Blog Hop ~ Day 11!

 It's kinda funny how things work out.....

You see, today's topic is Christmas quilts and how we decorate with them, or if we have a favorite one.  As I was going through my boxes of photos (yes, they are all unorganized, in multiple boxes!) I suddenly realized that I have no pictures that show any Christmas quilts!

So, I set my mind to trying to figure out how I could take some "creative" photos, or whether I could Photoshop a festive quilt onto my table, and started looking around in my boxes of quilts (yes, they too are stored unorganized in various boxes around my house).  Then I came to these boxes.  

And my brain went off on another tangent. 

Because I also had to come up with things to share my "life-in-a-bag" tonight with a group that I am part of at church.  And I knew what was in these boxes.  There was something in there that I needed, but didn't want to face. 

Yea, they may look pretty innocent, but don't let them fool you.  There's something bad in those wooden boxes.

Unfinished projects.

Lots of em. 

And that isn't the only place that I have them.

BUT, that's what I was after for my "life-in-a-bag" (and the connection would be that my life is an unfinished project.... do you get it?  That's ok if you don't because some of them didn't get it either.)

And guess what else I found?

Would you look at all those unfinished Christmas quilts?!  Huh.  Do you think maybe that's why I don't have any Christmas quilts in my photos??  Pretty sad, I know.  I have great intentions, but life keeps getting in the way of my sewing and quilting!  Especially at Christmas time!

I'm thinking that this year I need to finish at least one of these...... I just need to find the one that is closest to being done!

Seriously, though I do have several Christmas quilts that I have finished, and even though they aren't in a pretty Christmas photo setting, I'm going to share them with you anyway.  Just because they are my favorites!

You may not think of this as a Christmas quilt, but several of us in my local quilt group decided one year to do a red and green block exchange.  The rule was that each month, we made enough blocks for everyone in the group, plus ourselves.  We ended up splitting into two groups to make it a manageable number of 6 in each group, and you were either in the "murky" group or the "perky" group.  You can probably guess which group I chose!  We did this for several months, then each of us used our own ideas for setting the blocks and making a finished quilt.  I love this quilt because it has such variety in it.  I'm calling it "Have a Murky Merry Christmas".

 

Holly Baskets is another one that I love.  This is in my book "Cabin Fever" and hangs in my dining room all winter long.  Who says that poinsettias are only for Christmas?!

And no quilters' home is complete at Christmas without a quilted tree skirt, is it?  This is "Sleigh Ride" and is also in my book Cabin Fever.

And my little Charlie Brown tree gets a little wool tree skirt (this isn't really the tree I put it under; I just didn't have time to get the other one out!)  This Happy Holidays skirt is in my book Full Circle.

And the painted Merry Christmas sign at the beginning of this post also became a quilt....

 

This Merry Christmas is also painted, but I used Shiva Paintstiks on fabric.  If you've never tried working with these, you should give it a try.  It almost looks like a panel print and gives such a different look and feel than applique.  Oh, and this is also in the book Cabin Fever!

So, there you have it!  Some of my favorite Christmas quilts! 

Now, it's time to check out the project that Roseann has for you!  The pictures I've seen of her store make me wish I lived in Minnesota so that I could shop at her store!  Oooo, no, wait...... it's cold in Minnesota. 

I think Indiana is cold enough for me.  Maybe I'll just settle for visiting sometime.

Can you believe there's just today and tomorrow left of the Blog Hop?  If you haven't already, make sure you leave a comment on each designers' blog post for the day they have their free project.  You don't want to miss a chance at the Grand Prizes!  

Comments

[margi]

I'm thinking next year it should be 25 days blog hop! I'm going to miss checking everyone out and hearing about each of you each day! It has been a great time. I love your quilts and your UFO trunks are awesome as well!

[Linda P]

I have Shiva Paintsticks and haven't done anything with them but look at them, LOL. This might be the kick in the pants I need..I can see a project like this actually getting done. I'll look for your book.
Linda P in IL

[Jayne Honnold]

Quilters and UFOs -- they go hand in hand. I have mine separated into plasic storage bins, clear, and stacked on my sewing room shelves. I did get a few finished over the summer, but I grew tired of working on old stuff and decided to work on a new project! Thanks for sharing all your quilt-y pics!

[Debbie St.Germain]

I love the quilt made from multiple swap blocks, it is beautiful.
I still need to make some things from cabin fever. Like you, it always seems I am always making for others and never have time to make things for me.

Debbie

[deanna gipson]

beautiful quilts terri!

[Jewel]

I bought Cabin Fever from you yesterday so I am hoping to have a few of these for myself next Christmas.

[Jocelyn]

Welcome to the club :-) I too have so many Christmas projects that are not finished. Quilts, tablerunner that is looking at me right now.....etc! Where does the time go? I keep saying I need to work on these quilts! But before you know it October is gone and it's the New Year!

[Sandy (Strlady)]

I love your murky quilt!! It screams Xmas. I was commenting over at Carrie's blog that I don't have Xmas quilts and that I am determined that this coming year will be a quilt for Sandy year, where I make quilts for myself - and KEEP them!

[Ruby]

I think I need to tell Santa about your Cabin Fever book!!! I am very interested in trying the paintsticks.

[Linda]

Love the table topper you have under your Charlie Brown tree. And anything quilts that are red, green or any combination thereof count as Christmas quilts in my house!!!
Linda

[Jenny]

OK, I am willing to make a huge sacrifice and take those trunks off your hands. If you don't have the trunks you won't have any place to store your UFO's and then you'll have to finish them all. So I'm willing to do that. Just for you. Let me know when to pick them up! J/K Great post...but I really do love the prim trunks!

