Yuletide Time

Well I'm behind with the festivities and decorations, but I don't mind. I'm doing Christmas at my own pace. In fact, I'm still working away at a few Christmas projects and I don't mind that either. There used to be a time when I felt that I just had to have the tree up and spice biscuits out on December 1st. But I've mellowed since then and now just unfurling my rolled up 12 Days of Christmas wall hanging, above, feels like Christmas time to me!

I've been undecided regarding my tree options and given that it's already the 7th of the month and I don't feel bothered either way, I think that once again this year we will go with a small table top sized tree. This photo below was taken this morning in my garden. It's held up remarkably well since last year, I really didn't think it would make it, but it has. And it's green (greener than it looks in this photo) and there are no dead bits, so I'm happy with bringing it indoors. I've started hosing it down thoroughly to dislodge any insects and tonight I'll pop it in the shower where it can acclimatize to indoors overnight. And that will give any insects a chance to crawl out as well.

Of course, the most important plant for me each Christmas is a beautiful poinsettia and as I don't have any of these in the house yet, I will probably buy some this week when I get a chance. I love to have them all over the house and all the pots from last year (all 8 of them) died throughout the year which was really disappointing as I had hoped to keep them to bring back inside, but they never last.

Perhaps I should try to keep them indoors all the time? Someone told me they're popular in shopping center interiors as they make good houseplants - which I thought they weren't, so I'll have to investigate this further as I'd really love to have them inside all the year.

My geraniums (another favorite of mine) also didn't fare too well this past year. I will have to take more care in the year ahead, I've really neglected my herbs. flowered pots and hanging baskets and am paying the price as I really miss them. I suppose I've been too distracted with my indoor pursuits. I'll take the few days after Christmas to give my plants some love and nurturing to set them up for the year ahead.

Is your tree up? What plants do you love to have around your home Christmas time?

WOW: Nelke Progress

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Ooops, I lost my bird!

Here I am with my Nelke progress. I didn't notice my sweet little birdy fell off, but you get the idea. Now that I look at it, I think it needs something in the corners, perhaps a motif? I couldn't decide. I was thinking about simple circles, then love hearts and then bows on an angle in each corner, but couldn't decide so I've left it for now. Actually looking at it now with fresh eyes, I think it's crying out for 4 sweet corner bows. What do YOU think?

Nelke is still available for free to members of my Yahoo Group (why not join?), for everyone else, you can buy this pattern over in my online shop.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

FQS Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Mary, you're the winner of the Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway. Now, it's time for you to shop for some exciting new fabric :)

Thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for generously offering this giveaway and for the random number generator for making the comment selection so easy - honestly, how could I ever choose between the comments? I agree with all of you and only wish I could send you all something. Thankfully the random number generator did the hard work for me.

I love a giveaway and there'll be more giveaways to come, so stay tuned..

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway! Open to EVERYONE!

Thanks to the generous people at Fat Quarter Shop, I'm hosting a Giveaway! 

WIN $50 to spend at the Fat Quarter Shop!

 I'm making it super easy to enter: simply comment on this post to be in the draw to win

The lucky winner will be announced on Wednesday's WOW Linky Party Post! 

If I won, I know what I'd rush to get into my stash - it's this new Little House on the Prairie range and I have to tell you, it's stolen my heart! My DDs used to watch this series when they were young and I have such lovely warm memories of that period in my life. These scenics and icons fat quarters are just the thing for making something special. And I'm already wondering what to make with them??

What would you pick up?

WOW: Doll Making

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Over the years, I've made many cloth dolls and this year I'm thinking about releasing a Christmas Glad Tidings Cloth Doll to go along with my Table Runner, Throw and Bed Quilt. You see, I've made many over the years, including a few angels...but can't find a single one! Where have they all got to? My DDs have been on the hunt for them too, but none have re-surfaced. I must have a box somewhere with beautifully hand made dolls lovingly tucked away. Sometimes, I take too much care when packing away my things so this year I've just decided to go ahead and make a replacement for Christmas. I do miss my usual cloth doll angel and it's time I did something about it.

But first I'll have to decide on the size and body type, so I'm playing around with my doll patterns - they're all quite different and I can't decide between them. I'll let you know how I get on...

What's the strangest thing you've packed away...only to never find again? Or perhaps you've been lucky enough to find something you hadn't realized was packed away?!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Nelke Zig Zags

I'm up to making Nelke's zig zags. I think the fabric from the range slots in perfectly, it's all so complimentary, it takes the matching issues out for me. I think from now on I might try to select 'ranges' and restrict myself in this way when making up my designs. I really do spend so much time ummming and ahhhing over fabric choices, that restricting myself has been a welcome change. And so much faster too. I never though I'd think that restricting my creative range could be a good thing, but it definitely is in the case of fabrics. 

Since Love Entwined, I have a renewed enthusiasm for zig zags, I'm using them everywhere. In fact, before LE, I don't think I'd ever designed a quilt with zig zags, you can see they've really grown on me!

I'm using Polyfuse for everything at the moment, it's such an easy solution for me and cuts down on my prep time. Polyfuse is what you can see backing my fabric. I won't remove it. It just stays put until you wash your quilt (if you do) and it's not too stiff to work with or quilt over in the interim. I really like using it right now. I go through stages. There was a time when I was in love with the freezer paper method, but I've moved on to fusibles since then. Sometimes I wish I'd move on to raw edge applique for speed reasons and sometimes I think I will, but I never do. There's just something about turn edge applique that I find so satisfying. 

 'Nelke' 

Finished Size 51 x 51 inches

This pattern was released for free for 1 month to my Yahoo BOM Members. 

It can now be purchased from my online shop for $9.95 USD

Nelke, a little bird told me..

Oooh I love unexpected progress...

Here's my Nelke bird. What a sweet little thing it is, I never tire of birds in quilt designs. And I'm really loving the background fabric I picked up as a remnant from AQM last weekend. It's a perfect fit for this quilt. 

And this is the back. I'm using Polyfuse which means that I don't have to remove it. It will simply disintegrate when washed. I don't know that I will ever wash this quilt, as it's a wall hanging. The good thing about Polyfuse is that it isn't too 'thick' or study so even when in place, it looks natural. 

'Nelke' 

Finished Size 51 x 51 inches

This pattern was released for free for 1 month to my Yahoo BOM Members. 

It can now be purchased from my online shop for $9.95 USD