Tuesday, August 6, 2013

HO HO HO Blog Hop

Its that time again, you know, get out the Christmas music, Christmas movies, and get some Christmas sewing done.  This is a little early for me because I usually get the Christmas excitement starting in September, not July, but after working on this quilt I'm glad I started early.


This quilt was in a magazine from 2009 and I have loved it since the first time I saw it, that is until I started cutting it out.  Now I may have been the problem, but from the beginning I just found the pattern very hard to follow.


When I started sewing and the flying geese did not have a seam allowance at the point, I knew I was in trouble.  I ended up recutting a lot of the pieces and adding or subtracting an 1/8 inch or a 1/4 inch.  It took me five days to cut and piece this quilt, and I full well intended for it to be done three days ago with another quilt finished.  It is 47 inches by 47 inches with 389 pieces.


Sometimes the quilts we struggle the most with become our treasures, and I am just sure this one will become my all time Christmas favorite.

Thank you Madame Samm and Carol for all the work you put into this blog hop, it is TRULY appreciated!  Here are the rest of today's participants.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen


August 7

69 comments:

Judy B said...

Your quilt turned out lovely! Thank you for sharing.

Vickie said...

Your quilt is very pretty, all the trouble you had was worth it because it turned out perfect !

jan said...

I really really love your quilt! I think it must be the patterns sometimes. I have the same problem!
Yours is terrific.
xo jan

Unknown said...

All the hard work paid off your quilt is lovely....

Baa. xxx said...

It is a lovely quilt - well worth the effort you put into it. You must be very proud.

Marianne said...

I think it looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Britt-Inger said...

Your quilt is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing and being part of this blog hop

Unknown said...

Lovely. Thanks for sharing!

Heleen Groot said...

I am sorry to say, I am sniggering a bit at your post. No nastiness implied here. Just a huge amount of recognition! I hate re-cutting, un-picking and doing it (yet) again. I'm happy that I am not the only one! However, it did turn out beautiful. A quilt to last many Chrismasses!

Valspierssews said...

I can see why you fell in love with it. What a shame it was so tricky to make. I'm glad you finished it and shared your work. It is lovely.

valspierssews@gmail.com
http://valspierssews.blogspot.com.au/

Rhonda said...

I love your quilt. The colors are great. You know we, as quilters, experiment and learn from our trials.
Great job!!

Donna said...

Your quilt turned out lovely. The effort was well worth the result. Thanks for sharing.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Your quilt is a beauty, worth all the trouble and work. I'm sure you'll love it for ever.
Thanks for beeing part of this hop.

JoyceLM said...

I'm glad you stuck with it because your quilt is beautiful - thanks for sharing.

lauraluvsloons said...

It was definitely worth all the struggles, beautiful quilt.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

I'm not surprised it was tough to make...it looks it to me! But you did a wonderful job and it's just beautiful.

Jeanie said...

This is just beautiful! I would never know that you had so much trouble, as it looks gorgeous!

Carol said...

It's beautiful and I hope it's one you will treasure!

Sparky said...

well l think the struggle and delay was worth the outcome it is really amazing..so much detail

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Well; they can cause problems sometimes...lol. But it turned out great Kristen.

Gill said...

I think it turned out great!
Thanks for sharing!

Thearica said...

It is fantastic! I could see this on your table during the holidays

Melody said...

Fabulous quilt.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I know it took a long time but it was worth it! blessings, marlene

Sherry said...

Really love your quilt, it is fantastic!

Just Quilt It said...

Gorgeous! It was well worth 5 days of sewing. Thanks for sharing a great quilt.

Michele T said...

Your quilt turned out great!! I can't follow a pattern at the best of times... usually I design my own ;-) Thanks for sharing in the hop!!

Leah said...

Beautiful quilt. Well worth the extra time you put into it. Thanks for sharing.

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

I'm sorry this was such a struggle but you persevered and it was time well spent... It's beautiful!!

Linda said...

It's beautiful!! Aren't you glad you took the time to work with it when the flying geese didn't fit as they should. It should be a treasure for many years!

Margaret said...

