quilting friends

During quilting class this week, we had our end-of-year/Christmas party.  The food was beyond delicious - my favorites being the stuffed mushrooms (ok, I brought those) and the bean dip (thanks, Holley!). Our teacher, Kathy, gave each of us a quilt block "rug" made from the gorgeous Moda fabric line "Midwinter Reds".

Seeing that I had something smart to show, I finally mounted the bird cage display that I had purchased about a year ago.  I'm sorry the photo is so lousy but it's in the corner, the day is gloomy, and I only have a cell phone camera (note to Santa!).  The little hanging bobble block is something I picked up a few days ago for $4 at the quilt shop. I'm anxious to add more interesting items.

And here is the mug rug that my friend Holley gave me (yes, Holley of the favored bean dip).  She had made a different one for each person in the class.  Holley is the bomb!

And finally, here is the darling pincushion that my friend Karen made.  She gave me three to choose from and I picked the red with dots because it so nicely matched "Bernina" written on my sewing machine.
Not true.
I picked it because I had been to Disneyland the day before and it reminded me of Minnie's dress.  But it does coordinate beautifully with my machine.

Christmas is fun!

dresden dish towels

I needed simple gifts to give a few of my friends for Christmas ... something inexpensive ... something homemade ... something quick. And actually in the end I got a bonus - but more on that in a later post.

For about a year now, I have wanted to do something with the vintage towels that are sold in the quilt shop where I work. First step: buy 10 towels in five colors: berry red, bright green, pale yellow, deep sky blue, and black (sorry, not all pictured). Nest step: think of something interesting to stitch on the front using what you have on hand at home.
 So I took this ...

Made by this company ...

And these simple tools ...

To make this finished product.
I like to think of it as "half a Dresden plate is better than none!"

I packaged them all in clear treat bags and slipped a Merry Christmas cupcake pick behind a twine bow.

And because I had them, I sealed the back with a bakery sticker.

I'm thinking I need to make just one more for my son's piano teacher whom I'll see tomorrow at lessons.
You know what I'll be doing tonight ...

advent box

Last night I found a lovely store in the mall, Lemonchello's Boutique. I hadn't ventured into the shop before but what lured me in during this shopping trip was an item in their window display (you know it would have gotten you, too!). And then when I stopped to admire it inside the store and saw that the sign said 20% off, there was no turning back!  It had to come home with me. Had to.

There is a side door opens and stores a tree which fits inside a hole on the top of the box. Each day you open the appropriately numbered drawer and add to the tree the ornament inside.

I decorated (slightly) the hurricanes next to the box with a couple of things that I found in the gift wrap bucket since we don't have our Christmas decorations down from the attic yet....

This is the gorgeous glitter writing on the top. Sooo pretty!  It's probably my favorite feature.

Hopefully, this lovely advent box will inspire me to get our Christmas decorations placed in their proper positions. If I don't, the children have every right to call me Scrooge!

:my simple kitchen: topper

While I was visiting my darling daughter in Colorado (miss her already!), I snapped a photo of the Christmas table topper I had made for her and forgotten to photograph before I mailed it off.

It's made from a pattern called My Simple Kitchen which I picked up in Logan, Utah at an adorable quilt store, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe.

It's so quick and easy (start to finish in one evening), I think I'll make another sometime this year for a different holiday.  If only I'd thought of it sooner, I'd have made one for Valentine's Day!

I xo Christmas

Feeling Christmas-y right about now.
First I hung the wreath on the front door. Then I decorated my bed (thank you, Target).  I did have to wash the bedding because when it arrived yesterday, it wreaked of diesel.  I called Target, and they gifted me $10 for my inconvenience.  They've always had great customer service and it's one of the reasons I shop there.
(Note:  The room looks much better without all the lighting, but the photo was too grainy without it.)

Did you notice the quilt tossed casually on the corner of the bed?
Did  you wonder if I made it?
Well, yes I did.
The pattern is from "Living Large 2" by Heather Peterson and is called Simple Gifts.

I used most of the fabric line called blitzen by basicgrey (they don't capitalize so I'll respect that!), omitting the snowmen prints to keep a serious feel to the quilt.  The backing fabric I purchased for $10 from JoAnn's during a super sale and using a coupon. That's right.  Four yards for $10!
As for the quilting, I had the quilter use a shiny polyester thread they happened to have on their shelf and had actually never used.  Probably a big no-no, but I do love the way it picks up the light!

I have a red brick corner fireplace in my room that will get a little Christmas cheer as well before the day is through.
Happy Holidays!

Chrismas tree trim

One last Christmas-y post......  A couple of years ago, I bought a roll of silver floral netting at Michael's for not much $.  I cut the width in half, and knotted the strips together.  This created a sparkly ribbon for our Christmas tree which has added a modern look to my otherwise traditional tree.  It rolls up quite nicely when you're done and doesn't mind getting squooshed when packed away until next year!

What a clever idea from Better Homes and Gardens. Just stitch two cotton Christmas towels together and attach ribbons on the side for tying to the chairs. Next year for sure!!
And one more great idea from BHG. This one I can definitely put together this year!