Ever made a quilt you hated??

I just finished this quilt last week, and I hated it.  When I found the pattern in Quilt Lovely by Jen Kingwell, I thought it was beautiful.  (I still like the pattern).  I decided to step out of my box and do it in brights.  The shop I bought the book from had one made up in brights and I thought it was nice.  They had a neutral jelly roll and a bright jelly roll put together for the pattern.  I bought one of each and got started on it.  I think using the jelly rolls was my problem.  The pieces had to be exactly 2 1/2 inches wide, some of the strips in the jelly roll were not that width, actually a lot of them weren't wide enough, but I tried to use them.  It was very frustrating.  I decided I had enough and left out three rows just to be done with it.  I didn't know what I was going to do with it, then I realized it was a friends birthday at school and I decided it was the perfect gift for her.  She loved it.  I would definitely make the pattern again, but would not use jelly rolls and would cut my own strips.  The book Quilt Lovely, has some great patterns in it.  Love Jen Kingwell.

Odds and Ends

I have been busy the last few days finishing up various odd projects and Christmas presents.  It is always my goal each year to be completely finished with my Christmas presents by Thanksgiving.  I was a little behind this year.  I still have one project to finish which won't take long.  I could have been finished put I had some orders for some of my wool pillow covers.  I started these several years ago, and have been lucky enough to sell several of them.  Today, I finished Jingle. It is made to fit a pillow form 12 x 22 that can be found at Hobby Lobby.  The pillow has an envelop back so it is easy to switch out.  This one was fun to make I put bells on each of the corners.  Now all that is left is to get it in the mail tomorrow. 

Two new table toppers

 I picked this table topper up from my friend Leisa last week, she did a great job quilting it.  I usually make big quilts, but my last few finishes have been much smaller.  I bought the kit for this table topper about 15 years ago at a quilter's garage sale.  I thought it had the pattern with it, however, it was just a photo and the fabric.  Luckily it was easy to figure out without the pattern.  I did make  a change, The holly leaves and berries should have been needle turned applique, but I decided to use wool.  I also added the rick rack on all four sides.  Love the way it turned out. 

This table topper was made from a pattern in a Country Threads charm square book from several years ago.  This is the second one I have made by this pattern.  I like it because it isn't overly Christmas, just wintery, and I can leave it out after Christmas.  I am slowly getting out all of my Christmas decorations.  Hope to have everything out by the end of the week.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

 I made my third wooly pine tree today.  This time I used an idea from  Wool Workers Magazine and used glue and glitter to add a snowy effect to the tips of the branches.  I used an old paint brush to brush glue along one edge of the wool strip.  I then added glitter, I love the glitter that I used, it is fromMichael's.  It is Reflections from the scrapbooking section.

After letting it dry, I then cut the strips to form the individual branches.  Most of the instructions I have found, say cut the strips at 1/4 inch intervals, I cut my much smaller than that. 

 Here are some of the branches before they are attached to the tree.

A close up of the snow.

Finished snow tipped tree.

Happy Thanksgiving

A little late in the day, but hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Looking forward to Bonnie Hunters first clue tomorrow.

Wool Tree

I finished my white wooly pine tree yesterday, after having the kit for months.  The kit came with a wooden base, I found this cast iron one on etsy.  It is really for a feather tree, but it worked for the felted wool tree.  I have some vintage red ornaments to put on it, can't wait to see how it will look.  I had intended to make a wool tree skirt for it, but maybe next year.

 Today I finished this green wool y pine tree.  I could easily get addicted to making these.  I have some rusty bells to go on this one. 

Cookies for Thanksgiving, (yes, I was asked to bring cookies)

What Happened??

For some reason today, I decided that I would start blogging again.  I didn't realize that it was going to take me an hour to figure out how to get into my blog.  I had no idea so much had changed.  I finally think I am good to go, at least I am writing a post.  I have missed blogging, not sure why I stopped, just  didn't take the time to do it, but that is going to change.  I need to do something for me and I enjoy doing this.  I also miss keeping up with what everyone is doing.  Can't wait to see what is going on in blog land.  I am showing my  newest finish.  Lola and Olive from Fiberworks.  I love this method, the only sewing was the background panel, the rest is fused collage.  Love it, can't wait to start another one.