When I posted, here, about what is the ‘essence’ of anything “handmade”, it occurred to me that there may be those reading that who said “But I can’t seem to put together anything that I would really want to give to another so I have no other choice but to purchase”! I want to clarify that a gift that is purchased with loving thought, heart and personal care for the recipient is just as much a “heart gift” as one that is ‘handmade’ and, as such, is subject to the same wounding of heart (if not truly received with joy and thankfulness). I totally recognize that buying a gift is part of all our lives and the caution flags arise when there is that scurrying around to find something cuz it’s expected or obligatory (there are some thoughts on that, also, but I won’t go there!).
Having said all that, I hope we can all relax a bit and enjoy the upcoming giving and receiving season!!
Today’s little project was a joy to ‘play’ with. Once again, Miss Juki was at the ready and was involved from beginning (piecing) to end (FMQ). Let the photos begin…………yup, another table topper!!!! ……………
I raided my (ancient) stash and came up with this piece. How many of you have such hidden in the dark recesses of your fabric reserves???? I think the quilting motif will update it nicely!! It’s “swirly vine”……………………………………..
A glimpse at the back (I used muslin…….love it!)……….
And the “big picture”………………………………………….
I used “Marathon” polyester embroidery thread ….. love the shine and the smoothness. Sews beautifully on all my machines without special treatment/adjustments. White all-purpose sewing thread on the bobbin.
That’s it for today. Tomorrow……….wait and see……………
Treadlemusic 
Love the stitching. I will have to try that design. I just love it especially on your winter theme quilt! It gives it all the more whimsy that I love. Come and take a look at my snowman. I am sure it will put a smile on your face.
Joanie…….Ever so cute!! Love the scarf…..and those eyes!! Just became a “Follower”!! Welcome, new bloggy Friend!!! Hugs and blessings!……..Doreen
This is so cute. I am not sure you are sleeping or eating anymore, only quilting.
Actually, I have had a couple days of “down time”, which I would just as soon forget!!!!! Sometimes things just ‘click right along’!!!!!! Talk to you soon………
It turned out great. I know that some people aren’t crafty at all and therefore purchase items instead of trying to make them. Thank goodness I’m not one of those non-crafty folks.
Me too! Given my dislike for that type of shopping, I would be in a “world of hurt”!!!! LOL!
Such wise words at the start of this page. making or choosing gifts with love is how it should be.
The table topper is a perfect stash buster. I think the ‘swirly vine’ is just brilliant and does set it off very well. I am sure this very thoughtful gift will be appreciated.
Off to The Knitting and Stitching show at Harrogate today so maybe my stash will grow in size, although that is not the plan. Now if I can just NOT buy any Jelly rolls………..:-)
Sigh…….love jelly rolls! Waiting for your report…………
Back from the show and I did NOT buy one single jelly roll. However I did buy 5 x 1/2 yard toning printed fabrics, in a series with hugs and kisses written on some of them. Some red solid to complete a project and 4 Christmas fat quarters to make some tree decorations. A New Micro Stitch gun. I packed mine away when we were doing work in the house and even after an exhaustive search can’t find it. Got this one at an amazing knock down price so even if the other one turns up I don’t mind having two. My friend and I really enjoyed the day and came away with lots of ideas. One workshop we attended turned out to be gold work. having never tried it we were keen to have a go. The effect is fabulous and I will complete the Christmas Holly decoration, (not possible to do in a one hour tutorial) at home and hang it on my tree. Even though it is such an attractive embroidery style I will be sticking to quilting.
I “hear” ya on the embroidery vs quilting thing! Well, I hope you can send me some photos of the results of this experience………..I can put them in my blog if you would want/like!!!!!! Don’t be shy!!!! LOL! Hugs………
No recesses of fabric (yet), not enough quilting years behind me, but I do have me a stash of fabric that I could turn into gifts. I hope I can make a gift for Christmas for one of my family members. We each buy one gift for one person. All of the names are put into “a hat” and we each get to pick one , unseen of course. Everyone gets a gift and we seriously cut down all of the shopping. The kiddies are excluded and have grandparents, parents, uncle and auntie to spoil them. I am contemplating making something for one of the little ones too.
Esther
Doing a name drawing is such a great idea!! It restores the ‘fun’ back into the whole gift process!!! So many possibilities!!! Not enough time/energy!!! LOL! Hugs…….
Awesome and great for the up coming holiday. What a great gift from the heart. I look forward to seeing the placemats, oven mittens, and kitchen towels. Blessings, Mtetar
Yes, much to do yet!!! Back to the machine!!!!! LOL! Hugs….
Okay, so here’s a question from your “non quilter” friend. Do you just let go and the machine does all those beautiful curly cues by itself or do you guide it? All your pieces are so lovely and I’m sure whoever gets one loves it to bits.
LOL! I do the guiding. The “feed dogs”/gripper things under the pressure foot are lowered, the stitch length is set at ‘0’ and the darning/free motion foot only serves to keep the fabric from “popping” up each time the needle comes up. The fabric moves freely under this foot and can be moved in absolutely ANY direction! It’s awesome!!! The curly cues are in my head not in the machine! LOL!
Marathon thread, huh? Never heard of it but want to try it. Thanks for the tip – great work!
I had never come across it, either, but saw it in a quilt shop (in Prairie du Chien,WI) and tried it. It’s thin enough so that when I do feathers, or other ‘traveling’, the thread build-up is not a problem. There’s no real info on the label/wrapper. Looks to be made in Japan(?). 1000 m for $3. I’m so glad you stopped by!!!!!!! Hugs………
Cute table topper and YES I have many of those in my stash. One day….oh well, not this year! Just finished my 9th table topper for the season…now who’s going to be dreaming about table toppers! I agree on the gift giving…I love to make things for others and hope all that receives handmade items realizes how special they are to that person. I wouldn’t take my time and effort to make it for them if I didn’t care for that individual. Love your table topper and it’s right in style…great job – love your quilting.
Wow! You have me beat many times over with your topper numbers!!!! In our family, that is the one item I have given that actually gets worn/washed “to pieces” in the course of a year!!! I am so glad they’re appreciated and used!!!! Your thoughts exactly mirror mine! I guess that’s what makes us ‘us’! Hugs…………….
Isn’t it fun to find little treasures in your stash?! Love it and the quilting. Many years ago our family decided our gifts had to be homemade. It was a very interesting year because one brother bought his gifts – he said he had made the money (earned not printed!) to buy the gifts! ~Jeanne
LOL! I’m glad he doesn’t have to worry about wet ink!!!! To me, shopping is an awful task. I am the total opposite of my mom (unless it’s for motorcycle accessories! or quilty goodness! ROFL!!!!! ). Thank you for sharing!!!!
pretty table runner someone will love it I’m sure
I do hope so. It’s going to a gal who works full time (40 hrs would be a ‘cut’! in her hours!!! Ugh!) and she is dealing with MS. No time/energy for pastimes (other than motorcycling with her significant other!) or “hobbies”. She so loves handmade fabric art.
Do you ever sleep or eat or do anything other than sew? 🙂
Beautiful as always and wonderful words on gift giving.
My “head” is in “overdrive” at the moment!!!! LOL!…..
Oh, really?
:-}