Hello friends. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. It is bitter cold already in Minnesota. Although we don\’t have snow yet, it is time to prepare for the Christmas season in my home. So I thought it would be fun to share my Christmas quilts with you. I have two new quilts and a pillow this year, along with some old favorites.
Winter Wonderland (2015)
New in my home this year is my version of the \”Winter Wonderland\” sew along quilt by Sherri Falls, sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop. When I purchased the book (Winter Wonderland by Sherri Falls of This & That Patterns published by Fat Quarter Shop\’s pattern company \”It\’s Sew Emma\”) and learned about the sew along, I really wanted to participate, but I didn\’t feel like I needed a full quilt. So I chose my favorite blocks and put them together in a long runner for the quilt ladder in my kitchen. I used mostly Fig Tree & Company fabrics, but also used a few other scraps from my stash.
I am really happy that I was able to use a cream-based print from \”Aloha Girl\” for the border. This is one of my favorite fabrics from that line. Isn\’t it just like Joanna at Fig Tree to design a tropical/summertime fabric that is versatile enough to use in my Christmas quilt? This long runner is so cheerful and festive. I know I will enjoy bringing it out every winter season! The darling machine quilting was done by my friend Barb at Quilts on Broadway. We chose a design called Baby Curls.
Mini Juniper (2015)
My second new quilt this year is \”Mini Juniper,\” which I purchased as a kit from Fig Tree & Company. This quilt looks a bit intimidating, with 60 degree angles creating the little trees. But Joanna\’s instructions are excellent, and my little trees came out lovely if I do say so myself! I did change out my borders just a bit, as I wanted a more neutral quilt overall. I used the pebble/cream criss cross from her \”Farmhouse\” line rather than the floral that was indicated. (Note: that floral found its home in the mitten in the quilt above! All pretty fabrics find a home!) \”Mini Juniper\” was a fun and challenging quilt to make. Someday I hope to make the full sized \”Juniper.\” I imagine it is stunning in person! Once again the quilting was done by Barb at Quilts on Broadway. We chose a very open, swirly four-leaf clover type design that is new to me. I will definitely use it again.
Finding the Family Christmas Tree Pillow (2015)
I came late to the game in learning about the Snapshots Quilt Along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop. There are just too many projects and too little time, and somehow I missed the boat on this one. But this fall a few Instagram friends started sharing pictures of a variation of block 10, the \”Gone Surfin\’ \” car block. Greg from Grey Dogwood Studio provided inspiration and instructions for changing out the original surfboard atop the car with a Christmas tree. I made mine into a pillow after seeing several other Instagram friends do the same. This block is easy enough to put together in one night. Every time I look at it I start thinking . . . Over the river and through the woods!
I encourage you to check out both of the links I included above! The Snapshots Quilt Along monthly patterns are available for immediate PDF download. You are asked to donate $5 to St. Jude Children\’s Research Hospital for each pattern you download. What a great cause!
I encourage you to check out both of the links I included above! The Snapshots Quilt Along monthly patterns are available for immediate PDF download. You are asked to donate $5 to St. Jude Children\’s Research Hospital for each pattern you download. What a great cause!
Countdown to Christmas (2011)
So my new Christmas pillow found a resting spot on one of my favorite, cheerful Christmas quilts. I made this quilt during a retreat in 2011 using a pattern called \”Sunday Picnic\” from the book Livin\’ Large by Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka\’s Treasures. The rich, festive fabrics are \”Countdown to Christmas\” by Sweetwater for Moda.
Navajo Star (2014)
During a quilting retreat in 2014, I put together this single star wall hanging using some of my favorite red and green Fig Tree & Company fabrics and their pattern called \”Navajo Stars.\” It is a striking quilt hanging on the barnwood in our entry area, and although it is red and green, it could probably hang year round. The lovely vine quilting was done by Barb at Quilts on Broadway.
Fruitcake Table Topper (2010)
Every year when I bring out this quilt for my kitchen table, I take some time to re-admire the stunning free motion quilting done by Nancy of Nancy Jolene Quilting. I\’ve included some pictures of the back so you can see the full effect of Nancy\’s talent. In fact, this is one of those quilts you could hang backward just to make people stop and stare! It really is a treasure!
