Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  Ours was wonderful - very relaxing and peaceful. I wanted to share a few really cool things I received.

This is the most amazing Star of Bethlehem Christmas ornament that I got from Nolan and the girls.  It is made by Jennifer Patterson from Quilted in Clay.  The ornament is made from different colored pieces of polymer clay - no paint. (She explains her process in detail on her website.) I had to include the penny in the photo to help give you an idea of the detail in the piece.  She is truly an artist and I just love this ornament.

I also got this butter bell.

I love pottery and had just learned about butter bells so this was perfect.  The idea is that it will keep butter fresh and spreadable on your kitchen counter.  You put cold water in the bottom of the base, and pack the butter into the lid.  The water creates a seal to help maintain the freshness.  The butter is the perfect spreading consistency, and its pretty!

I also received two of Deloa's boomerangs that I can't wait to try out on the longarm.

I also found a few minutes to complete the latest block in the Curve it Up Quilt Along.  I agonized about whether or not to add the purple to my color scheme. I thought that as we are approaching the half-way point it was now or never.  I decided to go with it as I am a little concerned that I might not have enough fat quarters in my collection to complete the blocks otherwise. The fabric I am using has metallic gold on it, so throwing in something plain in the end would really bug me. Metallic purple over flat blue and green sounded better.  I think when I make a few more blocks and throw in a little more purple it will blend in a bit better.

  

We will be continuing our Christmas/New Year's celebrations with my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew.  Then I can share a little more of what I have been working on! Until then - Happy New Year!

Snow Dyeing & Infinity Scarves

I took a little time yesterday to do some dyeing.  I was low on my inventory of infinity scarves and my daughter wanted to give a few as Christmas gifts.  Her request was for a color kind of like strawberry yogurt, but darker.  Not sure that I quite understood what I was shooting for, but decided a variety of pinks and purples was the way to go.

She also requested some a mini snow dyed mandala for a special friend.  My normal mandalas are about 40" square.  These ones are about 20".

 

 Most of them came out a little lighter than expected.  We both picked the same favorite and she and her dad got to work stretching it over a simple frame.  

I also found some time for a little costume sewing. Here is a peek at the maid's dress.  It only needs a zipper. This one feels really good to have off my to do list.  Now, one last day to get everything done before school is out....

100 Blocks Complete

I am thrilled to report that I have completed the last five blocks in the Just Takes 2 Block of the month that I have been working on over the course of 2012.  That brings the grand total to 100!

These were two blocks I decided to redo.  I had printed off the the foundations for the bear paw at the wrong size so my original block was 9" instead of 9 1/2".  I wasn't happy with the applique on the turquoise one, so it got a second try.

Here are the four sections of the quilt top in the layout as directed. This quilt was designed to be a two color quilt. Since I have such a variety of colors, I think it will need a little rearranging - there seems to be a purple/blue section towards the bottom,  but that is a project for the new year. I will likely Tackle that at a guild day, where I can push a few tables together and get some extra input as to what looks best.

I have also finished the 4th block in the Curve It Up Quilt Along.  It's not too late to jump on this bandwagon.   Instructions are available at Sew Kind of Wonderful or HGMR Deco Quilting. These are 16" blocks.  It is proving to be a lot of fun.

Now off to sew so Christmas presents and play costumes.  No quilting for me for awhile!

The Beast

This is Bev's quilt and she has named it "The Beast."  Why "The Beast" you may ask?  Well, this quilt is 100% flannel, and a generous 90" x 105" and it gave Bev more than a little aggravation during the piecing process.  It came close to earning a one way ticket to the burning barrel, but I'm glad Bev persevered as it really did turn out wonderfully. She handled all those stretchy bias edges like a pro, as there were no issues for me to contend with when it was on my frame.  Bev chose the Mimosa panto, and a variegated Lava thread with Quilter's Dream Blend Batting.

Bev now has a love/hate, hate/hate relationship with flannel and has decided to try becoming a "batik snob" in the new year!

 

Friendship Stars

 This quilt belongs to the Crocus Quilters Guild here in Dauphin.  I did the quilting, but the blocks were made by various members.  My friend Sandra and I picked out the bold border and setting square fabric. I'm not sure everyone thought we made a good choice before it was sewn together, but I do think the majority are pleasantly surprised now.  Choosing a thread color was the toughest decision for me.   It really came together into a nice quilt, that has more of a masculine feel.  The "Mimosa" panto helped to keep the masculine feel as well. 

 I guess I have to return it to the guild now, but doesn't it look good on my couch with my Christmas pillow?