Welcome, Winter Solstice!

December 21st may be the shortest day of the year -

But from here on out it gets lighter and brighter – and we are nearly ready to turn the page into a brand new decade.  I don’t know about you, but it is all pretty exciting to me!

I finished my holiday table runner.  In the nick of time, as the saying goes.  And I am really quite pleased with how it turned out, considering no yardage was harmed in the making of this quilt.  LOL!

That is unless you count the backing and the binding – but not much was needed of each, really!

I’d had that piece of red with birds FOREVER.

And same with the green binding.

Some things were just meant to be.

I loved including SOME Christmas fabrics in this runner – not too many, just a fair sprinkling.  And some of those are quite old and bring many good memories close to my heart.

With this finish on the table – I’ve been working on some other “little” stuff behind the scenes.

I have a stack of sample blocks that have been returned from my Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker – something has to be done with them.  And I wanted something simple, so I pulled the two blocks with the pink  triangles.  I pulled out a bag of pink bonus triangles that had been left from a previous project.

The nine-patches were also left from an earlier quilt, and contain pieces from my grandfather’s shirts.  I’ve been thinking about him quite a bit while working on this little ditty.

Two orphan blocks became three.

And before I knew it, there were nine.

I pulled out the bag of leftover string sashing bits from our Good Fortune mystery – last year’s Quiltville Winter Mystery project.

Once I put my head down that rabbit hole – it’s a quick descent into “Where can I go from here?!”

Sewn together – but not sure I was liking it yet.

Laying stuff down – just trying some things out.

And all the while –

Keep those Shoo Fly Shoo leader & ender blocks going!

Main block behind -

Shoo Fly block in front -

We got this far last night -

Liking it better with that pop of pink!

6am this morning -

I just couldn’t leave it alone!

The color is off in this photo – it’s dark outside still at this time and the overhead light isn’t helping the camera read true – but I have a finish.

Not enough of one pink yardage here at the cabin, so use MANY.  All that is left now is to piece a backing, get it quilted – and I’ll have the next thing to bind sitting at my comfy chair for evening stitching time.

I think a darker pinky fabric to finish the edge would be nice.

I love the masculine touch of my grandpa’s shirts mixed in with all of this girly pink from his eldest grandchild – a girl – ME.  we were quite the time when I was little.  We called him Superman.  I miss him.

Where will this go?  I have no idea.  Maybe on a wall.  Or maybe as a spring table topper.  I only know that it quietly called “Make me.” 

And so I did.

December Things to Remember:

Our Hunter’s String Star PDF pattern is 1/2 price through the month of December at only $4.00!

My newly released Bavaria/Austria project, Warm Hands, Warm Heart is available for download, in the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store where you will also find the Hemming Chenille needles, size 24. 

We are out of the Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch, but more is on the way!

I am shipping out Quiltville Quilter’s Date Keepers left and right! Thank you, thank you!

They are on sale for just $9.99 through December – feature more than 70 of my quilts, full of my favorite quotes, hints, helps and tricks and perfect for gift giving.  Regularly priced at $16.95, this is quite the discount.

I also have all of the rulers on hand that we are using in our Frolic Mystery, as well as many different styles of Karen Kay Buckley Scissors in the Rulers, Notions & Tools category if you are wanting to treat yourself (Or someone else!) to something special.

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Vintage quilt shared by Kevin the Quilter.

However you choose to celebrate today -

Have a wonderful Winter Solstice, everyone!