Holiday Favorites Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Holiday Favorites Blog Hop hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts! I'm so happy to share the fun of this holiday celebration. I'm so excited to share the fun of the holiday season and our shared love of all things quilting.

Anyone who has ever been to my house knows without a doubt, that a quilter lives here! Many years ago, when I finished making quilts for each bed, I started making Christmas quilts for each bed. I always swap out the Autumn quilts the day after Thanksgiving and instantly the house starts to feel like Christmas. Here they are, waiting on the railing. That's a peek at my Dear Jane quilt hanging on the wall in the back.

Obviously, the quilts are not limited to the beds in my home. I always have one on the dining room table. This is my Piney Grove pattern. I love how festive it is and how the design isn't interrupted by the centerpiece. I planned that. LOL And I drape a garland on each light fixture to add a little cheer.

And then there are little ones scattered about on table tops and more are folded up ready to be used for snuggling. My collection of old wooden bowls comes in handy for holding extra ornaments.

The tumbler table runner is also from my shop. It's also the same template for the mini in the photo above.This size is perfect for a charm pack and I can't even remember how many of these I've made and gifted! 

The little hand quilted tree quilt was made by my dear friend Mary Ruth. She's gifted me many small quilts that I enjoy using for seasonal decorating.

This is an old stereo cabinet (remember those?) from my parents. I discovered that it fits quilts and is just the right size for this odd little corner in my house. Win, win!

This is a tiny twister that I added a couple of layers of batting to and I use it to set the hot pie on when it comes out of the oven. It's good to be prepared!

And if the quilts aren't enough to get us in the holiday spirit I have a collection of Jim Shore Santas all featuring quilt designs. For many years, I bought or was given one a year. Now I have enough to scatter them everywhere because the collection has outgrown the mantle!

Our Christmas tree even has some quilted ornaments from friends and a few Jim Shore Santa ornaments as well. Most of our Christmas ornaments come from our travels. We try to pick up an ornament or two on every vacation or adventure we take. It's a fun travel reminder of good times that we've had this year, and for many years in the past.

Other than the quilts, Santas, and tree, I keep it pretty simple. After years of hauling storage bins in and out of the attic, I decided to streamline a bit. Years ago, someone said that if you focus on the tree, the mantle, and the table you're decorating is complete. I agree.

My daughter and I did however, make this wreath a couple of years ago by hot gluing almost every round ornament we could find to a wreath form. We had so much fun, and aside from a hot glue disaster or two, we are really proud of the result.

I also add jingle bells to the door handle and they give a holiday welcome to everyone who visits! And Santa that I made almost 20 years ago still sits and watches from the front hall.

But honestly, my favorite part of the holiday decorating is what my husband does. He lights up the outside of the house so it looks simply magical. He's gotten to the point in life that he hires someone to do the roof peaks (for which I am so thankful!) Several neighbors on our street go together to hire the same company and in one day, our entire neighborhood becomes a Christmas village!

(Christmas 2014 when Boomer was a baby!)

We will be home for the Christmas holidays as usual, and I'm so looking forward to time with my 3 college kids! Wherever you spend you Christmas, I hope it's filled with love and warmth and lots of quilts! Now go visit the other stops on the hop...

Dec 9- Lori, humblequilts.blogspot.com Dec 10 KatyQuilts, katyquilts.net Dec 11  Beth, lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com Dec 12 Diane, butterflythreadsquilting.com  Dec 13 - Kyle, kyleredente.blogspot.com Dec 14  Kelly, pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com Dec 15  Juliann, chasingstories.wordpress.com Dec 16   Knitty Quilter, suehoover.blogspot.com Dec 17  Lizzy,  gone2thebeach.blogspot.com Dec 18 Barb, funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com Dec  19 Judy, smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com Dec 20-  Kevin, kevinthequilter.blogspot.com

Enjoy the HOP!
Diane

Skill Builders Workshops at Tiny Stitches

As most of you know I work and teach at Tiny Stitches in Marietta, GA. (when I'm not traveling and teaching anywhere else!) I'm excited to announce that in 2020 I will be teaching a class once a month that will focus on building skills for quilters who have completed a beginner course or have made a few quilts, and want to sharpen their skills, learn some helpful tips and tricks, and enjoy the process of quilt making with less frustration and better results.

The class will be held at 10 am on the first Wednesday of each month (except January because of the holiday we will meet on January 8th). The classes will begin with simple projects and will focus on different skills or techniques each month, getting a little more challenging as the year progresses. You will be able to sign up for the classes the month prior. Prices will vary depending on the hours needed. You are always welcome to stay after class has ended and continue stitching until 5:30pm.

