Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christmas Countdown . . .

Christmas came and went far too quickly for me. It seems like I just got all my before Christmas To Dos done and now it's time for my after Christmas To Dos. I was hardly home to enjoy my decorations and wasn't even tired of them, but I packed them all up just the same. Someone PLEASE remind to get an earlier jump on Christmas for 2012, a reminder note after Labor Day would be much appreciated!

Time to move on. Well not totally on. Back in July, when that Countdown to Christmas fabric by Sweetwater for Moda came out, I got all excited and started counting down to when I would make something out of that fabric.


Then this free pattern showed up on the Moda Bakeshop website and not only did I have my Countdown to Christmas fat quarter bundle I had my pattern.


Here's a nice closeup view of Angela from Fussy Cut's Starry Eyed.

But I like to work with Christmas fabric when it's Christmas. So I just sat my fat quarter bundle on my shelf, printed the pattern, and started counting down to Christmas.

Well a funny thing happened on the way to Christmas, I got busy, but after waiting 6 months to make this quilt I decided I wasn't going to let a little matter of Christmas being over stop me, that's the thing about Christmas, it will be back, and I'll have a new quilt when it is.

So my daughter went back to California, my husband went back to work and Cooper went back to daycare. What's a girl to do but get back into her sewing room. And I did.

Here are my inspiration blocks. They could not have gone together any easier, I think this will be a fun and fast project.

Angela's Starry Eyed quit finished at 64" x 80", four 16 inch blocks wide by five 16 inch blocks long. This quilt is going on my guest room bed and needs to be a little bigger than Angela's finished quilt. I decided to go with 5 blocks wide by 5 blocks long, but still came up a little short so I'm making my blocks 18 inches square which will give me a finished quilt of 90" x 90", just right I think. I've cut the entire quilt out and pretty much used up that entire fat quarter bundle! Nothing left to do now but sew.

29 comments:

  1. Perfect quilt I am still sorry I didn't buy a fat quarter bundle of this fabric
    I just love it
    Looking forward to seeing some blocks soon :)
    you probably will have this quilt done in no time!
    Kathie

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  2. Love this pattern. It is on my to do list. Can't wait to see your progress.

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  3. This is on my to do list too. I have the fabric too - I love the touch of black in this line.

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  4. Oh my goodness, I love this quilt! It is going on my "Christmas through the year" list!

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  5. Oh Thelma I love your blocks...the 18" idea is wonderful!

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  6. This pattern is on my todo list. However it will be different fabrics. I can't wait to see your progress.

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  7. Ooh gorgeous!! I too have that FQ bundle sitting on my shelf, along with the printed pattern, so I will have to get busy and make mine up too!

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  8. I'm so excited that you've started working on this quilt. When you start decorating for Christmas, the day after Labor Day, you'll be really excited that it's finished and ready to enjoy. ;-)

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  9. Your test blocks look great! Another fabulous quilt is being made!

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  10. Super cute! Love that fabric. Maybe I will get going on using mine as well!

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  11. That pattern has to be my all time favorite. I've made the Countdown version and another using Sherbet Pips. Both are just awesome. And I so wish I'd stashed more of the Countdown to Christmas... Love your idea for bigger blocks.

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  12. Love that fabric! That is going to be beautiful when it's done...but I think all your quilts are beautiful!! Enjoy the day!!

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  13. Great minds think alike ;-) I am starting this same project today . I have this wonderful fabric and the same pattern from Moda Bakeshop. How Fun !! Just love your idea of 18" blocks !

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  14. Won't it be 90"x90" (5x18=90)? Still a good size and very Christmasy. This fabric line is terrific.

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  15. I completed this quilt in November and LOVE it! You'll have so much fun putting it together. Can't wait to see your biggy sized quilt!

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  16. I have some of those fabrics and love them. That is a great use of them.

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  17. I bought the fabric for that pattern too..... and it is sitting in the drawer in my sewing room. Yours is lovely!!! (My husband says the fabric is aging like fine wine)

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  18. I've been collecting Christmas fabrics but keep changing my mind about what to make...and right now I'm in love with this quilt! I don't usually follow patterns but this might be the exception to prove the rule!! Love your inspiration blocks!

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  19. Oh, Thelma, this might be JUST the thing for the FQ pack of Morris and Company that I just treated myself to! I want to make a back-of-the sofa quilt for some friends who are getting married and I love this pattern but don't like the idea of 16" blocks -- then I read that you were changing the size of the blocks and had a lightbulb moment: I could do that! I could make the blocks 12" instead of 16 and the proportions would be better for the nap quilt. So thank you again for inspiration!!

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  20. That's a great pattern--it's on my to do list, but likely only a pillow IF I can find my box of Christmas fabrics! I'm looking forward to watching your progress!

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  21. Your quilt looks great - I love those fabrics. I, too, need a reminder for Christmas! I have vowed to work on things throughout the year (like the ONE wool ornament that I started and did not finish!).

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  22. I love those fabrics. I can't wait to see your quilt!

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  23. Love that quilt. I have Chrismtas fabric from a couple of years ago that I cam trying to decide what to do with, that is the perfect quilt.

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  25. Love the quilt. Think I will hop over and get the pattern for myself.

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  26. Thelma,
    Please put that Christmas reminder up about beginning earlier with our Christmas decor so I will be reminded :) I was behind on everything this year and then being sick :(
    Your quilt is going to be lovely! I am sure you will have it finished before the weekend is over )) LOL (I just know you sew in your sleep)
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  27. Great looking quilt!! You are amazing in the speed you have in finishing a quilt. I love reading about your projects.

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  28. I love that pattern. I have some Christmas fabric that would be perfect for that one. Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Hi Thelma! This quilt is also on my 'to do' list, it has been since the first time I saw it. I adore the pattern and hope to make more than one, but I really want to do one in Christmas colors first. I have no Christmas quilts and since starting quilting just under four years ago I have not yet added Christmas fabric to my stash. So...first I have to get some Christmas fabric and I want to make sure I have enough for the entire quilt, so it will be a while before I can fit that particular luxury into the budget. I will be eligible to start drawing my retirement in April, so that is my target month for selecting my fabric. In the meantime, I will be watching your progress and enjoying every bit of it. Big Hugs...

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