christmas quilt

One Christmas quilt top done.

Done. done. done.

I DO need to quilt it.

So technically it's not...

done. done. done.

I blogged about making the trees here.

As usual, I get excited about the top being complete

and I want to share it right away!!

DO you do that too??

This one uses a lot of scraps.

Most of the Christmas fabrics in my stash came from my

"quilt Mom", Gerda.

The scraps are kind of "dated", but the little scraps look great

when you update them with something

comtemporary like that black.

Don't you think?

simple gifts.

Simple gifts.

Scrappy love.

Homemade happiness.

Practical present.

How to here.

snickerdoodles.

It's a baking cookies kind of day here.

Snickerdoodles never fail to satisfy my craving for cookies.

RECIPE

1/2 C. butter

1/2 C. Crisco

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 eggs.

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix.

This is my favorite part of baking.

Using a recipe written by someone else!!

In their own handwriting!

This one was given to me by a Young Friend.

So SWEET.

These handwritten recipes never fail to

put those special people in my mind.

Add.

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 2/3 C. Flour

You're supposed to sift these dry ingredients

together first.....

but I never do.

It turns out just fine.

When the cookie dough is ready.

You've got to taste it.....don't you?

YES.

mmmmm.....

Here's the fun part.

Mix 2 T. sugar and 1 t. cinnamon

Roll the little cookie balls in there.

Lick your fingers, of course.

Bake at 375 degrees

for 8 - 10 minutes.

Be careful.

Don't eat them all.

proof

As I was digging in an old sewing box today

I unearthed the proof.

I've always loved fabric.

fiber.

needles.

thread.

yarn.

The first sample is maybe 20 years old.

Little. Only 8" x 3".

Those houses are a classic,

Huh?

This one's even older.

30 years??

There I was in high school......

doodling with fabric,

yarn and thread.

Memories......
Can you hear Barbara Streisand singing in the background???

friday finish

You can't tell in the picture....

but it's not quite done.

I just need to hand stitch the binding down on the back.

It's the perfect activity for today...since I have a friend visiting.

You know.

Talking.

Sewing.

Talking.

Sewing.

The two things I love to do!!!

I love these table runners so much.
I may even make one for me!!!

I wondered what to use for the binding,
and let me tell you!!!
I found the perfect scrap!!!
I sure wish you could come over to my house and
get a good look and feel!!!
It a curious, old, cotton that has a little bit of
shine on one side.
Does anyone know what that old vintage shiny
cotton is called???
I had just enough for both table runners.
And
I think
It's the perfect color!!


You can see I machine quilted a few lines
and also
hand quilted a few lines with embroidery floss.



I'm so happy with these two little gifts.
A great way to end the week.

I'll add this to Amy's sew and tell...
then...
I'm going to clean up.
I won't be able to sew and talk if my house is a mess!

hostess gifts

My husband and I were given hospitality last week

on our trip.

A couple of wonderful meals and

great fellowship with friends.

A thank you note would be sufficient....

But a quilted gift is lots more fun!!!!

Twin table runners.
14" x 30"
For two sets of great hosts and hostesses!!!



You can see I used lots of white scraps for the background.
I really like that part!!!!

My simple shapes were ironed on using steam a seam and
a simple zigzag stitch around each one.
Good thing I had some matching thread!!!
The long vine is cut 1" wide, machine basted in thirds
and then stitched down.
After zigzagging it down I took the basting stitch out.
Super simple!!


I machine quilted a few lines to help stabilize
and make my handwork easier...
The hand quilting NOW begins!!!!

easy trees.

Since I already had the tree pieces leftover from

last year, these were a cinch to make.

I DID need a piece of fabric

BIG enough to fill in the background.

Oh good.

I had it!!!!

That's what a stash is for.

When the inspiration comes...

I'm ready!!!

I began with a square piece of newspaper that I thought would

be big enough. I didn't measure...but I tried to make sure it's square.

That'll make it easier to put the quilt together...

don't ya think??

Ya.

Drew some lines.

Figured out how long I wanted that tree trunk.


Figured out about how big that triangle is.
Then all I had to do was use this as my pattern.

As I added pieces I tried to fudge and make the blocks
a little bit bigger than my paper pattern.
I did not stress about it being perfectly square.
I will just have to square the blocks UP...I mean DOWN... when I'm done!

Super simple.
Not complicated at all.


Now....I've got to think!
Should I use black in those outside corners???

Hmm.....