Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas Tie



I was given  this gorgeous tie, but it didn't come with instructions!  I am holding it together with my AQS "tie pin" until my date arrives.  Don't know how I lived all those years with a husband and three sons without learning to tie a Windsor knot!  There's always something new to learn...

Happy New Year's Eve to you all!!!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Good Morning Starshine!



My visitors have all gone and I am back to my little Christmas quilts again.  This very mod block was made by Bee pal Suzanne.  Love her festive colors with the greens.   I will study her design as I quilt it today and hope to try it myself.  The ideas just keep coming...

Hope your Holiday season is twinkling!!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Melissa



Melissa is learning needle-turn applique.  She enjoys relaxing with handwork.   I know the feeling!

Wishing you all peace, joy, and creativity in the New Year!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Christmas Stockings


Aren't these just the cutest?   My son's girlfriend Melissa came for Christmas wearing these fun sox.  What a fun gal she is!





And talented, too.  She made these pretty little ornaments and stuffed them with fragrant soy beads.   I am very excited about her interest in sewing.  Perhaps quilting is in her future...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Seeing Stars!



Kim combined this big wonky star with her 'postage stamps' and it's a knockout!  Tempted to put it into my stamp quilt, but I will let it shine on its own.   






'Tipsy Tree' is bound and ready to hang.  Can you see the little wonky stars I machine quilted?  Too subtle, perhaps, but the tree is actually the main event.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Day 3


Next up:

Whose Tipsy tree and Wonky star?  Lisa's, of course!  This block makes me smile. 






 



       Second quilt finished!   I loved stitching the garland on this one.  Recalled my school days when we made chains from construction paper.  This time I used my favorite Aurifil #12.  It matches the metallic background and binding, too.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Little Christmas Quilts






This elegant Christmas tree block is from Carole.  I want to quilt this next.  This is so much more fun than struggling with all the tangled wires and tinsel...and the needles aren't falling all over the floor.







David's block called for very little quilting....just a few tracks in the snow and a sky full of WI stars.

I simply love it!

A Quilt a Day



I am going to quilt my version of the 12 Days of Christmas this year starting with this little block that my Mod Bee pal David made for me last year.  He told me about his family 'tree hunts' in WI when he was a kid.  What great fun that must have been!  I know I will have a wonderful time making this into a little quilt.  Hope to have it quilted and bound before nightfall.  This is the shortest day of the year!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Card



My favorite cards are stamp-filled!  Kim tucked a bunch of cuties from her own stamp collection into this holiday greeting card.  I love 'em all!  The steaming cup and the mini Holstein cows are adorable,  and the gold and blue print in the upper right was leftover from her mom's kitchen curtains.  Sweet!!!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Perfect Fit



This is 'Friendship Star Chain', a mini mosaic made by Paula Doyle, Pam Thompson, & Venetta Morger, ( aka 2 Brits and a Blonde).   I was the lucky winner of this amazing little quilt!!!   I believe it was meant to be, because it makes a perfect cover for my new Deluxe Scrabble game... another passion of mine.



Thursday, December 12, 2013

Holiday Mail



My postman is getting a big tip this year!  He brings me the best mail.   Scraps for my postage stamp quilt from Lisa that make me smile....and so does she!




And from dear "V"....a packet of precuts all ready to sew.  Thanks a million, Dear Girls!!!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Decking the Halls



Decorating my house with Christmas quilts today...starting with the first one I ever made...




hanging my favorite tree quilt made by my 'daughter'......





recalling the liberated quilt I made in Gwen Marston's class...





and remembering the effort that went into making
 this appliqued cardinal...




and the fun I had with this fabric challenge....







running out of wall space... but definitely catching the Christmas spirit with quilts!


Who needs holly!!!!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Are You Ready For Christmas?



I am behind this year.  Everyone else has their tree up...





and their holiday wear....




and their toys made...





I'd better get a move on!!!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Favorite Things



"These are a few of my favorite things" ~  My Japanese bunny pincushion, my little Gingher scissors on a lanyard from Eri, my bamboo skewer, my Bernina walking foot and seam ripper, and of course my old Bernina 1230.  In case of fire, I would save these favorite things and the family photos first...  

One more favorite thing has been added to my list today.  My new side threading needle for burying threads.  It is pricey but worth every cent!  You can see it better at www.SpiralEyeNeedles.com. 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Needs More Quilting






Those grey triangles needed quilting.  Couldn't decide what kind, so I went with something simple.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Series?



This Amish inspired miniature was a joy to make!   Would like to try a few more with  my silks.  Maybe fans next?