Pillow tutorial and gift card holder

Since I am really getting into my sewing now, I want to try and make as many gifts for christmas and as other gifts, as possible.  I'm not talking about making random crap and giving it to people, but making things they might actually like, and use.  My friend in Australia just welcomed a little boy into his life so I made a minky, hand embroidered blanket for the little guy and I also made a doll for his daughter as a big sister gift.  I offered to make my mother some new pillow covers for her couch for a gift this year as when I was home I looked at some that would look nice in their new house, however the prices were insanely overpriced and I said that thing that I hoped I would never say "I can make that".  I have made some for myself, just plain slip covers, but I really wanted to go all out for my mum. I have chosen some really pretty fabric and plan on making four - two plain with floral fabric and two petal pillows (I found the great tutorial here).  I'm so crunched for time and have so many projects on my list, but I will get these done!.  

I have another craft show on Saturday so I hope to get a few orders.  I am waiting on a new fabric order to finish up a doll for my friends niece, it should arrive soon.  I'm excited about this show as I can now take credit cards! I had a few people ask me at the school fair if I take credit cards (which I could not at that time) but now I have this really cool little scanner thing that plugs into my phone and I can swipe right then and there and then it goes right into my bank account, I think it's pretty cool.

A customer sent me a picture today of her finished doll from the Kit and Tutorial from my shop, she did a great job and the colors worked nice.  I was very anxious to get her feedback as it was the first kit I had sold, I'm so glad it worked out nicely.  I bet she's super excited to see her daughters face at Christmas, and knowing she made it too! (if she lasts that long!) I have had two customers order dolls for Christmas, get the doll, then just could not wait to give it to their daughters at Christmas and caved in.  That makes me feel good.  My kids are now sick of seeing my dolls everywhere, especially before a show as I have them everywhere, and they are sick of having all my sewing stuff laid out on the dining room table! I would be in heaven if we had a house with an extra room so I could have all my crafting/sewing stuff there and not have to pack it away all the time, ah, a girl can dream right? Maybe my girls could share a room? Yeah right, my husband would never go for that.

As my family lives in New Zealand and sending gifts at Christmas can cost me upwards of $50-$60, I planned in taking the easy route this year, gift cards.  Yes, they can use them as we are meeting in Kona in July for a family vay-cay.  The can use them at the mall on our last few days we will spend in Honolulu.  Easy! They don't cost much to mail and I'm planning on making these gift card holders.  Cute right? And I already have the fabric left over from the santas sacks.

Well, that's it for tonight, I have some circle to cut!

J.