Holiday Favorites, Blog Hop, My Turn

Welcome to the 

Holiday Favorites

Blog Hop, 2019.

I was honored

 to be asked to participate.

Thanks, Lori for hosting.

***

The Christmas holiday 

is a time of expectation,

a time to celebrate,

and a time filled with traditions. 

I've learned over the years

to keep Christmas decorating simple,

welcoming, and focused on the things

that are important to our family.

(Like a decorated box, a small boy, Weston, and a Santa hat)   2018

Of course, if you have followed

me for awhile you know that I've

been quilting for a long time.

I love creating and making beautiful quilts

that are an expression of Me!

***

Quilts can easily become part

our Christmas decor.

Have you noticed the popularity of

 the vintage red truck with a Christmas tree?
Hey, wait, we have a red pickup!

How about quilts in a Colorado red pickup!

"A quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow"

"All along the Rockies

you can feel it in the air"

From Telluride to Boulder down below"

   Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Quilts can be displayed almost anywhere.

Rolled and stuffed

Stacked up high

Or casually draped over a chair.

Of course, bedrooms are the normal place 

to create a cozy warm holiday look.

A quilt that won't fit?

How about a slight tip?

Not one, but two
quilts might be needed
on a cold Colorado night.

Snowflakes and
Santas,
oh, what a delight!

Dreaming of Christmas
will be easy to do

tucked under a quilt with a stocking or two.

Quilts can be hung on the walls

Or even

 displayed as a mat

or used on the couch

 while taking a nap.

However you celebrate
or what family traditions you hold dear,

Wishing you and your family happiness
during this magical time of the year.

Everdeen, 5 months old    2013

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Hope you continue to follow along.

 Dec 9- Lori, https://humblequilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 10 KatyQuilts, katyquilts.net

Dec 11  Beth, [https://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com

Dec 12 Diane, butterflythreadsquilting.com 

Dec 13 - Kyle,  https://kyleredente.blogspot.com/

Dec 14  Kelly,  https://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 15  Juliann, https://chasingstories.wordpress.com/

Dec 16   Knitty Quilter, https://suehoover.blogspot.com/

Dec 17  Lizzy,  https://gone2thebeach.blogspot.com/

Dec 18 Barb, https://funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com/

Dec  19 Judy, https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 20-  Kevin, http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com

Christmas or Not?

January seems like such a long time ago.

"The list"
with the quilts that I wanted to make or finish

during the year

was filled with challenges

and high expectations.

One of the projects I was 

going to tackle was this lovely vintage

applique pattern .

I have looked online

for the pattern again, but haven't been able to find it.  Sorry.

My plan was to applique

two blocks each month.

 I decided to try the Aurifil 80 weight thread.

I loved it!

It was lovely to work with.

Very thin, but strong.

Slowly over the months

the pile grew and grew.

By August, the 12 blocks were complete.

Then came the scary part,

trimming the blocks to 18.5".

If you applique, you know 

the importance of cutting your base

bigger than the finished size.

That base can shrink and 

get distorted during the applique process.

Next the three borders were added 

after measuring carefully. (see last weeks blog)

Christmas or Not

 72" x 90"

The blocks are sewn side by side

creating nice open spaces

for some fun and interesting quilting designs.

This one seems to be calling to

be hand quilted.

So I have sent it off to my machine quilter

to baste it for me.

I think I'm done crawling around

on the floor with large quilts.

I'm still considering

what kind of designs to use.

 Red and green makes you immediately think

of Christmas, but not necessarily.

We'll have to see what happens.

Any thoughts?
Christmas or not?

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Merry Christmas

 Wishing everyone a very

Merry Christmas 

and Happy Holidays.

Enjoy the time you 

spend with family and friends.

Remember that

all the effort it takes

to make the holiday special 

is worth it 

when it brings smiles 

to young faces.

 

Me and my sister, Jane

Merry Christmas-
Kyle

Making Memories

 Holidays are a time for

bringing together family and friends.

Our family celebrated Christmas 

early this year.

Scheduling everyone's availability

is often challenging

but we made it work.

My Florida kids

arrived and

the other families came

 from much nearer destinations.

We didn't do anything fancy

or complicated.

Took walks

made pies,

gave kisses

 and wore

new Christmas jammies.

It was more than opening presents

although that was fun.

It was just being together.

making memories

(photos by the talented Jessica Wolfe)

Happy Holidays

 Until Next Time-

O Christmas Tree

Christmas gifts can come in all shapes and sizes.

Our gift to each other this year

showed up this week
in a big ol' truck.

 What's
10 feet tall,
forever bluish green
and triangle shaped?
????

6 new blue spruce trees

It's a gift that will be long lasting.

The little birds that visit our yard

have already found the shelter

in their branches.

It's a gift that will keep giving and growing

each year.
Our backyard went from this

to this

And from this

 to this

 in just a couple of hours.

These trees were planted as saplings 

about 25 years ago by Paul,

a former graduate student of Running Man.

He still lives on their family ranch north of town.

As a kid he and his brother

planted over
2000

new trees.

From the distance of the window

the trees don't look too tall,

but they're over 10 feet tall.
Now they just have to settle in
and enjoy their new home.

I'm starting to envision

twinkle lights on them next year.

"Oh, Christmas tree

Thy leaves are so unchanging, 

Not only green when summer's here

But also when it's cold and drear."

Until Next Time-