Personal Gifts for the Holidays!

With the holidays fast approaching, it might be a good time to start your holiday quilting. If time will allow, I plan  to make a few projects this year for family members.  I love to get homemade gifts.  I love the fact that someone actually spent the time to create something just for me and I hope they will feel the same.  I love that feeling and I want to show my love and appreciation in the same way.  Being away from home so much makes you really appreciate the one's you leave behind. Here are a few of my planned gifts.  I hope this list will also inspire you to consider the same, or at least consider similar ways to make the holidays special.

I have a few ideas.  Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration for me this year. 
First, I've decided to make some of those gourmet recipes I've been pinning and then place them in some of those fantastic fabric storage boxes I've been wanting to make.  You know the ones that are everywhere. 

Fabric Boxes as an idea instead of a basket.

Canning Sauces

I can customize them to suit each persons personality.  How clever of me, right?  It's all about the whole package.  I may even share some of those recipes on hand-printed recipe cards. (Annie's also has a paper-crafting division, CardMaker) of course, I have lots of inspiration for those recipe cards.

While I'm at it, my daughter-in-law pointed out a casserole and insulated carrier she suggested as a Christmas gift recently.  I can make a better one. And of course it should have a recipe card or two to go with it.  I know its not a quilt, but I can quilt it and also use some of my wonderful fabric stash.

One possible casserole carrier.

I have a granddaughter that recently moved out of her home for her first adventure as an adult and I'm sure I can think of at least a dozen or so things she could and should have. A daughter that's a professional chef, and a son who's a product manager, hmmmm I wonder what I could make him?

Well let's see how many things I actually accomplish from my list. The list is getting longer.  Autumn is a very busy time in the quilting industry.  I'd love to hear how you blend your quilting with the holidays. 

Available at AnniesCatalog.com.
 

Another great source for holiday inspiration is Quilter's World Quilting for the Holidays SIP.  The only way you can buy it is as a download from Annie's catalog.  We sold out early on the hard copies but it's still a great collection of Christmas patterns.  It's worth checking it out. 

And what are you doing this weekend??? Got and good gift suggestions I'd love the hear them. 
Carolyn

How Many Projects Do You Have Going Right Now?

Okay, I'm getting a bit side tracked with other projects.  I can't help it.  It seems I have no will power then it comes to control then selecting a creative project.  I bet at any given time I have at least six projects going at the same time and I could almost guarantee that is a low estimate.  When you work doing your favorite pastime, sometimes the lines are blurred and you can't separate the work from the pleasure.


Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's just sometimes I can't decide which to work on.  I start researching products for the magazine or the newsletter and I find I've added another project.  My latest addiction is wool felting.

 

Products for review.

While testing and reviewing some absolutely wonderful products I again got sidetracked.  Felting is one of those things I've always wanting to try and now I have.  The problem is I've added several new projects to my already too long list.

 

Scarf number one>

 

Well, if all goes well, I think several young ladies in my family will get a new wool scarf under the tree in December.  One good thing about the timing, I have plenty of time to finish them.

Have a wonderful creative quilty day!
Carolyn  

Repost of information for Neo-natal quilts

Here is the information again for those asking...

Fabric Scrap Solution with a Bonus

Neonatal Quilts

I love it when a plan comes together.

At a recent gathering of family and friends the topic of scraps, stash and charity quilts came up.  One of the attendees was a neonatal nurse at a local hospital and the subject of what and how they use the quilts donated intrigued me.  The size most desirable for preemies was a simple 24” square.  They use them to lay across the babies, and in the bassinette, that is the size that works best.  Now a 24” square is a simple project with a lot of possibilities.  You can whip one up in a hurry and without a lot of expense.  Actually, I found that I had everything I needed right in my sewing room.  Lots of fun fabrics in small amounts, leftover batting and of course my computer and QE program for fast and easy designs. 

I found that four simple 10” blocks and a 2” border make cute quilts without a lot of time invested or fabrics.  Everything I needed I already had. 

QE drawings of possible 24" neonatal quilts.

 

So on a weekend, on a rainy day, I managed to whip up a total of four quilts for the neonatal unit in Indianapolis, IN.

My finished quilts made from fat quarters and scraps. All made in one rainy day.

Ready to ship to the hospital.

If you would also like to make a few and send them in, here is the address.

St. Francis Hospital/NICU
8111 S. Emerson Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Attn: Kathy Anderson

They need to be freshly laundered before sent to the hospital and the best size for the neonatal unit is a 24” square.

It’s a great way to use up some of the stash and fat quarters you have laying around and feel good about it.  You’ll be totally amazed at all you can accomplish from your scraps. 

