Charlie Brown Christmas Update!

Christmas Season is here!  A perfect time to share my Charlie Brown Christmas fabric finishes!  The first tree skirt:

The second tree skirt:

The first table runner:

The second table runner:

My stippling is getting a little better...still a challenge to get consistent stitch lengths and spacing.  I am pleased with the texture of this table runner.  I even had fun piecing the backs of these two runners:

AND because I had to use every last piece of this fabric, a bunch of coasters:

I think we may need some professional help with our Charlie Brown Obsession.

It wouldn't be Friday without a link to Finish it Up Friday!  Have a great weekend!

PS  I think it is wonderful that a simple Christmas animated special that goes back 47 years can still be so endearing and popular.  Gives me hope...

To Kick off Christmas!

To start off the Christmas season, I whipped up a little something for my kids out of my favorite Christmas fabric (so far!) this year:   Dear Mr. Claus by Cosmo Cricket.  Following her great pattern and idea, a set of coasters for the two couples:

I L.O.V.E. this easy and fun block pattern!  And for my son and his bachelor pad, I thought a little holiday decoration might be fun:

Now off to finish some Christmas presents!  Listening to Christmas music while sewing...perfect!  Linking up with Crazy Mom's Finish It Friday!

PS  I am having so much fun seeing what everyone out there in blog-land is making for holiday gifts and decor!  So many ideas, not enough time...

Table Runner Mania - Christmas Edition

Between menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking and overall general Turkey Day prep, I managed to get a little sewing done this week. To go along with our Charlie Brown Christmas theme, I have started the following table runners:

A disappearing nine-patch using more of that adorable Charlie Brown Christmas fabric.

More CB fabric this time using the Scrappy Star pattern by Heather Mulder Peterson's Little Charmers II.    I saw a similar table runner on Quilt Monster in My Closet and loved the idea of hand stitching to highlight the stars.  Thanks Christine for the idea!

And I am continuing to quilt a Christmas project.

I have moved to FMQ'ing the borders with loops and right away ran into CONSTANT thread breaking!  Yikes!  So frustrating!  After a process of elimination, I have changed to a larger needle and so far (fingers crossed) the thread is cooperating.  I really love the free styling of FMQ'ing so I hope this problem is solved!

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday!  Happy Thanksgiving!

PS  Isn't Thanksgiving just the perfect holiday?

Friday Finish and Cover Girl Quilt

This week I spent quite a bit of time quilting the project I shared a peek of in the previous post.  The good news is that my lines are getting straighter as I work my way out of the center of the quilt.  And thank you for the words of encouragement!

 I also finished the second Charlie Brown tree skirt:

The pattern is a modification of this one by Nite Owl Quilting.  I used the Peanuts Gang Stripe to make the outer border.  This changed the dimensions a little, making the tree skirt a little bigger overall.  Simple but effective.  And it makes my husband happy.

Another finished project from my First Year quilting is the Log Cabin I have posing with my kayak in my banner picture.  I chose this quilt for this honor as it was the first one I did without a pattern (how badly could I mess up a log cabin?).

Kasey loves my quilts too!

PS  Does Thanksgiving seem early to anyone else but me?  I am thankful I have a family that insists on the SAME menu each holiday...makes the prep so much easier!

I am linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday!  Have a great weekend!

WIP Wednesday - A Little Peek

I continue to make good progress on projects that I can't actually show you!  But here is a little peek at one of them:

This is a pretty good size quilt here under my sewing machine.  I have decided that sewing straight lines is harder than it looks!  Somehow, FMQ'ing swirls and wiggles seems more forgiving than trying parallel lines.  Yes, another thing to practice, practice.  Any advice to improve these wonky/straight lines is much appreciated!

Sitting on my sewing table are these little bundles of fabric waiting for attention:

 MUST have a Charlie Brown Christmas table runner to go with the tree skirt...right?

 I think I know some little boys who would appreciate the above fabric!

This fabric (Dear Mr. Claus by Cosmo Cricket) just made me stop in my tracks...reminds me of my Christmas stocking when I was a little girl.  What can I make with this wonderful fabric?  Something special for some of my special peeps I suspect!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday!

PS  I am thankful I have friends and family who love and appreciate items made by hand with love...even if the lines aren't perfectly straight!

Friday Finish to Share!

Hi!  By the quiet here it may seem that I have not been very busy behind my sewing machine.  Au contraire.  As the weather has officially turned COLD here in New England and the kayak has been tucked in for the winter, I have enjoyed some quality time in my new sewing room (another subject for another post!).    However, due to security reasons (e.g. Christmas gifts), I can only share with you these:

Two fun little pillows for my nephew and his wife for their vintage Airstream.  Don't look too closely at the FMQ'ing....if I waited for perfection I would never have anything for Finish it up Fridays!

PS  Happy Veteran's Day to all those who are currently serving or have served our country!  Thank you!!