To Give and Receive

I'd like to share a few things I got and something I made.

First the Christmas gifts I got...at least the quilty ones!

First, a new quilt rack and I know the perfect place but not the perfect quilt.

I may have to make a new quilt just for it!

And some new knitting needles...handmade ones!

A new book (it's beautiful and full of inspiration) and a couple of new patterns...

Notice the Civil War Bride Quilt pattern...oh my!

Now I plan to find the perfect background. I've been eyeing this pattern for such a long time!

And finally, a new tool to play with that will help inspire new designs. Show and tell to come....

And now I'd like to show something I gave to my good friend Gloria. It was a tough secret to keep while I was making it. It is a quilt with a lot of meaning and it was very hard for me to piece because of that. I was originally thinking of telling the story here but I can't bring myself to find the right words. I have been trying for days so I will just say that the quilt is filled with love.

The quilt measures about 54"x68". Here is a closer picture.

It is all floral scraps of different widths and foundation pieced.

I drafted the block to the size that fit the scraps in my EQ7. It worked perfectly.

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching in 2012!

Just in the St. Nick of time

My stocking is finished!

Now I just have to wait and see if I have been naughty or nice....

Merry Christmas to you all!

A surprise in the mail!

This week we had a wonderful surprise in the mail...some amazing wood and acrylic icicles from my brother who is a wood turner! It is hard to pick a favourite from the 20 tree ornaments so I'll just say they are all my favourite!

and more...

and still more...

And a couple in the tree already!

Thanks my brother!

Now I must go finish decorating the tree!

Merry Christmas

Everything done but the stocking...

I finally have my new Christmas wall hanging up on the quilt rack!

This weekend I got the machine quilting done.

I found a fabulous variegated thread in my stash perfect for Christmas.

I decided I wanted to just do a 60 degree grid. I figured it would look good with the trees and presents being longer than they are wide.I lined up the first quilting line and just marked it with masking tape.

After the first quilt line was sewn it was easy to stay on track using my handy foot attachment! My lines stayed a wonderful 2-1/2 inches apart. I love that attachment!

Ta-da!

Not just one, but two...one with red binding and one with green...guess which one I kept?

I just know my brother will love his new wall hanging (next Christmas)!

Merry Stitching!

Time for a Nap!

I'm done my big stitched napping quilt. It is washed and dried and cozy and ready for a long winter's nap. I can hardly wait and I am so glad I decided to keep it for myself!

 I am very happy with it but I don't think I will ever be silly enough to quilt (even big stitching) through flannel again. And it was thick flannel!

Slowly I have been stitching my redwork Santa and it is looking like I will have a stocking in time for Christmas! My Dad asked me yesterday if it was going to be big...I think that's a good sign!

We decorated the house yesterday, so we are finally looking festive. Christmas is a time for memories so I thought I would share some craft memories from many years past. This nativity is about 25 years old. I made it for my parents when I was in my very early 20's. It still goes out every year! My family enjoys pointing out that baby Jesus has no nose! Who would want to smell a manger anyways?

And not quite so old are these paper mache Santa's, though they are getting close to 20 years old!

Back to my secret sewing...

Merry Stitching!

It was just what I was wanting...

For some time now I have been wanting to get better at free motion quilting so when I saw this challenge I thought that 2012 will be the year for that- no more putting it to the bottom of the pile!

I just joined the Free-Motion Quilt Challenge at SewCalGal .

It's going to be fun!

Happy Stitching!

Presents and Trees

I finally am nearing the end of my little Christmas wall hangings. Here is the first one all laid out.

And my system for keeping organized while sewing it all together...it is all stacked row by row and numbered. There are a lot of different blocks to keep track of.

Finally, both little quilts are pieced! They are so cute!

Now it is time to find some backing and batting and get them quilted!

Happy Stitching!