Seeing red

Hmmmm.....not what you might be thinking....but lots of pretty, red fabrics!  Just a small sampling of the assortment of fabrics I will be using in something new.

Don't you just love the tan with the little red reindeer?  More red reindeer to follow.....

I am having my own Christmas in July (well, it's almost over, but I did start this in July).  Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly is offering a free pattern called The Wish Quilt on her blog.  This is a gorgeous Christmas- themed quilt, with stitchery blocks, applique and patchwork.  Seriously, check it out, especially if you love red and white quilts.

Here's my first block, which no sooner was it on her blog, than it was started!

I decided to use red wool felt for the appliqued reindeer, stitched with a blanket stitch:

I decided to use red wool felt for the center of the heart appliques, as well. 

See?  Stocking up on those Christmas fat quarter bundles was a good thing! LOL!

Brutus

Isn't that a fun name for a cat?  Well, Brutus is part of a free (I know, another one!) Block of the Month from Red Brolly Designs called Catalicious (don't you love that name?).  There are nine blocks, total.  Very cute stitchery blocks that can be used in any number of ways. There are a few pictures of quilts with Brutus and his antics through the Red Brolly site. Although this is not the first block issued in the series, it is the one I decided to stitch first. 

I am using Transfer-Eze paper to transfer the design to my fabric.  I decided to use a cream dotted fabric rather than a muslin.  Brutus is stitched with one strand of perle cotton.  All the black portions in the outer circle still need to be stiched, but I thought Brutus was too cute to have to wait any longer for his debut. :))