Christmas Archives - Page 16 of 24

Christmas Flannel Rag Quilt

November 29, 2011 jennifer Christmas, Quilting and Sewing

While many people were out shopping early Friday morning, I skipped the Black Friday action and treated myself to a few hours of sewing. I managed to put together this Christmas rag quilt for my family to snuggle under for the next several weeks.

This quilt is made entirely with flannel prints from a Christmas collection that was available two or three years ago, of which my favorite print was the one pictured above. I’m sorry to say I can’t remember the name of the collection or the designer. I cut the pieces last year but never quilted them or pieced them together. This year I quilted each square with a star in the center and then pieced the quilt. You can faintly see the star quilting above.

At the last minute I decided to turn the squares on their point. I’m glad I did because it gave me an opportunity to practice working with triangles, something I want to get better at. I think it adds a bit more character to the quilt. The seams were then snipped and the quilt was thrown into the wash.

The edges frayed nicely and I’m happy with it. I haven’t made a rag quilt for two years, and while I usually prefer a traditional quilt, it was the perfect project for this fabric. I’ve also learned that sometimes people are afraid to pick up a nice quilt and snuggle under it, but I’ve never seen anyone hesitate to grab a rag quilt (especially a flannel one) and use it. I have a few quilts I’m careful with, but I really believe that there’s no point in making a quilt unless you love it and, therefore, use it. Rag quilts just seem to beg people to use them, and I’ve yet to meet someone who won’t oblige.

This one went directly from being photographed to being loved, which made for a happy quilt, happy Mom and happy kids. It’s been constantly in use since then.

Do you have a favorite quilt you snuggle under?

Jennifer

7 comments Christmas, quilting

Felt Rosette Pomander

November 25, 2011 jennifer Christmas, crafts & activities, DIY, Felt

While going through my felt for this project, I discovered some red felt in my stash and couldn’t help making a bunch of flowers with it. I got out a styrofoam ball I had on hand and decided to see how long it would take me to cover it with red felt rosettes. This was a fun and easy project.

Here’s what you need to make one:

Mine was a four inch diameter ball. I used about a quarter yard of felt, or approximately 45 rosettes to cover my ball. The circles I started with ( using this tutorial ) were about 2.5 to 3 inches across. In addition to the ball, felt, and a glue gun, I also used a length of ribbon to hang it, four little faux suede leaves cut from May Arts ribbon (you can find some here if you’re interested), a straight pin and some little pearl beads.

To begin, I arranged the four leaves and the ribbon to attach to the top of the ball:

Then I stuck a straight pin through all of it.

A drop of hot glue on the foam ball and then I stuck the pin down into it to hold the ribbon and leaves in place. My reason for adding the leaves was to have more than just a white ribbon sticking out of the top of the ball.

Then simply start rolling up the flowers (again, you can find a tutorial for that here ) and gluing them to the ball. I started by attaching the first rosettes right next to the ribbon.

The first four flowers surrounded the ribbon, creating the top I wanted. I love how the green leaves stick up like the top of a strawberry.

Just keep rolling and gluing until the ball is covered with flowers.

Then, if you wish, glue a small pearl in the center of each flower.

This ball ended up being about 6 inches in diameter when I finished it, so it’s a good-sized ornament or decoration. It’s also my first Christmas project of 2011, and I’m excited to decorate!

Tell me, do you decorate for Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend, before Thanksgiving, or do you wait till December to deck the halls?

Have a great day!
Jennifer

Christmas 2010 recap

December 31, 2010 jennifer Christmas

There were so many memorable things about our trip to Denver for Christmas.

There are 34 of us in all (and counting!), and we were all together for the first time in more than two and a half years.

We played games, talked together, had pictures taken, played with the children. And we cooked. Lots and lots of food. I intended to take pictures of so many things, but in the end I spent my time running from one thing to another, being a mom, cleaning, cooking, visiting.

We acted out the Nativity on Christmas Eve, letting everyone choose their parts. I think we had four Marys and three Josephs. It was short and sweet. Very sweet. Especially the angels.

Then the children were tucked in bed, anticipating a visit from Santa. Our poor baby threw up all night long, making for an interesting development in holiday activities. Christmas morning dawned with my husband and I exhausted and the children excited. I was in charge of the meals on Christmas day and in my worry about getting breakfast going I didn’t even get a picture of all eight of my children on Christmas morning! Shame on me. Oh well. Gratefully they were all happy with their gifts.

For what it’s worth, these are my favorites among the shots I managed to take.

She’d asked for a Santa hat. He shared one with her.

In her new pink nightgown.

Tearing open gifts with lightning speed.

My awesome husband (above) held our vomiting baby ALL DAY LONG so I could oversee Christmas Dinner for 34 people.

Denver Broncos pjs, a coonskin cap and playmobil toys. Could a boy be happier?

My six year old with her new doll.

My three year old with her new bitty baby and backpack.

The dreamed of dragon now belongs to this boy!

The best part might have come at the last. My husband hid our oldest son’s gift in the closet next to the broom. We were all opening gifts when he asked our son to grab the broom and sweep up a little mess. Of course, the response was “I didn’t make that mess.” We asked again. After some convincing, he reluctantly went to get the broom.

I wish I’d thought to turn on my flash sooner, but these blurry shots still capture the essence of what followed.

The broom came out and he almost turned and walked away. Instead he did a double take.

He sets the broom down and leans back against the wall in disbelief.

Finally he reaches into the closet and pulls out a new snowboard with his name on it. He walks to the entryway where he stops to laugh in surprise and joy (and his mom gets her camera working properly… why didn’t we video tape this?).

While his Dad stands across the room laughing and smiling that smile that only comes when you do something wonderful for someone because you love them wholeheartedly.

And then I went to the kitchen and before I knew it Christmas was over. But it was awesome.

Jennifer