I'd love to hear if you choose to try this and your success story.  It's truly is a feel good experience I hope all of you try. 
Carolyn

If it rains.....

I am always excited for a three day weekend.  Especially, because it means I will be traveling home.  In case you don't know I work in Indiana and stay there through the week but come the weekend....I head for home to Michigan.  It's a 4 hour drive.  I manage to catch up on my pleasure reading (listening) on the trip with audio books.  I love that I can multi-task. It makes the drive much more pleasurable. 

I'm bringing some quilting with me though.  I've kind of found a new mission.  I started making neo-natal quilts for a hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana and I find I just love it.  It's a great way to use up odd fat quarters and scraps and I really enjoy making these cute little quilts out of existing  leftover or forgotten fabrics I've had laying around in my sewing room.  It's a challenge to come up with cute combinations of fabric and create something that will be useful.

Two more neo-natal quilts ready to finish binding and ship out.

 

I've started sorting through my stash and WOW do I have lots to work with.  The added bonus in all this, that only means something to me, other than the fact that it's a feel good project and it helps someone in need...is....I am slowly cleaning my fabrics out, dividing them into themes and actually putting them to use. 
I am a very fortunate person in many ways.  I have a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends, a great job, a successful quilt shoppe (thanks to a very understanding husband) and the freedom to do what I love.  Now I have the urge to help others with what I love to do.  It may not be a lot, but the sense of accomplishment really feels good. 

Have you ever asked yourself the question, 'Is there anything I love to do that would help others?'

So, if on this extended weekend it rains and you find you're looking for something to do..... give a thought to something that may help others.  A feel good project.  I promise you'll enjoy it!

Have a wonderful creative and safe holiday weekend.

Carolyn

Fabric Scrap Solution with a Bonus

Neonatal Quilts

I love it when a plan comes together.

At a recent gathering of family and friends the topic of scraps, stash and charity quilts came up.  One of the attendees was a neonatal nurse at a local hospital and the subject of what and how they use the quilts donated intrigued me.  The size most desirable for preemies was a simple 24” square.  They use them to lay across the babies, and in the bassinette, that is the size that works best.  Now a 24” square is a simple project with a lot of possibilities.  You can whip one up in a hurry and without a lot of expense.  Actually, I found that I had everything I needed right in my sewing room.  Lots of fun fabrics in small amounts, leftover batting and of course my computer and QE program for fast and easy designs. 

I found that four simple 10” blocks and a 2” border make cute quilts without a lot of time invested or fabrics.  Everything I needed I already had. 

QE drawings of possible 24" neonatal quilts.

 

So on a weekend, on a rainy day, I managed to whip up a total of four quilts for the neonatal unit in Indianapolis, IN.

My finished quilts made from fat quarters and scraps. All made in one rainy day.

Ready to ship to the hospital.

If you would also like to make a few and send them in, here is the address.

St. Francis Hospital/NICU
8111 S. Emerson Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Attn: Kathy Anderson

They need to be freshly laundered before sent to the hospital and the best size for the neonatal unit is a 24” square.

It’s a great way to use up some of the stash and fat quarters you have laying around and feel good about it.  You’ll be totally amazed at all you can accomplish from your scraps. 

I'd love to hear if you choose to try this and your success story.  It's truly is a feel good experience I hope all of you try. 
Carolyn

 

 

Lean to Quilt With Panels

Learn to Quilt With Panels

My next book will be on sale at the end of the month.  Learn to Quilt With Panels, from Annie’s Publishing, is a how-to book on designing with panels.  If you’re looking for great ideas to incorporate and use fabric panels as design elements this just may be the book you’ve been waiting for. 

 

This book will take you through the design process from purchase to finish.  It will show you how to graph and design, figure the cutting and seam allowances, and then how to put it all together. Several chapters are dedicated to making adjustable borders and settings.  Learn to incorporate letter tiles into the designs, cut apart panels and rebuild them into usable blocks or appliques.  

It’s a fun book with lots of possibilities. Give it a try. Give yourself permission to cut a part those panels and play!

Carolyn

 

 

Old Treasures Update

 

After a week or so on the shelf, I’ve finally gotten back to my vintage project.  This is more fun than I first thought.  With the use of strip piecing and a great ruler, I’ve managed to create a modern version of a classic pattern.  What is really neat, it’s just what everyone is doing today.  Pinwheel Hexagons.

This classic quilt will be assembled without templates, hand piecing, or set in seams.  Here’s a peek. 

 

For the full article you will have to check out Quilter’s World Magazine in January. Now I’m on a roll.  Bach to the sewing machine!!

 

Carolyn