Hoarfrost

The past few mornings the hoarfrost was gorgeous, so I couldn't resist taking some photos.



As I walked down the road, my neighbors horses came out of the barn to show off for me. The white horse was prancing the corral when he saw me.

The trees and leaves were covered with huge fluffy frost.

Babushka Doll Hot Pads

After finding some nesting Santa dolls at a flea market in South Carolina this fall, I came up with the idea of hot pads with Russian nesting dolls on them. I searched the Internet for ideas and pictures to make my pattern. I found the nesting dolls can also be called Matryoshka or Babushka dolls, since I'm Polish I'm going to call mine Babushka dolls.



I used fabric from my stash to frame the dolls, adding some ric rac to dress them up. Because the doll's cheeks and hair were tiny pieces to applique, I drew them on the faces with fabric crayons. I embroidered the eyes and smile.



The backs are Japanese fabric I found on Etsy.

Zipper Critter

Before Christmas, I saw a picture of a pillow decorated with a zipper. I used the idea to make a dog pillow for Jenny.



I left the middle section of the ears without interfacing, so they would droop and look like a terrier's ears.

Pins and Needles

I used some paper piecing scraps to decorate Altoid-like tins for Christmas presents.



I used a layer Mod Podge to glue the fabric to the tins and then applied a few more layers of Mod Podge, similar to decoupage. I sprayed the tops with sealer after they dried.



On the inside, I put a pin cushion on the top and a magnet on the bottom, to hold straight pins from falling out. Since the tins were too small to hold spools of thread, I included two bobbins with thread. I thought the tins would be useful when we do hand sewing at quilt club.



I labeled the tin bottoms with my friends' names and a graphic.

Merry Christmas Angela & Austin

My daughter and her husband have moved to Spain and won't be home for Christmas. I wanted them to have something homemade for Christmas. I made them a small wall hanging. Other parents have grandchildren or grandpuppies, I have a grandfrog. Killer, Ang and Austin's frog, is in foster care while they live in Spain. Since they like frogs I made a frog wall hanging.



One of the frogs is wearing a Santa hat and the other a necklace of holly trimmed with red buttons. Since Ang and Austin are newlyweds, I have the frogs holding hands.



I mailed a package to them last week but have no idea if they will get it in time for Christmas so I'm going ahead and posting pictures...Hoppy Holidays, Ang and Austin!

December Millington Quilt Club Show and Tell

We had a short Show and Tell at our quilt club meeting on Wednesday. This is Faith showing us some of the 10 Minute Table Runners she made for Christmas gifts.



Viola shared numerous items she made for gifts. This is a pillowcase for her daughter to use when she has chemo treatments.



This is a pair of wall hangings Viola made for Christmas.



This is one of many table runners Viola made for gifts.



Nancy shared her snowman quilt which is still a work in progress.



Jan shared two quilts she had made and quilted.



This Dresden Plate quilt is the second one Jan shared.



Jan showed us numerous bags she made for the Underground Railroad (a group which helps battered and abused women).



Jeanann made this beautiful quilt for her grandson, Elliot. Mary Lou did the quilting.



Sydney entertained us as she showed off the snowman sweatshirt she made



This is Jan with place mats she made to match her mauve dining room.



Jan used a twin needles to quilt her snowman purse.



Julie share a tote bag she made.



Thanks to Linda for taking notes, while I snapped pictures.

Christmas Block Exchange Part 2

We exchanged our Christmas blocks at our Quilt Club meeting. I received blocks from two of my good friends.

Amy made this 9 patch block.



Dena made this block. She included the pattern but it didn't have the block name listed. The construction looks a little tricky around the center square.



The center square has a good saying to live by.



In a few more years when I've collected more squares, it will be very special to have blocks from my good friends in a Christmas quilt.