Finally done - my sisters birthday quilt

All in all I did this quilt pretty quick...at first. I started Ellen's quilt about a month before her birthday and had the top done on time. I wrapped the quilt top and gave it to her at her birthday party with the promise that I would add the batting, back and binding.

When I got home from my trip to Oklahoma City for my sister's birthday I did add the border. I even got the batting and back sandwiched and pinned for quilting. I decided I would do diagnol lines for this quilt since it was simple 10" blocks in VERY bright batik fabrics. Problem - my first two lines were horrible. Seam ripping time.

What am I going to do??? I can't seem to sew straight lines. I read and researched how to combat this issue. Masking tape and a ruler. I sat down with a ruler, stretched the quilt out and grabbed the masking tape. I made diagnol lines starting at one corner and ending at the other. Time to try quilting again. With masking tape lines to guide me and the quilt rolled up I went for it.

Woo hoo, it worked.

Ellen's birthday is in early August. Now we are middle of August 2011 - quilting has begun. I got derailed with machine problems and then busy with holidays and crazy work schedule.

September 2012. Sister's quilt still sitting in project box. Niece's baby quilt started and finished, nephew's Halloween quilt started and soon to be finished. Time to commit to finishing "The 2 birthdays quilt".

It is done. Yes, done and has been shipped 15 months after it was started. Only 14 months late. Ugh. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

Another UFO marked off the books - whew!

Christmas Tree Cross Stitch Ornaments

I needed a quick ornament for the leaders in my department. Normally I would have just given them the stockings that I made for the rest of the team but I gave those to them last year. So to find something unique, easy and cross-stitch/quilty so I can use up my Christmas fabrics.

I saw this great image on http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments08/countrycrossstitch.htm  I had seen many other Christmas tree pillow ornaments but liked this tree best. The poster, Lisa Speed of GA, gives a basic tutorial so I sketched my own tree, added my own buttons and used 4 - 4" squares of Christmas fabric for the backing. Turned out pretty cute, and it will do the trick.

I will post a "play by play" when I do the next ornament so you can see how I did it.

Mini Christmas Stockings Tutorial - pattern and instructions

Supplies
14 count aida fabric for cross-stitching
Patterns for small holiday cross-stitch pieces
Floss
Christmas fabric
Muslin - white
Pins
Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors

Instructions

Cut a 6.5'" x 7.5" piece of aida fabric for cross-stitching, draw stocking pattern in desired size on back of aida fabric. Note: the drawing will not be the actual size of the cut stocking. This is only to give you an idea of where to stitch.

Stitch pattern onto the aida fabric, centering the stitching to be in the middle of the stocking pattern.

Use paper or muslin stocking pattern to cut Christmas fabric for back, top, toe and muslin lining (2 pieces). Cut out cross-stitched stocking from aida fabric.

Pin muslin lining to Christmas backing fabric and cross-stitched stocking. Place/pin toe fabric on the toe of aida fabric, fold the top under to create a finished seam.

Using sewing maching, top stitch along top edge of toe fabric. This will also sew the lining fabric to the cross-stitched stocking top. Same thing for top fabric - place/pin top fabric at top of cross-stitched stocking.

Fold bottom under to create a finished seam, top stitch along bottom of top fabric. Fold the top to the underside of the cross-stiched stocking, again top stitch the fabric.

Fold top of the backing fabric over and sew another top stitch to attach the back lining with the backing fabric.

Pin hanging loop by folding each side then folding again so you have finished sides - is similar to double folded binding. Sew straight stitch from top to bottom of hanging loop.

Now pin right sides of fabric and cross-stitched stocking together, adding the hanging loop (from pattern sheet). Sew 1/4" around the edge of stocking, leaving the top open. Trim toe and heel as needed.

Flip stocking. Enjoy your mini cross-stitched stocking. Add a candy cane, lip balm, small lotion, other candies, gift card. Great for teacher gifts, co-worker gifts, or as a gift tag/decoration.