A walk with Santa in the woods...

Each year, I hold "Christmas in July" for my quilt group. We do a project that month that hopefully gets everyone in the mood to start working on things for December whether for ourselves or gifts. Back in 2000, I used an online free paperpiecing project which was a quick and easy small quilt. Once I had mine put together, I decided I wanted to do more to it and make it a bit larger.


Here are some of the quilts hanging at our Quilt Show in 2003. Mine is in the center and you can see four others hanging with it. Don't forget to click on the photos to enlarge them.


I have mine sitting on our table up at Cranberry Cottage this year. I found this cute cake stand in a shop that was going out of business and got 50% off. I thought it would look adorable with my quilt which I named "A walk in the woods with Santa". A perfect quilt for our cottage in the woods!

'Hussif' photo tutorial ~ part 1

I have created this pattern based on photos of actual 'hussifs'. They were also called 'huswifs' or 'roll~ups'.


Cut various fabrics to make the pockets. For the flat pockets, you will need three fabrics cut 5~1/2 inch x 10 inch each. For the bottom gathered pocket, you will need one fabric cut at 10 inch x 11 inch.


Fold the three flat pockets with right sides together and sew along the bottom edge only. Seam allowances are 1/4 inch unless otherwise indicated.



Turn right sides out and iron the pocket crisp and flat.


For the gathered pocket, you will also need 2 pieces of 1/8 inch satin ribbon which are the same width as the unsewn pocket. Now fold the fabric with WRONG sides together. Topstitch along the folded edge at 1/4 from the fold. I used a darker thread to make this stitching visible and give an old~fashioned look to the hussif.


Find the center point just under the topstitching and mark a 1/8 long spot with a pencil. Cut open this little spot for your ribbon to be inserted. This is so small that there is no need to do anything further to the cut.


Feed the satin ribbon through the opening and then line each ribbon up with each side of the pocket. Secure the ribbon by stitching it in place at 1/8 inch seam line. Enlarge the photos for detail. I used a different color thread so you could see this stitching well.


Be sure your ribbon stays up along the topstitching by placing some pins along the bottom of the ribbon which you should be able to feel a little through the fabric. Now topstitch the second line at 1/2 inch below the first topstitching which creates a tunnel.


Using a basting stitch (the largest stitch on your sewing machine), sew a line of stitching across the bottom of the pocket.


Very careful not to break the thread, start pulling the basting to gather the bottom of the pocket. At the same time, pull the ribbon on each side to gather the top of the pocket. Gather enough for the pocket to measure 5~1/2 inches wide.

'Hussif' photo tutorial ~ part 2

Cut a piece of fabric for the inside of the hussif to measure 5~1/2 inch x 23 inch. Now pin the gathered pocket at the bottom of this long piece of fabric.


Continue pinning the flat pockets into place from the bottom.


Each pocket should fall about 1/2 inch BEHIND the previous pocket.


Sew all the pockets in place along the bottom edges only. We are leaving the sides unsewn for now. Lift back the previous pocket so that you can now sew the bottom of the pockets secure along an 1/8 inch seam allowance.


Now secure the gathered pocket by sewing the bottom edge of the pocket once again at a 1/8 seam allowance.


We now have to cut fabric for the outside of hussif. I am showing you the way I finished mine off but at this point, you can really allow this project to become your own. I sewed a row of little one inch blocks together. They are the fabrics from the inside of the hussif. I picked out a fabric for this from Lecien which has the cutest little sewing accessories as a motif. I wanted lots of this fabric to show. You can adapt the outside of the hussif in many ways. You could create a crazy quilted strip. You could do it in patchwork or your could create sections of the strip which are stitched areas between the fabric used. The only thing you need to remember is that the finished front is also to measure 5~1/2 inch x 23 inch!


Once the outside is ready, place it over the inside (strip with pockets) with WRONG sides together. Now fold these together in half at the top of the hussif.


You will need to cut a rounded top edge which by folding in half will be symmetrical.


Make a bias binding using a contrasting fabric. You could also purchase bias binding. Pin the binding in place around the entire hussif. This will be sewn in place being sure that you attach the pockets on the inside as you sew.


At the top of the hussif, attach an extra piece of bias binding as you go to form a loop. Alternatively you can also use long pieces of bias binding or ribbon to tie the hussif shut. I have used the loop and a large button.


