Christmas On Main Street

Need a little Christmas inspiration?
Since I cannot show you the gifts I am making for Christmas this year, I thought I'd share with you the wonderful things OTHERS have made.
My friends at Quilted Works have filled an entire room full of wonderful Christmas Quilts, and I will take the next few days to share with you THEIR holiday inspirations.

57" X 70"
This delightful quilt Christmas On Main Street was created by Julie M. who does long arm work for QW.
I love the retro look fabric lines Merry Main Street and Christmas Merry Moderns by Henry Glass

I appreciate the simple quilt pattern where the wonderful artwork on the fabric is the highlight.

Julie does a wonderful job with long arm work. She used the pattern "Deb's Swirls".

Julie also made a matching pillow case. (Great idea for a tag along gift)

Doesn't this make you think of when times and Christmas were a little more simple?

Do people window shop anymore?

Julie also used soft, snuggly red minkee for the back.

The kits sold right away, as you can just imagine.

Great job Julie!

The Story of Three Little Quilties

Once upon a time there were three little quilties.
Waiting to be bound.

The first little quiltie was New Wave. He called "Stay home and play all day.”
And he danced and sang this song.

He sang, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
“A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”
Oh yes, he sang, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”

The second quiltie was Sunny Days.
And it was very strong.
He said, “That’s okay. Stay home and play all day.”
As he danced and sang this song.

He sang, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
“A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”
Oh yes, he sang, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”

The third little quiltie was made out of Freda's Flowers.
And he made his plea real strong.
He worked and he worked and he worked all day
While his brother’s sang their song.

They sang to him, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
“A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”
“Come play with us! Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”

Little did they know there was

Father Christmas nearby.
Knocking on the door.

He sang “There is no time for you.”
The first little quiltie said, “No no no no no no way
Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.”

Then Christmas said he’d huff and he’d puff and he did
And he blew that quiltie away.
The scared little quilt ran to the closet
So he could play another day.

Then Christmas came to the second little quiltie

And he said “Little Quiltie, Little Quiltie, there is no time for you!”
And the quiltie cried, “No no no no no no way
Not by the hair on our chinny-chin-chin.”

Father Christmas said he’d huff and he’d puff and he did
And he blew that quiltie away.
The scared little quilt ran to the closet
So they could play another day.

Then Father Christmas came to the house of Freda's Flowers.
And he said “Little Quilties, there is no time for you!”
They cried, “No no no no no no way
Not by the hair on our chinny-chin-chin.”

Then Christmas said he’d huff and he’d puff and he did,
But that quiltie stayed in its place.
Well, he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed
‘til he was purple in the face.

The third little quilties work had a very strong deadline.
And Father Christmas could not get in.
He finally turned and ran away
And you could hear the three quilties say,

Let’s sing and play, “Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
“A-la-la-la-la-la-la.”
“We’re safe inside! Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la”
A-la-la-la-la-la-la!!”

(adapted from the song The Three Little Pigs by Shauna Tominey)

Needle Felted Gnomes

The very talented Laura Lee Burch offers the most wonderful tutorial on making these Needle Felted Gnome Ornaments.

Look at these cute little guys, each one with his own personality.

I've only done a little needle felting, but after reading her very clear, step by step instructions, these look do-able even for a newbie.

And with a little variation, you can make Santa's as well.

On a perfect day, I would love to sit at my house with friends and work on these.

Soup on the stove, a fire in the fireplace, Christmas music in the background.

Sounds heavenly.

If you are not into needle felting, Laura has an etsy shop, where you can order her amazing creations.

***

Laura Lee Burch is originally from Indiana, but currently lives with her husband and 3 daughters in Tel Aviv, Israel.

She is the author of 2 books for Leisure Arts:
Sew Magical For Baby

Sew Magical For Kids

Free Patterns From Lecien

A new discovery! (for me)

Lecien offers free patterns that can be downloaded from their web site.

I just printed out "From little things, big things grow" by Sarah Feilke.

This pattern, and Sarah's *new fabric line were just presented at Houston.

(*available early 2011)

Sarah is the former co-owner of Material Obsession in Australia, and I've always been a big fan of anything MO.

The kaleidoscope type trees are cut using the 45-degree angle mark on a ruler.

What a fun way to play with fabrics!

Lecien Fabrics, founded 1933 in Japan, is best known for their whimsical retro-look. If you love vintage, they offer a great selection.

Here in Utah, most of my friends have been collecting Flower Sugar.

Little Strawberry

When I think of Japanese fabrics, I always think of detailed juvenile novelty prints that are uniquely different than anything produced here in the United States.

Covered Button Bracelets

Hi, my name is Nedra, and I'm a
Covered-Button-aholic.
I've resisted for a while, but the addiction is back.
If any of you have been following my blog for the last few years, you know this has been a deeply seeded enslavement.
Frankly, I see no relief in sight.
In fact, if the truth be told, I see more covered buttons in my future.
Many, many more.

My latest attachment has been making Covered Button Bracelets.

It all started one day when I walked into a local store and saw packaged Charm Bracelets on sale for around $1.
I chose the nickle chain bracelet with the toggle clasp by Darice, although there are many other options available.

Blue Moon offers some nice charm bracelets, also.

And now I am back to making covered buttons. I buy my buttons in bulk from
coverbuttons.com
They have great tutorials and offer a good selection in sizes.
For these bracelets I used a size #45 (1 1/8")

At first I tried attaching the covered buttons with a jump ring. Even using my handy jewelry pliers, I found them hard to maneuver around the bulky button.

Next, I tried using a spring ring. Worked like a CHARM. (ha ha, get it?)

Popped easily around the bracelet link and the button.

There are so many fun fabrics to make these bracelets.

My latest experiment has been to try Minkee scraps. Fuzzy, soft, warm.

I just may be petting this button as I wear it on my wrist.

*If you are interested in viewing past posts on covered buttons, see:

Houston, We Have A Problem (6/12/09)

Cute As A Button (6/9/09)