Blogger's Quilt Festival: Christmas Forest

It's that time of year we come to blog on Fresh Poppy Design again! :)  Our intentions are good but with all we do on Quilt Story we find little extra time to work on our home design and decor, let alone post about it!!  Hopefully you can bare with us and enjoy our posts from time to time :)

When I saw Moda's new line from Kate Spain, Joy, I was so excited!! I was feeling Christmas in May that's for sure!  The colors are fabulous and still Christmas, I love how she works the aqua in.  I can rarely turn down a blue/green combo anyway :)  When I got the collection a pattern started flowing into my head immediately!

A simple strip quilt paired with modern trees.  I really am loving the finish!

Check out those zig zag's and snowflake prints...and the green tree print...fabulous.  A great mix of modern and tradition, a lot like what I tried to incorporate in the pattern.

Christmas Forest is one of our latest pattern finishes that can be found in our shop.

Here are all of the patterns we've released so far this year, also available in our shop.

And I've got another quilt to share in this festival! :)  Head over to Quilt Story to see a little more about Kenna's Blooms.

Thanks to Amy for the fabulous event she puts together twice a year!!  Head on over, link up your own quilt and check out some amazing finishes!  Thanks for stopping by!! :)

-Heather

Christmas...palooza?

First, this is Heather, and let me just write a quick THANK YOU!  Everyones kind wishes and comments for my birthday were so so so appreciated.  I love that I haven't met most of you in real life yet you'll still take time to write something nice.  I had a great birthday too, by the way :)  And remember, Megan's giveaway from her own fabric stash is still going through Friday.  Check this post out to see more and to see the fabric!

Hi, it's Megan now :)  We had such a good response last time I posted with a title including palooza, so what the heck, right?  I've got some pics of my own holiday decor that I wanted to share.  Let me remind you all that I'm the budget sister...with a hubby in school and two little ones, money is tight to non-existent!

I busted out all my Christmas things and to my horror I thought, "How on earth did I decorate last year?!?  This stuff is awful!!"  To be fair, we've moved, so that always throws a wrench in things.  I finally "finished" this past week and here's what I came up with.

For starters, my stockings!!!!  My sweet sisters made these for me as my Christmas gift. I was beyond giddy when I opened them.  These were the stockings of our youth!! I have mine somewhere, in a box, but these are so nostalgic for me :)  In the toe they added the snowflake and embroidered each of our names.  Love, love, love.

I did have to tease them a little.  My girl is WHITE.  Like pure white as snow.  My hubby and boys are a nice golden, but apparently felt doesn't come in "Caucasian".

I needed some height on the ends of my mantel, but honestly almost everything was out of my budget.  I found these at Hobby Lobby.  The candle and glass were 50% off each, totaling $5 for both.  Then I picked out a golden ornament, also 50% off for $1 and tied it all together with some tulle.  For that price I'm quite pleased!

In the middle I have three different glass vases and an apothecary jar.  These are just from around my house.  I filled them with ornaments I had from the past...ones that are glass and actually break. 

fabric is Groovy by Caleb Gray for Robert Kauffman

Here is a project a friend and I made.  If you look closely it is still missing the 0's and 5's, and I have my family name to add to the bottom :)  We got the idea a Pottery Barn advent calendar, I don't know if it is sold out but I can't find it to link it, sorry.  It turned out to be quite the ordeal to make, I'll have some pretty funny memories of putting this together!  I told my little boy that an elf comes every night and leaves candy for him until Christmas.  He checks first thing every morning.  And several times throughout the day :)

 The wreath and garland are from JoAnn's.  So cheap.  They do all their Christmas and holiday things on sale pretty much immediately.  It was all at least 60% off, less than $10 for all of it.

I guess just trust me, this is a great improvement from where I started!!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Christmas Quilt

As Heather mentioned before, we are a threesome of sisters and our oldest sister Amy made this rag quilt for me! It was a couple years ago I asked her to make me one for Christmas, I wasn't a quilter at the time and she made and sold these quilts on Ebay, isn't it fab?? At the time the colors matched all my decorating, but I've sinced gotten rid of red and was so sad not to have this on display, only for snuggling. And then my grand idea, it's my Christmas quilt, and I love it!

One of the reasons I think she did such a great job is that she mixes fabrics and textures. Adding minky was a great touch. Thanks sister, I'll love it forever!

And, I think a rag quilt was one of my very first quilts I ever made for a friends baby. I highly recommend it as a starter quilt, they look great, they are easy to put together and it's hard to mess up :) Happy quilting!

We're partying at the Inspired Room, A Soft Place to Land and Between Naps on the Porch.

Checking it twice

First thing I've learned...I am finishing ALL my projects in November, so the entire month of December I can have a beautiful house smelling of fresh baked cookies and so many adorable things your eyes can barely take it in. The way it is now...fabric everywhere, my sewing machine, ironing board and anything crafty are all over my family room taking away anything that looked remotely festive. Darn.

Here are some glitter balls I tried out this year. I like them, ribbon tied down from the curtain rod with a tie of tulle.

