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Sunday, December 10, 2017

Piecing, Sewing, and a Berry Merry Wreath

I've been in my sewing room nearly every day and I'm happy to report that I'm up-to-date on all three quilt alongs. I've posted quilt along pictures to Instagram because two of them are hosting giveaways. You just have to show proof of your progress.

This is the #BerninaZenChicQAL progress. I've made all eight blocks, and have a total of 55 of them completed.

For the #YearofScrappyTriangles I've made only one block of each of nine blocks, though I also made Leila's bonus block for registering to receive her monthly newsletter.

Fabric arrived for the last two pair of flannel pjs, and I'll have to say that these were the nicest fabrics to work with! The flannel is called "Chelsea," and it came from a Canadian online shop - Fabricville. I paid a very reasonable price for the yardage, and was pleasantly surprised at the nicer quality of the flannel, as compared to Joann Fabrics. I emailed the company to say so.
Dinosaurs on the left; robots on the right.
Grandsons should find these very soft. And this year they're large enough (size 8s), with folded-up cuffs, that they should be able to wear them for many months. The pattern is "Sleepover" by Oliver and S. Oh, and each grandson is getting a coordinating long-sleeved thermal knit top to go with their pjs. Got them all mailed on Friday.

On December 1 my friend and super-talented quilt designer, Anne Deister of SpringleafStudios, offered a pattern for a free 28" X 28" wall hanging called "Berry Merry Wreath." After seeing her simple, yet dynamic design, I was in a rush to make it. It's extra fun to shop from my own stash. For the background I used scraps from my bin of neutrals, and for the greenery (Friendship Star) and berries, I chose solids. All the patches finish at 2-1/2" square.

For quilting I used circular rulers to... well, quilt circles! The spirals were free motion quilted by eyeball.

My favorite part of circles is filling in with FMQ. 

For the wall hanging backing, I used an incongruous print that had some sentiment behind it. It's one of several fabrics I purchased in the United Arab Emirates, when we visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi (our daughter was working there) in November 2005. The print has some silver sparkles, and though it doesn't look that great with the binding I chose, I'm glad to have put it to good use.

The binding is single-fold, and I used my favorite No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine method. 

This is Berry Merry Wreath that's on my design wall, giving my sewing room a little holiday spirit - the extent of Christmas decorating at our house.

Today, in anticipation of four Christmas parties Monday through Wednesday, I made Crockpot Peanut Clusters as shared with me by my Iowa-Texas friend Patty who found them on Pinterest. I've learned that not all crockpots operate at the same "warm" temperature; ours runs hot. So though I put the ingredients in a crockpot, I sat the crockpot in the oven at the lowest (170-degree) temperature. It successfully melted four kinds of calorie-packed chocolates! I have 97 of these mini cakes, so that should get me through all functions. I plan to remove the papers before I set them out on a serving tray.

The effort of making these reminds me how much I appreciate Dan's work in the kitchen, and that I have greater success in the sewing room. Being in the sewing room makes me a whole lot happier too! Linda

8 comments:

  1. Boy I wish I was being half a productive as you! Good going on ALL your projects!!

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  2. As always you are on top of what needs to be done this month. It struck me that my problem is effort..... in the kitchen... no longer have.... and yet it is the homemade stuff that makes the calorie packing tidbits worth eating.... great going.... have fun....

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  3. Your posts are always jam packed full of goodies! I’m loving the Berry Merry Wreath. It’s simple and sweetly festive! The boys will love their Jammie bottoms. Funny that you ordered the fabric from Fabricville...not one of my favorite stores to roam through, but occasionally I find a good deal. Good to know their flannel is top quality! I’ll keep that in mind to check out next summer when I pop in for something. I love backing my quilts with flannel. Your peanut butter clusters look scrumptious! I might need to check out that recipe for gift giving! Crafty Daughter likes to make up yummy plates for the neighbors. Yay for men that cook! My SIL does his fair share of preparing the most delicious meals, and he even cleans up after himself! A man after my own heart! Enjoy your day, Linda!

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  4. The Berry Merry wreath is lovely Linda, and I'm sure your wee boys will love their jamies! ( as in jar) :-) You are such a lucky girl to have your own chef!! who allows you time in the sewing room. I wish all retired men would do this, and some do, but not mine. haha!
    The peanut butter clusters look yummy. Will have to look for the recipe.

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  5. I always love chocolate peanut clusters at a Christmas party! I don't know that I would think of using the oven to solve a lower-temp need on my crockpot. Clever! And I *love* the raven triangle block.

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  6. I echo Debbie's sentiment! I love that you whipped up that Berry Wreath, as it looks so great with all your super quilting. Good for you for being caught up with your two quilt-a-longs, as they will make such different quilts. I did all my mailing yesterday, too, and whoopee! now I can get some of the long-neglected projects moved to the front burner. Merry Christmas!

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  7. You're the best quilty friend Linda. Thanks so much for the shout-out and link. I made my mom's version of peanut clusters yesterday. Have never heard of using a crock pot though. As always, you have many many pretty things going on. Enjoy the holidays. Sorry if this comment shows up again. Had trouble posting.

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  8. You caught my attention with the Merry Berry Wreath! I'm going to hop over to check out the pattern :o)

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