Free Patterns from Paper and Piecings

Hoping that the new year will allow us to spend more time on our sister site, paperandpiecings.com. Patterns are plentiful but finding the time to piece and prepare them for distribution in our online store is a struggle. In the meantime, to those of you who have subscribed, hope you enjoy the freebies we are sending out tomorrow. We’ve used the cat in a Valentine, and the cardinal and reindeer in Christmas tags. A little late for this year but you can always get an early start on next.

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Happy New Year!

Cardinal Christmas Tag

This little paper-pieced kitten is one of three free pattern downloads paperandpiecings.com is sending out this week. (Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already!) Though I initially wanted to use Mr. Cat in a Valentine, I’ve used it as a birthday card for the Mojo Monday challenge. Typed the sentiment on computer: Hope your day is purr-fect - and inside - Just like you! Happy Birthday! I used Very Vanilla StampinÚp cardstock to piece the cat;  Pink Passion and Pink Pirouette for the card.

Just like you! Happy Birthday!

Picked up several Christmas  ‘pickles’ when I was vacationing in Nova Scotia this past summer.  Wrapped these up tonight for Christmas gifts and decided to incorporate the legend into a Christmas card. Turned out pretty good except I realized I had a typo after everything was put together and had to start all over again. Ignore the error. It should read:

Long ago in Germany

the legend came to be:

the story of a pickle

hidden in  a tree.

Why we are not certain,

but this we know is true:

this simple Christmas tradition

is enjoyed by me and you.

Deep inside the branches

of every Christmas tree

hides a simple pickle,

camouflaged in green.

Try to find the pickle,

but keep your hands behind,

for if you touch the Christmas tree

you’ll lose the prize in mind.

Oh, but if you find it,

how lucky you will be!

For you a special present

is tucked beneath the tree.

The Christmas Pickle

Finished an order for a number of these ’sliders’. The slider holds a packet of hot chocolate and the tiny box holds a little chocolate. You can never have too much chocolate in your life! Not exactly sure where I found the slider pattern but they are pretty much all over the place. Search for “hot chocolate slider”and take your pick. The tiny box is made from a Stampin’Up die.

Cocoa Slider and Treat Box

Always have a couple extra Christmas gifts on hand - just in case. My all time favorite is the popcorn basket. I’ve wrapped this one up many times, but this year’s presentation tops all. Found the plastic tub and matching cups at Canadian Tire - perfect size for a box of microwave popcorn, Cracker Jacks, peanuts, chocolate (lots of chocolate) and two Coke in a glass bottle. The Coke has to be in a glass bottle - pop in a can just doesn’t compare - truly! Also included is a gift certificate from the local video store for rental on a couple movies.

A Night at the Movies

Treats for everyone

The gift certificate is tucked into a gift card holder embellished with a paper piecing from www.paperandpiecings.com. This particular pattern is one of our own and is available for purchase and immediate download for only $ 2.00. All our patterns are available in pdf, svg, and scut files. Be sure to check out the site and subscribe for our occasional newsletter and freebie.

Movie Gift Certificate Holder

I test cut all my patterns using SCAL software but for personal projects I usually hand cut all the  pieces as I find it quite relaxing. In a hurry tonight, however, and used an svg file with SCAL and the Cricut. Perfect! Takes just seconds to cut!

A Quick Cut

The finished gift: Attractive, inexpensive and suitable for just about anyone!

Merry Christmas!