How I Spent My Christmas Vacation

Well, since I don't work outside the home, I don't really have a "Christmas vacation", but I am fortunate enough to have time to do what I'm passionate about -- sewing and quilting. And during the cold winter months, I spend the time doing just that.

In December, I managed to finish four quilt tops and start on a fifth, all using fabric from my stash. I have the batting and binding all ready for them, but I don't have any fabrics in my stash that I want to use for backings, so that will wait until I get to a fabric shop. My goal in 2018 is to just use what I have, and only buy backings (and maybe an occasional binding) when necessary.

Once these quilts are finished, they will go into my "to be given away someday" pile.

Putting the "Tree" Away

Since our son moved to California a few years ago, my husband and I no longer put up a big tree for the holidays. But since we didn't want the house to be completely undecorated, I made a small wall hanging that is now our "tree". It takes up much less space than our old trees did, and is so easy to deal with. It goes up and comes down in a flash.

I didn't use a pattern, just a photo of something similar that I used as an inspiration. The half-square triangles were all made from scraps of Christmas fabric that I've had for years.

approx. 20" x 23"

And since I had a few HSTs left over, I made a hot pad for the season...

Baby Quilt Finished

I recently had a need to make a baby quilt for someone, so I pulled out some solid squares and light yellow background to whip up this easy quilt. I modified a Moda Bake Shop pattern to work with the fabrics I had.

approx 42" x 42"

Here's a closeup of the quilting...

And a shot of the backing and binding...

The mom-to-be seemed pleased.