ideas. Most of the links are to free patterns, a few are reviews of patterns on the market. Even if you’re not going to make a lot of handmade gifts this Christmas season but  you enjoy “making stuff”, I think you’ll enjoy the visit.

Awarding blog candy at tomorrow night’s guild meeting celebrating our 40,000 visitor milestone. I, personally, have reached a blog milestone too. This is my 200th entry at this blog. Boy I do run on, don’t I? I’m thinking up a way to celebrate that too, so stay tuned.