Merry Christmas Frohe Weihnachten Joyeux Noel

Wishing all a peaceful Christmas ........ an alle eine besinnliche Weihnacht ....... joyeux Noel a toutes
from our house

2nd Advent - Christmas Mystery

Here are a few photos of the 11th Annual Christmas Mystery at Country quilts in Clearwater.  I have attended 10 of these 11, and was present at the very first one.  I look forward to this each year, and now have plenty of Christmas quilts !  This year the mystery was run over 3 days for the first time, since so many ladies now want to participate.

 Roni did the packaging for the kit, and as usual it was beautiful   I enjoy this part a lot, the packaging makes it even more fun !

Deanna made cake pops as name markers, such a cute idea.

This time I brought my Featherweight to make the quilt with, it is small and easy to use.  There is Janet in the background making progress on her quilt.

Some ladies working hard, some taking a break.

At lunchtime, the reveal by the teachers - our kit was made up in the chocolate/burgundy colorway, and the teachers made several versions in different fabrics to show how the pattern behaves in different styles.

Love this one - I think it was Lily Ashbury fabric.

Here is the center - Lynette Anderson fabrics for Lecien.

Look at this in bright Christmas prints.

My pile of blocks.  Now I have the top together except for the last border.

 

Happy 2nd Advent !

1st Sunday of Advent

We have a beautiful sunny day here in Clearwater for the first of Advent.  I have not started to decorate for Christmas yet, but will put a few things out during the next week, then add more.  Our whole neighborhood is already full of Christmas lights, but I like to enjoy each season as it comes and to me, this is still Thanksgiving weekend !

 I started this quilt in the summer, and enjoyed the fresh and bright fabrics, a big change from my usual more traditional look.  It is a large twin size quilt, and just came back from the quilter (Marlene at Lucky Sew and Sew).  The quilting design matches the fabric pattern well, a large modern daisy.

 This quilt is one of the Christmas mysteries from Country Quilts, this one is from 2 years ago.  I loved the blue batiks in this, and Marlene quilted it with a snowflake.

The green is actually bright lime green, the binding is the same color.  In the sunlight by the pool the colors are a little distorted.  I put the binding on both of these this afternoon, so now I have some good movie watching handwork to do !

 Last but not least - there is some progress on the small petasson.  Should be finished soon !  I am alternating working on this with stitching on my large one, which I adore.

 I am working hard to finish older projects because I want to be free to enjoy new projects in the new year, and I especially want to make more boutis next year.

I have allowed myself one indulgence starting in March - an applique reproduction of an 1850s quilt.  It is an unusual folk art design belonging to the Quilted Crow girls of Australia.