We are so blessed to have friends who believe in hand-me-downing clothes to us for both of our kids! Every school year we go to our "too-big-still" closet and sort thru the bags to see what will fit now. Because of such generosity, we didn't have to buy Gennie any school clothes this year - yay for saving money! But I did want to make something special for her for the beginning of school . . . so I made her some fabric headbands. She loves the wide 1950's-style headbands but refuses to keep the plastic ones on because of the inevitable Headband Headache by the end of the day. So I let her pick out some fat quarters and got to work.
I made a whole set of these for her and she loves them so much that I have to encourage her to do other things with her hair for variety - she'd wear them all together every day if I let her.
Each fat quarter made 4 headbands so I had a few left over to post on etsy (see the sidebar on here for their listings). I tapered the part that rests behind the ears so they would lay flat and not make the hair stick out all wonky. And I tried hers on to see what headsizes they'd fit . . . they were comfy for me, too, and held back my hair securely.
And no sign of the Headband Headache!
And I made it! 31 projects in my 31st year! My beautiful sister (pictured above) found a photo of a beanie she liked but didn't want to pay $48 for (especially when she has a sister who can make one for free from the extra yarn sitting in her closet) and asked if I could make one like it for her. She and her husband came to visit over Christmas break and while we were all sitting around visiting I gave it a try (mostly because I can't just sit still anymore -- my hands MUST be moving; you should see me fidget at church!) By the time they were ready to call it a night, I had this little number worked up: 
It's the first one I've made without a pattern to follow . . . and she loved it! It's a little different than the photo she found, but it fits her perfectly (because she was there to try it on mid-process). Of course, I'm a dork and should have written down what I did so I can do it again but hopefully I can work it up again from memory. 
And I'm counting them in my 31 Projects count . . . just because I can! . . . so now I'm up to 27. Four to go before March -- I think I just might make it!
Every guest at the party was to fill out one of the stamped cards with a word of encouragement or advice for the bride to flip through in the days to come. 
13. Burp/Washrags for my new nephew. 
12. A Fat-Bottom Purse for my sister's birthday. It's straight from the book Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stroller and I love it. Now I want one! I love the bamboo handles.
11. Recipe binder bridal shower gift. It has fun tabs organized a little differently - quick & easy, around the world, sweet tooth, comfort foods, etc. All the recipes are ones my family has passed down and taste-tested so there's not a loser in the bunch. 
10. Thank-you apron for my daughter's kindergarten teacher
8. Mock-tail recipe books attached to plastic party glasses
6. Blanket for my new nephew
5. Giant granny square purse 
4. Blue and purple granny square purse
3. All-digital layout (my second attempt ever) 
2. "Paper quilt" wall hanging 
1. Teddy-Go-Round blanket