I'm all for keeping it real and showing my mistakes, not just my triumphs.
Today I'd like to introduce you to some scrap blocks I made, or what I like to call "When good scraps go Bad!"
Sometimes scrappy just turns out s{Crap}py!
I'd love to hear about a projects of yours that has gone terribly wrong. C'mon, there's got to be one?! Besides, I need a good laugh today!
I didn't intend for the reds or greens to line up as they did, but that is how my repeated "random" placement ended up in the final product. It's all good!
The quilt measures 64" W x 84" L---BIG!!! Which works out great for us tall folk. Those are my pink crocs peeking out at the bottom of the picture. I should've had my daughter take a picture of me from that back side so you could see just how big it really is. I was standing up and holding my arms up as high and as wide as I could just to get it to not hang on the ground.
This picture makes it look a bit crooked, but I am sure it it just how I am holding it. Or maybe I should blame the 13 yr. old photographer. ;)
I just did diagonal quilting through ALL squares. I am very happy with how it turned out. And even though I made it so that it would be used, I have felt a little protective of it already this month.
Details:
I also made a little doll quilt (23" x 17") just to use up the remainder of the remainder. I used a disappearing 9 patch pattern. (It is 2 complete 9 patch down and 1 1/2 - 9 patch across). So now there are no more Christmas scraps floating around my sewing room. Whew!!
I started this a year ago, put it away after the holidays last year, and finally got it out to finish for Jacquie's Joy in the New Year Challenge.
This is my first finish for the challenge, with three more to go.
It measures 16 x 31 inches (40 x 78 cm). I put tabs on the back so I could hang it on my wall, but it would work as a table runner as well.
I quilted this last year, so you'll notice that there are some spots where it is a bit off, but I refuse to unpick. I like to call it progress.
I can't think of a single quilt I have made this year that didn't have some type of border around it. While I was making this one I was asking myself why that was.
I came to the conclussion that I prefer a good border on a quilt like I prefer a framed picture with a mat around it. I like the added weight it gives, more substance, bigger presence, whatever you want to call it, I just like it.
With that being said, I quite like this one (a total knock off of this quilt) without a border.
Here is a closer look at the stash pieces I used. I scored! I bought them all on the cheap in the remnant section of my local quilt shop. They are Woodland Friends Circles, Recess Fun and Games in blue, Stencil Floral from Holly Hill, with some solids thrown in. The backing is a piece from Hobby Lobby. Mom bought it for fiesta night but gave it to me when our reunion was over.
I think this one is going to get wrapped up for my youngest daughter for Christmas. Unfortunately it isn't one of my finishes for the challenge. Can I count it anyway?
So, I'd like to know how you feel about borders. Love 'em or hate 'em I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I did this hat for Emily's b-day earlier in month. She is and has been the runner of the family and is committed to continue during the colder winter months. She's already run a Halloween 5K, with a Santa 5K and a midnight run on New Years Eve coming up. Go, Em! Can't wait to see pics of you in the Santa getup.
Although the kids sure think it's great to get treats every day for the entire month of December as we're doing the advent calendar, we've been thinking of other options that they'll still get excited about. Try checking your area for events happening locally and add those to your calendar on the appropriate day.
Here are a few ideas you might like to try to fill your Advent Calendar Pockets:
Family Fun has some printable Advent Calendar Activities you can try also.
Advent Nativity Coloring Pages--6 pages that you can print off already in color or black and white for your kids to color. They can color one character or figure each day during the month until the entire nativity is completed on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Click HERE for the pdf. of the "Advent Candle" which includes simple directions, a list of all scripture references, and a corresponding characteristic of Jesus Christ. All scripture verses taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (A HUGE Thanks! to Steve F. for walking me thru how to work the pdf. Your directions were great!)
If you do not have access to the Holy Bible in your home you can click HERE to request a FREE copy from Mormon.org. Or you can visit HERE and pull up the entire New Testament to cut and paste the corresponding scripture verses.
Here is a good place to find some nice pictures depicting scenes from the Nativity.
