A Merry Christmas indeed

I spent Christmas morn opening my swaps.  It truly was a delight that only Christmas can bring!

A feast for the eyes surely.  There was little, little packages in the big box that Merilyn sent.  I was amazed by my good fortune.  Everything resonated Merilyn and Australia!  The mug rug done with paper piecing was just perfect and Merilyn's signature ;) pincushion on ceramic is so pretty with it's crazy piecing.  The little purse sewn by Merilyn with needle rest and to carry the beautiful Scissoroo embroidery scissors native to Australia! I love it all!  Thank you Merilyn.

My swap to Merilyn. Partridge.  Designer: Prairie Schooler.  Floss: DMC.  Fabric: Linen Scrap.  Finished as pin pillow.   The tatted ornament StarChic is a free design by Jon Yusoff.

And then there's Elyte's swap. A lovely pouch purse with a flexible metal closure.  Lovingly embroidered in red.  I adore it.  And the wooden bird brooch by Elk, so cute.  It'll be great on my grey scarf!  Can you see the red & white and bird theme going on?  Love, love,love it!  Thanks again Elyte. 

My swap for Elyte.  Two by Two Deer.  Designer: Prairie Schooler.  Floss: DMC.  Fabric: Linen scrap.  Finished as pin pillow.  The tatted ornament StarChic is a free design by Jon Yusoff.

 I also sewed up my Little Apples embroidery into a cushion cover.  It's for a 16" pillow form.  I need to sew some press buttons at the back and maybe make some fabric covered buttons to pretty it up.

Design: Aneela Hoey.  Fabric:  Little Apples by Aneela Hoey for Moda

Block #43 Right Hand of Friendship

The Civil War Quilt Blocks will come to an end this coming Saturday.  I am quite behind but I do intend to catch up.  Barbara Brackman received a thank you quilt from some of us that partook in the QAL.  My block is the first row, 4th from the left.  Becky Brown did an amazing job putting the quilt together.  It's a wonderful feeling to be a part of this project.  Although many lives were lost during the war 150 years ago, the cause is a great one.  Human slavery in all it's form should be abolished but sadly that is not the case in the world right to this day. 

Christmas Gift and Needle Keep

Lillie sent me a lovely Christmas pin pillow yesterday.  It's really cute.

I finished my needle keep complete with pockets, wool felt pages, button and loop.

Size: 4-1/4" x 5-3/4".  Cotton batting, hand quilted.

 

Preparing for Build Houses from Scraps that will begin in 2012.  I've cut out the templates, gosh their really small. I may enlarge the block to a 4" ... let me have a go at 3" and see if I'm okay with it.

 Over the weekend I sewed a sleeveless blouse and a pair of shorts for home wear. 

Got a bit of a headache figuring out the inseam pockets!

 It's been raining here most days hence the darkish pics.  I've received two packages from my swap pals Elyte and Merilyn in Australia.  The deal is to only open it on Christmas day ... So glad that it's just 3 more days otherwise I am not sure if I will keep to our agreement! :)

Merry Christmas one and all!

Quilting away ...

The Depression blocks quilt has been 2 1/2 years in the making.  I was quite determined to not let it get into 2012!  So here it is all quilted, bound, washed and on my bed!

Depression blocks quilt.  Size: 58 1/2" x 76 1/2". Batting: Polyester (Soft & Bright).  Fabric: Harvest Home charm packs and brushed woven for backing by BBD for Moda.  Scrappy binding  (actually only two, interspersed). Quilting: Hand quilted (big stitch) with Pearl No. 8.

 

Am now quilting on Lori's Cheddar Cheese & Crackers and a needle keep for myself.  I find I am using many different type of needles lately and wool felt pages will separate them nicely.

Auditioning some lace for the needle keep pockets

And a little Christmas stitchery for my toaster cover!

Designer: Bird Brain (freebie).  Floss: DMC

Thanks everyone for coming by.  The year is closing so very soon, time to sit and reflect on the year and list out some 2012 stitchy goals.  Speaking of which Jeanneke will be running a QAL on Building Houses from Scraps.  I've signed up but I just intend to make enough houses for a doll quilt.