Stressed or Serene

 

 

 

We're into the final days before Santa's Big Ride.....

How are you doing with your Christmas Projects?  

 

 

 

Most of the quilts I gave this year were birthday quilts gifted throughout the year.  

Only one Christmas Quilt and it is, as-we-speak, winging its way to Kentucky.  

 Steampunk by eQuilter.  

This quilt uses a panel from eQuilter, and was created for my nephew's 14-year-old daughter, Sabrina.

I hope she likes it (you never know with teenagers.)

 

Backing

 

 

eQuilter occasionally has interesting kits that make a quick gift. The kits come complete with the pattern and the backing, which is handy. Get on their Newsletter list.

The only other Christmas thing I've done this year was make Prairie Point Stars with the Needlers for small gifts.

 

 

They are fairly quick to put together, but a bit tricky getting the buttons in the center. For the pattern and tutorial, click HERE

With the big move just around the corner, Christmas decorating in this house has been minimal *

Hung Mom & Dad's stockings from 50 years ago.
About a million little sequins sewn on one-at-a-time.

 

*I MIGHT have The Babes over for a tree decorating...maybe...perhaps....don't know....

The Unboxing

Haven't we all watched those videos where they take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to unbox a new sewing machine or something?
Well, now I have my own unboxing...it's not a sewing machine, though.

Now the backstory:  I follow eQuilter.com in my email.  Every few weeks they send a post that highlights a quilt panel made up into a quilt.  They are usually lap size.

eQuilter.com does a nice job with panels.  The finished product has interesting sashing or borders AND they will make the free pattern on how to make the borders, etc. available as a download, whether you buy their product or not. 
Thank you, eQuilter.com!

Not long ago I received this in my email...

It was love at first site!  

I rationalized the purchase like this.....first I need a quilt for Sabrina, my nephew's daughter.  I've never made one for her and I felt it was time....she's 14.  Second, I need a prop for my next ukulele-playing, singing gig.....

I have been holding the "Summer Concert Series" for the people in my building.
(There were 12 people at the last one!  I now have a 'following!')
The next concert is planned in a couple of weeks;  "Songs About Summer."

Cowboy songs

Hawaiian songs

 

One of my selections will be "Octopus's Garden" by Ringo Starr. Won't this panel make the perfect backdrop?  

Third, I will be staying with my dad in Kentucky in a couple of weeks so my sister and her D.H. can take a holiday.  I need something to work on while I'm there.  Something fast and easy*.  This seemed to fit the bill.  And, finally the whole thing, including backing was about $100.  If I bought fabric at my local shop for a lap quilt, it would be at least $100, probably more.

All-in-all it's a Win, Win, Win, Win!

Now, the unboxing....

Nicely packaged

Fabrics feel good

The colors are every bit as vibrant in "person" as in the email picture.

There have been some on-line purchases that were a bit of a disappointment....not this time!  I am very happy with this purchase.  Now the only trick will be to save this for my trip.....but I'm tempted to whip it up now....

* I have a whole different story about this Kentucky trip....later.