Ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas? I am not. I need to get Sinterklaas out the way first. Quite a tricky thing to make it fun with only the four of us and my parents to celebrate but we try to make the best of it.
I did fancy trying to make December a bit more fun and magical this year. I have made some fun place mats for us. The Father Christmas fabric is from Ikea as is the back. The borders are from Makeover fabrics Christmas range. I must confess I don't think they are all from the 2011 collection. My local fabric shop tends to sell what ever it gets hold of.
I tried to free motion quilt the place mats with stars. I gave up and drew them on instead. I quilted the place mats using Mettler green metallic thread. I like how they turned out and the daughters think they are fab.

I am trying to win an Go Baby Accuquilt. Have you got? If no why not enter here.

Skirts

I found that the daughter's have grown again. They had promised me to stay small and cute forever but I guess nature took over. I will have to settle for tall and leggy I guess. Photogenic would be nice or maybe the photographer is just rubbish (that would be me).
The skirts are made from a McCalls pattern. As you can see they are very wide aka swirly. This is a good thing if you are the daughters if you are the mother not so as she has to hem and iron. The red and blue skirt is made from fabric my mother bought in the 1980's when we lived in southern Germany. It was meant for a dirndl dress with apron. The more purple one is a fabric by Peter Pan fabrics (that's what it said on the self edge). If the daughter stands still long enough you can see that there are little animals hiding among the flowers.

Five down one to go

Yes, I know that there are four place mats in this picture not five but mother was so exited that she grabbed the first one of me before I knew it. The eagle eyed will also have spotted that one place mat is missing it's binding. This has been rectified. It hasn't been photographed though as the light here has been rubbish. For those who have spent time in the UK this is no surprise. Also we had a leak, which shorted the lights. Though (touch wood) they seem to be working again.
Mother is very please with them. Her sixth place mat is on hold for now. I need to make Christmas stuff for my house and finish my report for work. After all I need to be able to keep myself supplied with more fabric and wadding.

Christmas gifts for quilters

Have you been to look at Lily's quilts giveaway?

I love the FQ bundles.

Fingers crossed but I never win anyway :-)

Barbie Pink

Sorry for the poor picture quality. I missed my 15 minutes of sunshine to take a picture on the washing line. Mainly because I was drying washing. Well if you live in the UK you have to grab your chances. My daughter thinks that Barbie would love a quilt like this. But now comes the tricky it. How to quilt it?

How do you add a button?

Lily's quilts is hosting this giveaway. I would love to take part but I don't know how to add the button to my blog.

I have never tried Aurifill but have heard many good things. I won't win. I never do - not even the school raffle but if I can't even figure out how to take part... well no chance. Any help gladly accepted.

almost a quilt top

Look 18 blocks and they are all 9.5 inches. All almost 9.5 some are a little smaller.
I have been cutting the sashing and hope to be able to update you soon.