Slow Sunday Stitching

Gosh, I'm really changing it up today! The slow stitching I plan to do involves making Christmas ornaments. Not for me, but for DDErin, a supreme lover of Christmas.

It's a Christmas request!

The last time we visited them, she sent this hefty pink box home with me along with a request - would I make these for her? She'd intended to do them but now with a newborn, she knows she won't, yet still wants them for her decorating.
 

Seems like something I would enjoy making, and one hardly ever says "no" to such a request, so I am getting started.

This kit is from Purl Soho, and I know Erin has ordered other projects from them. This is just right up her alley - she is artsy, crafty, and a little bit bling-y - these ornaments have just the right amount of sparkle for her holiday decorating taste.

Materials included will make 18 ornaments with decorative stitching and embellishments on one side. The fabric is felt, and I am in the cutting phase at present. After all are cut out, I will - one at a time - mark with erasable ink the stitching lines. The booklet included with the kit seems to do a good job or walking one through the steps. Eventually, I will get into a rhythm and I will soon be speeding right through these.

The colors certainly are not the typical Christmas colors, but they will look quite elegant in Erin's decor. I am eager to finish one. I will be sure to post an update for you when I do.

Joining the fun over at Kathy's Quilts for her Slow Sunday Stitching party. You're invited, too! Go have a look around. You are sure to see other Christmas projects in the works.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Quilts In The Kitchen

Most every seamstress or quilter has a plethora of holiday pretties to sprinkle around the house, right? I have drawers and tubs and stacks of all manner of holiday items - pillows, table runners, coasters, quilts, throws, wall hangings, candle mats, and more.

Our kitchen island, above, which was the work center for the massive noodle making and candy production described in yesterday's post, normally looks like this, below.

 

And that table runner is one of the easiest, fastest you could ever make. Here's a link, if you want to give it a try. I made this one 3 or 4 years ago after seeing my quilting buddy Sheryll make about 20 of them for her sisters and sisters-in-law. As long as you have two complimenting fabrics, you can make this runner.

Of course, any holiday theme or event will work - I think one of red, white and blue would look fantastic on the picnic table this summer. And think of one for Easter or fall or birthday or well, you get the idea. A quick search of "15-minute table runner" on Pinterest will elicit numerous additional tutorials.

I'll probably be doing lots of brief little posts this week as I prep for the big day! Stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Christmas Star

Impulse creating - that's my specialty. Apparently, maintaining my focus on a single project is a total impossibility. With Lunch Box Social and Temecula Baskets as my two main projects this week, and intentions of longarming something, and a couple of other Works In Progress (WIPs) on standby, I did this.

I just took a notion to make something Christmassy! What does it hurt to take a half-day or so to whip up a festive block? It satisfied a sudden urge to get myself into a Christmas mood. I have an idea that I will turn this into a quilted pillow for the front room sofa. I will be hosting the family for Christmas this year, and I need to crank up the holiday mojo!

I've been seeing a lot of pillows showcased on Instagram lately, and it has jogged my memory that I've placed several pillow pictures in my saved files. But inspiration can come from table toppers, too, as well as individual blocks in larger quilts. My thought process considers how these various looks would translate into a pillow. 

I am particularly smitten with the idea of framing the star with a patchwork border, sorta' like these two little quilts from Lindsey Weight.

 

The first one is straight-up squares while the second one fancies it up a bit with HSTs in the corners. Both are pleasing; both would be so simple and fast to finish. However, I could get slightly more involved with some hourglass blocks like this next one from Jessie.

Hmmm...decisions, decisions. But fun to create, you know? I am stuck at doing the math for making all the parts fit on my 20-inch pillow inserts. (Math; it's always the math; smh.)

It's a beautiful day here in southern Ohio! Hope you are having a great Saturday!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Merry Christmas To All!

We are having a true White Christmas here in south central Ohio this year. Yesterday the snow began around 3pm and continued until almost midnight. In that time we had accumulations in the 4-5-inch range.

All is calm.

While the snow was falling, so were our temperatures. Christmas Eve morning saw the thermometer at 48 degrees. By bedtime, we were at 17. Brrr!

If you look close, you can make out the sidewalk.

Our Christmas Day will be a first for us - no family coming in; just the two of us here to enjoy a quiet day and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Son is all the way out in Oregon; DD1 will go with her husband to his family's gathering in Findlay; DD2 has to work. She is employed by a health care facility.  

I hope your day is filled with the wonders of the season; peaceful reflection, and utter contentment. I am spending some of my day reminiscing about Christmases past (click here) and to read that wonderful Truman Capote short story "A Christmas Memory."

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Can you believe it?!!? Christmas is here!

I hope you and yours are enjoying the blessings of Christmas.

We are hosting my side of the family today; 30 are expected for a 1pm feast. It will be a houseful! Absolutely the best kind of Christmas  -  with those we love.

Merry Christmas!

Sharon's Christmas Decor

It is way past time to highlight Christmas material, but I just can't skip sharing this from my dear friend Sharon. I have written many, many posts involving Sharon - we taught together at CHS, we have quilted together for years, I may have written about her fantastic cooking and decorating skills, too, as they are outstanding.

