.....it all began with one thread....















Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Block 9

I almost forgot about this one...Block 9 of The Adventures of Harrington and Hannah, by
The Raspberry Rabbits. 

Monday, September 24, 2012

The last one

Here it is...the very last block for Annabelle's quilt.  I have called it Santa's Helper because little Annabelle is wearing an elf outfit.  She is putting the finishing touch on her Christmas tree, a tiny bunny angel!

I used a chain stitch on the tree to resemble those old-fashioned paper chains, everyone made as children.

If you are interested in seeing more of Annabelle's Christmas, send me an e-mail at xstitchalley @ gmail. com (no spaces) to join Annabelle's  private blog.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Remember?

Remember all those crazy Christmas pageants you had to participate in or watch as a kid?  Well, here is Annabelle's contribution to the tradition of those pageants.

Of course, after the pageant, she came home and changed into something comfy.  She was ready to hang her stocking...which is a bit big for a little rabbit. :)
 
Now the last block is here.  I am sure you should be able to guess what it might contain.
Stay tuned!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Seasons Greetings

Yep...before you know it, it will be time to do just this:

Hang that wreath on the door, getting ready for Christmas!  Annabelle is all dressed up in her best coat and hat, helping to hang the Christmas wreath.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Annabelle

For anyone who might be interested in obtaining a design or two for Annabelle, please e-mail me at xstitchalley @ gmail . com  (eliminate the spaces).  I have set up a blog for sharing her designs, and also to show the members choices for Annabelle, whether it be applique, embroidery, redwork, etc.  Thanks!

Here is a picture of Annabelle's latest:

Snowbunny

Friday, September 14, 2012

Annabelle

I so love working with this little bunny....everything seems to take on a mind of its own.  You know how you struggle with some quilting blocks, whether applique or pieced.  Maybe because she is my own, but Annabelle's blocks come together for me very quickly and easily.

I know many have been waiting for me to publish this little bunny.  Since I am so new to all this, what would you think of being able to receive the main drawing for Annabelle, only?  You would have to make your own templates, plus decide what you wanted to do with her...whether a quilt, a pillow, handbag, etc.  The drawing would be free for about a month (I have not decided on a time limit yet), on a special blog where you would have to apply for membership.  On this blog I would show what I am doing with Annabelle.  As a member, you would be able to post your progress and ideas.  After the time limit expires for a particular block, there may be a small fee to obtain it.  Interested?  Depending on the amount of interest shown, I will move forward with this idea.  I do thank everyone for all their support along the way with Annabelle's 'growth.'

Anyway, having said all that...here is another block for my Annabelle's Christmas quilt.  It really needs a better name, I think, than the one I have given it.  "Popped!"  shows Annabelle stringing her popcorn and berry garland for the Christmas tree.  She is all cozy and warm in her hand-quilted robe with her bunny slippers.   (I added a small piece of batting beneath the robe applique piece before appliqueing it, then hand quilted it.)

A better look at the hand-quilted robe:


 

 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

"Dear Santa"

Originally, I had called this block, "The List."  However, my friend, Anne Marieke referred to it as "Dear Santa" after I had shown her the sketch for it.  I thought it was a much better name for my second Annabelle's Christmas block:

 
A bit of a close-up of her dress and hat:
 
 
And the entire block with a few squares and a pinwheel:
 
 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Christmas (again!) and more

OK, I know....I have definitely been on a binge as far as Christmas goes.  What can I say?  Most of the projects I have going are for Christmas, it seems.  I guess I love doing anything Christmas, because of all the 'warm fuzziness' of it all. :))

Here is another letter from my long-neglected Merry Christmas to All.  The Letter A...buttons are merely placed for picture purposes.  I will attach them, but since there are so many for this block, probably not until the quilt top is together.  Oh, the Letter A is supposed to be decorated like a Christmas tree.

 
 
I worked on this block the day it was released.  Here is Country Cottages September block by Shabby Fabrics.

 
I
 
 

And, something new from Annabelle.  I have had the drawings completed for a while.  However, I wanted to try and get caught up on a few of my other on-going projects before starting this one.  But...all those bundles (you know, I just mistyped that word as 'fundles'...which is really what they should be called...fat quarter bundles which are sooo much fun to have, to fondle....'Fundles!') of Christmas fat quarters calling me, calling me to come play with them.  So Annabelle and I did just that!  A bit of patchwork, a bit of wool and a bit of applique.  Annabelle's latest block, "Ready!"

As always, thank you for your gracious compliments.  I appreciate you stopping by for a few moments! :) 


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Merry, Merry

Another Christmas project....started a little while ago....and finished this week.

This is the overall view, without the bottom border of reindeer showing.
Close-ups of a few of the blocks follow.

Here are the two of the Jingle Mice:
The reindeer and their ornaments:
The elf stocking:
And finally, the Candy Angel:
Overall, I am happy with it.  Next time, I will have a better layout planned ahead of time, instead of creating it as I went.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

My favorite holidays

Halloween and Christmas!  Well, at least as far as stitching and quilting are concerned, they are. :)

I forgot to post a picture of my Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler progress.  I am actually up to date on this one! Part three is out and should be arriving at my doorstep soon.  Here are parts one and two (no charms or beads have been attached yet.)

Now for Christmas!
The next block for The Wish Quilt by Red Brolly has Santa, his sleigh and reindeer in the sky.  There are some appliqued stars and cute little houses.
Another picture of Santa: