More Christmas

Since I began quilting 38 years ago, I have always loved to bring my quilting into our Christmas festivities. Wallhangings have been made for family and friends and some have actually stayed with us. One of these days I want to make a full sized Christmas quilt...one of these days!

Deck the Halls is this years wallhanging. It is a Country Threads pattern. I haven't quite finished the quilting, it is fusible web applique, hand applique and hand quilted. I love the message!

This has always been one of my favourites, I thought I was pretty clever to add the little lights. I can't remember where the pattern came from, maybe an old Miniature Quilts magazine. It is machine pieced and hand quilted.

This Wreath of Lillies is a pattern by Camille Remme, it is fiddly and time consuming piecing with lots of 1" squares and 1" HSTs, good thing I am patient! It is machine pieced and hand quilted.

These angels hang over our fireplace in the family room, always a comfort to have them watching over us during this busy season! I took an Attic Windows workshop years ago, had the angel fabric that just seemed right for the windows. It is machine pieced and hand quilted.

Festival of Trees though not necessarily a Christmas quilt, it is to me the colour of Christmas. The pattern is by Barbara Brackman and Karla Menaugh. It is hand applique and hand quilted, the fabrics are Moda's "Wooly Cottons", I loved working with them!

These little tress were great fun to make, they are only about 5"-6" tall, made of recycled wool fabric and fun to decorate!

Christmas is coming! Now I had better get back to work!

Christmas is Coming!

Years ago I made the kids Christmas stockings, simple ones with their initial on each one, an "A" and  "K". As partners joined the family they too each got a stocking. As grandchildren arrived more stockings were made. Now we have a new grandson, born November 6, 2011. I had it on my "to do" list to make Marcus a stocking when I got a call from Molly (5 1/2) way out in the wild west. She was very serious and had wanted to remind me that Marcus would need a Christmas stocking. I reassured her that I was making one for him and that it would be there in lots of time for Christmas Eve. I knew that wasn't the end of our conversation, I could tell she was a little perplexed. She asked "How was Santa going to tell the stockings apart if they both had "M's" on them?" I had to think fast, what to do! I told her I would add a tag, one for her stocking and one for Marcus', that would have their names and could be pinned on each stocking. She seemed quite relieved. The stocking is in the mail. I hope Santa can read the tags!

The Quilt Mafia Meets Again

Another wonderful day with the "Quilt Mafia", a group of quilters who just love to get together, share ideas, share their work and enjoy a good lunch! We met today at the St. Stephen's Community Centre in Chester, a great space with lots of windows (no stairs!) and easy access to the Kiwi Cafe for a take out lunch.

Kate, Linda and Jamie

Penny, Celeste and Laurie

Deb, Laureen and Alex

We came from far and near, some quilted, some pieced and embellished, some knit. We laughed, we shared and we missed those who couldn't be with us. The day just flew by, we shared our works in progress and I began to realize that the SAQA show that the Atlantic chapter will put on for the CQA conference in late May will be a wonderful one! Such creativity, great care and thought as to the theme "Rooted". I can't wait to see this exhibition which will be at the Mary E. Black Gallery on the waterfront in Halifax. 

Laureen's piece for "Rooted".

I am so humbled by this group of creative and gifted women, grateful to be a part of this group and to call them my friends. More pictures can be found in the Flickr link to the left.

Plans are underway to have another gathering in the spring at the Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat at the Atlantica Hotel, Oak Island and then a road trip to Cape Breton for a retreat in the Margaree Valley. Can't wait! Thanks everybody for coming!