Merry and Bright

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Santa Knows CUTE!!

OH MY!  Isn't this just SOOOOO DARN CUTE!!???  Santa REALLY outdid

himself on this fabulous little sewing stand!!  I mentioned one time how I

would like to find a fun little antique sewing stand I

could load up with all my hand sewing supplies and it could stay in

our living space.

HE LISTENED.....HE REMEMBERED.....HE CONQUERED!!!

I squealed with delight when I opened the box.  It's the perfect size and folds out

to reveal 2 smaller drawer compartments.  

SWOON!

Santa Did Good...uh.....well...sorta

Santa went shopping at the antique mall.

 HE found this WONDERFUL vintage quilt top HE liked VERY much!

SO HE bought it....for MRS. CLAUS.

 But being new to all this quilty 'stuff n things' SANTA didn't know what to look

out for after all.

SANTA didn't know this lovely little quilt top would and could have some "issues".

It had some really neat 9 patch blocks HE liked A LOT.

WHAT A BONUS... it was hand sewn and all.

 SANTA didn't know it would be "WAVY-WAVING" at him when he brought it home for

MRS. CLAUS.

HE also didn't know MRS.CLAUS would hug his neck and thank him

despite the quilt top flaws!!!

NOTE...the first thing I will do is remove the border.  It is a wreck!  I think someone besides the top maker sewed on the border and they DID NOT know what they were doing!

I Just Plain Forgot

Shame on me, I've been such a bad quilty blogger and forgot to share some of my past little projects.
Pot pads I made for an 'unannounced' giveaway drawing I had last fall. They turned out w-a-y cute, wish I had made me one too! I ran out of the red/white strip binding fabric and DARN IT I can't find anymore.....wah!

The back showing how I quilted them.

I received this FABULOUS hand crafted Christmas postcard from my friend Julie who blogs over at Joe Tulips Quilts. She sent it to me after I whined and whined that I needed one!! HA! Do any of you know WHY I thought I needed one???? She is SOOOOOOOO crafty and creative. Run over and check out her one of a kind FUN quilts!

And yes the ever so TALENTED Nanette from Freda's Hive sent me this WONDERFUL Missy Christmas Caroler during this past holiday season. I just LOVE her!!!! She is just adorable and I have left her out so I am STILL enjoying her. THANKS NANETTE!!!

I whipped up this house block for Beth over at Love Laugh Quilt blog. A few months back she had all who wanted to participate to sew up a house block, send it in and she picked a winner of all the blocks. DARN, I wasn't the winner!

I used up some of my scraps, strips AND CRUMBS for some great potholders/pot pads to give out for Christmas stocking stuffers and party hostess gifts. I had already given some out before I remembered to take any photos. All of these from tiny pieces that a lot of quilters chunk in the trash.

AND FINALLY I got my letters finished and sewn together for my LONG IN THE TOOTH Halloween quilt that seems to just go on and on!. This is the LONGEST string of letters I have sewn together.

AND A BIG THANK YOU to DONNA at LAVENDER NEST!! She awarded me with THE STYLISH BLOG AWARD....THANKS DONNA!...go here to see who else won.

So there you have it...........who knows, there may be some more I've forgotten!

Christmas 'stuff'

Here is what I did this morning....I sewed these tee ni-knee half square triangles together! They measure about 1 1/4 inches big (or small)!! Aren't they cute!!

Those half square triangles were left over from this project. But more on this later 'cause they are some goodies I need to get sent out to 3 FAB....and I do mean FAB fellow bloggers!

And my 'snail mail' left this at my door too.....More on this later.........................

From Our House To Yours

We wish you GREAT Fun.....WARM Hearths....Lots of MERRY Making and GLAD Hearts !!!

HO HO HO

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
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^^^^^^^

(oh what I wouldn't give for a piece of lemon poppy seed cake)

Soft Christmas Trees Link

I thought I needed to share the links to these cute little Christmas Trees that were sitting on my ironing board in a photo on my previous post....to share the info on how to make them again.....these were sewn up last Christmas! I had lots of emails asking about the pattern. So...if you want to make some yourself...here are the places to go to get the patterns and the 'how to'.......I hope you won't mind if I repeat this post from last Christmas!!

For this tiered tree you can click HERE or HERE. This will take you to the Whip Up Blog and The Small Object Blog. These are two great blogs with lots of ideas and tutorials!!! Nanette from Fredas Hive gave some of these away last year during her blog anniversary. When we all saw them we just went Ga Ga and had to make some too!!

