Christmas Reveal: Quilt #4 The T-Shirt Quilt

I finished my first T-shirt quilt.

 This is too big a quilt for my usual quilt holder, hence the dangling from the second floor window.

 In addition to the t-shirts I cut up, I added four paper pieced blocks using the Star Wars Lego patterns by Quiet Play that she so graciously made available.

 Given the bulk of this quilt, the only quilting I did was to stitch in the ditch around each block and add my son's name.  Spray basting made a huge difference in being able to work with all this bulk.  The backing is Soft N Comfy from Joann Fabric.  I decided to include batting as well, so you can imagine how heavy this quilt is!  But my big, strong son is up for that challenge!

The finished size is 60" X 80", a large lap quilt.

Zach and I are both very happy with this quilt! Yeah!

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
Kathy

Christmas Reveal: Quilts #2 and #3 The Christmas Quilts

It's time to share a few finished projects now that Christmas gifting is complete.  This year, I sent four quilts home.  The first quilt I gifted I discussed in this post.

I gave this quilt to my mother-in-law who has plenty of beautiful quilts of her own handiwork, but I knew she would appreciate this one...and she did!

The next quilt was this one:

The pattern is one of the Serendipity quilts by Missouri Star Quilt Company, a fast and fun quilt to assemble.

The fabric is primarily Christmas Spirit by Holly Taylor, one of the first jelly rolls of fabric I purchased when I began my quilting infatuation last year.   I had fun quilting this with loops and an occasional holly leaf.

 Keeping the holly theme in the fabric backing...

 I love how this little lap quilt came out!

With the remaining strips from the jelly roll (and a few other ones), I made this quilt following the pattern from Christa Quilts Jolly Jelly Roll quilt along.

 I even followed Christa's quilting suggestion using a wavy stitch on my domestic sewing machine.

I really must remember to use this quilting style more often!

So, those are the Christmas themed quilts...one more to share!
Kathy

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and we are ready (I think).

I'll be back in a few days with a few Christmas reveals.  In the mean time, I wish you and yours all the best in this holiday season!

All the best,
Kathy

One Week Before Christmas WIP Wednesday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

My kitchen is a cookie making explosion.

And there even is a little sewing going on.  Basting...

 Quilting...

 And a little more quilting...

I did manage to finish a couple of little pouches to hold gift certificates (thank you Anna of Noodlehead for these tutorials).

 The countdown continues.

Linking up with Lee's WIP Wednesday!
Kathy

Giveaway Winner

Thank you everyone who participated in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!  I am thrilled with the number of comments!  Also, thank you for the many bag making suggestions.  I would say the most interesting interfacing recommendation came from Laurie at Dresden Lane.  (Check out the gorgeous three bags she just made!)  Laurie recommended automotive headliner fabric for bag structure.  I am going to have to give this a try!  Needless to say, there will be more bags on this blog after the new year!

 The winner of my giveaway, the wonderful Sara Lawson's Big-City Bags book is:

As you can see the winner number was scientifically chosen and certified by my husband.  Congratulations Celia!

Happy Sunday!
Kathy

Finish It Up Saturday More Pillows!

Well, it's almost Friday.  These two pillows are off in the mail to a very lovely lady in Chicago!

The fabric is of course Anna Maria Horner's Sketchbook (that I picked up at The Needle Shop when I was in Chicago a few weeks ago).

 The fabric is so beautiful, I really could not cut it up.  The quilting adds a nice texture.

 It's been a long time since I made and installed cording.  I found this tutorial very helpful (particularly  her recommendation for dealing with the end of the cording).

For closures I used my favorite hidden zipper under a flap method.  But, hey, not a bad job matching the pattern if I say so myself!

Off to finish more Christmas presents!  (Maybe next year I won't procrastinate and find myself finishing gifts in December...doubtful, but I can hope!)

Happy Saturday!  Linking up with Amanda Jean's Friday party.  (Did you see the amazing scrap quilt she just finished?  Wow)
Kathy

Two Weeks Before Christmas WIP Wednesday

There is a lot going on these days.  Cooking, baking, shopping, decorating, planning gatherings and, yes, a little sewing.  Such as this:

 and this:

 and this:

And exciting news!  My wonderful daughter-in-law is teaching me to knit!  I just have one stitch right now but already I can see I am going to love this!

 

My Cyber Monday shopping has arrived!  First from the Fat Quarter Shop are a stock up on my favorite Aurifil thread, a Kona solid color chart and a box of Aurifil thread coordinated with Tula Pink's fabric!

 Speaking of Tula, I've added to my collection with this little bundle from Intrepid Thread:

 and these lovelies also from Intrepid Thread.

Didn't I demonstrate excellent constraint in view of all those amazing fabric sales?!

So, this is just a quick update to assure you that I have been busy sewing away and I will have lots to share with you soon!  In the mean time, be sure to hope over to the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day (that actually lasts a week)...but of course you already have!  My giveaway post is here!

Linking up with Lee's WIP Wednesday!

Kathy

Happy Giveaway Day!

It's time again to participate in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!

     

I know everyone is busy this time of year between holidays and visiting all the blogs participating in this bi-annual event, so let's keep it simple.  My giveaway is a copy of Sara Lawson's wonderful book Big-City Bags.  I love making bags and couldn't wait to get this book (so much so I purchased two!).

All you need to do to participate in my giveaway is leave a comment about making bags.  Do you make your own? What is your favorite style?  What interfacing would you recommend?     Here are a few bags I have made recently.

The giveaway stays open until December 13 at 5:00 PM PST then I will pick a random number and notify the lucky winner.  International entrants are welcome.  If you are a "no reply" blogger please remember to leave your email address in your comment.  I think that's it for the technical stuff.  Have fun checking out all the other giveaway posts here and here! 

UPDATE:  Oh my!  I am overwhelmed by the number of comments to this post!  Normally, I am very diligent about responding to every comment.  Given the number of comments and everything else going on this time of year, I hope you understand if I do not personally respond to your comment!  Be assured I am reading each one and have really enjoyed your bag making stories!  

Finished More Berner Pillows!

Four more pillows highlighting the Bernese Mountain Dog (the first four pillows are in this post):

A wonky log cabin:

I think the quilting is easier to see on the inside...so, another sneak peak inside just for you...

A block inspired by the Mondrain block by Jamie Moilanen:

The couple we are giving these two pillows to run a wonderful tapas restaurant and golf course (Tavern 27 in Laconia, NH....highly recommend!) with a Berner in their logo.

This block is Stepping Stones by Tacha Bruecher

A simple quilting approach seemed right for this one.

And finally, a wonky star:

with a little crazy quilting...

 

The above two pillows are going to a friend who has been so, so helpful and needs a little cheering up right now.  

How nice to actually get something done before December 1!!  And for those of you who are curious from my post, the holiday cheese ball for Thanksgiving was:

 Happy Friday to you all!  See you over at Amanda Jean's finish it up Friday!
Kathy