Advent Quilt - The Christmas Mystery S&QAL

Over the years, I have shared many of my ideas with my friends in my quilt group. I thought it would be fun to share one with all of you in a S&QAL (Stitch and Quilt ALong).

I am calling this quilt 'The Mystery of Christmas'. This is a wonderful time of year but I find myself feeling more nostalgic each year for the Christmasses of my childhood. It seemed then that there was a magic in the air. For me, Christmas is not the commercial but the personal side which appeals. I love making things and find a true gift no matter how small is handmade. Old traditions like advent calendars bring a childlike magic to the season.

A couple of years ago, my blogging friend Marsha sent me an advent calendar which I still use each year. I found her a miniature one in Germany and sent it to her. Oh those windows were so tiny! Our shared love of this Christmas fun inspired this quilt. It was the theme project for my quilt group last year. As the S&QAL progresses, I will share some of the beautiful versions the ladies in my group made.

So I hope you will join me and make yourself and family your own version of my advent quilt which I will show you how to make very personal. You could even get your children/grandchildren involved.

The first part is the quilt itself...

My quilt is created using the pattern called 'Attic Window'. If you find this pattern to challenging, you can change it to a half 'Log Cabin' following the cutting instructions and dotted line on the diagram. The finished quilt measures 38-1/2 inches square.

You will need about
3/4 yard of your two main fabrics - one lighter for squares and one darker color for windows
1/2 yard of second darker color
1/3 yard of accent color
fat quarter or scraps of third color for coin borders only

Here is the pattern in two parts for you to print.

Advent Quilt part one
Advent Quilt part two

When the patchwork is completed, quilt as desired and sew a button on the top of each block. Placement for the buttons are shown on the pattern.

Each Advent Sunday, I will share some of the blocks which hang on the quilt. I had shared glimpses of this project previously on my blog. Here is a peek of what is to come....

This project is for quilters and stitchers alike. So many do both but I will show you how you can adapt things along the way to your own preference for stitching, applique, stitchery or patchwork.

I hope you willl join me this advent to work on a special heirloom for yourself and your family. It will give you the creative space among all the bustle to discover 'The Mystery of Christmas'!

Let's get started......

Heidi

Keeping those I love warm (part one).....

Inspired by this tutorial, I bought a hot water bottle and crocheted a cover for my mother as a gift. There had to be adjustments made for the size of my hot water bottle but I love how it turned out. I added a snowman and white lacy edge as my mother is a snowman collector. Jos had to travel to California last week and found it was cheaper for his ticket to stopover in Ohio. He played Santa early and delivered it for me as a little "just because" gift. 

Heidi

Happy Halloween!

My blog has been neglected. Has it really been two months since I posted? At any rate...I have been busy. So I am stopping by to say Happy Halloween.

Even my garden gate is decorated for the season even if the spiders did this work instead of me. *Grins*

Last year, I had these designs to stitch and make pillow ornaments but was too busy with these so they had to wait until this year. It has been fun stitching them up. And remember when I mentioned the spray paint? It was to spray a green Christmas garland black for Halloween. Click on the photos for a closer look.

Wishing you a Boo-tiful and Happy Halloween!

Heidi

It's in the bag!

Back with another crochet finish. Some time ago, I started working on some Japanese blocks which I decided to make into a tote bag. It was a fun way to use them since I just wanted to try out some of the stitches. I have taken time making this one since I was making it with a friend and did not want to get too far ahead of her since she started after I had enough blocks for one side already. It was a fun project. We just crocheted the blocks together and then made a band of single crochet for the sides and bottom. I lined it with fabric from my quilt stash. I ran out of yarn so had to buy handles which I sewed to the lining with tabs. I added some small lace to the tabs too. Now I have a tote bag to carry my crocheting in when I take it to my friend's house...

I had made one block too many and turned it into a potholder (RAK gift) for Mieke who I crochet with regularly. It is a nice heavy design which is perfect for a potholder.

I also started a new afghan since the weather has cooled off. I am making Lion Brand's Harvest Patchwork afghan using Stylecraft DK yarn. I found out that this shop was selling it now here in Holland. What great yarn this is! Since this pattern calls for a chunky yarn, I am using a double strand to get the thickness and a 6,5mm hook. It is working up a treat and I am so looking forward to having another autumn feeling blanket to use in the coming season.

Back though to my stitching. I have another fun project in progress for Halloween. As soon as I get the spray painting part done, I will share this latest project. And yes...I did say stitching and spray painting. Intrigued? *grins*

Heidi

Cold thoughts in a warm summer.....

Months ago, I started making a Dutch crochet 'pronkrol' being created by Wieke. I loved the idea as I had often heard from two of my friends here about them making knitted ones at school as little girls. They are a long roll in which all the various stitches are practiced to learn to knit. But mine was becoming huge (choose too heavy yarn using 4mm crochet hook and wish I had bought a dainty yarn for it) and I was running out of yarn as this was leftover from this project.

My mother kept saying she thought it was a silly thing to make (see me rolling my eyes...lol) and just did not get the idea of a roll to show off your stitches. I jokingly put it around my neck as a scarf while we were talking on Skype and guess what. The idea stuck! It would make a really cute scarf. So I added a little more to get the length I wanted and added this beautiful lace edge. Now Miss Pickles has a scarf to keep her warm when the weather turns to nice crisp cold in autumn and winter.

And speaking of the weather, it has cooled off to a more normal temperatures with lots of lovely rain. The garden is happy and I am happy.

Heidi

A terrible thing has happened.....

As the temperature registered 40C/104F here in Elf Central Workshoppe, reports came in about a terrible accident with Miss Pickles the Elf...

She melted away in the heat. An SOS has been sent out to the North Pole and reports are that they are working away on restoring this elf back to health so she can be busy again soon with making gifts.

It's C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S once again!

The postman rang my doorbell today and handed me a package from Jeanne. It is Christmas in July once again today. Yippee!

When I saw the adorable paper, I hated to open it for a minute. Just a minute mind you! I had to see what was in the packages. *grins*

Jeanne made me a project bag with a beautiful vintage Christmas postcard fabric. That is going to be put to good use already as my current project is going to be held in there while I work on it. It needed ironing with the instructions Jeanne sent along to protect the vinyl front cover. Jos was working in my studio so I had to wait with the ironing.

Here is the beautiful ornament. She told me she choose this pattern with a cat on it to remind me of Dagi. Just look at Santa's scissors. I do love it and want to thank Jeanne for a fun swap. I told her this was a perfect time to do the swap with all our hot weather this summer in Holland. It is reminding me that the holidays are going to be here before we know it.

Heidi