Monday, December 1, 2014

A Handmade Christmas Challenge

  While I haven't been very good at creating through out the year, I did make a few items to share for the Handmade Christmas Challenge at SewCalGal's blog. 
  Thanks for hosting this Challenge.  Hope everyone will visit all the entries and find some inspiration for your handmade Christmas projects.

    Recycled denim to market bags.....I couldn't bear to just trash a large piece of heavy weight denim. So in August/September, it turned into a trio of gift bags that can be used as a market bag.  I plan to fill each with homemade baked goodies for a few neighbors.
   A  folded piece of chili pepper fabric was used to finish off the top edge and canvas strip handles made these quick projects.


  I did a lot better in the decor department.....as it was time to do a little up-dating around here.  My love of cardinals is documented fact.....and the secret word is there is a cardinal hidden on each quilt I make.  (Always be sure to check the labels  :).    Anyway, this little table topper is called A Cardinal Sings.  Four string blocks create the background, fused applique, machine stitching, and more strings for the top and bottom borders.





 
  By mid-month I was still on the red kick!  I was inspired by a pin on Pinterest .  My version is appliqued instead of thread painted, and bold red for lots of zing!  The ornament shapes were found in EQ7 for this one.  Size is 12" by 24".....just right for the back of a door.











  The adventure continued  as I could not get the blue version out of my head.  Fabric selection actually took a couple of days.....and a quick trip to the LQS.    Here's my description of Winter Baubles in blue from my original post.
   Winter Baubles tells the story in the colors captured here.  There  are the  bright blues of the winter sky, the shadows of blue on snow covered paths,  the watery blues of sunlight reflected off the ice in the birdbath, and the darkest blue of night.  Like colored glass hung in a window to catch the streaming light, the baubles hang against a cloud of white. 
  This version could hang all through the holiday season and on into winter.  One or two baubles would work great on a mug rug.....a horizontal row would make a mantle banner or table runner.......a bauble or two appliqued to a tote bag....I better stop before I get that creative fever again!
Wishing you all a bright season of inspiration.....and happy stitching.

10 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Beautiful projects - love the blue baugles!! I also love seeing your quilt on the header.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Your quilting on the Christmas quilts is fabulous! So pretty.

Mary said...

Thanks for the inspiration, Debbie. You are so creative!

Janet O. said...

Love the denim bag idea!
Your blue baubles turned out so pretty. I know I am an anomaly in the quilting world, but I actually prefer blue/white to red/white. Shhh--don't tell!! : )

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Enjoyed seeing your link up today. Merry Christmas!

Lynne said...

I love the market bags!

I found out yesterday that, instead of giving each other small gifts, handmade or not, my sewing classmates and I are donating to OxFam for a water-well -- a much better idea in my opinion!

Quilting Babcia said...

I absolutely love the blue winter baubles! Will have to try one of these for next year. Just beautiful!

Hilary Florence said...

The bauble quilts are lovely, and your dynamic quilting just brings them to life!

2ne said...

Love your christmas quilts :-)

Michiko said...

I love your cardinal. Beautiful winter baubles.

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