Magpie Quilts

When we were at my mother-in-law's at Thanksgiving, we saw that her potholders were thin and threadbare. I loved this fabric line when I made a few potholders for my Etsy shop and bought a couple of the blue fabrics to make some kitchen accessories for my MIL for Christmas. I really like how these fabrics are bright and cheerful! And I forgot to take a picture of the tea cozy! Maybe I'll have to make another, just so I can show you what it looked like! --Ann

I love making handmade gifts. And if someone on my gift list is also a crafter, I like to get something that will encourage their love of making handmade things. My daughter-in-law has taken up crocheting and usually has a project with her when she comes to visit, so I thought I would make her a holder for all her hooks, so she can have them with her wherever she goes. I used a crayon roll tutorial and adjusted the sizes to fit the hooks. I like the hair elastic loop and button for a closure as it is very secure and doesn't catch everything else in your bag as velcro will sometimes do. All rolled up Ready to unroll Room for all sizes of crochet hooks Labelled with a fine point sharpie pen Now, I'll just have to make one of these for myself as my crochet hooks are all over the place! --Ann

I picked up this yummy pack of fabrics in the fall at a quilt show in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. I've been making this quilt pattern for a few quilts now and it works well with the modern prints that aren't really suited to cutting into smaller pieces. The white sashing and borders give it a bright modern look that is quite popular right now. Monkeys and owls and bugs galore - For Sale here ! This quilt is backed with Minky fabric - it's a lovely microfibre fabric that is so soft and cuddly, but also very stretchy and so is hard to quilt. I basted closer than usual and didn't have any issues when I stipple quilted it on my Janome sewing machine. --Ann

Another round of swaps on the Mini QT swap on Flickr is done & here's the quilt I sent off to my swap partner. The theme was doors and windows and originally I had planned to make an attic windows block with some kind of fussy cut print for in the windows. BUT, I spent some time online browsing for quilt & window and came across some lovely looking cathedral window quilts. I learned how to do these a long time ago from my friend, Imogene, and was smitten with her full-size quilt made with this technique. Hope you like my modern version! It was more difficult than I thought it would be and is not likely to be something I do again soon. --Ann

While cleaning up the sewing room a few weeks ago, I found these little paper-pieced blocks that were meant for another project. I needed quite a few more to finish the quilt that the pattern was for, but paper-piecing is not something that I enjoy doing a lot of. So these little gems are going to be little cushions that can be used for pin cushions or as bowl fillers with some potpourri. Have you ever started a quilting project and then made it into something totally different? If so, let me know in a comment below! --Ann

When I need a quick and easy project to complete so that I feel like I've completed something, I usually make a few pot holders. I use 2 layers of batting or 1 layer of Insul-Brite with a layer of batting, so they will work as both pot holders and a hot pad on the table. Here's a couple from a fabric purchase this summer: For sale SOLD!!! For sale here ! For sale SOLD!!! ! These are great gifts for moms, grandmas, teachers, shower gifts, housewarming. --Ann

My 3 year old granddaughter helped me put up the Christmas this year. I haven't put up a tree with little hands helping for a long time, so it was a challenge to get the tree fluffed up while she was busily unpacking all the lights and ornaments. There were a few hold my breath moments when treasured breakable keepsakes were transferred from box to tree, but we had no serious mishaps! Decorated tree - definitely looks better in the dark with the lights on! Cross-stitch stockings made many years ago for my boys! Nativity from 1000 Villages (Fair Trade Store) Cowboy Christmas Quilt - could leave this up all year! Hope you enjoyed the peek at my Christmas decorating! What's your favourite Christmas decoration or holiday tradition? --Ann