Three years ago Heather and I saw some tree skirts we wanted in a Pottery Barn catalog, so we headed to JoAnn's right that minute to get supplies. Much to our disappoint, we needed to know a decent amount of math to figure out the circles for the fabric, trim etc.. Turns out it had a lot to do with Pi, and not the delicious kind.

Here is the JOY that hangs above an old mirror (recognize it H?). I love mod podging letters, there are so many great ways to do this same trick over and over. This was a project a friend did last year, and I had a great spot for it.


We're getting down to the nitty gritty, so I guess my decorating is over. There were a few of my little spots, and there will be no grand picture, because there is none according to the above explanation! I had so many more plans and thoughts that won't happen, how did your decorating go?

As always, we're attending some parties, so go check them out too! The Shabby Chic Cottage, Thrifty Decor Chick, Hooked on Houses , The Nester, Amy Lou Who and We are THAT family.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Craft from the Past...

My Mommy made these WAY back in the olden days...

Are these not the cutest snowman ever? I believe they are circa 1970's? My mommy is the best toll painter in town. At least she was, and she would be still, if it was still cool...
They just got old enough to be cute again...FINALLY! I remember these snowmen from when I was a little girl. They were around each and every Christmas.


So I had to modernize them just a touch to help out with their coolness factor... I cut 3 5x7 papers from cute scrapbook papers. Love the Christmas Trees...


I still had 3 frames left over from my monogrammed frame project. So I then put the papers behind the glass.


Then I used a glue gun on the backs of the snowmen, and plopped these little dudes on each frame. I did it on top of the glass so I could peal them right off after Christmas, the snowmen are cool, but not cool enough to have their permanent residency in my favorite frames.

Ta-Da...10 minutes. (less time than the post is taking me for sure!)


Now when my girls grow up they will remember the snowman. Then I will give them to the most sentimental of my daughters because she won't give them to goodwill.


Then in about 30 years time, she will dig out the snowmen, and they will finally be cool again for the third time around. Then she will tweek them (because she will be a crafter). And put them on the wall for her children...

Thank you Mommy. See I didn't give your cute things to goodwill. That is why I earn the egg family :)

I will share a post about the egg family around Easter. Megan and I are fighting for them. I think I will win.

DIY Ornaments

We just gave our first free tutorial, what the heck, let's do another :) I recently created a whole bunch of templates to make felt ornaments, my new favorite stuff to work with, just look at my chickens! So I am going to call this a mini tutorial, because I don't have pictures to go along with it. For starters I have uploaded the templates for you to use here and here.

I decided to make an open stocking for each of my boys so I can stuff a little candy in them :) All of the other ornaments are stuffed with regular cheap batting!

HOW TO: Print off templates and cut around one template, let's say the stocking. Pin the paper to your felt and cut around (remember to double up for front and back!) Cut scraps of felt for the top, toe and heel if you want. Use a running stitch to attach each of these to the top layer of felt. You can also use fabric glue to help you on your way :) Finally, I did a blanket stitch around the entire stocking. I found this site helpful to learn the stitches, and I'm sure if you typed in any of the stitches someone would show you on video on youtube.

(I used a running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch and blanket stitch)

They make me so happy. I want to make 804 more.

Let me know ANY questions you have!

(PS the owl is not an original idea of mine, it comes from a crafty magazine a few years back...I just wanted you to know I'm not that amazing. Oh, and I'd add some googlie eyes to him.)

PS We added this to AmyLouWho's Sew and Tell Friday's.

A Holiday Runner

Heather and I are many things, but when it comes to our crafts, one of those things is not humble. How cute is that runner? And even better, you can make it, and we'll show you how! Our very first tutorial to show you how to make a holiday or winter table runner!

And what else is great? Choose fabrics accordingly and this can last you all winter, or it can be a spring runner. Endless possibilities I tell you.

To start, materials needed:

*1/3 yard green fabric for center

*1/4 yard aqua fabric for sashing

*1/2 yard pink fabric for border
*3-5 Fat Quarters for circles

*1/4 yard brown fabric for tree

*1/2 yard hot pink fabric for binding

*2/3 yard for backing

I totally dropped the ball here, there is no photos of me putting the background together. BUT you can do it! If you can read, sew straight and iron, you can make this, promise.

STEP 1: Start with 1/3 yard green fabric for center, using a rotary cutter, board and ruler, cut the piece to measure 10.5" x 36.5". Then cut 1/4 yard aqua fabric for the sashing into 1.5" strips.

Finally take 1/2 yard pink fabric for border and cut it into 3.5" strips.

STEP 2: Using the aqua 1.5" strip, match up to one side of the green center fabric. (You will have a good amount of sashing hanging off one end). Sew together, trim to match and press. Repeat on opposite side and then top and bottom.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 using the pink 3.5" strips.

Step 4: Make 75" of 1" bias tape using the 1/4 yard of brown fabric for tree.

Now, I used a bias tape maker that you can get at most fabric stores, I got mine at JoAnn's. It is cheap and easy, you feed fabric through one side and it come out the other where you starch and iron it, and then the ends are turned in! Ta-da! You could also make your bias tape using a fusible web (we'll use that on the circles in a minute) or you can purchase it.

