It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I was working on my little Christmas stitchery quilt tonight. Luke wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home from church with him. This evening I was finished with my "work", so I relaxed a little working on this. I have it all quilted, and the binding is sewn on by machine. Perhaps during violin lessons tomorrow I'll get to quilt the rest of the center cream fabric. This has been a neat project. The center fabric is called Sandcastle. It is a fairly thick fabric and has a crosshatch design on it.

I am a particular quilter. I had all the hand quilting finished, but didn't like the way it poofed out in the center where it wasn't quilted at all. Notice in the picture above how nice and flat the top unpinned area in the cream is, and how poofy it is below? Trust me--it's noticeable in person.

I debated about whether to do some machine quilting there, but then I couldn't decide what color thread to use. Then I had an inspiration (picture a light bulb here!). I am doing a tiny hand stitch from the back to tack down the fabric at the intersection of each crosshatch design. The stitches are invisible from the front, but it is "quilted" at even intervals. Here is the back, which is not quite so RED in person!

I had a moment of Christmas quilt panic. I have enjoyed seeing this quilt in the kitchen. But I started wondering, "What quilt is hung there at Christmas?" None of the family could remember. So I got out my roll of Christmas quilts, and there is was...Evergreen Pines. My picture link would not load. Perhaps I'll get a picture later. How could I have forgotten that quilt? Quite easily, I'm afraid.

Good night!

~Joan

Decision Made and Executed

Above is my ready-to-be-quilted Christmas stitchery. I found the green outer border in a pile of large "scraps" one of my readers sent for my Seeds of Kindness quilt (remember that?). It was the perfect green. It wasn't close to the other greens in my pieced border, so I didn't "lose" any in the mix.

Below is a quilt Emily just pieced for a customer. It's called Bear Tracks. The entire thing is done in roses and greens. Not the best photo shoot. Just take my word for it...the piecing is perfect.

Off to record grocery receipts...fun, Fun, FUN!

~Joan

Framed Christmas Stitchery

Above is the stitchery with the first border. Miraculously, I was able to cut and sew those on tonight.

It is supposed to have another border outside of that. I can't find a stash print that will do. The one below is the best I can come up with right now. A nice brown plaid would be great, but I don't have one of those! I may have to go to Mary Jo's and see what I can see.

What do you think? Is the piece above sufficient without an outer border, or should I add something to finish it off?

Eagerly awaiting your suggestions.

~Joan

Christmas Stitchery Center Finished

Here is the center of the Christmas stitchery...finished! I am eager to add the borders and triangles now. Perhaps I can do part of it tonight.

~Joan, whose 3-day excruciating headache is gone!!

Progress on Christmas Stitchery

Just wanted to make a quick post showing the progress on the Christmas stitchery. This is working up so quickly. I'll have the embroidery finished in no time, I'm sure, then I can start on the piecing and quilting. What Christmas projects are YOU working on?

~Joan

New Christmas Stitchery Project on the Horizon

I took the above picture from my new b-friend, Donna's, blog. Read her post about it here, with more pictures. I ordered the same kit, and it arrived today. Actually the "kit" is just the center. It includes the sandcastle fabric, the thread, and the star button. The words are printed on the cloth. Notice that the words form a Christmas tree shape. How clever is that? I hope to make mine just like hers with the inner border and HSTs.

Coupon alert...if you've purchased the latest "All You" magazine (which is a treasure trove of coupons), there is a $1 off Peter Pan peanut butter coupon in the center. The Food Lions here have it on sale this week for $3 for 2. With the coupon, that makes it 50 cents for an 18-ounce package. Sweet!!

~Joan