I SO love this one.....well of course....it's Vintage Gingham!!! The tutorial on these last two stuffed trees can be found HERE.....at the Littlebirds Blog. I blew up the pattern to make some of them different sizes.....and as you can see...I made a little 'cap' for these using the top 'tier' of the previous tiered tree.....just a little something to make them different. These little trees have such possibilities. The sky is the limit on ways to decorate and adorn them!! I hope you can see I did a blanket stitch on this one to connect the bottom to the top.

These are just W-A-Y too cute......don't you agree???? Now go make some for yourself!!!

SANTA CLAUS KNOWS HIS FABRIC....

Santa Claus decided that since I have been on a roll with my sewing and quilting, that I might need these 'goodies' early. WOW, what a wonderful surprise!!! And I must say....Santa knows his way around a fabric store. Look at the new lighter colored cutting mat. I guess santa really was listening when I would whine about how hard it was to see my cutting ruler markings sometimes....especially at night. He even heard me comment ( numerous times ) on how expensive the blades were for my rotary cutter......so, he included this little gadget to help sharpen my old blades ( anxious to see if it really works ). Santa said he had a really hard time picking out the fat quarters. Very hard to decide, he liked them all, but he knew I was into the 'wild' stars right now so he tried to include some 'bright' ones ( believe me....he did.....in the future, I will post some of the ones that are in that large bundle......keeping in mind....he IS a farmer man). THANK YOU santa......he said he would let me pick out the much needed new 'sewing room tv'! YEAH ME.. ( only because when I make him come upstairs to keep me company while I sew.....he doesn't like my old one that the remote doesn't even work anymore). WOW, I must have been very good this year!! Smooch-Smooch Santa!!

Here is my 'Major Award' I won over at Freda's Hive during her blogaversary week. My goodies arrived Monday and I was as giddy as a little school girl. Since I was the 'first' pick winner...( yes, I hear some of you gnashing your teeth )...I picked the japanese fabric charms and japanese project book. I love these!! Sweet Nanette also included one of her teeny little house ornaments she made along with this wonderful linen teacup kitchen towel. I'm so loving the pale blue polka dots she trimmed it in. I'm assuming the teacup fabric is japanese too. Thank you so much for your generosity Nanette!!

I also won this cute little pile of colorful fabrics at Colorful Art Girl blog. I didn't even know there was a drawing when I left a comment!

This group of santas are my 'House of Hatten' collection. They are from the 80's and are meant to look like wood carvings, but they are kind of like a heavy paper mache. I think my favorite is the one in front with the reindeer!

This is going to be my last post...( maybe )...until after the new year. I want everyone to know how much I have enjoyed blogging and meeting EVERYONE of you. I have had THE best time since I started blogging back in June. Quilting bloggers are the best in the world. I've laughed, cried, lurked around a bit and have just basically learned TONS. I have only started quilting in the last year and have been amazed at how willing everyone is to help and share their ideas and encouragement when you need it the most.....anytime day or night...( even at 4 in the morning....right Melanie?? )...help is there when you need it most. The best support system I have ever seen. WARM FEELINGS OUT TO EVERYONE, especially my loyal followers...( and you know who you are )...and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO!

P.S. I have had numerous emails about the little stars I have been making.....I have worked up a little tutorial on them and shortly after the first of the year I will do a posting and show you how to make some of your own..........until then......peace be with you!

Your Blogging Friend Forever!

BELINDA

'THE BEST' Packages...

OOOoooouuuu.....aren't packages that contain fabric THE BEST packages to get??? I am participating in the Black and White Challenge, so I sorted through my stash to see what I had. I'm sure I probable have plenty on hand already, but I thought it was a good excuse to shop around for more, you know, just in case. I headed straight to Jane's Fabrics for her B/W fat quarter special. I LOVE these fabrics. I don't have any of these styles in my stash..YEA! So, if I don't meet the B/W Challenge it won't be because I didn't have a good selection of yummy fabrics. Jane also included a little 'extra' with my purchase. See the cute little ME tin? It's full of greatly needed pins. This girl is on 'top of it'. You just wouldn't believe how fast I got my package.

I picked a few more vintage repro christmas fabrics to have on hand. And I am just in love with polka dots. Who doesn't love polka dots!!! As I was scrolling through Jane's fabric selections I was like "oouuu, I don't have any orange and white....and oh, how about those green polka dots". I can guarantee you....I AM NOT polka dot poor!!! Thanks so much Jane!

