Hi, all!
Day Seven! I feel like a little kid again, opening all kinds of wonderful gifts on Christmas morning! So many wonderful ideas from our creative bloggers, and still more to come! Today Wendy of Peaceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life will be sharing her Christmas vision with us. Wendy is so fun and creative, I can't wait to see what she has to show us.
And my blog is being "hijacked" today by Kristi, who has a fun project to share. I'll be yielding the floor to her in a few minutes, but first I want to announce that we'll be having another giveaway here today!
I have two of these bundles to give away today. Each bundle has a canvas tote bag, a zip pouch, and a water bottle, all coordinated to go together. Aren't they fun? I think they'd be perfect to take on a retreat, to guild meetings, or even just to express your quilty, crafty, self to the world! If you'd like one of these bundles for yourself, leave a comment (and email address) below. Today, tell me the most memorable Christmas present you ever got. It's probably the first thing that jumped to mind when you read that sentence, and I'll share mine with you... I remember getting up one Christmas morning, going into the living room (before my parents got up!), and finding the whole Flintstone gang in stuffed pillow dolls - Fred, Barnie, Wilma, Betty, BamBam and Pebbles - that my mom had made for me that year. Isn't it funny the things you remember? So share yours in the comments below and I'll draw two winners for this giveaway. Winners for all my blog's giveaways will be announced on Wednesday July 25th, the final day of the hop.
And now, here's Kristi!
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Hello friends! I’m pleased to be guest blogging today for Sarah’s Christmas in July blog hop. I’ll confess, Christmas is my family’s favorite time of year. We’ve even been known to listen to Christmas music even mid-summer! So it’s no surprise that I enjoy making Christmas crafts.
Last fall, when I was visiting my mother (whom I see in person only a couple times a year because she lives two states away), we decided to peruse her fabric stash, most of it from the 1990’s. Among many soft florals, she had lots of Christmas fabrics. We found many larger cuts of Christmas yardage, and then we hit the jackpot with a stash of already-cut 4 ½ inch squares in a variety of coordinating Christmas fabrics.
I love the challenge of creating a quilt with an interesting pile of scraps! I love Sarah’s blog especially because she is a master at making odds and ends into something beautiful. Quilty ideas started forming. We looked around a little more and I found some chunks of solid cranberry red and various printed muslins that looked great with the 4 ½ inch squares. I cut the cranberry and muslins into 2 ½ inch squares.
Because my mom and I were just hanging out enjoying each other’s company for the day, I pulled out her 1970s, all-metal Elna SU sewing machine and started in. Having just one remaining day for sewing on our trip, I went with a simple and graphic block: a Double 4-Patch. As I was planning on rotating the blocks around in a variety of ways, I didn’t worry about the orientation of the directional fabrics. The quilt will look good from all sides.
After a few experimental blocks I realized I had enough fabric squares to make a small lap quilt. I invite you to take a ‘shopping trip’ through your Christmas fabric stash and join me in this project!
Vintage Lap Quilt
Finished Quilt Size: 48 inches square
Block Size: 8 inches finished
Number of Blocks: 36 total (6 by 6 square)
- Assorted Red Squares (4½ cut): 36 or cut from about ½ yard
- Assorted Green Squares (4½ cut): 36 or cut from about ½ yard
- Cranberry yardage, cut into 144 2½ inch squares from about 5/8 yard
- Printed Muslin, cut into 144 2½ inch squares from about 5/8 yard
- Binding at your desired size (I used extra cranberry)
The first step is to create the cranberry and muslin 4-patches. Start by chain-sewing all the muslin 2½ inch squares to the cranberry squares. Press to the cranberry.
After you have all the muslin-cranberry pairs, divide them in half and lay them out as 4-patches. The first pair goes on the top with the cranberry on the right. The second pair goes on the bottom with the cranberry to the left. Make a stack of these and chain sew into 4-patches. Each 4-patch unit should be 4½ inches square. Square them up if you need to.
Now the fun part comes with 4-patches for the pressing. We are going to spin the seams! After you sew the 4-patch together, hold it up and inspect the last seam you did. Where that seam crosses the two seams (that you had to match), remove that little bit of seam in the seam allowance on both sides (using your fingers or a seam ripper). The part you want to remove is shown as the green line in the picture below.
