Thursday, July 22, 2021

Joyful Star - 12 Days of Christmas in July

I was honoured to be asked by Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict to be part of her hop this year. Despite already having two rather major commitments within six days of each other, I said yes, adding a third! I work well under pressure, always have. Well, I'm pleased to report all three commitments/deadlines have been met. I am now going to have a relaxing August once this post is done! So welcome, and I hope to inspire you with not one, but three little projects!

First of all truth tea: I never, not ever, think of, or make stuff for, Christmas in July. I am a summer-loving girl and thoughts of snow and cold are no part of my July soak up the sun time! However. I made an exception this year. Because? 
Well, Sarah.
And - 
I had a pattern that was almost ready to publish, that would work beautifully for a Christmas quilt. I'd even had that thought percolating.
And it is published! And it's on sale 30% off for the duration of the hop! You can snag a copy for yourself for just $7.70CA in my Etsy shop.
So.
Exceptions had to be made, I mean really! And I'm so thrilled with how it came together.
So cheery! So... joyful! The red fabric is even called 'Joy' by Kate Spain.
So Project One is a quilt I actually first designed four years ago, and it was way back then that it was published in Modern by the Yard, the ezine for Benartex. So it is way overdue to get this published.



A big thank you to Yvonne at Quilting JetGirl for her tech-editing skills. I'm so happy to get another of the many patterns I've had published over the past few years into my shop, and feel confident that it is professionally done.

For this new version, I wanted the Christmas colours to have a modern vibe. I've been loving the pinks and the turquoises with red, as well as the lime greens in recent Christmas décor. When I started pulling fabrics for the Christmas version, was I surprised to find that a couple of these are, in fact, Benartex! It is exciting to me (a bit of a rush really) to combine different fabric companies and lines. These were all bought in various shops in person and online over the past couple of years. The flimsy went together lickety-split.


To get the large star points to float on the outer frame looks tricky, but I promise you it is not at all. And? Although it appears there are mitred corners, nope, there are not. But you'll have to look inside the pattern to find out my secrets.
I used Aurifil to piece it, and Aurifil to quilt it. I love this pale green for blending across white and several different colours. 

Straight line quilting 3/4" apart kept the vibe modern. I used my new ruler foot, Sure Foot, that I bought for my Handi Quilter Avanté Avril at her spa day about a month ago. I got them to put on a conversion kit so I can now use different feet. I also got an open toe foot and some echoing feet, but that's another post. 

I absolutely love striped bindings and when I saw this blue and red one in my Christmas stash, I might have done a little jump for joy. I 'borrowed' the teal fabric from another planned Christmas project to make the centre star points.

Here is the back:

and a look at how well it goes with the front fabrics:

I subtly quilted in my initials amongst the lines. I was amazed to find this holly fabric that I've had for a while went so well with the modern fabrics on the front. One that reads modern but is certainly not, is the background. It's a soft metallic, 'Angel's Halo' from Fabricland from many years ago that is just perfect here. I only have 1/2 yard left now, so that is good. Use it up! It took a little thinking (good for the menopausal brainpower) to ensure all the halos are right side up.

Here is the label, well both. I actually remembered the satin one! Two out of the three quilts I've completed in the past six days, I remembered, ha.

To give an idea of the size of the small lap or wallhanging (or baby) quilt, here is a shot on our sectional:
The quilt itself is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: Let Your Star Shine by moi
Size:  36.5" x 36.5"
Fabric: Background: Angel's Halo by R.E.D. for Fabricland; Frosty Forest by Cherry Guidry for Benartex;  Santa's Here by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex; Joy by Kate Spain for Moda; Chalkboard Snowman by Jennifer Brinley for Studio E; binding is Michael Miller Candy Cane Stripe
Backing: stash unknown
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom organic cotton
Quilted: on Avril: 24 686 stitches
Threads: pieced with Aurifil; quilted with Aurifil, The Bottom Line in the bobbin


Project Two is so very useful, and although mine is made of Christmas fabric, I use it year round. It's a mug cosy, and it really works to keep your tea or coffee hotter longer! I have a few for sale in my Etsy shop, but if you'd like to make one of your own, then I have a free pattern for you right here. Enjoy!

Project Three: Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without cookies! One of our family favourites is this Snoball Daintees recipe from oh, probably close to 50 years ago in a Chipits recipe booklet. Sadly I couldn't find any photos of these cute little chocolate or butterscotch snowballs all decorated with sprinkles. 

AND, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without gift giving, so if you are still with me, I have a giveaway for one lucky person. The Santa panel you see below is from Henry Glass Fabrics; it measures 26.5" by 23.5". I made a few items with the accompanying panel sections, but Santa has sat, forlorn, for the past two years. Just leave me a comment and be sure to include your email if you are a no-reply blogger. I'll have the random number generator choose a winner. Everyone is welcome.
Now where's my pool chair, sunscreen and book?!