I have to say that your quilt turned out beautiful. Thanks for sharing

Tanyia said...

this is so pretty, it was worth the efforts!

apple blossom said...

pretty projects thanks for sharing

Amy said...

I love it! I have had a few problems with patterns also. Your struggle just turned out beautiful!

charlotte said...

Well it turned out beautiful, no matter how you got there.

Lou said...

Looking good so far!
I absolutely hate when directions are so hard to follow!

Carol Swift said...

It certainly is a treasure and so beautiful! I'm glad you conquered that pattern because your quilt is just amazing. :O)

Jane's Quilting said...

That is beautiful. I understand about some patterns. Depending on how they are written..they can be a big challenge themselves. But I can see you beat it! You did a great job.

Suze said...

I think if I'd really look I'd probably have that same magazine now that I really think about it. I really like that quilt. After you tell us about your challenges and how many pieces are in it, I'm not going to use what energy I have this HOT, HOT day in OK to go upstairs to look. You have an amazing finish and it will be an heirloom for sure. Thanks for participating, sharing your marvelous quilt and talent, and having the tenacity to endure.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Kristen that is a beautiful quilt.

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

Thanks for sticking with it - it turned out glorious!!!!

Needled Mom said...

It turned out beautifully in spite of the difficulties.

Calicojoan said...

Wow, it's beautiful. I hate it when things go wrong with piecing. Your a better quilter than I am... it just might have ended up in the UFO stack around here. LOL!

tink's mom said...

It was worth the effort, it is lovely.

cyndiofthevortex said...

I love your Christmas quilt! The addition of the appliqued holly leaves and berries is great - a very nice touch. I think this will become a family heirloom to be fought over!

Joanna said...

All of your hard work paid off; it's a beautiful quilt. I can see why you were attracted to the design.

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

Beautiful! Love the trees.
Thanks for sharing.

Joyce Carter said...

Great job, Kristen. The quilt is beautiful. I am glad that you didn't give up.It was well worth all the effort you put into it. I love it. Thank you for sharing.

Emily C said...

Very nice quilt. While sometimes it is our fault, as in we read the pattern wrong, but often the pattern was not tested enough before release.

krislovesfabric said...

Pretty work, love your quilt!

maggie said...

The quilt is lovely, All of your efforts really paid off. Well done,
cheers
maggie

maggiemine42@gmail.com

Robin said...

For all the trouble it caused you, that quilt is just stunning! I do hate when a pattern is written wrong though. That's what pattern testers are for! Ah well, good thing us quilters are a resourceful bunch!! Fantastic project!

Rachel said...

I'm sorry to hear it was so frustrating to make. It turned out very pretty!

gpc said...

That's really beautiful. :)

JustPam said...

I fell in love with this same table topper and made it for my daughter. I was just looking for my picture of it and see that I forgot to take it! I was really happy with mine when it was finished and agree that it was a little more work than I expected. Very nice job you did.

Anonymous said...

I love it. It reminds me of the mountains. Thank you for sharing!

Marcy said...

It's a beauty. Flying geese can take on a life of their own and cause problems. Great colors.

VickiT said...

You may have had some trouble with that quilt but your finished quilt is gorgeous. Wonderful job.

Sherry said...

Very pretty quilt! I love that center block!

evelyn said...

Beautiful, well worth all the trouble it took.

Anonymous said...

Hiya Kristen!!! Wow, what an accomplishment. That looks like a toughie. Not something I would attempt, but I'm just a beginner. I'd say you did great. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas, blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

LJ said...

It is beautiful. Congratulations for sticking it out to finish. Many of us would have chucked it to the back of the closet. lol

Janarama said...

It turned out fantastic.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Amazing!

Sallie said...

Very nice!

Sandy said...

It is definitely worth it...very pretty! Thanks for sharing with us.

Linda C said...

The top is gorgeous, Kristin but I am sorry that you had troubles with the pattern. I don't know if patterns are ever tested enough or written so they are easily understood at times. Our hobbies should not be so much work!

BizyStitches said...

Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. I enjoyed your blog.

Cecilia said...

Your quilt top is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.