The fabric used in this quilt is \”Fruitcake\” by Basic Grey for Moda. The pattern comes from the book titled Simply Charming Two by Moose on the Porch Quilts.
The fabric used in this quilt is \”Fruitcake\” by Basic Grey for Moda. The pattern comes from the book titled Simply Charming Two by Moose on the Porch Quilts.
Joy Wall Hanging (2010)
In 2010 I purchased this quilt kit from a favorite local quilt shop that has since closed. I really love the mix of the deep Christmas red with a softer green and pale blue. The pattern is from Cottage Creek Quilts and once again, the amazing quilting is courtesy of Nancy Jolene Quilting.
Feathered Star Small Quilt (2007)
And last but not least, in 2007 I took a class at the Minnesota Quilt Convention with a friend of mine, and our project was the \”Feathered Star Made Painless\” by Gwen Lundgren. It was a paper pieced pattern, and I remember feeling very intimidated until I got the hang of thinking \”backwards\” when piecing with paper. Paper piecing requires a lot of brain power for me, but the results sure are worth it! The finished quilt is just 25 x 25 inches, and Nancy Jolene\’s teeny, tiny curly-q quilting is so lovely.
Well, that ends my Christmas quilts show and tell. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and sharing my enthusiasm for quilts! Here\’s hoping you get carried away quilting often!
~Taunja
~Taunja
Every single one is so beautiful! I am in awe. I am a beginner quilter and hope to do beautiful work like this someday. May I ask where you got your quilt ladder in the first picture? Thanks
This inspires me! Thanks for sharing the Christmas spirit of love.
Thanks so much Leeanne! It's so exciting to me when someone says they are a beginning quilter . . . you will have so much fun! Welcome to the club! :)I actually purchased a painter's extension ladder from a local lady through an online garage sale. It was one of those that could extend over 20 feet for a painter. My husband cut both parts in half and I ended up getting four quilt ladders out of it. (One for me, one for my sister, and 2 for a friend). I chalk painted mine a color called \”nest\” and put a little wax on it. I wanted rustic, but not so rustic that there was paint spatters in every color. ha ha. Good luck to you! Thanks again!
Thank you Nancy! I had hoped my post would be something people would enjoy as we move toward Christmas. I love \”looky-looing\” at other people's quilts. It inspires me as well. Quilters inspiring quilters!
You have inspired me to use some Fig Tree fabrics in a Christmas quilt. I love your quilts!
Thanks Rhonda! Would love to see what you come up with!
Wow! What a treat to see all your beautiful quilted Christmas projects! I am so inspired by your talent and lovely photography!
Hi Sheri! Thanks so much for your kind words. The photography part . . . well that's a struggle. I just keep clicking and hoping something \”takes.\” Thanks again!
What a lovely post to come to this morning! Your quilts are stunning, Taunja, and such an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others. I decided not to stress myself to make a Christmas quilt this year, but oh how you have changed my mind! LOL! That adorable runner on the ladder is such a cute idea I may just start with that. Funny, I bought one of those ladders a couple years ago just because I liked it. Been sitting in the garage up until now. Lucky for me! Thanks again for sharing. You ARE an inspiration!
Hi Pam! Isn't that how it goes!! The same thing happens to me. I sit on a project or have an idea and put it off . . . only to be inspired by another quilter! We're all so lucky to have these internet connections and share ideas and favorite projects. Email me if you start posting on Instagram so I can follow you! Thanks for your kind words!
Wow, everything is just beautiful! Such inspiration here 🙂
Thank you Christine! With each one of these projects, I can think back to another quilter, or quilt shop, or magazine, or Instagram post . . . somebody somewhere who inspired me! It goes round and round!
Love Love Love the Winter Wonderland Table Runner! The quilting detail on all of your quilts is absolutely beautiful! You and your quilting friend do amazing work!
Thank you Jamie!! I feel really fortunate to know some awesome machine quilters who make everything more lovely!