Secret Santa

I'm sure at one time or another

you've been part of a Secret Santa 

gift exchange.

This year I was a recipient of 

a secret Santa gift from

the Temecula Quilt Co quilt shop.

I have never been to the shop in Temecula, California,

or never have met the shop owner, Sheryl Johnson,

but she shared a wonderful secret Santa mystery quilt design

with anyone who read her blog.

What an awesome gift!

Each week we received another clue.

A little more cutting and

some more sewing.  

Nine patches...

4 patches...

Greens...

and plenty of Reds and Neutrals.

Lots of oldies, but goodies, for sure.

After 5-6 weeks

this sweet Christmas variation of 

the classic Burgoyne Surrounded quilt

was sewn together.

"Secret Santa"

42" x 54"

I machine quilted using a 28wt. Aurifil thread.

I love the texture it created.

Snowflakes, and 

snow blowing swirls.

Of course, there were lots of 

things I should have been working on,

but it was exciting to get a mystery 

Secret Santa gift each week.

This pattern has been on my

perpetual list for 20+ years.

Sheryl divided up the construction 

in easy and doable segments.

I think 2019 will find me 

FINALLY making this pattern

1991

in the indigo and white fabrics I had planned 

so long ago. 

Thanks, Sheryl for sharing 

your mystery with all of us. 

It was a fabulous seasonal project.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season

and Merry Christmas.  We'll catch up

after the New Year.

Until Then-

Kyle

The Colors of Santa Fe

It's been over 6 months 

since I finished this quilt.

The Colors of Santa Fe

But I was waiting for the right 

backdrop to highlight this pattern.

You might recognize it as 

the quilt of the year 

designed exclusively for

The Quilt Show by Sue Garman in 2017

called Halo Medallion.

This past weekend I had two tall sons-in-laws

who were willing to stretch their arms and brave frigid temps

so I could finally take a photo. 

The majority of the piecing 

for this quilt had to be done using 

a paper piecing method.  

That can be a challenge for me.

But it was definitely necessary, especially for these
 fabulous flying geese.

But what has made this quilt so wonderful

is the beautiful machine quilting that

my machine quilter and friend, Kathy Herman, 

of Hearth and Home Quilting so skillfully and

artistically stitched.

This quilt has become one of my favorites.

The colors were inspired by my many

trips to Santa Fe and incorporating

the color palette found in the American desert areas.

Colors such as sand, adobe, terracotta, and mahogany.  

I emphasized the neutrals.

It's wonderful to finally be able to share this properly.

The Colors of Santa Fe

86" x 86"

Until Next Time-

Kyle