I'll get the business out of the way first :) Today is the next-to-last day of the blog hop, but go check out the other super-cute iterations of this adorable pattern from Jillily Studio. It's a free PDF download, with the applique patterns in an attached JPG file. Madam Samm (Sew We Quilt) and Pauline (Quilt N Queen) are the amazing women who organized everything and kept us excited about this journey down Holiday Lane. Here are the links to the rest of today's bloggers:
I have been looking forward to this since September! This pillow pattern is so cute. Of course, I waited until the beginning of November to get going ... I bought a fat quarter bundle of Blitzen by Basic Grey to make an advent calendar and had enough fabric left over to make the pillow too. I'm super happy with the way this turned out.
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| I love how these two trees look like they're sharing a secret--shhhh! |
Once I realized how large it is, I decided I wanted it to be a wall hanging. I got the top done, but I'll have to finish up the quilting and binding over the next week or so.
I wanted to
practice learn some applique. I haven't used any of my hand stitching skills except for hemming dresses in a very long while. I read tutorial upon tutorial and watched several YouTube videos before I finally figured that I just needed to make the leap and do it. If there was one stitch I learned from my mom, it was the blind stitch ... I'm sure I have a long way to go, but I am quite pleased with how it worked out. I used the blind stitch and needle-turned almost all the cotton pieces and blanket stitched the wool snow pieces. I did use the machine to put the shingles on the first house--my fingers were worn out. I learned a lot about pinning and holding, though. On my last tree (below) you can see I was finally getting the hang of keeping the curves curvy. I would *love* to learn tips and tricks from anyone and everyone who knows more than I do, so please ... SHARE :)
Working on this project is one of the things that has pointed me toward a goal for the coming year. I'm going to learn to hand piece. I love the feel of the fabric and the relative ease of the basic running stitch. I've picked out a project and bought some bundles and am ready to get going. But that's all I'll say for now. Ultimately I hope that project will be a gift. Now that I've said it, I'm accountable, right? I'm still going to practice all my machine skills, but I'm looking forward to also having a portable project to fill in those time gaps that creep up on me during my waiting times.
Happy holidays to you all! May you all enjoy the beauty and generous spirit of the season. Thanks for stopping by and for being an inspiration to me this year as I learn to quilt!
Very pretty wall hanging! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi!!! Your wall hanging is adorable!!! I love the patchwork too!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pillow - I love all of the colours you have used. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove it and I think it is a beautiful wallhanging. Must make one too! Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteooh lovely fabrics, I think this pattern is great as a wallhanging. I like your pieced border too. Have fun with the hand piecing in the New Year :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pillow! I love your fabric choices!
ReplyDeleteLove how your version came out! Can't wait to see it completed :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Perfect fabrics.
ReplyDeleteGreat fabric choices. Very pretty - well done!
ReplyDeleteThe house with the black door really sets the entire street aglow! Surely an artist lives there.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabrics you chose for your contribution!! I want to make another and turn it in to a wallhanging too!
ReplyDeleteI love what you've created and the fabrics that you used to create it. Well done!
ReplyDeletethis is stunning..love your fabrics...perfect for a wallhanging.. i love that you added a border...that ties it all together perfectly
ReplyDeleteWell done this is great
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is beautiful and I love the border. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI love it and the idea of a wall hanging. The patchwork border is sure a fun addition!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out just beautifully! Great job! Good for you for being willing to try something new, too.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking- what a wonderful piece of artistry!
ReplyDeleteIt`s awesome and love your fabrics choice!
ReplyDeleteI love blog hop to learn tips from anyone and see how one pattern can change with differents fabrics.
A great cushion - I love the greens in Blitzen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I love that fabric and your use of it in this pillow was beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat fabric choice for your pillow! The border is very cute! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!!!! Isn't this blogging fun...I have been quilting for over 25 years; and learned so much more since I started blogging. Friends here share and help each other...enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats. on expanding your skills! I think your wall hanging looks great! The trees are sharing a secret! They're thinking how pleased they are that you created them! Wonderful work and a great job well done!
ReplyDeletehulseybg at gmail dot com
Lovely fabrics! And a great start to hand applique!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on your pillow. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic workmanship! Good for you taking on a new challenge!
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is so sweet. You did a great job on your hand applique. It takes a lot of time and patience.
ReplyDeleteYour applique is just beautiful; instead of us giving you tips I'm thinking it should be the other way around! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteOh what a cute pillow! I love it! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely applique. I love to hand sew as that is how I originally learned to piece, applique and quilt in the 1980's. Thanks for sharing and keep up the lovely work.
ReplyDeleteLove yourillow.The idea of a pieced border is another good idea.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletevery lovely - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a lovely version of Holiday Lane. Love your fabrics. Judy C
ReplyDeleteTHanks for being in the blog hop. I love the fabrics you used especially your tree fabric.
ReplyDeleteVery nice job! I've been hand appliqueing for about 40 years and love to do it. I can sit in front of the tv and not feel like I am wasting my time. It is very relaxing, and I think you just get better with practice, although yours looks great already. Just remember to clip those curves to make it easier and take small, even stitches. I think you have got this down already.
ReplyDeleteYour fabric choices are very lovely. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteVery nice and I love your fabrics.
ReplyDeleteNow that was a great way to use up the fabrics and have a little extra that matches. Great Job and keep up the good work/ practice/learning
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
in stitches
annette
You're going to make someone very happy with this gift. It's lovely and I do love the scrappy border. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here: Beautiful! Love the fabrics and the colors are bright and festive! Love the dark sky. This looks so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteI have never done applique either so yours looks marvelous.
I think a wall hanging is a great idea too
thank you for sharing
It is a wonderful version of the pillow. Good luck with your goals for next year.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice! Not only I like your fabric--I love your blog as well. You will see me again!!
ReplyDeleteHeather....you did a great job, your hand stitching is wonderful. I love the Blitzen line, and the scrappy border is perfect. Thank you for sharing your time and inspiration with us today. Looking forward the seeing your other projects that you plan to do. Happy stitching, Pauline
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely wallhanging! You have a great reason to smile when you see it every morning, hehe. Great fabric choices as well. I love to applique and hand piece. My teacher for applique told me what helps you get good is practice, the more you do, the better you will become. I think you did a super job!
ReplyDeleteYour wall hanging is lovely! I only do fusible applique so I have no hints for you, sorry! Personally, I think your trees are just perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat job. I love the border! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful version of the pillow. Good luck with your goals for next year.
ReplyDeleteI love your fabric choices and color palette!
ReplyDeleteYour wall hanging looks lovely! The fabrics are great and I love the pieced border. You did a great job on the applique!
ReplyDeletelove your choice of fabrics for you little village.
ReplyDeleteGreat wallhanging...love the fabrics. I bought two charm packs of Blitzen and I can't decide what I want to do with them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of color and fabric, it makes a lovely Holiday Lane!
ReplyDelete