12 Days of Christmas

Ready for some festive sewing?

This free mystery BOM will be released in 6 parts over 6 weeks

Each Wednesday

It’s nearly Christmas and that means there’s just a little time left for some seasonal sewing. At this time of year I give up ideas that my UFO shelf is going to be finished…and move onto sewing something simple (ish) for Christmas. Every year when I unpack our decoration box, I always find something that I forgot we had – I love these moments. We usually also find out that our lights have gone missing again…(we end up buying new ones each year!) and every year without fail, we decide that we need more Christmas themed tablecloths, table runners, wall quilts…. Home sewn items that make Christmas special.


It’s like Christmas baking, you could buy most of what you make, but there’s something special and enduring about making it yourself. In a way, this wall hanging is a bit of a UFO – I have been meaning to make it for a few years and now it’s finally going to arrive. And it’s definitely a stash buster so that’s good too.

I think that the 12 days of Christmas is a charming carol and I love imaging all the presents arriving each day with a big bow over them.

Aside from the fun, some argue that this carol dating back to the 1600’s was sung to secretly teach and represent religious doctrines. (If you’re interested, you can read more about this here: )

This first week is all about paper piecing in tree themed greens ...

Let's get started!

Button to share...if you can

Feel free to take this pic and post it on your blog or website, simply 'save as' the above pic and link the image to this address: http://www.estheraliu.com/current-free-bom.php the more the merrier!

I can't supply you with a code - that is too advanced for me.

Coincidentally, if any tech savvy quilters out there know of easy to use software which allows you to generate / create 'buttons' please let me know as I am always struggling in this area. Any advice much appreciated.

UPDATE:
You may have noticed the button is looking shinier and better all of a sudden. Well, it's thanks to Brenda from Serendipity.

Brenda has been wonderfully generous and re-worked my button in a matter of minutes and sent it back to me via email. Wow! Of course, I'm not suprised... as Brenda always answers my cries for tech help.
Thank you so much!

Sweet little bird

This sweet little (baby?) bird has been singing all morning - and I was lucky enough to get a picture of him swinging on his branch. How can you work with such glorious distractions outside your window? Time for a contemplative coffee I think...

Another Pink!

Kay of Qld, has created this In The Pink quilt top and has made it even better by adding an extra pillow top border. What a great idea.  The colours just 'sing' and I love the green. It's so harmonised, thank you for sharing this Kay.

This is the final month for In The Pink, (hasn't it just flown by?)Have you finished yours?

Crochet converted bag

Talk about brainless sewing. Because I don't have enough to do...

Sometimes I am struck with ideas and simply have to carry them out on the spot. This is such a project.

This tote bag came with the weekend newspaper a few months ago and I was impressed with the impenetrable fibre it is made from - a suprisingly good quality plastic woven fabric. Just what I was after.

Why?? I hear you ask.

Yes, it's true I have a few hundred beautiful fabric bags but I needed a quick bag I could use for my crochet tube. Something that wouldn't be affected by rain or smells (the plastic is perfect for this) and a bag I could throw about (not that I abuse my bags generally) or be too precious about. A practical bag that I could sling over my shoulder and carry in the car and just generally out and about so I can manage to fit in a few lines of knitting without carrying a whole cache around.

I am often struck with the thought of carrying out a few lines of knitting when stuck in bank queues, supermarket queues, etc. But I needed a slimline tote.

Obviously I don't want to advertise David Jones as I go about my business so a fabric print was necessary.

The only thing this tote was missing was a good sturdy zip which I added. I selected a charming bird print. Unpicked the lot. Attached the print. Stitched it back togeher...and voila....!

Now, I know there are better things I could have done with that hour...but I have got a bag to show for it, so it wasn't completely bad.

And I managed to stash bust and give these sweet birds a use.

Ok... back to real work...

Roseville Album

Roseville by Kim Mclean arrived a month ago. I'm only just getting around to it now (the usual story).

It looks good. I can't wait to start. I have already pulled some stash fabric out to see if it will do. I think I might have to buy some new Fassett fabrics. It shares some design elements with The Civil War Bride Quilt (which is also on my UFO shelf) so I will have 2 similiar in style - but they are both beautiful in their own way. I think that if you see something you know you will love making and having, it has to find a home...somewhere in your studio...

Is anyone else making this quilt?

I will post updates as I go through making this quilt. I don't know when as I have a lot of my own to get through. But it can sit on my UFO shelf. I have hungry eyes!

This quilt can be purchased here: http://www.gloriouscolor.com/

a Sneaky Peak

Pull out your Christmas stash ( I know you must have one)

Buy a packet of little christmas bells in gold or silver (you'll be needing them)

Wait (im)patiently.... this BOM is COMING SOON

 

 Here's a sneaky peak of what my design wall looked like as I worked on the next BOM.

Above is my Christmas stash box, full with fabric waiting to be used.  Next to it are the greens I will be using. The lighting has made them 'greyish' - they have more green vibrancy in true light.

It's a Christmas theme and it will be released quickly to allow it to be finished well before Christmas (who needs December sewing??? Not me!)

Fear not - these pics were taken early in the process. The BOM is just about ready to launch...