[Paulette Doyle]

Cabin Fever is definitely going on my Christmas Wish List!!! I LOve that book!!
Thanks for sharing!
Paulette

[Trina Christenson]

Your quilts are beautiful! Hey, it's not that cold in Minnesota! Well, not yet. We've been having 45 degree days! :-) Blessings on your Christmas!

[Cindy C.]

Murky is good - I've had plenty of "murkies", because I have only one eye - for real. Mom and Dad were always concerned but opted never to have surgery on me so "murky" is REALLY good ---- well, maybe not murky waters...LOL

Because I started my sewing life sewing garments and graduated from there, I tend to stay "within" guidelines from books and manuals (guess this comes from being self-taught).

BUT - as of the last five or so years - I've started going "out of my comfort zone" or as our DD calls it - "out of the box", both with colors and straying away from "the directions".

Just recently I made a Schnibbles (from Carrie Nelson) and used colors that were TOTALLY not me and even deviated from the pattern instructions.

Maybe DD is right - I'm "out of the box" finally...LOL...took me long enough to climb out but I feel the fresh air....LOL

Okay, I'll go back to my small corner of the world.

[Stina]

Shiva Paintsticks... hmmm...wonder if I can get them here in Sweden.. it sounds very exciting to use!!! Love your Holly Baskets!! :o)

[Jay]

I have to agree with Margi -- I've gotten used to starting my day with you all & will miss this terribly! Thanks so much for this fun diversion.

[Mego]

BEAUTIFUL Christmas quilts! I need to go get my ONE Christmas quilt out and enjoy it NOW.

[Jay]

I have to agree with Margi: I've really enjoyed starting my day with you all and will miss this terribly! Thanks so much for this fun diversion.

[Mary Flynn]

Can I just say LOVE it all...everything I saw here today! Perfect!!

[Julie in WA]

The poinsettia quilt is really pretty!

[Darlis]

Love your designs and quilts, especially the "Merry Christmas" picture and quilt. This hop has been such fun.

[What Comes Next?]

love your trunks of UFOs - nice trunks, too! My favourite has to be your Merry Christmas quilt -just love that!

[Mishka]

Your Murky Christmas quilt is gorgeous. What a wonderful treasure to have from your guild friends.

[marta]

Preciosos acolchados de Navidad, no puedo decir cual es el que mas me gusta, gracias.

[Marsha]

I love all your pictures - even the 'unfinished projects' one! The block exchange one is beautiful!

[jean]

I love your blog site. You have some beautiful quilts. I was on Sweet P Quilting and Creations, and found your site as a must see there.

[dortha]

I know what you mean about your life being lots of unfinished projects. It seems like there is always something new and exciting coming along and interupting.

[Leslie Schmidt]

I like your murky quilt. It has a rich, warm feeling to it. It's good to have things that aren't all the same colors or styles at Christmas, and at other times. And I love the tree skirt!

[Mary-Kay]

I think I'm going to have to get Cabin Fever. I love your quilts!

[arlette]

I love the colors you used in your quilts, they're my fave colors!, they look so cute, I'm going to miss you!, just letting you know, lol

[lovetostitch]

What a great block exchange, and I would have wanted to be in the murky group also. I missed reading yesterday, and am trying to get caught up - I have enjoyed reading these so much and have a few projects printed out to work on... and yes, company coming here!! ack!!! 2 sets, right after the other, so now Im thinking I will get a great start in January.... how long will that Flicker site be up??? hahaha!!!

[Glenda]

I get down on myself because I can't seem to get anything finished either. I have several quilts started then something else comes along (that I also must have) so I start on it. I work full time and it's hard to squeeze everything in. Right now I've set everything aside so I can make Christmas gifts. I love your murky Christmas quilt. Those colors remind me of many of your quilts. (which i love!) I love your style, you are so creative. Thanks for sharing a bit about you with us. Good luck on your projects and hope you have a wonderful Thanks Giving!

[Mandy]

Hey I’ve been following your blog for a while now!!! I think that this might be something you would be interested in. Maybe you’d like to participate or just do a little post about it! I’d love to see it be a great book ☺ (P.S. I’m not getting anything for passing the message along!)
Mandy from http://thatssewmandy.blogspot.com
All the info is taken from…
http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-cookbook/
They posted on their blog:
I'm very pleased to organize the first-ever Quilter's Cookbook with recipes from quilters around the world. Everyone is welcome to submit a recipe, a photo of their favourite quilt and a story for inclusion in the Cookbook. The submission deadline is November 28, 2009.
The Quilter's Cookbook will be available for sale as a downloadable PDF file in early December 2009. The price will be determined based on the number of recipes submitted and the number of advertising sponsors.
The Cookbook is being created as a fundraising effort to help off-set some of the costs associated with running the Quilting Gallery site and to fund new community-based features planned for 2010. Please help support the community!
The theme for this Cookbook is "Quick and easy recipes, so we can get back to quilting!".

[Leslie]

love your quilts. I better put Cabin fever on my Christmas list. The little peeks tell me this is must have. Thank you for sharing. I'll miss the bog

[Denise]

Terri, your quilts are lovely. Great idea a murky red and green block swap.
Denise

[Kristine]

How lucky were you to get such pretty blocks in your swap? What a beautiful finished project you have. Lucky, lucky you.

[Janet Blackwell-Fidler]

I love your books and designs. Your mom belongs to OTQG that I also belong to. She tells us fun things that you do. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing with us.
Janet