When you get that little bit of extra seam removed, you can then spin them. With the unit face down, fiddle with the seams that meet in the middle to make them look like a little checkerboard. This time the cranberry presses toward the muslin.
Finish the rest of the 4-patches, spinning the seams as you go.
Now you’re going to do the same to make the double 4-patches out of the 4½ inch squares and the 4½ inch 4-patch units.
First layout the block.
Sew the top row together, then sew the bottom, pressing toward the 4½ inch squares.
Now sew the top to the bottom. Then remove the little stitches in the middle and spin the seams!
Now you have the finished block! Repeat to make all 36 blocks.
It’s fun to experiment with the layout. These blocks can be rotated around in a variety of ways to make different patterns. Here are some options:
Option #1
Option #2
Option #3
I chose option #1 and decided not to add a border. I like the diagonal rows of alternating green and red squares with the muslin creating another diagonal the other direction.
Sew the blocks into rows and then the rows together and you have a finished top! I quilted the quilt on my Juki 2010Q mounted on my Gracie King frame in wavy lines across the quilt. After doing one direction, I loaded the quilt rotated 90 degrees and quilted the other direction. It gives the quilting a wavy checkerboard feeling, which seemed apt for all the squares.
And here’s my finished quilt, ready for snuggling by the tree!
Hope you enjoy making yours as much as I enjoyed making mine! My 11 year old son has already claimed it! Happy Sewing!
Kristi, a fourth-generation quilter, has been quilting actively since 2013. She loves sewing quilts for kids and using up all her scraps! When not working as a Database Administrator during the day or sewing in her free time, she can be found enjoying the outdoors near her Northern California home with her husband of 30 years and their 11-year-old son. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kristiquilts/
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Wow! Who knew that being hijacked could be so much fun? Thanks, Kristi, for a fun post and great tutorial. Now I'm wishing I hadn't given away all my Christmas scraps - but maybe there are some more hanging around in there somewhere..... (SQUIRREL!!!)
Remember to check out Wendy's blog, and enter the giveaway below, too! And for those of you doing the quilt-along, use your catch-up day well - we're almost done!
Hugs!
Sarah
Saturday, July 14th
Joy @ Days Filled With Joy
Selina @ Selina Quilts
Sunday, July 15th
Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt
Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic
Monday, July 16th
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats
Tuesday, July 17th
Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts
Mary @ Made by Marney
Wednesday, July 18th
Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home
Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World
Thursday, July 19th
Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts
Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.
Danice @ Homespun Hannah
Friday, July 20th
Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict
Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts
Saturday, July 21st
Marian @ Seams To Be Sew
Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog
Sunday, July 22nd
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Moira @ Quilted Snail
Monday, July 23rd
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Amy @ Sea of Estrogen
Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie
Tuesday, July 24th
Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More
Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts
Wednesday, July 25th
Pretty quilt pattern, and those fabrics are really holiday-ish.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristi for a great quilt! My most memorable Christmas was when I got my 2 wheeled bike when I was about 7. I looked for it by the tree and my dad came wheeling it out of their bedroom. Patches8@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI remember the bike that waited for me under the tree. Who could miss it! THanks for the giveaway. Very cute bags.
ReplyDeleteI remember the excitement of thinking about Santa coming and leaving something for me and my siblings. That year I got a stuffed cat with a music box inside. I loved that cat to death!
ReplyDeleteLove Kristi’s quilt design. Thanks for sharing the great giveaway too!
I guess most memorable are the ornaments that my children made in school. They still go on my tree 40 plus years later. Jmikebalou (at) aol (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMy first white, small transitor radio. I wore it out, and went through many many batteries!
ReplyDeleteMine is a pogo stick that was under the couch and they sent me on a hunt for it. I was sitting right by it and didn't even know it.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable gift was a typewriter I got back in the days when we still used typewriters. I was a senior in high school and going to go to college - I was thrilled to receive such an expensive gift!
