Ho, Ho ,Ho...Merry Christmas!

Here you go Marcelle!
I phoned Marcelle yesterday to say her quilt is finished and she said  "you haven't posted on your blog about it?" I said " Well I thought I would give it to you first". "Oh no, I'd much rather see it on your blog first, as I don't do surprises very well". Says Marcelle. I laugh and say, "ok I will post in the next couple of days."

Made using all her Christmas scraps........

.........including the back!



"Please quilt simply" says Marcelle...........

Merry Christmas Marcelle!!

Last night I attached the last hand painted button to Christmas Fun by Lynette Anderson and hung it on my quilt rack next to my Christmas tree.
I really enjoyed hand quilting, just going with the flow, no rush ( although the last couple of days I did think to myself it would be nice to have it finished for this Christmas:-)!!!

When I had thread basted ready to quilt I realised I hadn't done some of the stitching on the edges of the blocks......!!!! Then I thought, does it really matter. I put YoYo's in my four corners just for something a bit different. My Reindeer row is going the opposite way, my house is green....so it isn't exactly the same as Lynette's.....because if it was, well then it would be hers! 

snowmen...................

He won my heart when he looked at me standing surrounded by fabric and pattern's ,our eyes met and I paid the owner of Patchwork Passion for his pattern and fabrics.

Here in colour! Last Friday I went with some friends to Calico Christmas (for non New Zealand readers, this is a annual exhibition from one of our cites quilters guild, complete with shop owners and there yummy wears) and that is where I bought this magnificent fellow.
I had to ask a friend how to cast off when knitting his scarf , as it had been so long since I knitted I had forgotten how!!!  

Another snowman.........this is the snowman from Lynette's Christmas Fun
I quilted this for Kerryn for The Country Yard

thanks blogger, I wanted this photo sideways!!!!!

look at that another sideways!!

How are you coming along with your blocks? I have nearly finished my last one, then I will piece together, I was thinking I might hand quilt mine.

Please click on photo's for close ups.

Thank you for stopping by................................................:-)

Christmas Fun and a new / old love........

Lynette Anderson's Christmas Fun month 5 finished, the next one will be here soon!

After a visit to Bay of Islands/Pahia last weekend I found this old 1930's beauty from a antique store.It hails from America. No label unfortunately. It has a white muslin backing and cotton batting  and all hand pieced and hand quilted.
I like this one flower with the black fraying fabric.

I will need to give it a wash....very gently of course!

I think I am in love !!!! I have a real appreciation for English paper pieced quilts and they make me smile.

Who made this quilt? Was she/he a happy content person? Was the maker new to patchwork or a seasoned quilter? Was the maker a mother,father, daughter,lover, friend? What ever this makers story was I am so happy she/he made it :-)

While the boys are away, Mum will play!

Christmas Fun # 2 finished, I love these blocks....so cute.

Here is the first wee block (4") I have made playing with Lynette Anderson's Scandinavian Christmas fabric.

Some more 4" blocks...not sure what I am doing here, just having fun playing and the time to play.


I hope you are all having a fabulous day, what ever you are doing.

The Country Yard and my sewing...

The Country Yard Stitchery

A close up of some of the quilting I did on a shop sample for www.thecountryyard.co.nz.

This is a fantastic quilt shop that caters to many patch workers needs, beautiful fabrics, threads, friendly welcoming atmosphere.

I used a stencil for this part and used Signature variegated thread.
I also did an orange peel effect on the postage stamp blocks.

Needle turned block and orange peel quilting.

Now and then I get to make some things for myself..........

A bit of early Christmas cheer! Lynette Anderson's Christmas Fun Button Mystery BOM These are cute as anything...I haven't added the Gingerbread man button, I will add after the quilter has quilted it!

Strippy Classic

 This is my Leader/Ender project that I have been piecing for months now, just when ever I get a chance to sew I join my 2" squares. This is what I have got so far, it is 100" long and I need 7 of these babies! Already I am seeing double ups of my fabrics, still it won't matter.This may take many months or years to make, but that is AOK by me...
I got this pattern from Bonnie Hunters Leader /Ender book.I have just bought her other 2 books, recycling cotton shirts.....my husband better start hiding his shirts as he has some nice ones...100% cotton too!