My Christmas Quilt + A Giveaway Winner

 

I wanted to post this little quilt again this year....everyone seems to love it, so why not?  And, you all know I haven't made a quilt in quite some time, so this is about the best I can do right now.  I want to tell you about it......but not before I announce the winner of my Christmas Giveaway. 

 I appreciate the response I received on this Giveaway and want you to know I am intending to do more of this 'giving thing' in 2015.  So, this time the lucky winner is CYNTHIA!!!!  I will be sending her an email as soon as I finish this post.  I hope she enjoys her 'loot' and that you all will try again on the next Giveaway, you never know...someone has to win it and it could be you.

 Cynthia, I will mail this tomorrow if you give me your address right away!

  

 This little crazy quilt was made in  1995 and it has been in lots of places and has been seen by lots of people.  It spends most of its time in my quilt closet just waiting for the Christmas season.  It measures 21 1/2 inches square.  The fringe is, at its longest,  4 inches. 

  

 I used vintage and new little doilies, beads, ribbons, buttons, applique, embroidery, and lace to make it.  I chose to use patterned fabrics rather than solids.  Something I have become fond of doing, and of course, not following the usual 'rules' of crazy quilting.  It is also made of 100% cotton fabrics, but not the silky satins or velvets, etc., mostly used in this type of quilt.  It's just the way I 'roll' as they say.

  

 When I sewed that narrow little border onto the quilt, then followed with the large floral border....it seemed kind of 'blah' to me, but when I decided to add the lace....well, I was very pleased at that.  Of course, you know, once I start adding things...I never know when to quit.  More or less.  I do reach a point when I have to make myself stop.  That 'point' is different on each and every quilt, I've found.

 

The funny thing about this lace (yes, there IS a story about everything!), I had to go through lots of my lace 'stash' to find what I wanted and when I found it...there didn't seem to be enough of it to go around that border.  I carefully measured and there was enough with ONE INCH leftover.  To me that says THAT particular lace is THE one for that Quilt.  So, I sewed it on and once again, decided I needed to add something else.  At that point (there's that 'point" again!),  I did a random Herringbone Stitch over the top edge of the lace and I was quite satisfied with it then.

 

 Just that little touch of embroidery made the border seem so much more than it was.  What do you think?

 

Here, you can see some of the seam embroidery which is so much fun and one of the main reasons to make a Crazy Quilt, if you ask me.  I also add quilting stitches to my Crazy Quilts.  Sometimes a lot of it.  Another thing that is not 'usual' on such a quilt.   Look closely, you'll see it here and there

 

I also beaded the entire outer edge of the quilt....here, on the side, you see little beads, sewn, yes, one at a time.  There are three beads in each little whip stitch around the edge of the quilt.  I could, and have in the past, spent many an hour doing this kind of work.   Tedious to many, great FUN to me!

 

 I added the backing onto this quilt the same way you would make a pillow case, sewing three sides, then turning the quilt right side out and hand stitching the last side closed.  I wanted to make it appear to have a binding, so I quilted about a half inch inside the edge all the way around.  Gives it a little more body.

 

 Here you can see a line of quilting right down the center of that narrow border.  I like the way that looks.  When I quilt a Log Cabin Quilt, I also stitch down the center of each 'log' rather than 'in the ditch.'  I'd like people to see where my quilting stitches are.  I'm funny that way!

 

 Another look at one of the doilies.  This one has a bit of silk ribbon embroidery on it.

 

 A peek at the back of the quilt....I made the quilt because I loved this Christmas fabric.  Just had to have a bit of it and still think it just 'makes' the quilt.

 

  Here's a look at the beaded fringe at the bottom of the quilt.  One of the most fun eight hours I ever spent.   I didn't count how many hours it took to do the rest of the fringe....I'm not fond of keeping count of those hours.  I figure if I really knew, I'd never make anything!  And, besides, it's a labor of love anyway.  (The quilt was flat on the table as I took this photo, so the fringe is 'messy.'  Below, it looks much better as it hangs!)

 

This beading is done with random numbers of beads.  I like doing this because you don't have to count each bead.  I have made other fringes where every bead has to be counted to get the result  (pattern) I want.  Random is FUN, Counting is TEDIOUS.  I love both methods!!

