Day 3 HO HO HO Christmas in July Blog Hop---my day!

Are you having fun with this hop so far?  I sure am and not only because today is my day to finally show you what I had been working on much of July.  Such creativity! Such sense of fun and whimsy too.  Quilting I can only dream of doing!  Such holiday themed eye candy.  What's not to like there, huh?

Last fall my niece/godchild Allison asked me to make a tree skirt for her.  Well, more like she hinted and I volunteered.  Actually she had seen a picture of my twister wreath  and asked if I could cut a hole in it.  Anyway, we hammered out some details and I agreed to make her own but NOT for Christmas 2012.   I had made two false starts and had other patterns on hand under consideration but nothing seemed to click.  Allison requested something scrappy that would go with any future home decor she might have and either a white or cream backing.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Uh, see the previous comment.  Anyway, along came the HO HO HO blog hop and just the jump start this project needed.  Give me a deadline and I'll meet it!
I dug through my stash and found some traditional prints but also went with some more modern colors.  Some playing in EQ finally worked what I wanted to do, though even then I tweaked it.   I decided on a sashed block with sashing in side the block, on point.  It sort of reminded me a bit of a Christmas package.   This is my own design with an inspiration source that you will see in a minute. 

Trust me, I wanted to get out our artificial tree to stage this but my husband looked at me like I had lost my last brain cell.   I would have gotten the box out of the storage shed but HE would have been the one who had to assemble it, more or less, on a whim.  Bedroom floor, it is for this shot.

My girlfriend suggested seeing who might have an outside round deck table for photos when I mentioned wondering how I could accomplish that.  Two of my quilt group volunteered and Bridget was able to help me out on Tuesday.  Still can't see the whole piece properly and now it looks like a table topper, LOL but definitely scenic, looking down hill.  Other than being hot outside, it was a Chamber of Commerce day on Tuesday.

You can see the colors and quilting better in this one but we couldn't get it to hang just right, being held up.   Maybe between the three shots you have an idea of how this turned out??

When Allison had asked about making this item, my mind sprang to the newlyweds in the family.  My nephew Blake and his lovely bride Julia were married in October 2012.  I contacted them to see if they too could use a tree skirt and/or Christmas stockings, though no way would be done for Christmas 2012.   Go for it, I heard.  I selected the "Star Bright" Design that was offered at Connecting Thread but shown in a lovely blue palette.  Julia preferred a more traditional red and green.  I could do that!  The fabrics were purchased months and months ago. 

First the floor shot.  The binding is the same dark green/black gingham print as the cornerstones which is blending into the carpet a bit.  Now you you can see how I came across the idea to "notch the corners"  on Allison's design. 

I will say that I did not follow the piecing directions--- at all!  The pattern called doing the quilt in a 3 columns,  3 x 3 block set, for  what can best be described as Square in a Square strippie set of Puss in the Corner blocks.  I hate doing Square in a Square blocks, well not hate, but strongly don't like.  I cocked my head to the left and put this all on point, laid out just as you see it.  The large star points are just big half square and two quarter triangles.  Easy peasy. 

If you look at the quilt below than you can see how the originally designed skirt may have been pieced.  BUT there would have been seams breaking up the large red triangles.  Makes me dizzy looking at it, LOL.   It is also how it would look once it was placed under the tree.  Bless Bridget for standing in her plant and wearing a black shirt so the center pops.  

Now if you will indulge me, I want to share what the silly kitty of mine did while I was getting ready to take the first indoor shot.  It was my idea to put on three ties, not just one.  Skyler spotted me tying them closed---oh goodie!  Strings!  Up he hopped on the cutting/pressing table.  First, he just sat on it but soon the front side went into the skirt opening, leaving that back end protruding. 

A 5 inch opening must have been enough to get down inside.  Then he turned around so he can hide but it was not working.  I see you in there, Buddy!  (Now you can see the fabrics a little better.  Some is Nancy Halvorsen's holiday fabric while that red is a Debbie Mumm Holiday print a stylized dot and the green from Connecting Threads. cornerstones and binding, my stash)

  And because I was laughing so heartily by then he had enough of the noise and got out!

I hope their cat does not think this is what you do with a tree skirt!  I am planning on making them each a special holiday bag to hold the skirt with the fabric leftovers before I mail them off to their new owners but with things to prepare for the next hop, it will wait just a tad!

As always a big thank you to the creative mind of Mdm. Samm of sew we quilt but also to our cheerleader this round Carol of just let me quilt.  Thank you as well to our sponsor Timeless Treasures.  You'll have to pop on over to Mdm. Samm's to see what treats (a clue there!) are being donated for top 2, most creative and commenters.

I appreciate your stopping by today.  Now will you please show the others who are featured today some bloggy love too?  Here are the links---

Friday, August 2

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Ridge Top Quilts

Editha

Stitchin By the Lake

Quilts, Fabric and Thread Tales

Sew Many Yarns

Kwilty Pleasures

Kris Loves Fabric

52 Quilts in 52 Weeks

Robin’s Fabric Nest