Wednesdays Sneak Up On Me!

Hey there, friends!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I'd like to apologize for missing last week's post.  The days just got away from me, and I didn't even realize I hadn't posted until last Friday evening.  This week has been super busy too, and I even finished a little quilt.  To be fair, this one was a joint effort.

For each of her great-grandchildren, my grandmother embroiders a quilt panel (or blocks), and then she passes them to me to turn it into a quilt.  I picked this one up at Thanksgiving and will bring it back finished at Christmas.  My youngest cousin is expecting her third child, and this one is for her!  I'm always in awe of my grandmother's beautiful handwork.

I'm also prepping for TWO Christmas parties this weekend.  Friday, we are hosting my husband's department for a party, and then we're hosting our Sunday School class on Saturday.  Each party will have about 30-35 people, so at this point, we're in full crazy party-prep mode.  Yesterday and today were all about the leaves (though there are obviously still plenty on the trees, so I feel like this is a losing battle).

After our two parties, things will not be slowing down.  My husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, and we're squeezing in a trip before we travel (again) to see family at Christmas.  Whew!  It's a lot to fit into the last few weeks of the year.

All of this is to say that after today's party, I will be taking a social media vacation for the remainder of 2023.  Don't worry, I'll be back in 2024 refreshed and ready to see all of your creations!

So, let's check out the final party highlights for 2023!  Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl linked up this beauty-

Take a look at this fun little quilt by Quilting Gail-

And I love this scrappy one by Deb at A Scrappy Quilter-

Okay friends!  Let's make this last party of 2023 a great one!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Thankful for NTT

Hey there, friends.  Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday.  Thank you to all who expressed condolences on the loss of my grandfather.  It was a beautiful service, complete with a military honor guard, and I even managed to make it through the eulogy without breaking down.  I think he would have been proud.

Instead of sewing, this week has been all about finishing my Christmas decorating and recovering from Covid, which I unfortunately must have picked up from someone at the funeral.  I'm almost a full week out from my first symptoms and doing much better now.

Without further ado, let's get right to the highlights from our last party, which was two weeks ago.  Maggie at Making a Lather linked up this scrappy beauty-

Something Rosemade showed off these two lovely quilts-

I love this pretty finish from Anne-Marie at Stories From the Sewing Room-

And finally, this modern quilt by Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl is a stunner. 

Okay friends, before we party, I want to let you know that NTT will be taking a break next week for Thanksgiving.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with lots of family, friends, and food.  I'm so thankful for YOU!

Now, let's link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

No NTT This Week

Hello friends. I’m sorry but there will not be NTT this week. I am currently driving to attend my grandfather’s funeral, so please save all of your projects for next week. 

-Kelly

Father Christmas and NTT

Welcome to a (slightly late) edition of Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  I finished my pillow this week, and I love it so much.  Whether you call him Santa, Father Christmas, Papa Noel, or any one of the many names for him, he sure is cute!

This pillow measures 12" x 20" counting the binding width, and I'm loving the tall, narrow size.  In this photo, he is sitting on the bed for scale.  Here's another one propped up in an upholstered rocking chair.

I don't always opt for dense, detailed quilting, but for this little project, it was a must.  The quilting really brings him to life!

I used long lines and coordinating thread to add dimension to Santa's robes, skin, and belt, and a continuous spiraling line to give shape to the bag.  My very favorite parts though, are his beard and white fur trim.  I had a little bit of doubt that I would be able to make swirls that small, but I did it!  Those trim pieces on his cuffs and hat are only 1/2" wide, and even the wider center stripe is only one inch!  I kept the background simple with a dense stipple, so this entire pillow is covered in amazing texture.

I made an envelope closure on the back, using this fun holly swirl print that I had in my stash, and I had just enough of the red plaid fabric for the binding.  There are lots of different way to finish a pillow, but if you're unsure of how to do it, you can check out my tutorial HERE.

Okay, friends!  It's time to check out some of the amazing stuff from last week's party.  Maggie at Making a Lather linked up this fantastic scrappy quilt top-

Wow!  Look at this fun one from Deb at A Scrappy Quilter-

This gorgeous green quilt is from Quilting by Dawn-

Okay, friends.  Since I'm already a little late, let's get down to business!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Funkytown, Santa, and NTT

Hey there, friends!  Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday!  I got back late Friday night (or more accurately, very early Saturday morning from visiting the Trinity Valley Quilt Guild in Arlington, TX.  We worked on the Funkytown quilt in the class, and had lots of fun!  Check out some photos-

                               

                           

                               

I love how each person's scraps and background choices can make the quilt super unique!  No two quilts are alike, even though everyone was following the same pattern.  In case you don't remember, here's a reminder of mine (included in my book, Scrappy Improv Quilting)-

I would love to come visit you, and I do have a few open spots for 2024, as well as availability in 2025.  Send me an email and let's get something on the calendar for your guild!