ReplyDeleteA great Christmas quilt! The gift I treasure the most is the first one my oldest grandson gave me. A lopsided tree ornament he made in kindergarten it is the last to go on the tree.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable gift was the Christmas I received doll clothes for doll that matched outfits my mother had made for me that Fall. I was so excited that my doll and I would match! She had a little cowgirl skirt, a Sunday dress for Church and even had some "Jeans", all just like mine. Thank you Kristi for the fun quilt. I have a bunch of Christmas fabric that will work perfectly for it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kristi~love the quilt! The one I remember the most is getting a Barbie doll house, I loved my dolls!
ReplyDeleteThe gift was what I call a "Dancing Doll". It was a soft doll about 3 feet tall with elastic attached to the bottom of her feet, so the loops could go around my feet and we could dance together. I have a black & white photo of us together.
ReplyDeletePetuniakr@aol.com
My favorite was an Eldon 500 race car set.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that doesn't have a memory that jumps out? I can say one of my favorites was a hard tack candy that My Grandmother made. It tastes like coffee/ caramel but she told me that she just accidentally burned the sugar when making it. mmmm
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas gift as a child was my life-sized baby doll...she was as tall as I was!
ReplyDeleteMY FAVORITE GIFT WAS MY FIRST PAIR OF SKATES, THEN WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO BE COLD ENOUGH FOR OUR BACKYARD RINK. REALLY ENJOYING THIS YEARS 12 DAYS
ReplyDeletehjrogers@sympatico.ca
My first Christmas of my marriage (50 years ago), my hubby surprised me with my first sewing machine. A wonderful, thoughtful gift I was not expecting.
ReplyDeleteBack in 1993, my husband surprised me with a beautiful husqvarna sewing machine. I had bring struggling along with an old singer and going to workshops with the likes of Harriet Hargreave as domestic machine quilting was coming into fashion. When I first saw the size of the box I feared he was wasting my gift by giving me a tv for his personal use! Imagine my surprise and delight! He had been in contact with a quilter friend who had moved far away and they had decided what I needed. I put many miles on that machine and thought of her as a valued friend. What a wonderful gift; all those hours of happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 5, I watched my mom make wonderful doll clothes for myself and my older sister's Christmas dolls. She got the surprise, but I had the fun and the memory of watching Mom make them. I still have them, and they are a treasure to me. Thanks so much for sharing Christmas in July -- I always look forward to this!
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas gift was my Kodak camera. It was a black box camera (telling my age!!). I love to take pictures and quickly became the family photographer!!
ReplyDeleteHi to Kristi! Thanks for sharing...I will follow you on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing you!
DeleteOMGsh....that sassy bag is too cute!
ReplyDeleteSo...the first gift to pop into my mind was my first NEW vehicle...a teal Isuzu Rodeo from hubby, a complete surprise! Another thing that came to mind was the photo Michael Jackson album of my youth :)
Classic design, well done Kristi. Don't enter me in your drawing, I just wanted to comment for Kristi.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carole! I've been a follower of your blog for awhile, it's nice to reciprocate!
Deletewhat a fun post. thanks for shairing today. when i was nine my uncle decided that us five children needed a puppy. so he talked to my mom (his sister). on christmas day when he came over he had this little white and brown cocker spaniel. oh was she sweet. she licked all of our faces and cuddled in our laps. we named her lady because she was a girl. she was the perfect family dog. we all loved her and she loved us. she would wait at the end of the driveway for us to come home from school. we had her for 13 years. what a wonderful dog to grow up with.
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at comcast dot net
My best gift was probably my pink bicycle. It was a big bike and I was barely tall enough. There is a picture of me when I saw it on Christmas morning. Pure joy! I like your Christmas throw. Especially liked seeing all the different settings.
ReplyDeleteKristi, Love your quilt and the super simple tutorial you provided. Such a fun time spent with your mom.
ReplyDeleteSarah, Funny, all of the thoughts that popped into my mind from my youth are of my kid sisters gifts. I know I got great gifts but not sure of the whys and when as my birthday is the week after Christmas. I do remember my first Polaroid, great fun had by all with that.
Glad you found the tutorial helpful!
DeleteSometimes simple can yield some amazing results! This is a sweet quilt! I'm glad you were hijacked!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment to thank Kristi for such a great tutorial! I love the double 4 patch and had never seen those different layout options. So good to know!! Her Christmas quilt turned out super and the fact that a teenage boy claimed it as his own is just about the highest praise ever :)
ReplyDelete(Please don't enter me in the drawing, I have too many tote bags for now. These are cute, though!)
