Merry Christmas Applique

Christmas Blessings to Everyone!

Border View

A Glimpse of the whole quilt.
It is large, 88 X 110

Pear Tree Block
"and to all a goodnight"

This quilt both challenged and delighted me - It was so much fun to work on! Thank you, dear one, for giving me the opportunity! It took me a long time to complete it, (the results were well worth the time!) and I was so attached to it by the time it was finished that I did not want to give it back! The pictures do not do this justice, but wouldn't you just love to have this one displayed in your home during the wonderful holiday season?

Center "Merry Christmas" block

Star block

I am often asked how I decide what to quilt. There is not an easy answer to this, but basically, this is how I typically work. While I am working on a quilt, I hang my next one on a clothesline near my machine so that I can look at it every time I walk into the room or glace up. It keeps me thinking, and little by little a plan begins to take shape. I look for clues within the quilt to guide me - allowing the quilt to "speak" to me. This will extend from what colors to use (I find myself often trying out various colors) to what I might do in each block, section, sashing, border, etc. For a quilt like this one, I find myself thinking: " If I were a (holly, stocking, leaf, ornament, star, menorah, etc.) how would I look? Or, what background fill would look best here? I am more of a traditional quilter, although I do modern quilts as well, so most of my ideas have more of a traditional theme.

Wreath Block

By the time I am ready to work on the quilt, I have sticky notes pinned all over it to remind me what I was thinking. (With my feeble mind, the notes are vital!) This also helps me keep a consistent flow to the quilt, since I can only see a small portion of it at a time.



poinsettia block



Menorah Block

That's it - not much of a secret, is it! But, it is what works for me. As you can see in this quilt, there are all kinds of stitched additions - oak leaves added to the border pattern, ribbons added to the wreath and stockings, flames added to the menorah, star "light". There is also quite a variety of fill patterns: echo quilting, swirls, paisley, feathers, curls, etc.


May each of you and your families know the most blessed gift of all this Christmas.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (I Cor. 9:15)

Blue Marking Pen

Happy Holidays, all you quilters!

My baby is down and I am waiting for parts (not the best thing to happen at this time of year!) so I thought I would supply you with one of my tips this week. Many of you (mainly you applique-ers)  have asked how I get out those blue marks that are supposed to disappear simply by  wetting the quilt. I have found that water by itself does not always work, so this is what I discovered some time ago - I am not sure where, but I may have found this tip in one of Linda Taylor's books.

To 16 oz. of distilled water, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. As you can see, I have this solution in a spray bottle to use as needed. I have yet to see this not work. I keep my spray bottle labeled with the formula, since so often my mind takes too long to wind its way around to what I am trying to remember.

Sometimes the marks are close to an area of possible bleeding fabric. (Red and purple are usually the worst, but if you are in doubt, test a sample of the fabric wherever possible by lightly dampening it and then blotting it with a white cloth. If there is any color on the cloth, it WILL bleed.)

 I try not to get to close to these areas with my original marking just to avoid any problems. However, when this is the case, I dampen a sponge with the solution and then  carefully dab at the blue marks. Do not go any closer than necessary to the suspect fabric to avoid any possible bleeding.

I hope this helps out some of you. In the meantime, I will try not to get too frustrated with my backlog while I am waiting for parts, and hope that when they do arrive, my husband and I will be able to get Louise going again!

Happy Quilting!!

A Christmas Sampler

Happy December!

 

We really enjoyed our Thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoyed yours as well. Holidays are such a wonderful time for family gatherings, but unfortunately, our family is so scattered that we were not able to get everyone together. As a replacement, our wonderful daughter sent this photo, and I just had to show off two of our cute grandchildren! (Our daughter Sarah with Samantha and Emily)

 

 

As for that Black Friday shopping, I don't know about you, but I chose not to brave the shopping the last couple of days and decided to remain in the safety of my home. I enjoy Christmas shopping, but I certainly do not want to be around crowds of crazy people who are in a trampling mode!
I love this time of year - the music, lights, family fun, children's pageants, laughter, decorating, baking, etc. I love most of all to watch children's faces - they are all so full of wonder, joy, and excitement - which is really what Christmas is all about. After all, the very first Christmas gift was a child, so it is only natural that children should be the most excited.
 

A Christmas Sampler Quilt

For me, this time of year also means lots of quilting, so here is a Christmas sampler for you to check out.

The Poinsettia Center block



A sample block - Path Through
the Woods - with continuous
curveand feather swirls

Christmas Star  block

The quilt border as a busy fabric, so the pattern would be hard to see. This is the back of the quilt, which allows you to see the Ivy pattern, and some of the feather sashing. 

I really enjoy working on samplers, and this one was no exception. Some of the block patterns in this quilt I had not seen before, and sometimes it was a stretch for me to determine what to quilt, but I do so enjoy the process!

 

Well, its time for me to get to wrapping all those gifts that have to go into the mail. Have fun with your Christmas projects - I am sure all who receive them will be delighted with the special effort you have put into them. Enjoy the season!!!  

 

"...and unto us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  (Is. 9:6)