Have a look at the family room at Sharon's house from Christmas morning. Isn't it just breathtaking!? Just take it all in for a moment. So magical!

Now, let's talk about that fantastic red and white quilt on the wall. Sharon made it years and years ago, and my grandmother quilted it! How nice to be reminded of her. The quilt looks absolutely stunning as part of the Christmas decor, I'm sure you agree.

Interestingly enough, as I search through previous posts, I discover that this quilt has been mentioned here before. Click here to read about the quilts at Sharon's house. This same quilt is pictured in a different setting. To find more on Sharon put her name in the search box found over in my sidebar; a long list of posts will pop up. Sharon loves 2-color quilts - usually red and white, like you see above, and blue and white - but she also has a penchant for many of the same things I love - French General fabrics, Kaffe Fassett fabrics, and 3 Sisters fabrics. Probably accounts for why we are such dear friends!

The two of us often make quilts together, and we have some plans in the works for this brand new year. As for previous efforts, we made Elizabeth two years ago, and Snow Shoo last year, as well as our various Roman Holiday quilts (here's a couple), American Jane quilts, and Chock Full O' Charm.

Come on back for some details - soon - on our plans for this new year.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is here! Gloria hallelujah!

Sing the good news!

I hope you are having a most blessed, restful and joyous Christmas! I will be surrounded by 21 family members later today as we are hosting the feast this year. Our daughters will be missing from the festivities; they have plans with their guys' families.

I hope to find quiet time today to remember the real reason for the day - the birth of our glorious Lord. What a gift to the world! Here's a sweet prayer I will recite as I count my blessings.

Merry Christmas To All!

Brunch With Frienzies

Back-to-back posts about back-to-back brunches. I have taken on the role of hostess this past week, volunteering to welcome two of my favorite groups. You read about the quilters who came last week. Now let me share the fun we had when the Frienzies came for a day of Holiday Cheer.

My table was set for only 7 - we sadly missed our Frienzie Lyn due to her husband's illness. The gift bags contain the parts for a craft we worked on later in the day. The tablecloth is a giant piece of Roman Holiday home dec fabric that I found on a sale display years ago in Holmes County. I think there was 10 or 12 yards of it and I bought it all. I cut it in half to share with Sharon. I love bringing it out every Christmas - just makes me so happy!!

And even happier are Frienzies around the table!! From left to right: Kay, Susan, Hettie, Pam, Sharon and Sherrie. All of us taught together at Chillicothe HS and most retired from there. Hettie, our youngster, still teaches, but she has moved to Southeastern HS.

This group picture is a bit blurry, but it's the best we have. I notice that my star on top of my tree has fallen over! Oh well, it may just stay that way through the remainder of the holidays.

The craft mentioned earlier was a big hit. I saw the idea on Pinterest and bought the supplies at Pat Catan's in Washington CH. We simply had to paint the pedestal and let dry; glue the jar to the pedestal; tie a ribbon around the top; fill with colorful candies. If I were to make another one, I would add a round flat base for stability. It tips over too easily, as it's top-heavy. Pam says she is going to use an old plate for that. (Pam, send a pic! I will use it!)

We exchanged gifts and had a slow, leisurely morning and mid-day enjoying the great companionship. Our monthly get-togethers are wonderful; each and every time I am grateful that we all make the effort to keep our group going strong. Friendships need nourishing, and we are committed to feeding ours! (Literally and figuratively!)

Sharon stayed later for sewing!! I have some pictures of our latest sewing room activity and will bring that to you tomorrow!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Brunch With Frankfort Girls

Last Friday morning the whole gang showed up for our Christmas Brunch! What a fantastic group of ladies. We meet every-other-Friday morning and take turns hosting. This year, the Christmas celebration just happened to fall on my hosting date, so we partied and gifted and giggled and gabbed - there was not one stitch taken!

I should have taken a few pics of my feast and my table, but alas, I did not. The menu consisted of Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, Ambrosia Salad, assorted mini-muffins, cinnamon rolls, Hot Mulled Cider and Mimosas. Nothing fancy, but filling nonetheless.

Here are some pictures of all the girls as we opened gifts. We trade names, and reveal who we bought for when we exchange gifts. And, we all get a little something extra, too. Such a generous group!

Jan, Becky and Sheryll. 

That pretty "quilts" in the frame is my gift from Sheryll. 

Sharon and Helen.

Terry and Sharon.

You can see by the array of gifts all around that there was quite a bit of gifting and surprising for all. The best, though, is the strong friendship we all have. To say that this group is compatible would be an understatement. These girls are just the best and I am blessed beyond measure to count them as friends.

Coming up tomorrow, I will play hostess to another group of dear friends who are blessings in my life - The Frienzies are coming for a Christmas brunch.  (Yes, another one!) I have had a fun few days of finishing off some Christmas decorating; today is food-prepping day. We will have a similar menu and a gift exchange. Oh, I just love Christmas time!