Glad you enjoyed the layouts! I had fun creating different designs and wanted to give everyone options! And yes, even though I don't have a daughter (or son) who wants to sew with me, the fact that he has 6 or 7 of my quilts in his room as his treasures just makes my heart so full!
DeleteThank you Kristi for sharing your beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteI remember getting a doll for Christmas that you could wind up and she would walk. She also had hair--I had never had a doll with hair before. Thank you Sarah for the great giveaway.
The most memorable gift I ever received for Christmas was the year my hubby gave me a Bernina sewing machine. I had no idea he would even think about a sewing machine. When I questioned him as to why he bought a Bernina, he said he overheard me tell someone that I thought the Berninas were the best machines around. I had been sewing on an old Kenmore for years, but the Bernina was a heart gift and I am still using it 14 years later :-)
ReplyDeleteThe gift that popped into my head was a certificate for a trip to the AQS Quilt Show in Phoenix! My husband flew me down there, by myself, and I enjoyed a few days of classes and exploration around the venue. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteBest Christmas surprise was when the kids chipped in together & gave us a weekend in Toronto!! We saw Phantom of the Opera & had nice Hotel...all paid by them! Was AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for chance to win your Fun give-a-way too!!(I am a TOTAL Tote "Addict" too..giggle..)
During my daughter's vacation a few years ago, we visited a nautical art gallery. I was interested in a 3D wooden map, but it was more than I would usually spend on wall art (I am notoriously cheap). She asked me why I liked it so much and I told her it was because it would always remind me of the happy times we had at our summer home when she and her brother were growing up. When she came home for Christmas, she told me she didn't have my present with her and that I should expect a package in the mail. A few weeks later, the map arrived
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nauticalwoodmaps.com/long-island-sound-ny/
It hangs now in our living room and makes me smile whenever I see it.
It's not the present that is so memorable, but, how it was gifted. My father was great at writing 'clues', and we had to figure out each clue, that would lead to another clue, until we finally found our present. One year, my mother had to go up to the attic 2 different times, to find her clues (she got an Elvis LP, shortly before Elvis died). We've done this with our boys over the years, and they've done it to each other. We've even hidden clues in the refrigerator (behind the butter, etc) and in the dryer, and had one gift 'found' in the bathtub (Xbox system from my parents, who were on the phone with us while the boys searched for their gift). Each time we use the gift, we remember how we found it, and that makes it more memorable to us.
ReplyDeleteIn the mid 80's, I was newly divorced and went to my mom's house for Christmas. It was just the two of us and as she didn't have much money I was not expecting a gift. She handed me a small gift though of a little bear with a container or M&M's and my heart smiled. I was just so touched to be remembered and loved. Mom's love was the best gift ever.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh, I can;t remember my favorite Christmas gift. Our Christmas celebration have always been focused on the kids and I can recall the gifts we gave them, but I'll tell you, the best gifts I got are the ones the kids made for me. Many are in my hutch on display.
ReplyDeletethank you Kristi, for sharing your quilt pattern and tutorial.
Happy Weekend.
xx, Carol
It sounds like a great time spent with your mom, Kristi! I used to sew with my mom when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was 6 or 7 wanting a bride doll for Christmas. On Christmas morning, there was the most beautiful doll with the most beautiful bride's dress on under the tree! I love that doll, and I kept her for years until she finally had to be tossed.
The first thing my Mom taught me to sew on the sewing machine was little doll pillows cut from sheets that were printed with Peanuts characters (Charlie Brown, Snoopy, etc...). I made LOTS of little pillows, stuffed them and sold them at my Mom's Christmas bazaar! (We'll...I suspect Mom actually helped alot! :) )
DeleteI love four-patch blocks, they are so versatile! Cute Christmas scrappy quilt!
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas memory is the last Christmas gift my mom gave me -- a new sewing machine. She completely surprised me. Even when I took the wrapping off and saw the labels on the box, I thought she had just re-used a box! I used it until last year, when I upgraded. Now the machine she gave me is for retreats, etc.
