My daughter was involved with my sewing and quilting projects from a young age.  She would stand at my sewing machine when she was three years old and pin fabrics together while I sewed. 
“Sew mine, Mommy,” she’d say.  So I’d sew where she pinned and she was happy with something for her imaginary world.
I also worked with my 4-H girls on sewing and quilting projects when Beth and her cousins were young.  We got involved with many projects that resulted in gifts for grandmothers and moms.
So I related when I read Sarah Ann Smith’s blog entry, A little bit of …read more

As you scurry about filling last minute quilting and fabric art orders, getting gifts finished for family and making other holiday preparations, you might like to take a look at some Quilting and Patchwork posts about gift wrapping and giving for inspiration. 
Gift Wrapping With Quilt Fabric
Using Fabric for Gift Wrap
Christmas Showcase for Quilters and Other Crafters
From Home Biz Notes, a b5 blog I write with Yvonne Russell, you’ll find some more last minute gift giving and wrapping ideas, too.
Are You Gift Wrapping Challenged? Follow These Basic Video Steps
Add a Fancy Cellophane Plume
Gift Giving Suggestions for the Home Business Owner
I’ve been tucking …read more

  When I write about quilting, patchwork and fabric art, I find some topics  spark my readers’ and my interest more than others.  I’ll share five that seem to be favorites in November. 
Let me know if there were others that you found  interesting, helpful, or just plain fun to read.
*What Do Quilters Use for Storing Buttons?
*Quilers, Are You Getting Enough Exercise?
*Quilter, Make Christmas Gift Balls With Fabric Scraps!
*Restoring Old Quilts – Saving a Piece of History and Family Memories
*Quilters Love Tea Parties, Too!
What were your favorite November posts?  (I invite you to comment!)

       Quilters thoughts often turn to Christmas projects by July, if they haven’t before that.  I’ve been receiving messages, in the various newsletters and e-mail notices I’ve subscribed to, about the Christmas fabrics and patterns available in quilting shops and online ones, too.Christmas in July, around July 26, has become a tradition with many people, most frequently in the shopping and marketing realm.  So this is the day the Arts and Design channel has chosen  to feature a Christmas theme.
Some of the places where I’ve found Christmas fabrics and ideas for quilters and fabric artists:
The Christmas Cloth Store handles solely Christmas …read more

Noreen, of Hankering for Yarn, hosted b5media’s Arts and Crafts Channel Artists’ Showcase for December.  The theme this month, logically, was holidays.
You’ll find a number of delightful holiday decorating and gift giving ideas as you browse Noreen’s post and check out the links to the varous blogs.  Participating in the Artists’ Showcase is an enjoyable experience each month as we select a theme and see how each artist can tie in with it. 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Old-time patchwork can be turned into Christmas gifts and decorations.  Yo-yo’s, which once were very popular with quilters, seem to evoke a great deal of interest when I write about them.  Some quilters contact me concerning their memories making these as children and with their children.  Other quilters want to know how to make yo-yo’s.
These decorative shirred circles can be used by themselves…with loop of yarn or trim attached…as decorations for your tree.  They can be sewn together in a chain.  Or they can be stitched to other items…such as pillows, tote bags, vests (see Noreen’s ideas), scarves, hats, headbands for …read more

Gifts for quilters aren’t difficult to find and many enjoy books and magazine subscriptions under the tree.  However, you want to make sure they don’t already have the book or magazine you get them.  Also, it’s best when the book involves a type of quilting or fabric are they’re interested in.
My daughter makes a list each year of books she’s like to have and quilting gadgets she’ll enjoy and find helpful.  From this her husband and children go quilting at her favorite shop or look online.  This works out well because she doesn’t feel guilty about getting that new book or …read more

Quilted and appliqued Christmas ornaments add color and interest to your tree and your home during the holiday season.  You may want to make these yourself or find them at craft and Christmas shops.
Cathy, at the Tangled Thread  blog (www.tangledthread.com) features a number of Christmas ornaments you may want to make.  These include: a Yo-Yo Christmas Tree Stocking, Crazy Quilt Stocking, Christmas Countdown Calendar, and a Counted Cross Stitch Tree Skirt.  Simply browse down her blog for more information and where to find patterns and directions.
Creating Christmas and holiday ornaments and decorations with your youngsters can be a fun time.  …read more

Many quilters are making fabric postcards to send to our servicemen and women overseas through Penny’ Postcard Posse (www.fabric-postcards.com/christmas.shtml ).  The quilters just contributed numerous postcards they sent to the troops for Thanksgiving.  Now they’re working on Christmas greetings.
Quilter Penny Halgren has been quilting for 24 years and this past year organized her “posse” for sending postcards to the men and women in uniform. 
If you visit the postcard web site, you’ll even find free patterns for making postcards if you don’t have ideas of your own. 
The deadline for these Christmas postcards is December 7.
 

Even though it’s only October, it’s probably time to start making your quilted and patchwork Christmas gifts….if you haven’t already begun them.  I’ve noticed, as I’ve browsed the online quilt fabric stores, many are offering sales on quilting supplies.  Your favorite “brick-and-mortar” store probably has sales, gift ideas, perhaps even classes for making these.
There are many small items, as well as bed quilts to make as gifts.  Some of these include: placemats, potholders, clothing, wall hangings of many sizes and types, small appliance covers, toys, doll quilts, and more.
Do you have something special you’re making for holiday gifts?  I’d enjoy hearing about …read more