Step 5: Using the main picture at the top as your guide, cut and place the tree and branches to your liking. The length of the main part of my tree is 33". Using a temporary hold glue, I used Aileen's from WalMart, paste it in place. Sew all the way around your tree and branches with invisible thread (my preference) using a tight zig-zag stitch.
Time to make circles! I've uploaded the template I used here, there is a 5" circle (cut 3), 4" circle (cut 4) and a 3" circle (cut 2).

Step 6: It is a good idea to make temporary circles from printer paper as a trial to make sure you like the size and placement, like below in photo 1.

Step 7: Using my template or your own, trace three 5" circles, four 4" circles and four 3" circles onto the paper side of the fusible web. (I used Heat n Bond lite found hanging next to the sewing notions at WalMart.) See below photo 2.

Step 8: No photo for this step. Roughly cut around the traced circle (not the actual circle, maybe 1/2" or so outside of it). Place the non-paper side of the fusible web on the wrong side of your fabric and iron. Once cooled, cut around your actual circle.
Refer to the directions on whichever type of fusible web you purchase, they may differ from my directions.

Step 9: Peel the paper away from the back of the circle and place exactly where you'd like it on your runner. Iron. Ta-da! See below photo 4.
You're almost there!

Step 10: Sew around the edges of your circle. I chose to do mine a little more decorative for fun, I sewed in about 1/4" with a hot pink thread. You can use the invisible thread again here if you'd like, it's up to you.
And....you did it!

Step 11: Stand back and admire. Show anyone within the walls of your home. Jump up and down. Giggle. Now compose yourself, you look like a fool.

It's just a runner.

:)

Don't hate me, you're thinking, man this is awfully thin?? Well there are a couple more steps to completion. It needs to be quilted. And I quilted mine on my own, bless my heart, there will be no tutorial for that. I recommend hiring a professional, my aunt always does ours but she's hundreds of miles away and I just wanted mine done immediately. You can find affordable women with long arm quilting machines who would do an excellent job. I'd ask at a local quilt store for a recommendation.

Shortly after handing it over, you'll receive the blessed call that it is ready. You'll pick it up and can't believe it's even more gorgeous than it left. All that is left to do is bind it, which is actually one of my favorite parts, because you can watch TV while you do it. I'll be posting a tutorial on how to bind a quilt (or table runner) in about a week! Stay tuned!

Please, if there are any mistakes or clarifications, let us know! Leave a comment or drop us an email! Happy quilting :)

PS We've linked with a few parties, we love them! A Soft Place to Land, DIYblogspot, the shabby chic cottage, 320 sycamore,and Today's Creative Blog so check out all those other amazing things. Also, See Mommy Sew is having a tutorial contest all of November, so go enter yours, and amylouwho for sew and tell fridays!

It's time to GivEawAY

Recently my friend showed me a easy tutorial to make zipper pouches. I've been loving it. They make a really great and simple gifts. So I made one for my niece, embellished it with her initial using fusible web and added a flower hair clip. Ta-da! And then I thought, what a

FaBULouS GivEAwAY!

So here it is. A handmade crocheted flower clip for your hair, hat, purse, etc. and a cute zipper pouch to go with!

How do you win?
a. comment here, 1 entry
b. blog about the giveaway, 5 entries
c. add our giveaway button to your blog for the duration, 5 entries
d. become a follower, 5 entries
e. let us know which ones you do!

The giveaway HAS CLOSED, the winner will be chosen at random Saturday at midnight.
From now through Christmas we will have a giveaway every other week, so stay tuned!!!


We are also having FREE SHIPPING and 20% OFF on all our Fresh Poppy Design patterns through Etsy for a limited time!! Check out our Christmas quilt patterns just in time to get started!

Friends and family, please sign up too!

PS A Soft Place to Land links to do it yourself projects every Tuesday, so go check it out!

PSS amylouwho has a fun sew and tell friday, it is alot of fun!

PSSS inspired room inspires EVERYTHING, go check it out!

Christmas Quilt Patterns are here!

We did it...again! We've designed, written and finished our Christmas patterns! Deck the Halls is made with Moda's Merry and Bright Christmas fabrics. It has three adorable ornaments hanging from the top and we kinda love it! We also finished Oh Christmas Tree and you can personalize it with a cute monogram! These are both great patterns, because they have applique and piecing but are pretty easy to make, we think! We're once again debuting them in Material Girls Quilts in South Jordan, Utah. And, while our site is under construction, we are setting up an Etsy shop to make them available for purchase online. Thanks for looking, we hope you LOVE!
PS Thanks in advance for your wonderful comments ranting and raving about how fab you think they are :)

New Christmas Quilts

So we are quickly working on some FABULOUS new Christmas patterns that will be ready just in time to make them for this year! Heather is working on a great fabric line, Mackenzie Christmas by Anna Grifin, it is just gorgeous and her quilt, I've seen the sketches, will be just as gorgeous! I am currently cutting and piecing away on , Merry & Bright by Sandy Gervais, and it is going to be an adorable quilt as well!! So please, keep posted, we will have the patterns here as soon as possible. We are hoping that they will both be available for purchase as patterns AND kits at Material Girls Quilts