Kristi did a great job with her tutorial. I love the options of changing the simple blocks to get a different design.
ReplyDeleteAs for memorable gifts. . .I immediately thought of 2.
Gift #1 My grandparents always had Christmas gifts under the tree before Christmas ('cause Santa had too many houses to deal with so Mom Mom's & Pop Pop's got their deliveries early). My sisters and I were oohing and aahing over the packages, like kids will, when I realized (being the oldest!) that I could see through the paper on one of my gifts. . .it was a typewriter (almost reading & writing, even as a kid).
I guess I was a little too loud with my discovery because on Christmas Eve once all the gifts were given out I did not have a typewriter. . .but I couldn't say anything because then they would know I was snooping.
On Christmas morning it was at our house with a note that peekers don't always see what they think they see! LOL I got the hint.
Gift #2 My parents got me a sewing machine in a cabinet and I still have it. Don't use it as much as I used to, but it is still dear to me.
Thanks Sherry! It's been a fun process of discovery when trying to 'describe' something so visual with words!
Deletelove the quilting pattern.
ReplyDeleteMy memory of specific gifts is spotty. What I remember best is the smells - the smell of new dolls (vinyl?), evergreen, cinnamon cookies. New cars often have that same exquisite smell, too.
ReplyDelete:) Linda (lindaschiffer at me dot com)
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite gift was my Little Red Spinning Wheel. It was a glorified spool knitting set up but I loved it and made so many little things with it!
I love seeing all the Christmas ideas on your blog hop - thank you so much for taking the time to make it work. I also love reading the comments on this post - so much fun!
This quilt idea is perfect to whittle down that bucket of Christmas fabric. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLots of items that are special to me because they were
ReplyDeleteChristmas presents - I still have the locket with my initial on it my grandmother gave me some 60 years ago. librarian2760 at yahoo dot com
Love that Christmas throw! The giveaway is great, too! My best Christmas memory was when I got my "last doll" as a gift. Yes, Mom told me it was going to be my last one, so choose wisely. I did!
ReplyDeleteKristi, I recognize some of the prints in your quilt. One of my favorite Christmas memories was receiving a portable record player. Boy oh boy, was I ever excited. Though my mom and dad probably regretted that decision because I was always being told to "turn that thing down".
ReplyDeleteForgot to add my email address. Janarama11 at gmail.com. The 11 in my address is the number eleven.
DeleteI just love how the fabrics themselves carry memories. I look at the quilt on the guest bed in my Mothers vacation home and see so many stories!
DeleteMy best Christmas present was an engagement ring! My now husband proposed underneath the tree on Christmas morning. It was just the two of us and was magical! radosevichr@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteActually, the most memorable gift was given to my sister... a unicycle! She never learned to ride it, but I did, so I kind of inherited (or hijacked😉) her present. Don't worry, she didn't mind. Susanpshaffer@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI received a record player and records for the most memorable Christmas. almost wore them out playing them so much.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable gift that we got as a family for Christmas was a squirrel monkey. He was the cutest little guy. Thanks for the great Blog Hop. There has been so many neat things to make.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas was the year I turned 19. I was a new mom and a young wife. My Dad had just lost his business, moved into a rental and my Mom had gone to work. They didn't have much. When my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, all I could think about was a Pyrex 2-cup measuring cup. That is what I got, I still have it 52 years later. It is precious because "my dad listened" and because it was sacrificial for them to be able to also give my young daughter a brand new red tricycle.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas was when I got this big Walking Doll. I moved her arms up and down and she walked, she was just about as big as I was at the time. I tried to carry her and remember tripping and falling down. From then on I made her walk with me.
ReplyDeleteI got one too! She was the Laurie Walker doll. That was the year Santa put the empty packages in the trunk of my dad's car so he wouldn't have empty packages in the sleigh.
DeleteKristi, I really like your Christmas quilt. One of my favorite childhood gifts was when my mom made me a whole lot of Barbie clothes for my Barbies.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 8 years old, I got a sewing machine for Christmas. Mind you, it was just a "toy" one but it did function and I had a lot of fun with it. But it wasn't as much fun as mom's big Singer machine so I went back hugging hers, lol. ;^)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...I can't think of the most memorable gift. But I love our current tradition...we gift cash for gifts, and on Boxing Day, my sister, nephew, and I go shopping. Our Christmas money goes much farther, and we have a great day together.