Another great resource to have is a beautiful DVD called "Joy to the World". This is produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you can receive it FREE at the same site above. The DVD is around 20 minutes long and depicts the birth of the Savior. We try and watch it on Christmas Eve and I have been pleasantly surprised that even the little ones in our house will watch it quietly and give their full attention.
At this stage in my life I don't do fancy quilting. Straight lines, like topstitching, are what I do best. I may eventually try and practice the free motion quilting, but not for now.
Back view: Besides the dowel corners that Oh, Fransson! recommended I added a center loop just to make sure the calendar wouldn't sag while it is hanging up and all filled. 
We thought we'd get this out sooner than later so if you like the idea you, too, can get started on rounding up the Christmas/Seasonal books your family likes. 
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson will be my 8 O'Clock Club selection (the book I read at bedtime with my kids) this year. A few other classics are missing from this list mostly because we watch them rather than read them in December. Having my husband, Ron, make us hot chocolate, then watching him sing and dance to the hot chocolate song in The Polar Express has become a tradition we would never, ever give up.
____________________
Thanks, Annette! If you want to leave us a comment telling us about a book or books your family loves to read for the season, we'd love to hear your recommendations, too.
Here are the slight changes I made:
1. I cheated and used 2 charm packs (which are 5 inch pre-cuts) instead of cutting out all those 4.5 inch squares. The charms worked great, but I had to dig into my stash for a few remaining fabrics to finish it off. If you don't have a big stash, I would suggest buying 3 charm packs to get the 96 total squares.
2. I didn't stagger my pockets (my brain can't do staggering) so I used 1.5 inch sashings on all sides.
3. I added a 2 inch border to the whole outside to give it a little more presence.
Our parents were in town for a visit last week. I gave them the Family Reunion Quilt. Mom seemed happy with it. Dad is only ever concerned if it's going to be long enough to cover his feet and come up to his neck. :) I think it is...
The names faded a bit when I washed the quilt so mom said she was going to embroider all the names on. I am so happy she is doing that. I had thought that was what needed to be done, but I wasn't about to do all 33 names. Mom has way more time and many more years experience than me. She will make them look great!
This sign makes me laugh! It is in the restroom of the fabric store I like to visit when I go to my in-laws. It points to a trash bin. Do you think it actually stops shoplifters from flushing the evidence?
Finally, if you want to see some skills, check out my latest family picture taken by Leslie in exactly 5 minutes. My kids don't sit still very long...and yet the picture is AWESOME!!
Now someone I know just needs to have a baby. Any takers!?
This was also in preparation and for a bit of practice before I get serious and tackle the quilting on this project that is yet unfinished, albeit pinned and ready to go.
Okay, I admit this one was a little sneaky. I emailed her about this project even though her deadline had passed. I was hoping that she needed more blocks and that I could get her address for the nine patch project. Luckily for me she needed my blocks. I think I ended up making 8.
While I was making them I decided I should make my own scrap quilt version of this maverick star pattern. I don't think I'll start on it until after the first of the year, but it's on my list.
Pillowcases for the Hole in the Wall Gang.
Now that I am quilting more than sewing, I only had a few large pieces of fabric left in my stash. But I thought these were well suited for kids pillowcases. I ended up sending 8.
Lastly, I have 2 small quilts that have remained unfinished that I'm hoping I can get quilted for Margaret's Hope Chest. I better hurry, the deadline for this one is November 15th!
So here is my revised Chunky version:
The pattern actually comes from the Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual, check with your local library too--mine had some copies of this book.
It holds more books than the previous basket and I won't have to worry about it falling apart. The finished box measures 11" H x 15" W x 18" L, not including the height of the casters. Here's to reading!
My free motion quilting is getting better. I need some more practice time on my machine before I love it, though.
Love the shape of this little loveseat. And it is rather sturdy even though you can see that it and the slipcover are O-L-D!
Someone obviously washed the slipcover and it shrunk. Mental Note--pre-wash your fabric when you are making your own slipcover so that you don't have this same problem after your first washing.
I want to refinish the legs and then let them be somewhat exposed. They are such a pretty little shape.
