Ringing Out the Old and Ringing in the New

Here we are at the end of the year. It seems like each year goes by faster and faster, like a boulder rolling down a mountainside. I have accomplished much this year.

 I crocheted a blanket for my middle child. This is the woodland blanket by Attic 24.

 I started Bonnie Hunter's Good Fortune Mystery. I still haven't finished it, but I have it on my to do list for this year.

 I made three quilts for my brother to gift to his step daughter and her two children.

 I participated in a few sew alongs this year as well. I enjoy the community of sewing with others and seeing how we each interpret a pattern.

I crocheted another blanket for my oldest, also an Attic 24 pattern. I have re-discovered my love of crocheting. I am currently trying to finish up another blanket.

I also did my first three craft fairs this year. I wanted to earn money to help pay for my sewing supplies, and I did. It also allows me to make lots of little things that I enjoy making that are not quilts or clothing.

For the new year, I do plan to enter a few craft fairs. I have crochet to look forward to as well as plenty of sewing time. I hope to find my blogging voice a bit more often this year. It's tough enough to make the time to sit down to write, but I need pictures too, and that is the hardest part for me. I hope to make the time to take and download the pictures I feel I need to be present  here. I do make a lot of things. I sew or crochet or hand stitch every day, now to document it.

Happy new year friends. I hope 2020 is all you want it to be.

Finally a Showing

I made this quilt for my brother's daughter. It was a surprise, and so I couldn't show it to you when it was finished. But now that she has it, I can.

 Many ideas were contemplated, but I finally landed on the Ohio Star for her quilt. I made nine stars that finished at 12 inches and 4 that finished at six inches. And then, just for fun, some small 4 inch stars in pink ombre fabric, for a pop of surprise color.

Here it is, all quilted. I decided to do an all over square grid on it and the texture came out perfect.

 And, it's tough to see, but the centers of the stars are quilted with another star.

A fun backing completes the quilt. It was very well received.

I found a shot of the stare within a star quilting so you can see it better. And that's a wrap on Christmas quilting. Happy Friday my friends.

Christmas Time is Busy Time

Lots of sewing projects going on here. I scarcely have time in the day to work on all of them. I guess it's good that I keep busy, though. And holiday cookie baking begins today. So, let's see what I've been up to.

 First up is my Dear Dottie quilt. I made the baby size in a quilt along with Rachel of Stitched in Color. I do plan to make another in a limited pallet soon.

 I am doing some very dense straight line quilting on my Dear Dottie. I am almost finished with it.

And here is the back. I don't think I could ever do this much quilting on a larger quilt, but for this size, I am loving it.

 And all these next photos are my Tomte blocks from the sew along with Sue of Moss and Lotus. All the patterns here, plus some new one are available in her Etsy shop.

 They have been so much fun to make. They are all paper pieced, so if that's your thing, go check it out.

 I made a new reindeer head for my middle daughter. I got this pattern years ago. It is still available on line, but the links with the directions are nowhere to be found any longer. It was a bit of a challenge to assemble, but since I had made 3 of these in the past, I finally figured it out.

 I bought a bunch more tiny bottle brush trees to add to the holiday decor. I love these cuties.

 I got myself an early gift of some LED lights for my sewing machine and all I can say is WOW! They sure do make a difference. They weren't too expensive either, so I can't believe I waited this long to help out these old eyes of mine.

 And here is the first of 4 Santa ornaments I am making for the grand children for next year. It is the Twelve Days of Christmas ornament from Mmm Crafts. I figure I can work at a slower pace and do it right. No rush. That will make next year even easier for me. Yay!
Well, lots to do today, so I gotta run. Talk to you soon.

Super Simple Advent Calendar

I got out all of my Christmas stuff yesterday, in anticipation of decorating. I found the Advent calendar that my children used when they were young. I was a thirty something mama with 2 young children. I worked with a woman who's youngest was in eighth grade. She had grand children. While we worked together, in a school cafeteria, she made this for my children. When I saw it, I thought it would be good to share it. I have made a couple for my grand children and it's super simple.

It is made from a single piece of felt, cut 36 1/2 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide. This one is cut with pinking shears to give it a bit of a fancy edge.

Today, if I was making it, I would use my pinking blade on my rotary cutter for easy cutting.

This is the little poem at the top. My friend typed it up and cut it with her pinking shears, and she attached it with brads. I did not have brads when I made mine for my grandchildren, but you can attach it however you like.

You need some yarn for the bows. The top one is green, and you loop it through the jingle bell and knot it. Every fifth bow from the top down is also green. My friend used a hole punch to make holes for the yarn, but you can just sew it through with a needle as well. Then, knot the yarn so it won't come out, and tie it into a bow.

This is the top back. Just make a simple sleeve, glued, stitched or however, and thread a double strand of yarn through it for the hanger.

Tie all the bows and you're ready to go. This one is over 30 years old and still going strong. My daughters each have one for their kids. It's so simple to make and I hope you make one for your children or grand children. I kept the original at my house, and I untie the bows each night. And remember all the fun things about having this in my home at the holidays.
Talk to you soon.

Pictures Galore

I am keeping very busy here. I did two craft fairs in early November, and then I have been sewing my fingers off ever since. I had some Christmas things to do, and then my usual way too many projects. Let's take a look. In no particular order.

 Sue at #mossandlotus has a great bunch of patterns for Tomte, which is the Swedish word for these cute little gnomes. I bought them last December, but didn't have time to make them. So of course, when she announced a sew along at this busy time of year, I jumped right in. I am having sew much fun.

 And Rachel, of Stitched in Color announced a Dear Dottie sew along, I joined that too. Also, having tons of fun with these blocks. This sew along is also sponsored by Fenceline Fabrics and The Makings of Joy.

 I bought this cute stitching pattern from Cozy Blue Handmade. I reminds me so much of my granddaughter, that I couldn't resist. Just need to buy a hoop to frame it.

 These are a bunch of my curved pieces, stitched and ready to be sewn into blocks.

 These are the grand kids' ornaments, made from the free mini tomte that was included in the pattern bundle I bought.

 This is the #ABC Sprinkles Sampler I bought from Dropcloth Samplers on Instagram. I am stitching it in pink ombre. Another fun project.

 This is my Santa ornament from a pattern at Mmm Crafts. It is the first in her new series The Night Before Christmas. Mrs. Claus is now also out, but I haven't bought that pattern yet. I am going to do 4 more of these Santas for the grand kids for next year.

                    Some blocks for Dear Dottie.

 And then, because there's never enough to do, I started making Dear Dottie blocks in Christmas fabrics too.

Another Tomte

 Messed up the bottom left corner on this one a bit, but, no harm done.

And here is the table topper I made from the Christmas Dear Dottie Blocks. I love it. I am also working on several EPP long term projects because one isn't enough. And I am trying to finish crocheting my Dune Blanket from Lucy, at Attic 24. There's a new one coming out in January, so I hope to get this one finished before then. We'll see.

So all this, and some Christmas gift makes, you can see I have been busy and it's hard to sit down and blog with all this going on. Instagram is much easier, but I don't want to give up this little space.
So until next time, Happy Thanksgiving.