Quilt group's annual Christmas party

Last night was the annual Christmas party for my quilt group. It was preceded by an incident that really tore into the core of the group. Words can be uplifting and encouraging but can also be used to be hurtful and hateful. We made it through the riff with all but the two members in question and it put a new light on our Christmas party. A couple of the ladies expressed how rich they feel from our group's time and friendships together.

The ladies trickled in and placed a gift under the tree. We sat down to a table set for an Italian style Christmas. Three courses were made by half of the ladies in the group. This meant the other half could sit back, relax and enjoy. We opened a few gifts after each course that was served giving lots of time to admire all the beautiful creations. Our theme for this year's gifts was "A Tisket, A Tasket". 

Elly found the pickle in the Christmas tree again this year. I give a gift to the person who finds it each year. This year, the gift was a winter themed key fob. I found the ice skate charm at a German Christmas market. 

And just look at the many beautiful gifts given and received!

I had MiekeV's name to make a gift for. I wanted to make something special for her and when I saw this sweet chart on Cathy's blog I knew it was perfect for her. Mieke loves her garden which is a thing we share in common. 

I also made her a pincushion. It is large at 8 inches square but you will see why I made it large. One the one side is a patchwork block which is called Cake Stand or Amish Basket. 

One the back, I stitched a triangle of fabric which I lined with lace and embellished with a button and bow. A piece of satin ribbon was sewn just above the triangle so that when a pair of scissors is in the holder, they are secure. A safety pin keeps the fob for the scissors also secure. I handquilted the pillow front and back before assembling it. 

My gift received was a **beautiful** quilted wallhanging by MiekeW. She made me a basket in all the pretty warm tones I so love. Even the bottom of the quilt has tiny baskets across it. Her husband made the wire hanger which says "yellow basket". How wonderful is that! And she "wrapped" my gift in a big burlap stocking with white yo-yo's on it. Humm....I think Jos might need to fill this stocking for Chrismtas...what do you think? *wink*

Heidi

It's C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S!

Remember that little peek at the ornament I made for a swap with a blogging friend? She emailed me that it arrived already. That went so fast and it got to her on Christmas Eve...lol. Well a girl can wish in the middle of a heat wave, can't she??? Or maybe the heat has really gone to my brain and I am hallucinating? *wink*

Anyway...my swap partner was none other than Jeanne over at WillowTreeStitcher. I wanted to make an ornament that looked European for her. The St. Nicholaas is stitched in reverse on the other side so even if it turns on the tree, it will always be facing the right side. I added a little snowflake to the bottom and all is sewn together with some of the French ribbons I bought in a needlework shop up in the north of Holland.

I also decided to use the opportunity to RAK Jeanne as well. I sent her a couple of non-stitchy things but also made a fob for a pair of embroidery scissors. It is made with silver, white and blue beads and a porcelain Delft Blauw wooden shoe with a windmill on it.

I am thrilled you got it all in time for Christmas in July (25th) Jeanne and hope you will enjoy using both items in the years to come. Just as the feeling of Christmas, I am anxiously awaiting the postman ringing my doorbell with your ornament. Can't wait........

Heidi 

March's giving.....

My two RAKs for March have been received and I can now share them with you. These are both projects that were also in my UFO challenge list for this year.

I found Matruska beads at a German Christmas market almost two years ago. This keychain was made for Susan who I thought it would have a special meaning for. She has two adopted boys (well they are actually becoming young men now) who are Russian born. I have enjoyed watching them grow up under her love and care.

Patricia shares my love of old fabrics, trims, laces, etc.. I made these lapkins from remnants I bought in Rebeauvillé, France at the Beauvillé factory. They made beautiful table linens which are very pricey. I bought some factory samples to sew some napkins. Each of the samples has been cut into various shapes. I decided to share some with friends and Patricia's are being called lapkins because of the oblong size fitting just right over your lap. I felt I wanted to do something more with them so I got out some yarn that matched and created simple crocheted napkin rings that are closed with vintage brass buttons.

I am busy making my April RAK gifts right now. It is so much fun to match a blogging friend to a gift each month. I am so happy people are enjoying being surprised with a gift but my tell you that the greatest gift is in the giving!

Heidi

Of flowers and fairies and sewing needfuls.....

My February RAK gifts are a little late arriving but the first has reached its new home. I made a set of flower coasters for Catherine and sent them on their way. The mail was a little slow but they arrived safe and sound. Catherine and I have fun contact back and forth so I wanted to do something for her to say I enjoy our friendship. Too bad I cannot stop by and share a cup of tea in real life...

I am working on my UFO challenge each month. This little finish was one I forgot to show you last month. I had bought these charms to make a bracelet and never did it. They sat around for about 3 years I think. Yikes! So I had to get out my beads and charms (you will see why in a moment) and decided to finally make my bracelet of sewing needfuls.

 I have included a snail to remind me to slow down and enjoy each stitch, a quilt block, tape measure (to remember to measure twice and cut once), a sewing machine (for my own beautiful Singer called Florence), wooden shoes (as I live in Holland), a cat (as Dagi is my best stitching/quilting/crocheting/lacemaking friend ever!), a spool of thread, heart and hand (handmade with love), embroidery scissors (a love of collecting), thimble, spider (the symbol of good luck), button and iron (oh yes...I love to iron...is that strange?).

I am so pleased with my charm bracelet and love wearing it. I used to have one as a little girl but have no idea what happened to it. Why did it take me so long to get this one made?

Here is the reason why I had to get out my beads...

This fob is made for these adorable little scissors. A quilting friend of mine bought these for her granddaughter at the handwork fair in Zwolle. I offered to make a fob for them before she gives them to her. I hope they will both like it.

Heidi