Here is the inside of the hussif which can be hung when using. The flat pockets are great for your smaller items like needles, scissors, patterns, while the gathered pocket will fit even a fat spool of thread.


Finished hussif rolled up with a front and back view.


If you have any questions, please let me know and I will do my utmost to help you. I hope you enjoy making your own little piece of history!

This is my own pattern for a hussif. I ask that you do not copy this pattern other than for your own use or use the photos without my permission. I feel very strongly about needlework being meant to pass on and share with others which I do gladly on my blog through these tutorials.

A big embarassment

Now I have heard of rushing the season, but this is ridiculous! Can you see my big mistake on this quilt label???


I am online talking to my mother on Skype and she just nonchalantly informs me that I put 2008 on the label. She asked me if I knew I did it. NO! OOPS! I guess this quilt is my first 2008 finish. :)

Tomorrow I will be posting the photo tutorial for making a hussif or huswif. I hope you will come and join me...

My UFO quilt finish

Here at last is my latest quilt UFO finish! I must stop taking photos in the evenings and am sorry for the quality as my camera does not take great photos in the evening light. I did not want to wait to share this finish though. I made up this quilt as one of three samples for a ragged edge quilt class I gave. It is a method using no seams and sews layers of a motif, in this case hearts, onto each other followed my then cutting them in four and resewing them together all higgildy~piggildy (just love that word) back together. The messier the better but mine usually come out too neat. I have shown you the quilt called Bull's Eye before which was the model using circles. I also made one using squares which I did not cut apart. I use that quilt up at Cranberry Cottage.


Here is the label for this quilt entitled Mended Hearts. I am glad I don't have to reveal when this one was started.

As with many of my sample tops, they got placed on a quilt rack to be quilted in the future. This has led to a ridiculous amount of UFOs for me. I am trying to put a dent in them this year. I must admit that this one has been a relief to me. I just did not enjoy the hand quilting on it. I decided to meander it by hand and it took a long time so I kept setting it aside. I just could not put my heart into this one ~ no pun intended. I have swore for 2 past Valentine's Days that I would finish it and having it hanging. This year, it is ready.


Just in case you are not sure what a ragged edge quilt or meandering is, here is a close~up of one of the heart blocks. Time to pick my next UFO to concentrate on...

Thinking Christmas?

It is that time of year. Thanksgiving Day is behind us and everyone starts thinking Christmas. It is the first official shopping day back in the States. Even if I did live there, I would never dream of shopping today. Why not pull out your crafts instead and be creative.


I am behind on my Prairie Schooler 12 Days of Christmas wreath SAL. I do hope to catch up in the coming weeks and have this wreath hanging in time for Christmas. Here are the 2nd and 3rd Day ornaments stitched but not sewn. I skipped ahead and am working on the 6th Day. I just really could not wait to stitch the swan. Fingers crossed that I can share a couple of sewn ornaments with you in the coming week. I also have a quilt finish that I will share with you on Sunday.

Have a truly wonderful weekend everyone! And to both my nieces and their families, have a safe journey back home from your gramma's house!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

"Twas The Night of Thanksgiving"

Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned
The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation
With all of my might.

.

Tossing and turning
With anticipation,
The thought of a snack
Became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen,
Flung open the door,
And gazed in the fridge
Full of goodies galore.

.

I gobbled up turkey
And buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots,
Beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling
So plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden,
I rose off the ground!

.

I crashed through the ceiling,
Floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding
And a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell
As I soared past the trees...

"HAPPY EATING TO ALL! PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE!"

-Author Unknown

Wishing all of you who celebrate in the US, a very happy Thanksgiving Day!

A few small finishes...

Bobbin lace ornaments, for the most part, work up very quickly. This star was one of those...


I used a different colored metallic thread than in my other ornaments and will now have to make a few more with this thread to balance it out in the tree. To answer Diane's question, this is my third lace ornament this year. I have not made very many. And Rhonda asked about my doing the lace with my two friends. We now pick a project and all three work on it together. This time, there were only two of us as one of my friend's is away on vacation.


I made a patchwork pincushion also this week. I had the pieces cut out and ready to sew for some time now and decided it was time to get it sewn. I wanted a pincushion made with some of my old~fashioned looking fabrics.