This package arrived here not long ago too. Back in Sept....Quilt Pixie worked up a scrap swap for anyone who wanted to 'play'. You were to send as much as you could get 'stuffed' into a large ziplock bag. She paired me up with Brenda over at Scraps and Strings. Here is what Brenda sent me. She received my bag of scraps Tues. Wow, I was surprised it took two whole weeks for our packages to reach. I guess there IS some distance between Texas and Winnepeg Canada. Thanks so much Brenda.....I don't have much 'homespun' in my stash!

She also included this cute lil handmade scissors 'sleeve'. Perfect for when my scissors travel!

My featured 'san-tees' today are some I've had forever. The larger santa in the back is made from chalkware. The other 3 santas are made of plastic. I can't believe the one in front still has his original little wooden ski poles. Wonder how he made it through all these years without them getting broke?..Maybe he was such a fast skier no one could catch him!! He is one of my 'most-est' favorites!!

My Quilted Santa...

I wasn't going to dig my little quilted Santa out this year, but I thought you gals would enjoy seeeing him. Since I have gotten so interested in the quilting this year I am looking at him in a whole different light. I have had this quilted Santa for about 17 years. Up close is showing all those years of wear and tear. The main problem with him is he is getting sorta dingy dirty around the edges. The faint fading is something I really noticed this year. There used to be a lady here in my community that was making these. When I finally discovered her I was oh so lucky to get the last one she had with the red quilt coat. She had all kinds of Santas with different quilt coats, but I am sooo glad I got a red one, I think he was the cutest. It so happens that my Mr. Brown Dirt cut out and assembled the wood body frame for her. This lady moved away years ago and I have had every intention in making some more of these, afterall, we already have the body pattern. He is a nice size too, he stands about 31 inches tall. My mind just goes CRAZY with ideas!!!

Here is a picture of the back of him. OOOOuuuuu, I sure would have liked to have seem this quilt before it got cut up. I like the colors and quilt design. LOL.. I even had a girl offer me twice as much as I gave for this one.... she wanted a red one sooo bad....but I said 'Get Back Jack'...this one's mine!!!!

Between now and Christmas I thought I would feature a few of my Santas up close and give a little info and history. This 'woodland' Santa is a ceramic one I painted back in 1989. The main reason I picked him is because of the little lamb he is holding. You will notice this trend in some of the others I will be showing you. I think this is one of my very favorites!!!

And yes, I have been doing some other things besides playing with my Santas.......like playing with some of my cottages. I would like to have some other interesting blocks in the quilt besides just the cottages. The tree silhouettes are actually just 2 pieces I found in my scraps.....but, I just can't seem to get it straight in my mind yet............HELLO......hey, it's the mail man....he cometh up the walk....ooo, he's carrying some boxes.....I better go see.........(i always know he's here before he knows I know he's here....his vehicle needs a new muffler)!
Edit note......one of the boxes was from Janes' Fabrics ............(clapping hands) Thanks Jane!!

More Trees

DADDY TREE.......

MOMMA TREE.....

NOW.......MY LITTLE 'ORPHAN' TREE HAS A FAMILY!

Christmas Misc....

Christmas time just doesn't seem like the right time to be digging through storage tubs and boxes.......because all I'm really doing is making messes to clean up ( and who needs more of that ).....BUT, look what I found.....a 1967 December issue of Better Homes and Gardens! I really do like the interesting colorful cover, don't you?

The little fabric Christmas trees Nanette has made for her blogaversary for one of her giveaways are just adorable! I couldn't wait to try some out! Isn't it amazing that these four unusual shapes could turn into......................

THIS !!!...........I LOVE this cute little tree... 'Little' is the key word here. I should have heeded Nanette's advice about blowing up the pattern some....ooooooo....this one is cute, but tiny. The interfacing I used was too light as well. I had some heavy type and now I wish I had used that one....and as usual.....I wanted it really country handmade-ish, so I decided to add the blanket stitch around the edges 'by hand'......WELL, I won't do that again.......took me FOREVER! Since I had used the lighter weight interfacing my sewing machine was going to chew the edges up. Anyway.... practice makes perfect I guess. Amanda over at Busy Little Quilter made some too, and hers are sooooo cute. You must go see ! Here are the links to the tree pattern if you want to make some of your own....Whip Up Blog or The Small Object Blog.

Santa Collection

My santa collection seems to have out-grown my buffet. I have a few more, but I don't think there is room. Besides, I think it looks too crowded right now. What do you think? Do they need thinning out? I'm thinking about maybe putting all the vintage ones on my kitchen window seal, a little more protected there perhaps. Anyway......it's a start!