So, there you go.....a WINNER and also a look at one of my Christmas quilts.  Congratulations, Cynthia, I'm emailing you right away.  For the rest of you, I thank you for commenting and wanting to win...good luck to you in my next Giveaway and thank you so much for visiting me.  You make my day with your comments and I appreciate you taking the time to do it. 

 Until next time...stay safe and warm.....♥ pat

                                    My Christmas Quilt                          The Giveaway

An After-Christmas Giveaway!

Well, I don't think I've ever heard of an 'After-Christmas' Giveaway...but that's what we have here.
Today I got to thinking about how busy we all are and decided right then and there that 'after' Christmas was a really good time to give something away....right between Christmas and the New Year festivities....so, would you like something in your mailbox right about then?

The first photo is what you will receive should you be the winner.  I hope you are interested enough to comment and put your name in the drawing.  In no particular order...here are the Giveaway items.
Two of my favorite magazines...the current issues:  Where Women Create and Romantic Homes.  I almost always just about 'read' the ink off these pages.  Hopefully, you will be inspired also!

Next is a nice warm scarf to wear around your neck on the cold winter days ahead.  I knitted it myself.  Yes, I can knit, but nothing complicated.  This one is about as simple as you can get, but I liked the colors and hope you do too.  It feels pretty nice!

 Then, there is a little dress and purse charm.  So cute.  I liked it, so thought you might like it too.

Another photo of the scarf....I like to knit these while watching tv with the old navy man.  There is really no 'thinking' involved and I really like having something for my hands to do while my mind wanders around thinking of other things.  Or not thinking at all, whichever the case may be.  I've got a few in the downtown studio.....and am working on another.

There is that little decorative box in the photos too.  I couldn't decide what to put into the box, so just added a package of peppermints.  Those always come in handy in the winter, don't you think?

So, there you are.  The After-Christmas Giveaway!  Kindly comment on this post and maybe you will win these 'goodies.'  I will be announcing the Winner on Wednesday, December 26th,  late in the evening.

Sure hope you all have a wonderfully Merry Christmas!!  Stay warm, safe, cozy and have FUN!!!
pat

Three Small Quilts and a Book Giveaway

This will be my "Happy Thanksgiving" post.  I don't know why I chose these quilts for this post, but I often don't know what I'm doing....as you know...so for some reason....these are the ones you are getting tonight.  They are some of my favorites, actually, so maybe that is why.  This first one began with that little square of muslin.  My friend, Jim, drew these little one inch drawings and wrote the words during a class I was teaching about writing on quilts.  He later gave it to me and I said I would make a quilt out of it.  He doubted me....but here is the quilt. 

I had watched him during the class and couldn't believe he got so many little drawings done in so small a space...and during the same amount of time others spent writing their letters or poems or whatever they had chosen to do. 

Jim works rather quickly and these are some of the smallest drawings I've seen him do...and they are special.

So, I just pieced this little quilt and among the quilt stitches are the hearts.....they are stitched with red perle cotton in a back stitch which in this case, became the quilting stitches....yes, they show on the back.

Here is the label for the quilt....gosh, this sure happened a long time ago!  But, truly, it seems like yesterday!

Here is another quilt containing some of Jim's work and mine too.  He told me he could draw something better than those little squares in the previous quilt...so one day an envelope arrived in my mailbox with this little square in it.  He knew I loved birds.....so he created this little nest with birds just for me!  I do love it!  And, once again, I said I'd make a quilt with it.  On this quilt, I used a lot of buttons and simple piecing.  All these quilts are about 24 - 30 inches.  Not very big. 

I had this little brass bird I just had to add to the quilt.  Fitting, as Jim loves to embellish his quilts with lots of 'stuff.'

This is the edge of the quilt.  I just had to bead the edge....it looks pretty good and was fun to do.

Simple piecing, as I said....and simple quilting too. 

This is the label.....I cut that spray of flowers out and used fusible web to iron it to the fabric.  Something I don't normally do, but I really did like the way this one turned out.  And, then, the 'story' too.  There's always a story!

