How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Okay if you love books, like I love books, then perhaps you'd like to make a Dr. Seuss inspired blanket. Here's how I did it:

First you take the picture squares and sew borders around the edges. I chose to put two borders around each square and I used solid colors for the picture borders. Then I used strips of crazy quilt Dr. Seussian fabrics for the pieces between the squares.

I don't use stick pins very often because I always end up getting poked but binder clips work really well. See the left hand lower corner.

Then you piece the squares together using stripping in-between the blocks to space them out perfectly.

I made my center square super large because it had the theme on the block "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". But, believe me, this is not a good idea because the pieces need to fit together like a puzzle and if one piece is bigger than the rest, well it throws off the entire equation. Just let me tell you that my seam ripper was my friend.

Then I sewed a border around the entire blanket and put a soft cozy plush fabric on the back.

It takes a bit of time but not so much if you follow the quilting protocols. I've just never been so good at following the rules. . .  :D Still I think it turned out - at least it will be warm and comfy when we settle down on a cold winter night.

He's a Mean One

I was working all weekend on my quilt for Christmas. It's a Dr. Seuss quilt "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". I'm hoping to have it done in time for the holidays. I know, that doesn't leave me much time. "Sew" I'd better get going ;D

I should spend more time on it but somehow the holidays snuck up on me...again.

Quilt Show in Sisters Oregon

I thought I'd share a few photos from the Sisters Quilt Show. There were over 1400 quilts on display and they were hanging from every building, nook and cranny anyone could find a spot to pin up a blanket. It was awe...mazing. Here are a few that caught my eye.

These were from the Peter Pan Challenge:

But there were quilts of every shape, size and design that you could imagine. Some were appliqued, some were hand-sewn, others were machine quilted.

 Some had appliques popping out of the picture.

Others just popped with color

Some represented origami or different cultures

 And this one - above - had puppies hidden in the design.

Some just reminded me of my childhood. I did a needlepoint of these houses when I was little.

 Some were just full of pretty colors

Some had 3-Dimensional designs

Others focused on animals

 Still others reminded me of my Grandma and Christmas

Others were patriotic

Some had amazing quilting done in the borders. You might not even notice if you didn't look closely.

Some buildings had so many hanging on them and in them, you could barely catch sight of them all.

 Some had quilting that actually made the design look like fur.

 Some just had fun designs

There were wild, wild west themes with cowboys and horses

And some with interesting stories behind them. 

 Some were just fun, with googly eyes and fun borders that matched the design.

 Some were dark but beautiful - like this one that talked about forest fires

Some featured flowers

Some had the moons and stars or sun

 Some birds or music or both

 Quilts had embroidery, appliques and fancy stitching.

 These flowers were embroidered

 There were quilts with pictures of the beach

And everywhere people milled about peeking at the handiwork

 There were boats and baby blankets

Crazy quilts

 Show themed fun

 And nature inspired stories

Some were made of wool, felt, and flannel

Others used recycled fabric, cotton and even hankies. I couldn't begin to show all of the quilts

 Some had cats

 And luckily the streets were closed to cars

 There were fall inspired quilts

Nursery Rhyme blocks

 Holiday inspired patchwork - with Christmas and Easter and even the Mexican Day of the Dead

 Halloween and witches

Even aliens were hanging around

 Some had really cute appliques

Others were just really cute

 People sat wherever they could find a perch, porch or patio seat

 And of course I had to buy a quilting kit. Mine should be done in time for Christmas - I hope

It will help us all have a Merry Grinchmas!

My gfriend Cristy (who went to the quilt show with me) said she would help me if I happen to get stuck

And she's a fabulous quiltress so hopefully mine will turn out.

Plus, while we were at the quilt show, Cristi got to drive a $17k sewing machine

And we took a peek at the Men Behind the Quilt Show.

Sew that's how I spent my Saturday. How 'bout you - what did you do?