Newington

Meet Newington.

A New Finish!

Designed in EQ8 and made with fabrics from Island Batik collections, Newington is a Christmas quilt finishing at 76" by 100" published in "Let's Make it Merry" (A Quilter's World publication). 

Published

On News Stands

I used the Greens from the Everlasting collection and the Reds/Pinks from Everlasting and Hello Sunshine collections. 

Everlasting

Hello Sunshine

EQ8 Original Mock-up

It was a joy to play with these beautiful pinks and greens. While the red/green color palette is definitely evocative of Christmas, the softening of the reds into pinks makes Newington a fitting quilt for both Valentine's Day and Spring.  

Of course, if you are not fan of pinks, here is a different version for you :-)

You are welcome

12" blocks plus a 2" border. The swirling secondary blocks create the rectangle shapes adding movement around the stars - like a celebrity surrounded by a throng of fans.

Basting the Beauty

The batting is Hobbs. I quilted using my walking foot and the squiggly stitch following the 2" grid of the piecing. 

Quilting

A Pistachio Green binding was the perfect finishing touch.

Green Binding

These pictures were taken in February when the snow was packed tight after an unusually cold spell. 

Cozy Inside, Frigid Outside

Location Courtesy - Manveen's Home

Cozy Quilt + Christmas Tree + Snow Outside = Lifestyle Shot

Bundled in sweater, jacket, hat, scarf and gloves I modeled the queen size quilt, while Mari took the outdoor pictures.

Thank you, Mari

Isn't she a beauty?

I'd happily take her to my bed :-D

Crushing on you!

Paint Splatter Backing

And one last look at her.

Warm & Inviting

When you think of holidays, what color palette speaks to you - Red/Green or Blue/White? Let me know in the comments.

In other news, I have completed Rainbow Scrap challenge Purple Blocks for September.  Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

Purple for September

I wish that your weekend is rejuvenating, allowing you time to recover before that dreadful Monday comes knocking. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

"Creative" Christmas Stockings

 The Island Batik Ambassadors challenge for November 2022 is Creative Christmas Stockings.

Me: What is the purpose of Christmas stockings?
Paul: Not to keep your feet warm...
Me: Just a decorative item, then?
Paul: Mostly.
Me: You know how much I hate "decorative stuff". Just another dust collector, in my opinion.

Paul: Well, some people may actually use it for stuffing Christmas presents.
Me: Hmm... I thought about that.
Paul: And?

Me: Only small presents...

Paul (mischievously): Like dollar bills?

Me (realistically): And gift cards.

Paul: Yup, those can be placed inside a stocking.

Me: Small boxes of jewelry too.

Paul (having an aha moment): I see.

Me: I couldn't put your tool box in a stocking.

Paul (eyes as large as saucers): You are getting me a toolbox?

Me (mildly exasperated): No, Paul. I would get you a gift card so that you can buy tools of your choice. I have no idea what tools you want. Seriously!

Paul: Oh babe, you are the best.

Me: Besides a heavy item in the stocking would rip off the hook/loop/hanging ribbon.

Paul (eyes twinkling): Simply, place heavy items under the tree and place light items in the stocking.

Me: NO, NO, NO. That is too much stuff to buy and wrap and open and discard paper. 

Paul: So what do you suggest?

I told him my suggestion but he forbade me from putting it on the blog. 

That man is so easily scandalized ;-D 

Improv Piecing and Appliqué

Paul: This isn't a stocking.
Me: Excellent powers of observation, my love!
Paul (ignoring my jab): Weren't you required to make a stocking?
Me: I was required to make a "Creative" Stocking
Paul: This is creative, alright.
Me: And nods to the Stocking theme
Paul (incredulous): It is a zippered pouch
Me: It can still hold gift cards and small boxes of jewelry, can be hung over the fireplace in true Christmas tradition and can still be used long after the stockings are put away.
Paul: That is a win win win.
Me: I know, but it is so much better when you say it.

Paul: So who gets this one?

Me: I was thinking we could give it to Mom when we see her at Thanksgiving.

Paul: Cool. Wait, what about Dad?

Me: I made one for him too.

Paul: Oh nice.

Me: Which one do you like?

Paul: Generally, I like the blues but this one is busy. The brown one because it says JOY.

Me: I have a feeling that mom will want dad's.

Paul: We will let them fight over it.

Creative Christmas Stockings (Front)

Zippered Pouches (Back)

Paul: Wait, so you didn't keep any for us?

Me: I made us something even better.

Meet my Stocking Ornaments!

Front of the Stocking Ornaments

Angels on the Back!

A tutorial to make these cute stocking ornaments is coming! Here are all my Creative Christmas Stockings, partying together before the zippered pouches fly south for the winter.

Stockings on Parade!

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

The supplies used in making these projects were generously provided by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, and Aurifil Thread.

Granny Long Legs Digital Quilt Pattern - The giveaway winners are Deb(#13) and Diana K. (#43). Emails have been sent.  

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