The Virtual Christmas Quilt Show!

This is my very bad picture of the Christmas quilt I made this year. I have had a Mary Engelbreit charm pack since last Christmas. I was saving it for something special, but what? Park City Girl had a quilt along for a zigzag pattern and I knew I had to make it. This was very fun because I made it up as I went along. It started out as this: (all the right ingredients) and became this: I have enjoyed participating in virtual quilt shows. There is something special about quilters and why they create quilts. Their stories are little gifts of joy. Now go over to SewCalGal and check out some REALLY beautiful Christmas quilts and experience a bit of the holiday spirit!

PSQ2

This lovely quilt is known as a placemat. However, I will not be putting a plate on it, because I don't want to change its beautiful state. Valerie from Canada sent this to me in a swap. I sent her the one I blogged about earlier. (It's down a post or two) Since I have a Canadian background I was pleased to be partnered with Valerie. The triangles remind me of birds flying south for the winter. I think that's pretty appropriate picture considering I grew up with many relatives heading this way for some winter relief. Snowbirds.

Dear God,
Thank you for my three friends who welcome me home whenever I go away. Thank you for their friendship and the way they make me laugh. I love them with all my heart. Amen

PQS2

This is the placemat I made for Xerxia for a swap on flickr. I challenged myself to make something Xeria would like without purchasing new fabric. I have a book that challenges quilters to make something out of the "leftovers" from other quilts. This little quilt is made from the leftovers from a quilt I made for one of my SIL's over 10 years ago .... Hey at least I am embracing the "green" side of quilting!

Practicing ....

Sometimes I can't let go of Autumn. Seems like it takes FOREVER to get here. When it finally arrives (and the weather cooperates) I just want to wallow in it for days and months. I like the change in color, the smell of fireplace smoke wafting through the air, baking things with pumpkins that don't come out of a can. I like wearing sweaters and long sleeves. It just makes me feel whole and good and happy.

But then something comes crashing through my peace ... it's name is, Christmas. During Autumn one should focus on all things Autumn. But now, there are something like 45 wake ups until Christmas (I know this because Santa is on Twitter). There are presents to be made that have nothing to do with pumpkins. I joined a Christmas Stocking swap ... it has to be mailed by the end of November! What was I thinking? I've never made a stocking before. I found a good tutorial that Amy at ParkCityGirl blog and decided I should practice. This is the result: I think I did a pretty good job of making Autumn and Christmas meld together for some Autmas goodness. Do you think if I left it out an Autumn elf or faerie would take pity on me?

Lately

Lately, I am missing cooler weather. Heat makes me cranky. In my life, I can't afford to be cranky. I don't like trying not to be cranky. If only the weather would cooperate *sigh.* This little pumpkin is working it's charms over me. Even though it's hot this picture makes me happy, and that's good.




Lately, I have been participating in quilting swaps, it's been a lot of fun. It's also scary making something for someone you know nothing about, except a few hints as to likes and dislikes that they disclose. This is the quilt I received in the DQS7 during late summer. It has 3 dogs in it. That made me smile.






Lately, I have been creating a placemat. I can't show the whole placemat, because I haven't mailed it to it's new owner in Canada, and it suppose to be a surprise. I took a bunch of leftovers from a quilt I made and turned them into the placemat. Crazy Fun!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

I am so excited that Amy has once again hosted the Blogger's Quilt Festival. In fact it was Amy that got me into blogging! Participation in the BQF required a blog, so I took a deep breath and took the plunge. It was an amazing experience, one I know everyone will enjoy.

This little quilt was an original creation for Doll Quilt Swap 7 over on Flickr. This was a secret swap, so I only had hints and pictures of what my partner would like to receive. She really likes bold colors and art quilting.

I really worked outside my comfort zone on this one, and to my surprise I really enjoyed the process. My biggest stretch was to try trapunto using a technique I read about in a quilting magazine. It involved soluble thread and cutting backing... <<<<STRESS>>>>>! I am happy with the way it turned out. Happy Stitching!