Holiday Fun!

It seems like it's been forever since I spent much time in the studio. I swear, there's likely a layer of dust on my machine!

Most years I crank out a number of quilt-y Christmas presents and this year is no exception. Though I only managed two projects, they were sizable!

Both sets of parents got new tree skirts! For the Z's, I used the block tutorial over at House of A la Mode as suggested by Stitched in Color. The fabrics are a wide selection of reds, greens, and golds. You'd think it would have made a dent in the Christmas stash, but there's still way too much in that pile!

 

It's already headed home to Cape Breton and found it's place under the tree!

For the T''s, I needed a replacement for the horrendous dusty rose and ivory poinsettia creation that's been under the tree for some time. I take full responsibility for it's creation, but it had to go! Before you ask, I will NOT be posting a pic of that treasure!

Their tree features a lot of gold and red, so this seemed a good colour combo. And a reason to use more Holiday Flourish by Robert Kaufman. Q-D and I are particularly big fans of this fabric line. It'll be all I can do not to add more to the stash in the Boxing Day sale temptation!

Once again, I didn't manage to make one for our household. I'm calling these my prototypes... maybe next year! It took me forever to find the right stocking pattern for Mr. Z and I!

And with most of the holiday madness over, there may actually be time for some quilting/sewing before heading back to work!

Merry Christmas all!

J

More the fun with the Squares!

Ah, bee shenanigans! Over a year ago, at our first Bee retreat, the Squares and I took on our second  Q-Squared Challenge. Each of us contributed a fat quarter of our (secret) chosen fabric.

 

Here's where we begin! We could use one neutral and 3 additional fabrics... there was a size limit, but I can't remember what it was any more! This past week-end was the reveal (finally)!

Q-A made this little gem. The plaid fabric inspired her to make a basket weave. It's even got appliqué flowers!

Q-B went really outside the box and made this bag. It's not exactly a quilt, but she felt like making it and she used the fabric!

Q-D went wild and broke some dishes!
















And as for me...  I did some paper piecing. Flying geese in a circle! And surprise, surprise, I found the tutorial on-line at the The Sometimes Crafter. I really went crazy with the quilting and echo quilted the living daylights out of it. I know this isn't my most stunning quilt, but to me, there's something freeing about just making something for the sake of making it. It doesn't have a purpose or a destination... it's a wander of a little quilt.



Another challenge done! 2013 will mean the start of a new one - a block exchange inspired by Block Party - The Modern Quilting Bee I'm up first so I better get to choosing some fabric and a block for my sewing elves, I mean, the Squares to get working on in January! No doubt you'll hear more about it soon! 

J

Enter to learn...

And they're done! And in place for some special visitors to our school last week. As dorky as it sounds, it makes me smile to see my quilts hanging up there when I walk by! The general consensus was for two quilts... here's the view as you enter the school.


 And as you depart....