The back has a darling fabric too.

And moving them around some more.....

Thank you for your kind remarks about the quilt I shared in my last entry. I have decided against using that quilt. It looked so cold and uninviting on the bed. I got out our old bed quilt which I made with William Morris and Smithsonian Reproduction fabrics. I also became very inspired yesterday as to some things I want to do to this room. It will mean some furniture changes which we will get to as soon as we can.

I got told off by my mother for calling it the guest room last time so I will say my mother's room. She does use this room when she comes to stay each year. Shhh, don't tell her but it IS her room. I like it to be warm and cozy for her. She, like me, does not like sleeping under a duvet and I am removing them. There is nothing like sleeping under a quilt. For extra warmth, simply add some blankets and afghans.


Last night was my lace evening. We were missing one of the three of us but decided to go ahead anyway. We really want to make some more Christmas ornaments in time for the holidays. I wanted to share a preview of my star. It is such a quick pattern that I will have it finished this evening. It is fun when the bobbin lace goes so fast.

Moving things around.....

This quilt is one I made many years ago. The first thing I did when we moved into this house over 12 years ago was to hang this on my upstairs hallway wall. It has been there ever since. I want to get the guest room cleaned up and a bit restyled. It is just not working for me. I just find it so bland without a quilt. I am going to take this one down and try it on the guest bed.


I have one other quilt which I used to use on my own bed before I made the new one so I will test them both out and see which one I like best. I need to go buy some nightstands for this room and then perhaps move around a few items of furniture.

I have not been able to be posting many photos on this blog as the things I am making are Christmas gifts and exchanges. I don't want to spoil the surprise. Once I am finished doing these things, I will be able to get back to posting more regularly. I still have a few felt autumn pincushions to make and show you.

Wishing you a Happpy Halloween!!!

This is the Tic~tac~toe quilt I made with matching fabrics for Matilda the Witch (see previous post). My mother took a photo of the quilt to show you. It was a quick and simple quilt to make and just good fun to sit out at this time of year. The little fabric pumpkins are the O's and the crossed cinnamon sticks are the X's. I have always intended to make one for myself but "the best laid plans....."

I want to take this moment to wish you all a very Happy Halloween! Whether you celebrate it by dressing up or simply light a Jack o' Lantern, enjoy today and celebrate the rich and wonderful colors of the season!

Walk Into My Parlor
~~ Mary Howitt ~~

"Will you walk into my parlor?"
said the spider to the fly;
"Tis the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
"Oh no, no!" said the little fly,
"to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair
can never come down again."

I've been tagged.....

Nancy over at Lovely in Chocolate has tagged me for 7 interesting facts about myself. I think it becomes more difficult after you have done tags like this in the past to come up with things you may not have already mentioned. I will give it a try:

1. I am addicted to a needle and thread. I really do have to spend even just a little time each day working either on some stitching or quilting. It affects my mood. I feel a day is not complete when I have not had that needle and thread to hand.

2. I have so many ideas in my head of things I want to make that I would have to live to be at least 300 years old to try them all out.

3. I love chocolate. I confess that I have a little dark chocolate just about each and every day.

4. I love being alone. Being sociable is fun but I need time to myself. I have always been a bit of a hermit and dream of living on the Shetland Islands being shut off to the world for periods of time. That doesn't mean I don't want any contact. I will take my computer and all my online friends with me!

5. I rarely just sit still with nothing in my hands. I always have some needlework on hand as I find it hard to sit and talk on the phone or watch a film or even talk on the computer with family. I have needlework in various places and I pick it up whenever I can.

6. I dream of one day owning chickens. I just think they are so cute and would love to open my door and see them running to greet me.

7. Finally, one that reflects on one of Nancy's facts. While I am not afraid to drive on the highway, I will avoid it whenever possible. I love taking longer and driving on country roads. I love driving through pretty villages and countryside for the atmosphere which means I will gladly take twice as long to get somewhere.

I am not going to tag anyone as so many of you have already been tagged. If you want to do this, then please consider yourself tagged by me.

The photo above is a quilt I made for my mother back in 2002. I called her Matilda after the nickname my nieces call me. I made her a patchwork Tic~tac~toe game to match it but unfortunately don't have a photo of it. I thought it would be nice to share another Halloween quilt I made with you.