Since getting back, I've actually done a little sewing. 'Tis the season to start really thinking about Christmas gifts, after all!

We have a few holiday parties that require "swap gifts," and this Santa block is destined to become a pillow for one of those.  It's the same Santa I designed for my Santa's Christmas Forest quilt a couple of years ago, but this time, I added a little more print to the mix.  I think the addition of the text background and plaid sleeves/hat add just enough interest, allowing this block to stand alone as a pillow.  With borders, this block measures 11" x 20", so a 12" x 20" pillow form will fill it out nicely.

Last week's party had lots of great links!  This cozy, scrappy finish is from Maggie at Making a Lather-

Love this cute quilt from Anja Quilts-

This fun, wonky courthouse steps quilt is from Deb at A Scrappy Quilter-

And Rebecca Grace Quilting shared this awesome Halloween quilt (along with another one in her post!)

Okay y'all!  Party on!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT- Last Trip of the Year

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  Currently (at the time of posting), I'm visiting the Trinity Valley Quilt Guild in Fort Worth, Texas.  It's my last teaching trip of the year since I don't travel during the holiday season, and we'll be having lots of fun!  If your guild is looking for a presenter in 2024, I still have a few dates available.  Send me an email and we'll talk!

Last week's party was, once again, filled with quilty inspiration.  Take a look at this scrappy finish from Gretchen's Little Corner-

Sandra at mmm quilts linked up this amazing finish-

This cute quilt is from Quilting Gail-

This fun patriotic quilt is from Alycia Quilts-

And take a look at this cozy quilt linked up from Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

Okay friends, let's get this thing going!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT- All the Autumn Vibes

Hey there, y'all, and happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  This week, with nighttime temps in the 40's and 50's, I'm feeling allll the autumn vibes around here.  Other than the holidays, this is my favorite time of year and I have a tough time not sitting outside all day (and evening).  I've done a little sketching while sitting outside, but no sewing.

But by the looks of last week's party, many of you are feeling the fall vibes too, and y''all have been sewing lots!  Take a look at this stunner from Sew Preeti Quilts-

Or this cute quilt from Jocelyn at Happy Cottage Quilter-

Melisa at Pinker n Punkin Quilting linked up this sweet little finish-

And check out this pillow from Anne-Marie at Stories From the Sewing Room.  Love the quilting texture!

Y'all are amazing, week after week!  So, let's get our party started!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Happy NTT, Friends!

Hey there, y'all!  My latest teaching trip was SO much fun.  Even still, I don't know why, but it always takes me a few days to recover when I travel.  On the way home, I got an unexpected visit with my family too!  My flight was delayed, so I missed the second leg of my trip and ended up in Houston overnight.  As it so happens, my sister and her family live in the Houston area, as well as my aunt, uncle, and some of my cousins.  As luck would have it, my parents happened to be there visiting them for the weekend, and a negative turned into a big positive.  I was only there for about seventeen hours but I saw everyone, and it was a great time!

Okay friends!  let's go ahead and get to the highlights from last week!

Just look at all of that texture on this quilt by Rebecca Grace Quilting-

This fun quilt is from Gretchen's Little Corner-

LeeAnna from Not Afraid of Color shared this little improv beauty-

And finally, I love this patriotic quilt from Time 4 stitchn-

Okay, friends!  It's time to get our party going!  Let's do it!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Sewjo...MIA, and NTT

Hey there, y'all!  This week I've been prepping for a fun trip to visit the Central Oklahoma Quilt Guild.  In fact, at the time of posting, I'll be up in the air and on my way!  So, no sewing from me this week.  

Check out the highlights from last week's party!  This fun quilt is from Rita at Quiltpiecer-

I love this one from Something Rosemade-

And Sew Preeti Quilts shared this slice of sunshine-

Okay friends!  I'll be teaching and speaking for the next couple of days, and I know I'll have some fun stuff to share next week!  Until then, let's get our party going!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)