Linking up

I hope you've enjoyed all three projects (remember the pattern is on sale until Sunday), and that you are enjoying the hop. Thanks so much to Sarah for all her hard work in providing us such inspiration and a place to share fun projects. Here is the entire schedule:
Wednesday, July 14th

Thursday, July 15th

Friday, July 16th
Jamie of L'Fair Quilts

Saturday, July 17th

Sunday, July 18th

Monday, July 19th

Tuesday, July 20th

Wednesday, July 21st

Thursday, July 22nd
Sandra of MMM Quilts

Friday, July 23rd

Saturday, July 24th
Joanne of Everyone Deserves a Quilt (Part 2)

Sunday, July 25th


32 comments:

  1. Cute panel. That quilt looks great. glaphacox1@gmail.com

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  2. I love the star in the brighter colors. Still Christmassy, but bright for those dreary winter days. Congratulations on all the publishing, too. (No panel for me, thanks, but it is very cute!)

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  3. Great project with a modern vibe, and fun little mug cozy. Really cute Santa panel too, thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I'd love to tackle that with a bunch of fill designs.

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  4. What a fun star quilt in modern colors, so pretty.

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  5. That quilt is so pretty in that colorway. A great design and so well executed.

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  6. I'll have to try the mug cozy. It looks perfect for the Christmas sale for a cat rescue group I support.

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  7. Oh my goodness I need to get sewing! Love love love the Christmas version of this quilt, and my husband just may get a mug cozy this Christmas too! I'll pass the recipe on to Lilli, our resident baker, for her consideration. Thanks for letting me cozen you into participating this year!!

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  8. Absolutely love the star! Can't wait to buy the pattern and give it a shot. I also love the panel. Santa is just too cute! hklimeck@yahoo.com

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  9. Beautiful quilt, thanks so much for sharing!

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  10. I love that, Sandra! I'm not much of a Christmas in July person, but kudos to you for a design that would be beautiful colors. I'll definitely check out your pattern!

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  11. What a great quilt! And I love the mug cozy - Thank you for the pattern and the giveaway - how sweet! I do have to ask - what are chipits in the recipe?

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  12. I love that star & saw it in Modern by the Yard & contemplated making it & now I've seen it again, it might be on my never ending to-do list. Ooh, I noticed my friend Joy's name at the top of the bloghop list. We do Xmas in July here in Oz, because it's winter(giggle). Sounds as though you are basking in sunshine.........send some our way please! Take care & hugs.

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  13. Nothing like a bit of pressure to get us moving and do our best work. Thank you for the cute mug cosy pattern.

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  14. I love the bright, modern Christmas quilt!! It would be a fun make!!

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  15. I have 3 quilty friends who are all tea drinkers, so the mug tea cozy will be a perfect gift for them, if I can get my act together. No Santa panel for me. I have too many other things calling my name.
    Pat

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  16. I love the Let Your Star Shine pattern and the colors are beautiful! I would never have thought of that color combination. Thank you for the mug cozy pattern. j.m.brun@outlook.com

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  17. I agree with you on Christmas in July. Beach & drinks with little umbrellas are July!
    but the Santa panel is cute. Might make me break out the Christmas colours! newright1@outlook.com

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  18. I am still working on last years Christmas that I didn't get done lol. Maybe this will get me motivated to finish them. Thank you for the tea cozy and the chance to win the panel.

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  19. Congrats on the release of your beautiful pattern, Sandra!! Thanks for the chance to win a prize for the Hop, too.

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  20. Congrats on your pattern release, Sandra! This looks like it would be a very versatile design that is Christmasy in Christmas fabrics, but could also be used for baby quilts year-round.

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  21. Let your Star Shine does indeed shine! Beautiful Christmas quilt!

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  22. Love the quilt Sandra. I enjoy seeing the same pattern in different fabrics. It is very versatile.

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  23. I usually don’t do Christmas in July either! Summer is short here in NE Wyoming! You have to enjoy every warm sunny day you can get. I hope to be able to make, Let Your Star Shine for a baby! No hint at when that will be, but I have child- bearing age grandchildren! So fingers crossed!

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  24. I don't know how I missed commenting on this, but you know I love that mini quilt. I love the Scottie dog tea cozy (don't tell Wilbs)! Fun little projects!

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  25. Well done on meeting all your deadlines Sandra! Your star quilt is a great design and looks to be a very versatile pattern too - don't you just love it when the fabrics just mix together so well! Hehe cute little cup cozies!

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  26. I love the quilt and your recipe made me go figure out what chip-its are! I am still catching up!

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  27. I too have many panels awaiting me, so please take my name out if I am responding on time for the draw. I want to say thank you for the perfect gift- the mug cosy! Many people make tea in the microwave. I believe the water cools much faster, my opinion only. So this cosy is the perfect answer. So I will be serving tea or cocoa with Snoball Daintees this Christmas season.🎄 :)

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  28. Sorry, I think I am one of those non-responder and I don't know how to fix it. quiltyladyrr at gmail dot com

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  29. I love the pattern for the cozy thanks. I sure wouldn't mind winning the panel either. Thanks for offering that also.

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  30. What a cute quilt! Congratulations on the new pattern. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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