Sunday, December 18, 2011

Random Christmas-y Stuff

I've been so busy around here - after all, it is the season, right? I've been trying to get this posted for a week now.


Here's my oldest Christmas quilt.  I made this back in 1980-something.  I don't remember where I found the pattern, but piecing those letters was a challenge for me at that time.  It's very graphic with those bright colors, and I don't know that I would pick those fabrics again!   But it's OK.  I still enjoy it.


Here is my big mistake - intricate quilting on a busy fabric.  Can you see the "Merry Christmas" that I quilted?  Pretty hard to see, isn't it?  Can you see the holly leaf on the left border?  I think those show up fairly well, but I sure learned my lesson about quilting the busy fabric.  Sharon over at Grass Roots Quilting blog talked about this a while back, which reminded me of this wallhanging.


Last week we went to see the Zoo Lights at the zoo in Tacoma.  This shot is overlooking part of the zoo.  We'd never been before, and it was a lot of fun!  There are millions of LED lights all over everything in the zoo.  There were only a couple of animals to be seen.  We saw a sleeping tiger and we were ogled by a shark at the aquarium.  I think he was looking for a hand-out. 


Here is my favorite display - the purple tree!  Isn't it awesome? 

We'd never been to the zoo before, so I have no idea how it normally looks, but I sure enjoyed the zoo lights!  One of these days, we'll have to go back when the weather is good and in the daylight.


I've been working off-and-on at tying the corduroy quilt.  Not making much progress so far - I just don't have enough time to spare right now.   

I've pretty much finished cleaning the quilt studio but have had no time to go in there to play.  I have a few Christmas presents to get sewn this week, so I do need to get in there.  I've mostly finished shopping, I have some wrapping to do and all my baking, but I am hopeful that I can get in the studio!  Besides, I need to go play with fabric for my sanity! 

Happy Quilting!

7 comments:

  1. must have been fun seeing all those lights! I love the purple tree too, very fun!
    ah yes the sanctuary of our sewing rooms is important during this stressful time of year!
    enjoy it even for 15 mint to a 1/2 hr a day!
    Kathie

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  2. Oh my goodness Sharon....I NEED that NOEL quilt....lol, or one like it! I may have to copy it (you know the reason why)!

    Wow, look at those fabulous lights, we don't have anything even remotely close to that kind of display!!! What fun indeed!!

    Yes, I have been cleaning and cleaning AND cleaning.....for about 5 days now and I getting really tired of it and wanting to get in the sewing room. My sewing space is one of my cleaning days though so I will have an orderly spot to work in if I ever get back in there!!

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  3. I LOVE your Noel quilt! Sure puts me in the spirit of Christmas! The lights are gorgeous - I love our zoo, we used to have an annual pass and went every week.

    Your corduroy quilt looks fabulous. I hope you can get it done. I've a very busy week ahead too, and even put my sewing machine away - I need my table for wrapping! I know I won't get to any sewing until after Christmas. But I do love the busyness!

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  4. Yes, sewing = sanity in my world. I'm sending you good quilting mojo so you can get that Christmas sewing done on time. :- ) Oh, and then have a very happy Christmas!

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  5. Thanks for taking the time to do this fun post. I've been lazy!

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  6. Hi, Sharon. Your Noel hanging still looks great (despite the quilting faux pas)! The zoo pictures are cool--what a light show! Happy holiday stitching!
    best from Tunisia,
    nadia

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  7. Love that purple tree! Yes, I must get some stitching done, too, to keep my sanity.

    Happy New Year.

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