I'm so excited to spend time quilting with some of my favorite people at one of my favorite places. If you see a class listed here that you would like for me to teach at your guild or group, I would be happy to bring it on the road to you! Here's an overview of what to expect for the year. Some samples have not yet been made, so the photos are not yet available.

January 8- Spin Cycle

Use a jelly roll to make a quilt that spins. Learn tips for cutting and sewing strips accurately, chain piecing and the secret to pinwheel pressing seams.

February 5- Take a Trip

Use your favorite fat quarters to piece strip sets and make 'trip around the world' blocks with perfectly nested seams each time. We will explore lots of setting options for fun results.

March 4- Make Mine Mini

Learn the tips for making perfect little nine patches and hourglass blocks. Making smaller blocks can be a big success with the right techniques. AND learn how to make a scalloped border with no math for any size quilt. We will even add a tiny bit of machine applique.

April 1- Disappearing Nine Patch

We will use charm packs to create this fast and fun quilt that will show off some of your favorite fabrics. Precision piecing and cutting is the secret to the simple but smashing design.

May 6- Quilt As You Go Tablerunner

Learn this fun quilt as you go technique and leave with a finished project! We will quilt as we piece this project and learn how to add a binding entirely by machine.

June 3- String Stars

Learn how to string piece on foundation paper and conquer your fear of Y seams all in one day! The methods for these will be useful for lots of your future projects as well.

July 1- Christmas in July

Diagonal sets will be your new favorite design once you learn how easy it is to piece on an angle. Multiple methods for half square triangles will ensure you find what works best for you.

August 5- Sunflower Fun

Make multiple triangle blocks to create this gorgeous flower block. The four patch chains will make it all come together. This is another unit that will find it's way into your patchwork once you learn how fun it is to create.

September 2- Pineapple Surprise

Sew and flip your way to paper piecing success! This is a great block for learning to paper piece or refreshing your paper piecing skills. Make accurate blocks that look really difficult with no stress at all.

October 7- Partially Committed

Learn to sew partial seams and never have to inset a seam again. This method will make piecing a breeze and you will love the results!

November 4- Curves and Swerves

Sewing curves is NOT scary. Learn how to pin (an when not to) and piece to make perfect curves every time. You will never have to fear them again!

December 2- Log Cabin Love

Making log cabin blocks is not hard, but it's easier to make them perfectly if you know the secrets to cutting and sewing that creates blocks the same size every time. Or you can go a little crazy and practice a crazy log cabin block with a surprise project just in time for the holidays.

I hope you will join us for the fun! I love spending time with my online friends in real life!

Enjoy every stitch!
Diane

Happy Birthday David and Danny!

My babies are 21 today.

The arrival of these two amazing humans rocked our world! We were so in love with our 15 1/2 month old baby girl, Kelly, that we didn't know we would be able love 2 more babies as much as we cherished her. Then we found out that our hearts could expand and be filled far more than we ever dreamed possible.

They were 8 weeks early and debuted at a whopping 5.0 lbs and 4.7 lbs. They needed lots of tubes and wires and medical intervention while they grew in the NICU. We were terrified, and so very very in love. They thrived once they were reunited in one crib and began gaining an ounce a day. In a mere 3 weeks, they came home from the hospital!

They have been best friends to each other and incredibly loving brothers to their sister. They have been a blessing and a joy every single day to us as their parents. Our family has had the joy and privilege to watch them grow and learn and develop into fun loving boys and then hard working teens.

Now we continue to be amazed by their dedication and perseverance. As college juniors (David at UGA and Danny at VaTech) we couldn't be more proud. They are having fun and enjoying college life while working so hard to earn degrees. (If you are looking to hire a computer programmer or a mechanical engineer next year, let me know!)

I know I am biased, but they are amazing. I am so very lucky to be their mom. I can't wait to see them in a few days!
Happy Birthday boys!

Love,
Mom

Seeing Stars Sew Along Step 4

Step 4

6’’ pinwheel block

Block as it appears in the quilt.

Cutting:

Background fabric- cut 4 squares 3 ½’’ x 3 ½’’

Other fabric- cut 4 squares 3 ½’’ x 3 ½’’

Make 4.

Make the HST:

Layer the background and other fabric right sides together. 

Sew on the diagonal from corner to corner.

Trim away one side leaving a 1/4’’ seam allowance.

Press the seams away from the background fabric. 

