Christmas Tree Skirt

Last year my Christmas tree skirt of many years fell apart. I had always wanted to make one so decided this was the time. I searched for a pattern and chose this Holly Jolly Christmas Tree Skirt on Craftsy. I used Moda's Merriment fabric and did a little more mixing of the fabrics than the pattern called for. It took most of the year but here it is finished.

A closer look at the print

I went with a plain green on the back and a variegated green thread for the quilting.

I cant wait to use this skirt this year!

Antelope Valley Fair

The Antelope Valley Fair wrapped up last weekend and it was a pretty good year. We didn't enter any vegetables (hardly anyone did) but did have a few other items entered.

Katie did her first ever fair entry with en Elsa themes case. She received Honorable Mention which is not bad at all.

My Kite quilt took first and my Ruby quilt took second. This was a complete surprise and the larger sized quilts are most competitive but I was very happy with it.

I entered my scrap purse and it received Honorable Mention.

I purchased a bunch of raspberries this year I made a blushing peach jam which had raspberries and raspberry peach. Very different tastes and entered in to two different categories. They both took Honorable Mention.

We made peach butter which took second place.

The corn relish was a hit with the judges and took first.

Quilt catch up

This blog has been very quiet...a lack of a garden has given a lot less to write about. The drought is in full force and most everything in the yard is dead other than my fruit trees and grapes. On the sewing front I have been working on a lot of projects at once and only just started finishing some up, just in time for the Fair!

The Ruby, Pearl and Opal quilt come from the Moda Bake Shop and uses the Moda fabric Ruby. When I first saw this quilt I loved it. I put the top together over a few days between Christmas and New Years last year, it then took me until this summer to bind and quilt it. I love the colors!

The top

The back

Quilted and finished

A closer look

A look at the binding and back

Next is the Kite Flight quilt which uses Kona solids. This quilt kit came from the web site Craftsy which is a newer one I am really enjoying. This quilt was a challenge because I cut the pieces wrong. I ended up having to buy a second kit and cut that onto make up for the cutting. I now have the pieces to make a second one of the quilt when I become motivated. For the back of the quilt I wanted to go with a solid, Katie picked the color if you could not tell.

Here is the top

Here is the completed quilt

A close up

And a look at the back

Joel Dewberry Flora Pocket Tote

The Joel Dewberry Flora Pocket Tote is another kit I purchased from Craftsy. This was a really easy bag to put together, I was able to do it in a day and it is probably the best of the bags I have attempted to make so far. The only change I made from the pattern was to add about 6 inches to the straps. It is a nice solid bag.

New Table Area

Just before Christmas I got a table from my Grandmothers house. We are still in the process of sorting out her belongings after her death in December. I got a bunch of cool old quilts that I have been cleaning and will post here eventually. The table held Katie's pink Christmas tree until a few days ago but then I needed to decide what to do with it. Here is what it looks like tonight!

Katie and I created this Pinterest art piece and finished it in early December. Simply search for toilet paper roll craft and you will be amazed at what people can create. Basically you collect then cut up toilet paper and paper towel rolls, hot glue them together and spray paint it. I dont know how long it will last but looks good on the wall.

Tonight I decided to make a table runner. I used fabric squares I had from an early quilt I made in 2008. It was super easy and I made it in about 30 minutes. 

The back is a red fabric, no batting was used and it was very basic construction. It fits perfect and will protect the table.

The table was in questionable condition when I brought it home. I thought I would need to refinish it but after a few coats of Old English it took on a whole new look and was in great shape. There is some staining and it will eventually will need to be refinished but work for now.

Here is another look at the table...

And another...

I am very pleased with how this area came together.