I somehow let the week go by without a post. The girls have had a busy social life!! Lots of running around and visiting friends. Mommy got a night out for quilting and for book club, so I didn’t do too badly either!!
Aine loved the work I was doing on my dad’s mountain quilt, and asked if we could make her a picture quilt. It somehow developed into a Christmas quilt. She drew this Christmas tree and we came up with this quilt over the weekend! Like Dad’s quilt, I have to sew the edges of the pieces before we do any quilting.
Years ago I made our Christmas Stockings using 2.5 inch squares of homespun with our names embroidered on them. I’ve finally sewed together 144 4 patches of homespun and then cut it into a circle ( I am sure there was a more efficient way of doing it, but I hate math, and will use the cut-offs to make ornaments!) this will be our matching Christmas tree skirt this year… Took about 3 years of sporadic work, but finally can cross that project off my list, once it is layered and quilted!!
I had to slow down my pace on my Dear Jane last week, did one a day instead of the 2 a day I did for a few weeks. So I am down to 2.5 rows of squares left. I still find it enjoyable to sit down during the day and quilt a square, and hope I do for a long time! I really hope to have a quilt on the frame all the time…. But maybe my next quilt won’t be mostly stab stitched!
I have two people to thank for wonderful gifts! The first is Karol Ann. I won this gorgeous African bag and keychain from her, and it has big plans as our library book bag.
The girls are over the moon with a “just because” gift from a lovely woman who reads my blog and saw the girls pony lina last week. They love the My Little Pony fabric, which has been divided in half already so they could each have their own piece. Quilters are wonderful people.
Just had to add: If you look behind Aine’s fabric she has a Halloween sticker on her uniform. She apparently got that sticker from the other kindergarten teacher for being nice to a friend during recess. Aine was playing a game with some girls and they wouldn’t let another girl play and Aine thought that was mean and went to play with the other girl. I guess the teacher saw her do this and gave Aine a sticker, a milchon (Irish for sweet/candy) and had the whole class give her a round of applause (some big Irish word I don’t remember…that kid knows a ton already!!). I guess they do this at the end of the day to reward different kids for good behavior… I’m just so proud of her!!
Celtic Knots 
October 22, 2007 at 11:23 pm
That tree skirt will be amazing! Congratulations on all those matching seams – i would never have achieved that! Lucy x
October 23, 2007 at 12:47 am
yah for mail days!!
I just love your DJ progress. I don’t have the patience to hand quilt it. I hope to at least finish the top over the next year.
And excellent finish on your holiday items! What a great feeling it is to knock off those old UFO’s!
October 23, 2007 at 1:34 am
Hey more ponies coming in the mail. Got Aine’s birthday package off with a few goodies for you. Will try and call later this week. It is a busy one for me. Love, MOM
October 23, 2007 at 2:26 am
The Christmas quilt is fabulous! I love the shape of the tree and I know it will be a real heirloom. I’ve saved many a picture from my kids with the intention of making a pictorial quilt. I’d better get going on that!
October 23, 2007 at 6:57 am
Looks like you’ve been busy! Love the new Christmas skirt!
October 23, 2007 at 8:29 am
The dj is amazing.
October 23, 2007 at 10:17 am
What a cute tree picture!! Wow, that tree skirt looks like hard work though, the stocking are too sweet, I should make some one year for the boys… (maybe next year LOL)
Glad you finally got your winnings :O)
October 23, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Fun fun fun! Aine’s picture quilt is just way too cute! What a treasure.
Your stockings and tree skirt are darling…wow… you really stuck with it to get those squares sewn together for that skirt~good job!
DJ…you KNOW I have loved watching your DJ progress…you’ll be done before you know it and what an accomplishment…
Way to go ~ you’ve got a lot to be proud of.
Pam
October 23, 2007 at 3:13 pm
well, I am not sure why it has taken me so long to get back to your blog! however, I have been reading and reading and loving each post-I am glad you post when you find time-love the projects you have going or have finished-love, love! the photos of the girls.
yummy yarns…sock fever is growing on me too.
Australia huh? sounds like a fun trip ahead.
You live in such a gorgeous part of the world-it is lovely to see the photos of what you get to enjoy all the time.
October 23, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Nice bag – snap. I got one even though I didn’t officially win – how cool is that? I am not sending Aine ponies for her birthday, but will shortly post something equally girly, as mentioned!
October 23, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Those collaborative projects with the kids are great, eh?
And the tree skirt! Gah! I could not CUT OUT that many little squares, let alone sew them all together. What a family heirloom.
October 24, 2007 at 1:20 pm
You have been very busy–slowing down my butt! Love the tree skirt, so impressive! have you heard of the leaders/enders method?–no math involved, I promise. I keep meaning to give it a go and this would be the perfect reason to put it in place.
What is going to be the next quilt for the frame?
Good job Aine for being such a good friend. You should be proud!
October 24, 2007 at 9:29 pm
You’re doing great on quilting your Dear Jane. Congratulations to your DD on her sticker! It must really touch your heart to know the lessons you teach are being demonstrated by her actions. They both look so happy with their Little Pony fabric. That was really a sweet gesture. The homespun skirt is terrific! How nice to be able to cross a UFO off of your list.
October 25, 2007 at 10:33 am
Oh I loved reading your blogs and wow I love that square… quilt with the tiny bits it looks so awesome… I will certainly keep coming back to read your blogs and its great to know theres others passionate about patchwork and quilting just like me.
October 25, 2007 at 10:19 pm
The DJ is looking great. Can’t wait to see the finished product. The tree skirt has to be good also.Never made one.Your girls look so cute.
October 26, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Hi, Cathi ~~ Finally beginning my DJ today, officially anyway. I printed out a few patterns, dug out the fabrics that I have so far, and will soon be cutting & stitching. I have the DJ software which will be helpful even though I also have the book. This is going to be an interesting project and quite daunting, to say the least, but you and Jeanne and some others have proven that it is indeed doable. If you still have fabric left for swapping, let me know. Perhaps we can work out some sort of trade. Thanks! Happy weekend.
Connie W