Mini Christmas Stockings

I made these cute little stockings just in time for Christmas. I actually made 4 of them but my granddaughter instantly snatched them up. I convinced her to let me photograph them and she gave me three of the four back. I promised her that I was just borrowing them but I don't think she believed me.

I used a tutorial found here to make the stockings. They are the cutest little things and I am going to have to make more for next year since I have to give these back.

Table Runners

I've finished quilting 3 table runners for a friend so she can give them as Christmas gifts. With preparing for Christmas, it's the most sewing I've done all month. I really enjoyed quilting these; I think doing small projects is a nice break from all the holiday hoopla.

QAYG Christmas Stocking

I got this really cute holiday fabric from my favorite Etsy shop called the Fabric Shoppe. They always have very cute whimsical fabrics which is just my style. I've been meaning to make new Christmas stockings for a very long time and the new fabrics I ordered were perfect for that purpose. I chose to use a pattern I found online called Falling Flakes quilt-as-you-go Christmas stocking. The link for the tutorial can be found here. It's easy to follow and I whipped my stocking up in no time.

Some Home Improvements

We're all decorated for the holidays. It was a pretty tough road to get here since I decided at the last minute to clean the carpets and paint the living room.

After I painted the room, I chose to paint the mantel around the fireplace too. It really needed an upgrade. However, I've yet to figure out what color to paint it. I put a coat of primer on and after I get used to the new wall color, I think I'll pick the mantel color.

Quilt Donation

I whipped up this simple quilt last week for a charity event. One of the ladies at the senior center is collecting quilts to take to the airport to give to sick kids that are going on an airplane ride. I think the details are a little more sophisticated than that but I wasn't feeling well when everyone was discussing it during an open sew session and I really wasn't paying attention. I did get the part where they stated that they wanted some handmade quilts.

I got out my stash of whimsical fabrics, cut some 5" squares and sewed 2 and a half-inch wide strips around the squares. I stitched the blocks together and added a 3 and a half-inch border around the whole thing. It is simple yet cute. I'm happy to add a donation to the sewing group's effort.

Sparkle Punch Quilt

I finished my Sparkle Punch quilt today. Yesterday I quilted it on the longarm machine at the senior center and today I sewed the binding on.

The quilt pattern for this quilt seems simple but it did have some complications. Each block had to be planned based on the blocks around it. The star points and centers had to match between blocks so the use of a design wall was very important. I am happy to report that I didn't have to unstitch any pieces between blocks - they all matched up correctly - yay!

I quilted this quilt using a pantograph called In The Clouds. It seemed like a good match for a quilt full of stars - ha!

Holiday Table Runners

I've been sewing Christmas table runners for the last week and a half. They aren't anything all that fancy, just simple patchwork. I want to try and use up my scrap pieces of Christmas fabrics and even though I just completed 7 runners, I don't think I made much of a dent. It feels good to get these done before the holiday season comes.

It's been a very busy time around here lately. Last Friday we had a new furnace and central air installed, Saturday we drove to Madison to pick up my husband's new truck and on Monday, the radon guy installed a radon mitigation system in the house. My husband has been retired since November 1 and we are getting as much done as we can before settling into our new routine. I wish I had more sewing time but it's just not happening and that's OK. It's great to get all these important things completed.

What's on the design board?

I delivered fall table runners to one of my clients and she immediately requested some Christmas ones. I am so happy that she likes my work and I look forward to making more table runners for her to choose from.

So today I have some patchwork squares of Christmas fabrics on the design board in preparation to make more table runners. I've been combing through some of my pattern books to get some inspiration however, I will make up my own designs.

I am enjoying getting into holiday fabrics.