Tis the Season to be Jolly

Busy tablerunner, new tumbler Christmas quilt

Ah Well, no takers on the pay it forward - but I have been busy with several projects.

another project I started last fall and just finished up - in time for Turkey day. I quilted it freemotion with a leaf pattern, but then kind of filled in blank areas with swirls.  I used the chalk pouncer to mark the stencil and sprayed it lightly with cheap hairspray to hold it on (I read that tip somewhere); but even on this small piece I had to go back and trace over with a chalk pencil as the marking rubbed off with all the scrunching and moving around.

I used King Tut varigated thread in the needle and masterpiece thread in the bobbin. I had to adjust the tension a bit, but was satisfied with it. 
I also traded my BabyGo awhile back for a regular size GO and with it came a tumbler die which I was just frantic to try out - so I took out my bag of Christmas themed fabric and cut it all up and laid this out on the bed last night. Whaddya think?

I think it is soo busy it makes me dizzy. Ha! Really, I wanted a scrappy look but didn't haveenough variety to really be scrappy.  It is larger than I intended, so it will be the living room couch quilt during the holidays if I can get it finished by December.  Absolutely love the GO cutter, these blocks fit together perfectly and there are 144 of them and the GO made it a so easy.  Some of that fabric is pretty old, I think it moved with me 11 or more years ago.  It always feels good to finish a project.  I have seen several Christmas countdowns on the internet - the holidays are just sneaking up on me.  I hope to be able to sew a few small gifts for friends at work, my intentions are good, I just need to schedule my time a bit better.  Well that is all for now, I want to go visit a few blogs before bed. Adios. Bernie  

Pay It Forward

I've never done pay it forward but awhile back I read this on  Barb's blog here http://thanxsandy.blogspot.com/2011/09/paying-it-forward.html


Pay It Forward is simple: For the first 3 people who comment on this entry, I promise to send them something handmade within the next year.
1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time in the next 365 days (yes, a year).

2. To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along too. Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first three people that comment on your blog post.

3. You must have a blog.

4. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love.

I try to visit and comment on some of my favorite blogs at least a couple of times a month, and I try to update my blog at least once a week.  But I don't want to update it unless I have something to share and my sewing, quilting time is never enough.  Right now, I am working on FMQ a tablerunner top I put together last fall (does that sound familiar) HA! I will have some pics of that process to post tomorrow.  Adios Bernie

Trick or Treat bags and the Travelling Stash moves on

Just a few quick pics of the Halloween treat bags I put together for my granddaughters.  Grandson got an orange pumpkin onesie because he is too little for a bag :)  Also, the travelling stash is making its way to Sarah at http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/.  So check on her blog for another chance to win.

I used the pattern I had from the Grommet Bags but decided to leave out the grommets and just put straps. I made tubed straps and inserted cotton clothing line to make them sturdier.  Cute!