Tuesday, August 6, 2013

             

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

74 comments:

  1. Great tree skirt! Love the tree you found to model it on.

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  2. Wow, Your stained glass mini is beautiful - we must try that technique sometime and your tree skirt is so beautiful!

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  3. I love the tree skirt. I also like your stained glass candle....but I LOVE the tree skirt. I think I need to add that to my list of holiday projects

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  4. Your stained glass mini is sew cute, but your Christmas tree skirt is stunning! Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Oh you should be pleased your skirt came out just beautiful...Your stained glass, although allot of work it surely did pay off just wonderful.

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  6. Your skirt is so beautiful and you have made a marvelous work with your stained glass.
    Thanks for sharing and being part of this blog hop

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  7. Stunning projects. I love stained glass and the effect of your candle is lovely. As for the tree skirt....I want it! I'm off to start planning how to make my own! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Your treeskirt is so great. I love the projects. Thank you for sharing

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  9. That candle looks simple, until you look closely. Very intricate and extremely lovely! I love the fact that you put that skirt on a tree! It indeed looks amazing. You should be very happy! Well done.

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  10. I love your candleglow. That bias tape worked great. Your skirt looks very festive!! Great job!!

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  11. Your stained glass candle is lovely. And, I love the tree skirt. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. Great hop stop! Loved seeing your pfojects.

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  13. Beautiful stained glass quilt, great work and your treeskirt looks wonderful too, thanks for sharing!

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  14. Terrific Christmas projects - thanks for sharing.

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  15. I love your tree skirt - the swirl effect is fabulous!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Wow the swirl tree skirt is really wonderful! And the stained glass candle piece is so different and beautifully done.

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  17. The tree skirt looks fantastic! I love it! Thanks for welcoming me to the hop too!

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  18. The stained glass is really pretty.... I have a couple of rolls of bias that I really need to use. And the tree skirt is lovely... it swirls around like some yummy Christmas candy!

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  19. Oooops got a bit dizzy there..lol dizzy for all the right reasons..your candle looks like something out of a church window and your tree skirt...welllll by golly it is the best I have seen to date....

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  20. Gorgeous pieces...I love anything stained glass and your tree skirt is fantastic. I just adore the effect it has from above.

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  21. Your candle is really nice and that skirt makes my eyes go round andround. lol

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  22. Fantastic projects. Thanks for sharing

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  23. Amazing tree skirt - the motion is just wonderful and the colors perfect. I loved the candle too; I know that was a bit tedious but so worth it! blessings, marlene

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  24. Your candle quilt is beautiful! Great work and the tree skirt is stunning! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  25. Lovely projects!! The tree skirt had me spinning lol!!! Thanks for sharing in the hop!

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  26. Both projects are stunning! The detail on the candle project is simply perfect and I just live the swirling skirt!!

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  27. Two wonderful works! The candle is my favorite
    Greetings, Marita

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  28. Your projects are both so pretty! Love the candle and the swirly tree skirt! You're all set for Christmas decorating!

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  29. I love that tree skirt. It really looks like it swirls. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Beautiful tree skirt, but that candle stole my heart! How lovely!

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  31. love your creations...the candle stainglass hanging is wonderful and the tree skirt is very beautiful but somewhat dizzying. :P love it.

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  32. Wonderful creations, Congratulations on being in the top two today ! I am in love with your tree skirt ! The flowing movement around the tree is genius !

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  33. Beautiful projects and I love your tree skirt. You found a great model for it.

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  34. Great projects!
    I have done some stained glass... like the fabric method much betetr than the real glass technique!
    Can't wait to see your tree skirt all done and around your tree!

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  35. wow i love the stained glass effect! and the skirt is amazing as well! great job :)

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  36. I like the look of the fusible bias on your candle project and how it really defines your piece. Your quilt skirt is fabulous...I want to make one! Thanks for hopping with us! :O)

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  37. I love your stained glass hanging. It is something that I always wanted to try, but just didn't get around to it yet. But your tree skirt is beautiful. I am sure that was a challenge with the different angles. I am going to get that pattern. Thank you for sharing.

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  38. I love the candle wall hanging. I tried to use clover bias fusible once and gave up. The project still is not finished. It's in a UFO. I admire your tenacity to get it finished. The Christmas tree skirt is amazing. I went to look at the pattern and was astonished that it is a freebie. I love not only your "quilted" skirt but also your photos of it. I love that you took a picture of it around a tree so that we can see what it will look like around a real tree. Thank you for participating and sharing your marvelous creativity and finishes. Congrats on a top 2 finish - well deserved!