I like the way the beading provides extra interest in the finished quilt.  Seeing it again makes me want to SEW!!!!

Jim always said I couldn't make a quilt on the sewing machine.  Mostly because I just don't much like sitting at a sewing machine.  One day, I decided I would make a quilt top on the machine.  Fusible applique and all.  This is the pattern I drew and the top was made in speedy fashion.  Of course, you can probably tell, I had to embroider something...that orange wavy design....and it is hand quilted. 

So, I guess he was right...I can't really make a quilt on the machine.  I really enjoyed embroidering that orange wave...Herringbone Stitch meandering along the border.  It was great fun!

Can you see the little plastic fly on that leaf?  Jim gave me a couple of them, encouraging me to 'embellish'...he thought I wouldn't use it, but I thought it added a little fun to the quilt!

Machine stitched the outside edge of the leaves and the veins......

This is the back of the quilt....just loved this Fall fabric and had to use it...so colorful....it almost looks like this around our area now as the leaves finally turned. 

When I taught the class that Jim took...writing on fabric....I made this little book.  It was meant as a souvenir of the class.  I ended up having hundreds of them printed and have sold and/or given them away for years.  I'm down to the last few.  Today I decided I would give those last few away.  If you would like one.....(I have TEN of them).......kindly comment on this blog post and I'll  pick ten winners.

I plan on taking a little  blogging  break....my son is coming for Thanksgiving and we will have around 38 folks for the holiday....so you comment, and I'll choose TEN winners on Tuesday, November 27th....it will all be over by then and favorite son will head back to California.  Make sure I have a way to contact you!

So....please have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  Stay warm, safe and have FUN!  take care out there, pat

My Friend's New Book

I am so very excited about this new book.  "EMBROIDERED MEMORIES" from my dear and best friend (in Indiana), Brian Haggard and published by C&T Publishing.  It is a great book to own if you are interested in embroidery, crazy quilts,  embellished clothing and household items...well, just about everything.   The work shown in this book is lovely....as his work always is.  And, just one little thing to tempt you, which I will not show here...you must see the chair on page 71.  It is DEAR!!!

Here is the back cover of the book.......I LOVE the embroidered bag shown here...just delightful!  And, there is Brian, himself!  A great guy and such fun to visit with.  I know he will be making even more new friends as this book is found by YOU and many other like-minded stitchers.

 

Every page has something to admire...this is the introduction page...notice the detail at the top of the page....all these motifs are so beautiful and ideas are everywhere.

I always love a basket and here is a wonderful one.........I also love Brian's very subtle use of color.  So elegant.

Here is a clutch he has created...LOVE it.  I have been wanting to make some coin purses....oh, let's see where will I find inspiration??

Here is that bag on the back of his book.  Isn't it lovely?  He loves including old photos in his work and I love the writing too.  I so love this piece.

This is the cover of Brian's first book.  I was so excited when I found this on amazon.com I bought it immediately.  After reading it, I managed to talk with Brian and we have become great friends.  I so admire his work.  And, I have to say, he reminds me of my friend, Jim, who you have seen on this blog so many times.  They are much alike, but very different.  Well, you'll have to figure that one out for yourself!  And, now, they have become great friends too.  The blogging world can be so much FUN!

This is the back of the first book of Brian's.  IF you don't have it, you may just need to have both.  If you like this kind of work, as I do, then, you will WANT both.  You won't be disappointed.

I am so proud to be able to show you these books.  When you have yours and decide what you want to make - this may help - Brian also has a line of fabrics coming out in February.  You can find out about them at Windham Fabrics.  If you are interested in reading Brian's blog....check it out here. 

So, there you are....a great new book to warm you over the winter.  I have already read every word in it and look forward to being inspired by all the photos and every single one of the 375 embroidery designs in it's pages.  It's inspiring, as I said and since I feel I know YOU...well, I was pretty sure you would enjoy knowing about it.  ENJOY!

It's been raining here today, with thunder, lightning, some wind and cooler temps.  I think I'll get back under my quilt, take a pad and pen, these books of Brian's and sketch a few ideas myself.  What a way to wind up a cold/rainy day!  Thank you, Brian.  Take care out there, pat