Christmas! Lavish, festive, thrilling! I am all for an over the top Christmas. But times change. I sat down with myself to decide what really matters to me, what do I love most about decorating and cooking for these very brief few days of each year. Because why do it if no one cares but me, right? Two quotes to ponder.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
...........................................................................................
The Quilts
December 1st I got out most of my red and white quilts and the stack of usually made each year tiny quilts. This is a joy but also practical, as the quilts need to be aired and refolded at least once a year. Here's what I found.
Not sure I will do a tree! The Christmas Eve get together may just feature pizza from the freezer. [Celeste's are pretty good/ no deliveries on Christmas Eve here]. I had my heart set on this tiny tree from Terrain. At $228.oo it was far beyond my budget, tho it did include a dozen tiny glass [repro] feather tree ornaments , "penny ornaments" that can run $20.oo each, so the price is not sooo crazy. I waited, waited for Black Friday, would the Tree be half price? Still would be too $$$, right! But no, it was sold out before Black Friday came.
As for looking forward, I had planned to make Jan Patek's Joy pattern this year, despite the irony of the word. Unlike the quote person, change makes me very sad
Inspiration pic/ Cheri Payne via Pinterest, if my tiny tree needs more ornies:
But rummaging for gift tags I found these two cuties--if not for Christmas-New Years home alone days then for the winter ahead? The tiny grid of 1" squares on the Whatnots always defeats me but I love it.
I am determined to stick to small quilts for now/ for the future. I just cannot iron and finish the big quilts I enjoy making.
...............................................................
And the Christmas baking--simplified. My little artist friend will come after school one day and we'll make pre-formed rounds of Pillsbury sugar cookies decorated with wonderful holiday sprinkles and bright colored sugar. Always the funnest part. No rolling out, no cutting, no hours with royal icing. Just the fun of an hour together.
No gingerbread house either! Not sure I miss that , they're a challenge. Though my son and his buddies loved stomping the G House to crumbs on New Years Day. Just in case you do want to try fancy cookies, here's a fun Quilt Block cooky. Scroll down, I apologize for the busy, ad filled, linked website.
I hope your holiday preparations bring you joy too.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
cresent moon and Venus on earliest sunset of this year
"and look, my Sweater still fits!"
.jpg)
[Lucky Mo that his sweater still fits--I need to cut back on my food intake because I cannot exercise as I used to!!]
ReplyDeleteAnyway--I just love your mini quilts--"quiltlets" I call them --and I too have decided to change to making small pieces now.
My urge is to keep on churning out blocks--even though I know putting them together = big quilts!!
You are right, everything changes...sometimes it's hard to come to terms with that....isn't it???
Hope you are feeling better hugs, Julierose
I have one big quilt to finish (back to the hand quilted border now) and my William Morris Heirloom Quilt to make, but I too will stick to smaller things after that. Love those FolkArt designs. What a joy bringing out your Christmas quilts once a year to adorn your home and be enjoyed. I've never made an Irish chain quilt - love the one you have. I've just gotten two Christmas craft books from the Library - not much time to make the lovely things in them, but you never know . . . I may manage a tree skirt.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing the Wm Morris quilt design.
DeleteI too love Irish Chain quilts, I have one, a c. 1930s rescue in tiny pastel florals and another red and white Single Irish Chain where the center blocks are redwork embroideries. Wonderful animals etc. Dated 1911 I think. I ll try to get a pic for next post or to add here too, it's lovely.
You're fortunate your library has good quilting books. I love big quilts but must go with what I can manage at this time.
love, lizzy
I love all those quilts and the new quilt ideas are all lovely. I still have a few big quilts on y list but will be sprinkling in some smaller pieces too.
ReplyDeletetesting
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing your Christmas quilts displayed, they're so bright and beautiful! Please don't let the nay-sayers ruin with their negativity the traditions you've cherished all these years. We are also keeping things simpler with our decorations than just a few years ago, just the four Christmas quilts I've made and a few smaller table toppers, some lights, and a few smaller pieces I've had forever. Have fun with your little cookie helper, she's lucky to have a special auntie like you!
ReplyDeleteI love your little quilts tucked here and there. I've got three that I need to find a niche somewhere to display them. I love that whatnots pattern. Sure wish I could have purchased one when they were available years ago. Part of the reason I like it so much is the colors and fabrics that were used. Sometimes I like to really change things up with a pattern and sometimes I want a close replica. That feather tree is adorable. Sorry you missed out on it. I need to get busy and get my tree decorated so I can put the boxes away. I don't like the clutter it always causes. Tell Mo he looks dapper in his sweater.
ReplyDelete