Lost and Found Quilt Block and Losing the Christmas Star in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Lost and Found Quilt Block

 

Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     

Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the book, the Christmas star that ALWAYS goes on top of the Bergstrom tree ends up missing.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this event in the book, here are some free patterns to get you started: 

12" Christmas Rising Star Quilt Block

10" Christmas Star Quilt Block shown below

20" Christmas Star Quilt Block

16" Star of Bethlehem Quilt Block

What do you place on top of your Christmas tree?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
 

You might enjoy reading my previous blog post A Colorado Christmas and Welcome to My Cabin Quilt.

A Colorado Christmas and Welcome to My Cabin Quilt

 

A Colorado Christmas

Written by my son Drew when he was in 5^th grade

        On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a chickadee in a pine tree.

        On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two chipmunks and a chickadee in a pine tree.

        On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

         On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

 

 

        On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

 

 

        On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

        On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

        On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

 

        On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree. 

 

        On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

 

        On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven raccoons peering, ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

      On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve foxes leaping, eleven raccoons peering, ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

 

All the pictures were taken in our yard!  You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December Tree Trimming Basket Quilt Block.

December Tree Trimming Basket Quilt Block

 

This December Tree Trimming Basket block is part of my Wooly Basket Calendar Quilt.  The pattern is from the Starry Pines Pattern Company: http://starrypinespatterncompany.com/spindex2.html

I used wool for the hand-appliqued basket, cotton flannel for the background fabric, and black perle cotton for the embroidery. 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

I saw on the snow

when I tried my skis

the track of a mouse

beside some trees.

Before he tunneled

to reach his house

he wrote “Merry Christmas”

in white, in mouse.

by Aileen Fisher

 

Christmas

My goodness, my goodness,

It’s Christmas again

The bells are all ringing.

I do not know when

I’ve been so excited.

The tree is all fixed,

The candles are lighted,

The pudding is mixed.

The wreath’s on the door

And the carols are sung,

The presents are wrapped

And the holly is hung.

The turkey is sitting

All safe in its pan,

And I am behaving

As calm as I can.

 

by Marchette Chute

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Tree Quilt Block

Christmas Tree Quilt Block and the Newlyweds Choosing the Tree in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     

Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the book, the Bergstrom family has a tradition of the newlyweds choosing the Christmas tree.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this tradition, here are some wonderful, free patterns for you to check out:

Christmas Tree Quilt Block shown above

Christmas Tree and Presents Quilt Block

Southern Pine Quilt Block

Striped Tree Quilt Block Pattern

Super Easy Paper-Pieced Tree in 4 Sizes

 

The Little Cedar Tree Quilt Block

 

Tree Quilt Block Pattern

 In my family, it was tradition for my husband and boys to go into the woods on our property and cut down our Christmas tree each year.  I would have cocoa waiting for them on their return.  Some of the trees looked slightly "Charlie Brownish," so my husband would drill holes into the tree trunk and insert extra limbs.  My husband now buys a tree at a local lot.  We always get a REAL tree as tall as possible.  This year, it's a beautiful Noble Fir.   

 

What kind of Christmas tree do you have - an artificial one or a real one?  Do you buy a tree off the lot or cut one down?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
 

You might enjoy reading my previous blog post Making the Christmas Quilt in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Making the Christmas Quilt in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Variable Star Quilt Block

Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     

Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

One of the main events in the book is making the Christmas quilt that Great-Aunt Lucinda began and Claudia and Sylvia continued.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this event in the book, here are some free patterns for you to check out:

 

Great-Aunt Lucinda's Feathered Star Block Quilt Pattern

Claudia's Variable Star Quilt Block Pattern

Sylvia's Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern

 

This reminds me of the wonderful picture book, The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy, pictures by Jerry Pinkney.  It's about another quilt created by more than one generation of a family.  Here's a video reading of the book. 

 

 

Have you ever worked together with other family members to create a quilt?  Inquiring minds want to know!   Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December Redwork Birdie Stitches.

For Unto Us a Child Is Born and a Song for Sunday

 

Joy to the World

 

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

 

 

  Sing Laugh clap-your-hands

Shout-for-joy Give-Praise

Applaud exult proclaim

Take-cheer FEAR-NOT

 Be-joyous be-glad celebrate

Delight-in-what-God-has-done

REJOICE IN GREAT ABUNDANCE,

       For the manger holds a lad.

Justice seeks his guidance,

And mercy his command.

Let your heart invite his residence,

And your years his guiding hand.

                                by George R. Pasley (a wonderful pastor and poet and my cousin)

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Stockings for New Family Members

Christmas Stockings for New Family Members

 

I made Christmas stockings for the two newest members of our family:

 

Our grandpuppy Royer, who joined our family in December 2012

 

 

 

 And our very first grandson, who joined the family in May of 2013.

 

 

 

Can you tell which stocking is for which family member?