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  39. Wow that tree skirt is stunning and I love how you photographed it around your tree too.

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  40. Both are beautiful! The tree skirt reminds me of peppermint candy...

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  41. I love your candle! Your tree skirt is awesome! Love the photo around the tree. Mr Claus was standing in for Mrs Claus, right? First time I have seen Santa wear a skirt LOL

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  42. Your projects are just beautiful .Great pics.Thanks for sharing!!

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  43. The stained glass candle is beautiful as is the tree skirt. I love the swirl effect.

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  44. Beautiful stain glass quilt. I had to laugh at your hubbys comment about ruffles. Mine would have said the very same thing! LOL!

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  45. Love your stained glass and your skirt. Congrat to the top 2 today.
    Regards from Skåne

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  46. Wow the tree skirt is great. The swirl is wonderful. Your stained glass is a wonderful piece too.

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  47. Your tree skirt is amazing. It's perfect! AND I love it around a tree! I would love to try but doubt it would turn out for me. I keep looking at and just love it!!!!! Your stained glass is gorgeous as well. Your are very talented. Thanks for sharing.

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  48. Your tree skirt is going to be the center of attention this Christmas! How wonderful it will be around the base of your tree! I love the twirly effect and you chose the perfect fabrics. Also, good job on the candle. It does look tough to get all that bias to lay down nice and flat. How pretty it is!

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  49. First, compliments on your header quilt; it's a beautiful Cinderella scene. Second, I love both your candle wall hanging and the tree skirt. They both look perfect and beautiful.

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  50. Love them both. The tree skirt is stunning.
    Congrats on being one of the chosen.

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  51. Oh My Goodness! What gorgeous projects! I have seen stained glass projects before but didn't know how it was done. This is perfect. And the tree skirt-WOW! I Just love it. It is a stunning project! Thank you for sharing.Great job.

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  52. Love the stained glass effect on the candle, looks awesome.

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  53. I really love the tree skirt. so different and cheerful.
    Lovely stained glass candle as well.
    cheers
    maggie

    maggiemine42@gmail.com

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  54. Both your projects are so lovely. Your stained glass stitching looks absolutely perfect!!

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  55. adore this skirt?? wish I were a tree ;)

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  56. I absolutely love the tree skirt. And now I want to make one. Isn't that the trouble with these hops...too much inspiration. LOL! Thanks for sharing.

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  57. I am still spinning with your tree skirt. Beautiful. Nice colors and contrasts.

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  58. Beautiful work! I have a stained glass quilt pattern kit that I have not opened yet. I love the look of them and yours is wonderful. That tree skirt is just GORGEOUS! I really love it. I'm sure you will be thrilled once your tree is up this year.

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  59. I love both of your projects. I have a couple of stained glass patterns that I've never gotten the courage to do. Yours turned out so great, maybe I'll give mine a try.

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  60. Hiya!!! That CandleGlow is magnificent. And the tree skirt, well, what can I say, it's just delightful. Such intricate work on both projects. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas, blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

    pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

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  61. Both of your projects are great, but I have to say I love your tree skirt.

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  62. Two outstanding projects. I've done that stained-glass process and it does come out lovely. I do think your holly and berries must have presented a big challenge - great job. I love the tree skirt - I do love the swirl - wonderful!

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  63. Your quilts are very nice, I love the swirly tree skirt!
    ~Brandy

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  64. Great tree skirt and I love the candles too. I have never made a stained glass type quilt. Very pretty.

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  65. Oh my goodness......I have one of these in my UFO bin. I took a class a couple years ago. I'm going to have to dig it up & finish it because I really like it. Why do I do that? Start something that is really cool or pretty & then not finish it???

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  66. Your candle wallhanging is beautiful...as is your treeskirt!! I love the swirl and don't think you need a ruffle at all. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  67. Wow, Kathy! Your tree skirt is eye popping lovely! It is fine without a ruffle but you do as your heart leads.

    Karen from Quilt Corner---that used to be one of the shops that my Hands All Around Quilt Group would hit along with Peg and Lil's in Washington via the backroads from Blooomington-Normal. You are bringing back wonderful memories for me!

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  68. That is such a pretty swirl to go around your tree! I may have to try one of them! Your candle will glow brightly for the holidays. Thanks for sharing!

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  69. Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. I enjoyed your blog.

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  70. I love your tree skirt! It will look pretty around your tree. Your candle is pretty, too. Thanks for sharing.

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