TGIFF: The Christmas Edition

Today's TGIFF is a real oldie but goodie!

Here's the story: More than 10 years ago (more like 15!), I was the project leader for my son's 4-H club quilting project. I always made a parent attend with their 4-H'er, whether the project was quilting, knitting, or dogs.

The mothers of my quilting project members decided they wanted to learn to quilt also. So we formed the "Quilter Mamas." Once a month, we met at my house, had lunch, and sewed a block on a Christmas quilt. Some of the Quilter Mamas had never sewed before, one was a third generation 4-H'er. So the plan was that we would sew on our quilts only at my house.

Over the years, we gradually made many (but not all!) of the blocks in the quilt. We realized the reason for the Quilter Mamas was to be together, not necessarily to finish the quilt.

Thanksgiving weekend, Joy called me and said she had her quilt finished. Did I know someone who could long-arm quilt it for her before Christmas? As quilters, you all know Thanksgiving weekend is NOT the date to request a quilt be finished by Christmas!

Incredibly, one of our local long-armers, Frankie Shake, was willing to take on the quilt! And she finished it in record time. I showed Joy how to make Susie's Magic Binding during the Mystery Sew-Along at Ruth's Stitchery. And here it is, the first Quilter Mamas Christmas Quilt!

You may recognize the pattern from a Martingale Co. BOM project. I enlarged the photo so you can see some of the details of Joy's quilt. Plus the orange running shoes of the quilt holder!

I'm so excited to see Joy's finished quilt, it make me want to quilt and bind my own! Mine is finished except for the last border -- maybe I'll get it finished this weekend?

While uploading the photo of Joy's Christmas quilt, I realized I never showed you the December Jelly Roll Party project. This is "Basket Weave" by Pam and Nicky Lintott. I used a Moda Jelly Roll from several years ago in Christmas prints.

I hope your own holiday preparations are well underway!

From the desk of your

As If

YOU could sew when this is sleeping on your Christmas quilt!

That would be Samosa, my birthday kitten. He is three months old today and is a bundle of fun. He likes to jump up an unsuspecting passersby leg -- luckily, the vet trimmed his claws!

Like many sewists this time of year, I'm mostly sewing prezzies. Which can't be shown on the blog, because, well -- they're surprises! Here are some for friends I don't think read the blog. (None of them sew, Can you believe I have friends who don't sew?)

I made them using this tutorial from Deby at So Sew Easy.  They are just right to contain a credit card (or Starbucks gift card!) and a lip balm. That one on the right is too small for a gift card. Because I put the tabs on the wrong side and they wound up inside the bag. When Deby says "place the tab on top of the zipper tape -- she means it. I cut off the ends and re-sewed it. Now it's too short. 

Are you sewing Bonnie Hunter's 2014 Mystery, Grand Illusion? I'm a sucker for a mystery project. 

And no, I don't have time for this. But who cares? With no boys at home this year, we're sort of ignoring Christmas. I set out a hurricane jar containing a candle and some glass scatters from Lillian Vernon. And that's it for Christmas decorations!

Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!

From the desk of your