ReplyDeleteOne of my most memorable gifts was a large rag doll made by my Mom--it was sitting in a small rocker (big enough for me)--My sister also received this gift and we spent many hours playing together with our dolls!
ReplyDeletebarbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
A wonderful tutorial and memory making the quilt, Kristi. When I was in grade school, I received a baby doll - Mary Dear. She looked and felt like a real baby. My parents had gone to Pittsburgh, PA to a Pirates game and gone downtown window shopping. My mom saw her in a closed department store and wrote to the store explaining which window on which street where the doll was. She ordered the doll for me for Christmas which made the doll extra special that she would go to that trouble for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the little things make the best memories!
DeleteMost memorable gift? The Christmas that my son handed me a box that started ringing and then my husband walked in with his phone to his ear.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas was when my dad accidently put the wrong name tags on two presents. My mom opened hers and got a wheelbarrow, which was supposed to be for my brother. I'll never forget her reaction! We all got a great laugh out of that. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI remember the Christmas that I got a "Chatty Cathy" doll! I had really wanted one and was so grateful to have her!
ReplyDeleteA suede shoulder bag, I was a pre-teen and it was the 70's. Need I say more......lol
ReplyDeleteOne of my most memorable Christmas presents was finding a Brownie Hawkeye camera under the tree with my name on it. I was so hoping Santa heard my prayers each night that I had been good and deserved one. He listened! I still have it but I don't think they make film that fits it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great guests today.
We didn't have much of anything when I was younger so for some reason a lost memory popped into my head while reading what you wanted us to post about today. One year I got a checker Board game. I kind of think my dad forgot what day Christmas fell on. Not a pity party but it sure was rough watching my cousins open present after present. But I think I appreciated that board more than they appreciated all their gifts.
ReplyDeleteJeri Oldtisme@aol.com
I had 4 brothers and sisters. My parents, although not well off, did everything they could to make Christmas great for us. One Christmas, after we had opened all the presents, we started playing with the big box that my parents had apparently stored all the presents in. My dad got mad that with all the presents, we were playing with the box! Mom got mad at dad and he ended up cutting doors and windows in the box, making us a Playhouse!
ReplyDeleteI remember the year I got my very own “record player.” This was back in the days of American Bandstand and 45’s. I thought I was the luckiest kid on the block!
ReplyDeleteOne Christmas my dad had taken a job transfer and had moved ahead of us to a new town. Money was very tight because there were two households to support. That year we made a beautiful tree and all the decorations out of construction paper. My mother also made our Christmas presents. She spent weeks secretly sewing for us. We knew she was making - but not what. Mine was a doll with the most beautiful blue eyes and long brown hair. For my brother a brontosaurus made out of brown naugahyde. (The fake leather stuff for couches.) That quiet home made Christmas was the absolute best Christmas. Thank you for bringing that memory to the fore for me. We lost her unexpectedly early this year. The memories are still raw.
ReplyDeleteHeather J no blog (yet)
twobizy2care(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite Christmas gift that I got when I was six years old. Santa brought me a black,round patent leather purse. It had a zipper opening, much like a suitcase but it very small. What made this purse special is that in the center of the lid was a tiny doll (about 2 inches tall) that was beautifully dressed. I could see her through the little window and knew that as long as she stay in this sealed compartment that I would never lose her or get her dirty. I thought long and hard and after 2 weeks had my mom open the purse and cut the perforated line inside to get my dolly out. I immediately regretted it, but did my best to keep her clean anyway. I loved that purse and carried it for 3 years before I had worn it out!
ReplyDeleteOff hand, I guess the most memorable Christmas gift as a child would be a 36" walking doll. Our neighbor had made several outfits for her. She is sitting in my original high chair today.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not remember receiving a Betsy Wetsy doll as a little girl, I have seen a picture of myself holding that doll with such a happy,joyous expression on my face.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
ollieami at aol dot com
My most memorable was getting a Barbie carrier. You opened it up and it had little hangers and clothes and shoes to keep in it. And I got can of black olives every Christmas. I still do! :)
ReplyDeleteI think my most memorable gift was the heart-shaped watch I got. It was hidden far under the tree and totally unexpected. I hadn't asked for a watch and I loved it the moment I opened it. I still have that watch even though it doesn't run anymore. shades000 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThe quilt my daughter made for me ( the only quilt ever made for me by someone else) remains precious to me and is, and always will be, on my sofa. Thanks for this blog hop and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteFantastic design and option 2 is my best fav.
