OK maybe not "daily," but, you know..........
I wanted to post about a little project (made up of several projects) I've had going on most of this whole year. p.s. I'm almost done!!! It began with an idea for my S.I.L.'s birthday gift. Lindsey lives in a small apartment, and commented once how she wished she could decorate more for holidays, but without a place to store it all for the rest of the year, it wasn't worth it to stock up on lots of festive items. With that, my idea was born. I decided to make her some small quilted table runners, one each with the colors and themes of 6 major holidays. (I happen to think such a centerpiece for the table has just enough punch and color for holiday pizazz but then folds up small enough to not be a storage burden, but maybe that's just me...)
I was able to give her the first 3 back in the spring, but the last 3 had to wait until fall because hey, they just don't sell pumpkin and ghost fabric in March! Working on these has been TOTALLY FUN because 1) they come together rather quickly and that's always a plus for my immediate-gratification personality, and 2) they are excellent practice when one is teaching herself how to quilt via the internet only. For example, unpicking, piecing, quilting, or doing anything to a table runner is waaaaay easier than doing it to a gigantic blanket. I highly recommend starting with small projects like this to work out your kinks and perfect your technique. Plus, who doesn't want fun stuff for their tabletop??? or for gifts??
Here is the first one, for Valentine's Day:
showing the front AND back (yep, I made 2, one for me!)
that zig-zag pattern was NOT exactly easy, but
super-fun to learn!
And here is the third one, for Independence Day:
Oooo I loved this one!
Did you notice how they are reversible? :)
More recently, I have finished the Halloween runner:
Unfortunately, this one turned out kinda small (unintentional!)
Oh well, the glow-in-the-dark back makes up for it in coolness!
And last, but not really last, is Thanksgiving:
This one is my new favorite!
(Is that just because I finished it today?)
Maybe it's because it's a little more "fancy" and grown up
- who knows?
Still to come -- Christmas! And as a bonus, Lindsey has requested that I make a 7th runner in her "everyday" colors, so she'll have something to put on the table when there's no particular holiday going on. I'll update when those are done!
8 comments:
Those are so fun! That's my kind of decorating--simple but way cute (well, simple to put out, maybe not to make!).
Speaking of small storage spaces, I just read a tip I thought was great. They suggested putting hanging shoe holders on the back of every door of your home for added storage space. I'm thinking my coat closet is for sure going to get one for better organization of gloves, hats, scarves, etc. (um, I guess you don't have that exact need, but hopefully you get the idea!).
Oooo, the Thanksgiving one is my favorite too! I love that fabric on the back and bordering the front! This S.I.L. wants one too! ;)
those are great! what a fantastic idea . . . and it'd make for a great wedding gift (or you know - any kind of gift).
Oh, that Thanksgiving one is awesome! I love the leaves print in the center. How did you know that I absolutely adore fall leaves?! I'm really looking forward to it.
And if I haven't said it lately, THANK YOU so much for these. I love having just a little something on my table to make it pretty. It's less likely to get all junked up with stuff when I have a nice arrangement there. You're so nice to put all this time and effort into a birthday present. Thanks!
That is a FABULOUS idea!!! I may have to copy this idea. I love it!!!!
These are beautiful. Very nice job putting them together. And what a great idea!
Where do you find time to sew as much as you? Just the thought of clearing my table and pulling out my sewing machine is kind of overwhelming... but then again maybe it's because I can't sew like you so it is a much greater effort for a much lesser reward :)
AWESOME! I love those! I hadn't thought of doing "quilting" for table runners. I love it.
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