Trim to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2'' as needed. Make 4 HST.

(Or use your favorite method for making HST.)

Sewing:

Arrange the four 3 ½’’ x 3 ½’’ HST units as shown in a four patch.

Sew two units together into pairs. Press the seams.

Sew the pairs together into a 4 patch. Pinwheel press the seams.

Make 1 block for each panel.

Options:

Turn the HST units different directions to make a diamond or a four patch.

Make only two HST units and sew them to background squares.

Get creative and try using scraps from previous steps.

Please post a photo of your blocks to the group Facebook page (link) and tag it with #seeingstarssewalong and #butterflythreadsquilting

or send a photo to me at

Butterflythreadsquilting (at) gmail.com and I will post it for you!

Go here for a printable version of Sew Along Intro Information

Go here for a printable version of Step 1 

Go here for a printable version of Step 2 
Go here for a printable version of Step 3
Go here for a printable version of Step 4

Enjoy every stitch!
Diane

Sale, Giveaway, Update, Etc.

Happy Cyber Monday friends! The sale continues through today as well as the giveaway, see the previous post for details.

Don't forget to finish up Step 3 before Thursday when Step 4 will be released! I'm loving all the progress each of you are sharing on social media. Thanks for playing along!

I'm so thankful my family was together at home for Thanksgiving and I hope that you and your families are safe and warm wherever you are!

The Tiny Stitches Holiday Staff party was last night and we sure had fun celebrating our friendships and exchanging handmade gifts. I made a year's worth of tea towels for Jan.

Millie made some super cute kitchen accessories for me.

Maetha and Henry (shop owners) gifted us all with beautiful hand made bracelets from a local north Georgia craftsman. I absolutely LOVE it!

Happy December friends!
Diane

Happy Thanksgiving and a Sale!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I hope all of you are finding lots to be thankful for today.

To celebrate the start of the shopping season, we are having a SALE!!!

Online shop link

25% off all items in my online shop (including the brand new pattern above!) just use the coupon code: THANKS

The sale will end Monday Morning, December 2, at 12:01 am. So hurry now to get your savings during this last sale of the year.

And a Give Away as well! (Because I'm very thankful for each of you!)

For every purchase you make during the sale, you will be entered to win a stuffed flat rate box of fabric, thread, patterns, books, magazines, and no telling what other goodies! I'm going to start stuffing boxes now, and see how many I can fill! (I'm so sorry but this giveaway is only open to US residents.)

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

Diane

November Reading List

Get the book HERE.

I loved this book! I listened to it on CD from the library and enjoyed it so much. The characters and connections between them was wonderfully appropriate to the time and period of the setting of the book. While I love any historical fiction, I particularly like stories of women doing things beyond the typical expectations of the day. The Kentucky horseback librarians were strong, brave and incredibly determined to stand up to the bullying men who wanted to stop them. I am so glad that I now know about this part of the American library history. I highly recommend this book.

Get the book HERE.

This story takes place in Iran during the coup that saw the end of the Shah and then multiple governments overthrown. It is a piece of history that I have never learned the details about and I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold through the eyes of the two main characters. They are young and naive and trying to do what they feel is right, even if it's more dangerous than they know. The story is well told and the characters are easy to cheer on. I really liked this book.

Get the book HERE.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I listened to it on CD from the library and found myself laughing out loud at some of the dialogue and snarky observations. The characters were endearing and often adorable. I found the story line to verge on the 'cliche' at times but the overall humor and human connections made it a very worthwhile read. It was uplifting and encouraging and I needed a light and humorous book and this was perfect!

Get the book HERE.

As with most books by this author, there is a large element of magic and mysticism in this story. It is deeply entwined with Hebrew scripture as well. The story takes place during WW2 and follows the journey for several young Jewish people fleeing from the war. They are separated from their families and each copes in different ways. I love Alice Hoffman and all of her novels. This one might be a bit hard to follows for those that haven't brushed up on their Old Testament recently, but it's well told and full of passion and courage. If you like this author, you'll like this book.

I'm sharing my reading list a few days early this month because of Thanksgiving and some exciting fun coming up later this week. There will be a BLACK FRIDAY SALE here that lasts all weekend long. So come back here Thursday morning to see what all the fuss is about. It's going to be so fun with big savings and a few give aways as well! So don't miss it!

Enjoy it all!
Diane

The Fine Print: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchase made through these links will result in a very tiny reward for me. I promise that my reviews of each book are honest and I have not be compensated for any of my book choices or reviews. As always, I sincerely appreciate your support!