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable was the year I got my a watch.
I was a huge Barbie doll fan and one year my mother knit me Barbie doll clothes for Christmas. I was excited to receive such unique clothes for my dolls. I Still have them to this day as it amazes me that anyone could knit those long sleeves for a doll that size.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kristi, great reminder that simple quilt blocks can make a big impact!! I, too, have that deer fabric with the red background and some red deer on a cream background. My older stash got shoved to the lower and back cabinets. Now I know what I can do with it. Sarah: my most memorable gift was actually one I gave. About 24 years ago, I gave my 16 year old son a bathrobe as we didn't know what to give him and he needed one and money was tight. It went into a rather large box and he was so excited while he opened it as he thought it might be a cello and so disappointed afterwards when it wasn't. He reminds us often of that gift.
ReplyDeletekthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
I think my favorite quilts are simple blocks arranged in interesting geometric patterns. Moving them around is a process of discovery!
DeleteOne of my memorable Christmas holidays growing up was when my father bought my brother and I bikes for Christmas. They were at my grandparents home and my dad hadn't made it home yet so my grandfather brought the bikes to our home. My brother and I took them out for a spin that evening, one of us keeping watch out for my father. After riding them, we washed all the dirt from the tires and put them under the tree. No one was the wiser.
ReplyDeletetushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Hi Kristi. I have many memories of special gifts that my children and grandchildren made me; all special and very treasured. My most memorable Christmas gift was a baby quilt I made and gifted to my daughter at the request of my grandaughter. It was the way my grandaughter wanted to tell her Mom she was going to be a grandmother! We had so much fun picking out fabric together and my grandaughter insisted I had to make a duplicate. That way my great grandson had the same quilt at home and at Nanny's place. It was the best secret ever!
ReplyDeleteQuiltSchmilt@gmail.com
We have a tradition in my family to only gift "made" presents. That way everything is gifted with that extra bit of love and thought!
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable gift was one from my father. He never shopped except on Christmas Eve for my mother. But about two years after we moved to NH, he bought me something even my mother knew nothing about. It turned out to be a knit poncho to wear outside while I was clearing snow. I love being outside after dark while it is snowing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my grandparents got all of the granddaughters the Barbie ornament that had come out for that year!
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern, Kristi! My most memorable Christmas present was my blue bicycle when I was a kid. I named her "Blue Angel" after the fighter jets!! And yes, I wrote her name on the bicycle in RED fingernail polish!! I was just a kid, but my mom wasn't real happy with me using her nail polish!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy comment is for Kristi, I absolutely LOVE this quilt! I feel super inspired, I have so much random Christmas fabric that would work really well for this pattern. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete~Brandy
Random Christmas fabric is perfect. Each block could be unique!
DeleteMy favorite Christmas gift was my Tiny Swingy doll I got when I was about 8. She danced and came with her own 45 record!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the kind comments! And thanks to Sarah for hosting this awesome blog hop...it was fun to hijack your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable Christmas gift was a Madame Alexander baby doll. I named him Teddy, and I loved him as much as if he were a real child. I still remember his dimpled fingers and how I loved to rock him "to sleep".
ReplyDeleteThe double 4-patch is such a classic pattern to use with Holiday frabrics. Nice tutorial and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe first year we were in our new home and our first gigantic Christmas Tree with soooo many toys. Well it looked like a lot (it was 5 of us).
ReplyDeleteThe best Christmas ever was when my daughter surprised us on Christmas morning with my 5 month old grandson...they were supposed to be states away. It was the greatest Christmas present ever!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi, I love the quilt you created, and there are so many setting options it is hard to choose from. I love the simple wave you used to quilt it, and it turned out wonderfully. Thank you for sharing and participating in the blog hop!
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