Saturday, December 19, 2020

Santa's Helper

Last week, I mentioned that I had made a surprise gift for a friend.  This block was one of 12 free blocks --part of the Quiltmas Spectacular Block sampler that is available for free until the end of December 2020.  I have printed all the blocks, hoping to make several over the next year or so --somehow incorporating them into gifts for next year.  This block is called "Santa's Helper". 


 My quilty friend, Sandra, posted the picture below on Instagram recently, and once I saw this block pattern, I knew that I had to make it for her. 


I gathered up some fabrics from my stash in the right colours to match Sandra's ensemble.


I made this little quilt in one day and sent it off in the mail.  I heard from Sandra this week that it had arrived and that she loves it!  I told her it was a portrait of her from the knees down!  So fun to surprise someone with a fun little gift at this time of year!

I have been doing some more knitting on my orange facecloth this week. 


I also still have a few secret projects that can't be revealed until after Christmas.  I will have to wait another week to post them on the blog. 

Guess who is visiting at my house?  My daughter lives alone so she was allowed to come to our house for Christmas.  Finn was very excited to see us. In the background, you can see the fence we have around our Christmas tree to keep him away from the water reservoir and the ornaments.  Finn is currently keeping my left leg warm while I type. 


My daughter finished her bee blackwork this week.  I was on FaceTime with her as she put in the final few stitches.  It took a lot longer than she anticipated but she loves how it turned out.   I love looking at all the different patterns she stitched in the hexagons. This picture was taken before it was washed and ironed for framing. 


I would like to introduce you to Santa, our newest to us Christmas decoration.  Santa was painted by my MIL when my husband was a child.  She used to do a lot of ceramics.  I think he is quite jolly!  Santa is on display on the shelves in our living room. 


I participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange through one of my guilds and received these cute ornaments as well as a small zipper pouch and some fat quarters. They are hanging on my tree and I love the bits of fabric my SS used!  So fun to get a package in the mail!



We decorated the tree last weekend and I found this ornament that my friend Meridyth made for me many moons ago.  1988!  I was not married yet in 1988!



I just starting reading this book for the book club at the library...we will be discussing it in January on Zoom.  Interesting story so far!


I will be linking up with Kathy for slow Sunday stitching in the morning. 

14 comments:

  1. my sister has a santa like that that she painted years and years ago - she puts it out every year and although I have not seen her Xmas for years (she lives a bit away) I see it in photos all the time. So glad you got to see your daughter.

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  2. It's neat that you found a pattern for the sock, it's perfect for your friend! I'm reading the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek now, I'm enjoying it. Have a lovely time with your daughter, happy stitching!

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  3. How wonderful that your daughter is able to visit. Her blackwork project is beautiful. My son will be visiting also pending the outcome of his COVID test. He lives alone, but must go in to work a few days a week, so the test is important. I have that book on my list to read. I am glad you like it so far. Give Finn a pet. He is so adorable.

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  4. I love that gift idea it was inspired I bet your friend loved it. Your daughters blackwork is beautiful, have a lovely Christmas together.

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  5. I love your block santas helper. I bet your friend was delighted with it. Your daughters blackwork project is beautiful, I look forward to seeing it framed. I love handmade decorations for the Christmas tree, they always bring such wonderful memories. Finn is so gorgeous as is my dog until she rolls in horrible smelly stuff as she did today! I will add that book to my reading list. Enjoy your time over Christmas with your daughter.

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  6. I always love when Finn is featured in your posts. I think your tree and mine are similar...lots of meaningful decorations that remind of us of different events in our lives.

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  7. That block is so cute! What a perfect gift for your friend!

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  8. I want those shoes! and I kind of want to steal Finn too since he's so gorgeous! Love the bee blackwork. Bees seem to be very 'in' at the moment

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  9. What a cute stocking block! I bet your friend was delighted with it. Finn is a cutie too. It's nice to have a fuzzy legwarmer when you are hand stitching.

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  10. So creative and generous to make that quilty surprise for Sandra! Your daughter did an amazing job with her blackwork stitching.. so fun to have a daughter who stitches with you!
    Merry Christmas Gai!

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  11. thank you for the link to the Christmas Quilt Blocks. They are very modern in style, which is something I have wanted to explore.

    Tell your daughter 'well done' on the blackwork. It is lovely.

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  12. Thanks so much to the link for the Christmas blocks. I love Santa's helper, and all your projects. Your daughter's Bee Blackwork is beautiful. Finn looks like he would make a great leg warmer! Happy Holidays, so glad you get to spend it with your daughter!

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  13. Your daughters black work is amazing, I'm looking forward to seeing it finished, framed perhaps or made into a cushion? Always nice to see Finn too,and it's always nice to see the Christmas decorations making an appearance.

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  14. Tour daughter did a wonderful job. It is a beautiful sampler of blackwork. Your mini quilt was just the perfect gift for your friend. Merry Christmas! Have a lovely time with your daughter.

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