Merry Christmas in July and HO HO HO!  I've seen many fabulous projects since this hop began.  I am so proud to be part of this quilting community.  A special thanks to Madame Samm and Carol for cheering us along during this hop and to our sponsor, Timeless Treasures.  I'd also like to welcome my friend, Carol, from justsewquilter.blogspot.com to our hops.  She is a recently retired teacher and a great quilter.  There is nothing "just sew" about her work.  Catch her projects tomorrow.

I made 2 projects for this hop.  The first is a stained glass window pattern--the first I have ever attempted.  It is called "CANDLEGLOW" , pattern by Karen Ehrhardt and sold by The Quilt Corner in Morton, IL.  I was fortunate enough to pick this pattern up at one of our local thrift shops.  All of the pieces are attached to a  piece of muslin using fusible webbing.  The raw edges are all covered with Clover quick bias, a fusible bias.  Then, you sew down each side of the fusible bias to keep it all in place.  Some of the bias work was a little tedious, but I loved the effect when it was completed.

Here is a close-up of the berries and holly leaves.  As you can see, it took some maneuvering to get those points and circles done!  But what is a Christmas candle without holly and berries!  lol

I was pleased with the outcome.  For my second and last project, I chose to make a Christmas tree skirt.  Now, I have wanted to make a tree skirt for several years and just hadn't gotten around to it.  I thought the hop was a perfect time to make it as I would have to get it completed.  Well, it is almost completed.  I still need to quilt it. The Christmas tree skirt pattern uses a 9 degree or a 10 degree ruler.  You can find the pattern here.  It involved cutting the fabric in strips, sewing them together, cutting them with the 9 degree ruler and sewing them back together again.  lol  Seems like double the work, but I really like the affect.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to add a ruffle or not, but, as my dh said, we aren't really ruffle people.  I can't wait to see how it looks around my tree in December!  I took the pictures outside, and Santa opted to be in the photo shoot.

                                                    Here is a shot directly overhead:

                                                   One after Santa left with his reindeer:

Don't you just love the way it swirls!  I used a green holly print for the back but forgot to take a picture.  The pattern uses 4 different fabrics.  A close-up of what I chose:

                                          Can you see the snowflakes in the white fabric?

                          And, I couldn't resist seeing how it would look around a tree.  I'm pleased:

Thanks for dropping by to look at my work.  I loved having you visit.  Please leave a comment and make sure to visit the other jolly ladies that are posting today.  Merry Christmas!

August 7

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio

From This to That

I Like To Quilt Blog

Leah @ L3designs

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

Just Quilt It

Meadowbrook

Peanut’s Patchwork

Around the Homestead

Feathered Nest Studio

In The Boon Docks

MO Broker, My Creative Side