 

They will be added to the rest of the family's Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Spool Quilt Block and Characters in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Christmas Disappearing Nine-Patch Tablecloth

 

A few years ago, a friend and I each made 

a Christmas Disappearing Nine-Patch tablecloth.

 

I love the old-fashioned look of the fabric line that we chose.

 

 See the wonderful stockings hanging over the fireplace?

 

My Christmas teapot

 

Our Advent wreath, made from greens gathered from trees in our yard

 

Every Christmas, each guest signs their name on the back of the tablecloth. 

I used muslin for the backing.

 

The label my friend made for the back of my tablecloth.

Didn't she do a wonderful job?

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Silent Night Quilt and Christmas Carol.  You can get more specific information about how we made our tablecloths here.

 

Silent Night Quilt and Christmas Carol

I love this Silent Night quilt that I actually keep up on my living room wall year-round. 

Please enjoy this beautiful version of "Silent Night" sung by my daughter-in-law:
http://blog.pagecxvi.com/post/65445197287/get-the-first-listen-at-silent-night-on-our

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Star Quilt Block.

Christmas Star Quilt Block and the Setting of The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     

Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the Elm Creek Quilts series, The Christmas Quilt takes place in the interim between The Quilter's Apprentice and Round Robin.  The story takes place at Elm Creek Manor in Pennsylvania at Christmas time. 

When asked if Elm Creek Manor is a real place, Chiaverini responded:  "Elm Creek Manor is fictional, but the red barn on the estate is based upon a real barn in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania that has been restored and turned into a theater-in-the-round for a local community theater group, the State College Community Theatre. The fictional town of Waterford, Pennsylvania is based upon State College, Pennsylvania -- but Waterford is much smaller, just as Waterford College is much smaller than Penn State."

If you'd like to make a block to represent the setting of the book, here are some ideas to get you started.  Click on each block to go to the free pattern.  Christmas Star Quilt Block

Could Be Christmas Quilt Block

Pennsylvania Parade Quilt Block

Yuletide Quilt Block

Where is your favorite place to celebrate the Christmas holidays?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Old Snowflake Quilt Block and Velvet Shoes.

Christmas Aprons and Christmas Cookies

 

Are you ready for your Christmas baking?  I am!

 

Chocolate Crinkles

½ cup butter

4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup powdered sugar

1.  Mix butter, chocolate, and sugar.  Blend in eggs.  Add vanilla.

2.  Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add to butter mixture just until mixed.  Chill several hours or overnight.

3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Shape dough into 1-inch balls.  Roll in powdered sugar.  Place about 2 inches apart on baking sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Do not overbake!  Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Sister Star Quilt Block and Themes in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Sister Star Quilt Block and Themes in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Sister Star Quilt Block

Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.  I research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     

Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us!  

There are two themes in this book.  The first is Family Holiday Traditions and Memories.  The second is Tension in Family Relationships.  If you'd like to make a block to represent the themes in The Christmas Quilt, here are some ideas to get you started:

Family Holiday Traditions and Memories:

Home Circle Quilt Block

 

Home for Christmas Quilt Block

Memory Quilt Block

Memory Wreath Quilt Block

Home Circle Quilt Block

Tension in Family Relationships:

Mother's Dream Quilt Block

Sister Star Quilt Block

There are two questions for discussion today.  Feel free to answer one or both.  First, do you have a special family holiday tradition or memory that you'd be willing to share with the group?  Second, do you have a tip for easing tension in family relationships, especially around the holidays?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Wallhanging and a Song for Sunday.

 

Christmas Angel Wallhanging and a Song for Sunday

 

O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold Him,

born the King of Angels!

 

Chorus:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord!

 

Sing, choirs of angels,

sing in exultation,

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God,

all glory in the highest!

 

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father,

now in flesh appearing!

 

by John Francis Wade (1711-1786), 1751

 

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December Redwork Snowman.

Christmas Star Quilt Block and Christmas in July

Christmas Star Quilt Block

 

 

A friend and I recently spent a couple of days exploring Salida, Colorado.

 

 

We visited the wonderful local quilt shop, Fringe, and just happened to be there for their Christmas in July night - with Christmas music, Christmas cookies and other goodies, friendly staff, and 20% off everything. 

 

 

Besides fabric, the shop also carries yarn and gifts.  Do you see the paper plate with the hamburger on it?  It's actually made of Melamine!  There are four different designs - a hamburger, a hot dog, corn on the cob, and a slice of watermelon!  Fun!

 

  

The classroom is in the back of the store.  Each sewing machine has a name. 

Here's Pearl!
 

The sewing machine cover hangs over the back of the chair during class.  The tools are hung on a pegboard over each machine.  The fabric hangers on each tool match the fabric on the sewing machine cover, so the tools stays organized and with the correct machine.

 

 

Can you tell that there is a theme of bicycles in the town of Salida? 

These bicycles were outside of the store.

 

 

I bought 1/4 yard of bicycle fabric for my grandson's I Spy Quilt.  I'm starting it now to have it finished by Christmas. 

Have you already begun Christmas quilting?  What projects are you working on?

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.