I hope you are enjoying the many blessings of the Christmas season! I want to savor every moment!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Mid-December Panic

Perhaps "panic" is too strong a word, but I do have something of a quandary on my hands. It occurs to me this early morning 13 days into the month that I ought to decide if I am going to continue blogging or not. My last post was on the first, and I really have not even had additional blog posts planned. Perhaps this is because I have really not been sewing very much. Instead, I have been focusing on finishing the fall semester at OUC, and getting ready for the holidays.

Some of the "getting ready for the holidays" has involved stitching. I pulled out all my little trees this year. These didn't make the cut last Christmas, but since we are hosting several "events" this month, I thought I'd go all out with the Christmas decorating. On one of the little trees, I planned to use my garland of homespun yoyos for a primitive look. I discovered that my 15-year-old garland was much shorter that I remembered, so I made more to add onto it. This is the extent of the sewing I have done this month - 40 more yoyos.

I cut out the circles and carried them (along with snippers, needle and thread) on a quick overnight to my brother-in-law's house last weekend. I am happy to report that I stitched them all, and attached them, too. Satisfying way to keep my hands busy during drive time and such.

The tree looks a bit lopsided in this photo, but I have not noticed that in person. Strange. Oh well, my little tree makes me happy with its twinkly lights, tiny bulbs and garland of yoyos. A simple tree, to be sure.

Here's a larger view of the corner in which it sits. The piano is from my mother's; we got it about 25 years ago when she moved into town. The Noel cross stitch on the wall is from over 35 years ago; I stitched it from a stamped pattern. The tree came from my Frienzie Kay when she and her husband moved (downsized) just a few years ago.

Tomorrow I have the first of my "events" - the Frankfort girls are coming for brunch and a Christmas gift exchange. If we happen to get around to stitching, well then, all the better! It will be a fun morning, for sure.

So, about this blogging thing. The long and the short of it is this: I am going to make a decision by the first of the year about whether or not to continue. I have not missed blogging this month. Is it time to move on? Do I just stop or take a break? (As if I haven't already taken a break!)

In previous stretches of time when I would fail to blog regularly, I always had a nagging guilty conscience that pushed me to post. That hasn't happened this time. I just haven't even thought about it.

Blogging has never seemed a chore to me. Lately, though, the time and the effort of keeping a blog  going has been more work than pleasure. That's not how it should be, to my way of thinking.

I definitely have some decisions to make. If I am going to continue, I want to do it right, give it the effort it deserves.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Quick Christmas Finish

Maybe a quick finish will be just the thing for me to get back in my groove. This sweet Christmas throw quilt top was the fastest finish I have had in a long, long time. Feels really good to share this already.

Honestly, I need to do more projects like this with large pieces, little (if any!) piecing, and satisfying results. I had only about 5 hours of total cutting/sewing time in this quilt, and it turned out great.

Back on November 9, when we had Frienzies' sewing with Sherrie, Frienzie Kay had two of these Christmas panels and gave me her extra. I didn't hesitate in accepting it! Seeing what she was doing with hers, I knew I would like a similar quilt for myself.

I didn't have a chance to do anything soon, though, because we heard the devastating news about Kevin's dad. But, while we were in Coshocton, I did take the opportunity to buy my fabrics while taking a walk one morning. I shared that stack of fabric in the last post.

I was too lazy to get correct names on all my fabrics, though, so let's dispense with that here. The panel and the red accent fabric are both from the Holiday Wish collection by Jan Shade Beach/Henry Glass. My silver dots is from Vintage Holiday by Bonnie and Camille/Moda. The green accent fabric is by Hoffman. The cardinal print (not shown in photo above) is from a line called Winter White by Lynnea Washburn/Robert Kaufman. (Clarification: the wreaths in this photo are on the edges of the panel piece; I have saved them for some future project.)

Last night, I decided to just get started. I mean, why wait? It promised to be a quick finish, so do it!

My original thought was to use just the 6 panels, but as I sewed the borders on them, I had a change of mind. I don't really have a wall for a wall hanging, and as a throw, the 6 panels wouldn't offer too much coverage. I knew I'd bought extra of the border print (the cardinal fabric), so I cut 3 additional panels of birds, bordered them, and planned a square quilt.

Once I had the panels bordered and the order of the designs set, I added the silver dot fabric for sashing strips.

The step above is where I stopped last night. The long horizontal sashing was my first task for today, and the inner and outer borders. See what I mean about being a really fast finish?!

The picture above is of the center of the quilt, the 2-inch strips of silver dots served as both sashing and inner border.

And my border print of cardinals completes this fun and fast Christmas quilt. Since I bought plenty of this, I made the outer border as wide as my ruler - 8.5 inches. I figured the more cardinals the better. Folks in our family have always been partial to cardinals, especially my late grandmother. This feature makes my Christmas quilt all the more special. The size comes to 63 inches square.

So, now I need to get busy with the quilting and have this ready for the holidays which are just around the corner. I hope I can be as fast on this next step as I was on the first.

Happy Quilting, Friends!