“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 art,  as she helped her son make a fabric postcard gift for a friend.  She has pictures of her card of a horse as well as her son’s. 

Some projects for children:

*Pillows

*Potholders

*Aprons

*Fabric postcards

*Tote bags

*Doll or mini quilts

What projects have you been working on with your children? 

Post from: Blisstree

Helping Youngsters Make a Quilting Christmas Gift

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 items into small gift bags and adding tissue paper and bows to complete the festive look.  These I hand deliver or give out to friends and customers.

My husband and I’ve also printed Christmas postcards to send to customers and business associates (as well as family and friends), using a winter scene photo I took.  In between writing and shoveling snow (we’re in the midst of a big storm here in central NH), I’m addressing cards and adding notes.

Post from: Blisstree

Last Minute Gift Giving Inspiration & Wrapping Ideas for Quilters

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!)

Post from: Blisstree

5 Favorite November Posts at Quilting & Patchwork

Some of the places where I’ve found Christmas fabrics and ideas for quilters and fabric artists:

The Christmas Cloth Store handles solely Christmas and holiday related fabrics.  They carry a wide variety of items for your Chrismas sewing and quiltmaking.

Free Christmas Quilt & Block Patterns from Bella Online presented by Kim Noblin.

Christmas Quilts & Accessories at Quilts.About.com presented by Janet Wickell.

Snowy River Quilts has some interesting Christmas fabrics in their store, including “Countdown To Christmas” and “Christmas Past.”

There also are delightful books about quilting and Christmas:

The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini , one of my favorite quilting fiction writers, comes to mind.  It’s a story from her Elm Creek Quilters series.

The Christmas Memory Quilt, written by Kimberly Webb and illustrated by Jennifer Gaskin, will be released soon…a story for children about quilting and Christmas and memories.

If you have favorite places to shop for your Christmas supplies and patterns, let me know and I’ll post it here.  Do you have any special Christmas in July projects you’re making? 

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters Think Christmas Thoughts in July

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!

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting and Patchwork Blog Participates in Artists’ Showcase

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 decorative effect.

They also can be sewn together, as quilters in the 1920s and ’30s did, to make quilts, spreads, and table cloths.

To make a Yo-Yo:  Cut a circle from cotton or cotton-blend fabric, 4, 5 or 6-inches in diameter, depending on the size you want your decorations.  Some quilters make mini yo-yo’s and cut even smaller circles.  I find the 6-inch circle is a convenient size, especially if you’re making yo-yo’s with your children.

Turn under a tiny hem, just slightly less than 1/4 inch, to the wrong side.  Children will need this pinned down before they start sewing.  Adults usually can turn as they sew. You also can press the hem, if you find that works best.

Take a double thread with knot in the end.  Then make basting size stitches around the hem.  Gather the fabric as you go. 

When you’ve finished sewing and gathering, you’ve gathered your circle into a double circle with small hole in the center of the front.  Take a few stitches to secure your thread.  For decorative effect on Christmas decorations, sew a pretty button or sequin in the center over the hole.

One hint:  Do not gather with tiny quilting stitches.  This will leave a large hole in the center.  Basting stitches will gather the circle tighter so there’s only a small hole left.

This is a good way to use up scraps of fabric.  For Christmas decorations, use Christmas fabrics and colors.

Post from: Blisstree

Making Yo-Yo Quilts & Decorations for the Holidays

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 gadget.

You’ll find some book suggestions.  However, there are many more out there…non-fiction, fiction, and books about quilts for children.  Browse through bookstores online or at a mall.

Post from: Blisstree

Give a Quilting Book as a Gift

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.  My daughter and I have memories of those we made when she was young.  I also used these as projects with my 4-H Club members.  These items also are nice to give as gifts.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilted Christmas Ornaments

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas Fabric Postcards for the Troops

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 it.

Post from: Blisstree

Are You Doing Christmas Quilting Yet?