Hexagonal Christmas Tree Skirt and Dala Horse Pillow Covers

The Christmas tree skirt is finished!  It has been living under the tree for a week now and I love it.

I have a real thing about decorating with red and white for Christmas and the tree skirt reflects that.

I used this Diamond Quilt tutorial I wrote a few years ago and just cut a hole in the middle and a slash up the side to turn it into a tree skirt.  I was worried it would be too big, but actually it looks a bit small under the tree.  If you have a large tree and want to make this up I would recommend adding an extra round of diamonds.

I also made a few pillow covers for my mom.  We come from Scandinavian stock and love dala horses so these fabrics were perfect.  I had been holding on to these fabrics for a few years waiting for the perfect pattern, but this year I decided to just use them.  No piecing, no quilting, just letting the fabric shine.

A little pop of piping along the edges makes them look a bit more polished.  I used this tutorial for the piping.

All of the must do Christmas sewing is done.  Well, I want to make the kido's some D-ring belts like this, but that should go fairly quickly.  It will take more time to change out the thread than to sew them.  And I think all the shopping is done.  Now all we have to do is wrap a few things and enjoy the Christmas lights.

I hope you all have a great Christmas holiday!

At the Fair BOM Link Up

16 of the 24 blocks

This is a link up for all of those participating in the At the Fair Mystery Block of the Month.  Scroll down to see their pictures and keep reading to hear about this year long epic work in progress.

In January I started a block of the month program that was inspired by the Iowa State Fair (which I love!).   One of the buildings on the fairgrounds has a frieze of quilt blocks made with ceramic tiles around the outside.  One quilt block for each county in Iowa.  I designed a quilt using 36 of the 100 blocks.   The blocks vary in size from 36" to 8".  We have made 24 of the blocks this year and will make the remaining 12 during the first six months of 2016.

I'm doing a link up so you can all see the Amazing blocks people have been making.  I am also doing a drawing from the people who are up to date on their blocks and giving them a package of fabric.   I wanted to encourage everyone who signed up for the BOM to catch up if they are behind.  There is nothing lamer than signing up for a BOM and then never making the blocks (been there, done that).  

It is actually quite the undertaking to get out all of the blocks and photograph them.  I moved the kitchen table and laid them out as they will be arranged in the final quilt.    I need to move some around, but this gives you an idea.  We just have twelve more of the small 8" and 12" blocks to go.

If you would like to sign up you still can here in my Etsy shop.  All of the instructions for the first 24 blocks will be available for instant download and I will email you the paper foundation patterns you will need for a few of the blocks within 36 hours.

It has been a great experience!

Super-Simple Selvage Christmas Ornament Tutorial

One of our family's traditions is making Christmas tree ornaments every year.  Why?  Because I love making ornaments.  I'm not much of a crafter in general, but there is just something about Christmas ornaments.  This year I decided to merge my two loves:  Ornaments and Fabric.  How can you go wrong?  Especially when the fabric is selvages?  I have a thing for selvages.

You could probably figure out how to make these on your own but I'll walk you through it pictorially.

You will need:

• some thin 3" wooden craft squares (you can buy these at craft stores or cut them yourself)
• craft paint
• paint brushes (I used foam)
• some selvages (the edges of fabric with the printing and holes)
• scissors
• glue gun and glue sticks

(Note:  I placed my supplies on top of my cutting mat for photo purposes only.  I do not recommend doing this project on top of your cutting mat.  You don't want to melt your mat with the hot glue gun or get paint all over it.)

 I recommend two light coats of paint. 

Choose selvages that have fun sayings, images or are from your favorite fabric designer.

If you are not into selvages you can use ribbon.

 For this ornament I used a selvage that had the fabric design printed on it.

Then they are ready to hang on the tree and enjoy.

A quick and easy fabric finish for the holidays.

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday.

WIP La Passacaglia

Slowly but surely my La Passacaglia quilt is coming along. 

  Very slowly.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday.

Heather Ross Bag

 I finished this bag a few weeks ago.  I have been meaning to use my linen Heather Ross odds and ends to make a bag and finally got around to it.

I used the free Phoebe bag pattern.  I pieced each side on interfacing before cutting out the pieces.  That gave it a little extra weight and something to piece onto.  I knew the strap length was Way Too Short so I lengthened it....and had to do an awkward fix when the bag was finished because the strap needed to be shorter....like the length specified in the pattern.  Note to self: Follow the instructions the first time you use a pattern.  They may know what they are talking about.  :)

The back.

The first time I used it in public I felt kind of odd.  You don't see a lot of peach pieced HR bags out there.  I've gotten over it and it feels normal now.  And it is perfect for me.  It has my favorite fabrics and is the perfect size.  Not too big, not too small and it hangs just right on me.  I can see making another when this wears out.

If you are looking for a handmade Christmas idea this pattern might be a good idea.  If you didn't piece the panels it would go together pretty quickly.

I know in the next couple weeks people are going to start posting pictures of all the cute things they are making for teacher gifts.  While that is great, I decided a couple of years ago that I was just going to buy our teachers books.  Something they will be sure to use and that the whole class can enjoy - and something I can quickly buy in Amazon.  So, if spending 50 hours making teacher gifts isn't in the cards this year, buy the teachers in your life a book.  They'll love it!  :)

Linking to Scraptastic Tuesday.

Dala Christmas Apron

Apron modeled by Aleah

I bought this super cute Dala horse fabric by Lecien a few years ago and have been trying to find the perfect project to use my perfect fabric in.  It was paralyzing.  So I decided to just bite the bullet last week and make something that I could use regularly.  I used the entire 1/2 yard to make this apron.  It has a 3" sash on the top and a 1-ish" border on the bottom.  The red dot was the perfect shade of red.  I Love It.  No regrets.

It has a nice big bow in the back and long ties.  They aren't as long on me cause I don't have a 20" waist.  :)   I sized the waistband so that the apron skirt ends at my sides.  I am going to enjoy using it year round.

In other news I put up the lights and ribbon today and the tree gets decorated tomorrow.  I really like Christmas lights and decorations.  We also went to Aleah's 5th grade Christmas choir concert tonight and it was one of the best kid concerts that I have been to.  They did a great job singing their holiday songs.

I hope you are having fun getting into the Christmas spirit too.