Very Berry Christmas Tree Skirt

I found this pattern and embroidery CD at the Des Moines, Iowa AQS show in October and really wanted to make this!  So much so, that I found fabric at the show for it AND pulled it out to make in December.  A new record?  The fabric and pattern were only in house for 2 months!  *snicker*

It is 12 sections that are sort of cone shaped and each are embroidered/appliqued separately in the mega hoop for my machine.

I had the top of the tree skirt done for Christmas.

I quilted it in early January.

In February, I added the binding.

Pattern notes:

This is the large tree skirt.  Whereas, at this point, I vow to never make this pattern again, there is a tiny inclining in me to make the small tree skirt.  *sigh*  The pattern calls for 1/2 yard fabric for binding.  That is not enough for bias strips for 12 scallops and the back opening and circle.  I thankfully found the fabric online and could make longer strips.  I do continuous bias so used an extra large square and have miles of binding left!  🙂  But not a seam for every scallop as the 1/2 yd would have made.    The fabric for the background is *just* enough for the cones.  Premark before cutting, make sure you slide the cones up & down as you cut, and hold your breath you have enough at the end.  It was a tight squeeze for me.

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Swamped!

This week is so very busy!!

I spent Sunday working on getting ready for Monday & Tuesday!

Monday is quilt guild.  But we have 2 all-day workshops (I will be the first one there to unlock the doors) so I got my fabrics all chosen & precut on Sunday.  Then packed up my sewing machine and tools.

On these workshops days we take our own sack lunch so I grilled extra chicken at  Sunday lunch for me on Monday.

Plus I have a meal for the crock pot to share for the potluck supper.

Then I have my president’s stuff for the meeting and wrote out the agenda on Sunday too.

I also have the VP’s stuff that I forgot to take in August when she wasn’t there.

Plus the secretary has resigned so I have new member folders from the secretary to distribute.

Another member can’t be there so her husband brought a bag over the other day for me to take.

I have my 4 embroidered clutches to take so they can be ready for the quilt show next month.  (I finished these 2 the other day.)

It will be a very long day… hoping the fun outweighs the responsibilities!!

Tuesday I’ll meet a new friend and we’ll go together to a Sonlight Meet-up with lots of us in a Chicago suburb.   Another packed lunch  😦  and a long day.

Wednesday you’ll find me napping but then I get to end the day with a ladies small group so I’m excited for that! 🙂

Here is another picture – another month of New York Beauty blocks were finished sometime before the cold hit me!  😉

The 4 quarters won’t be joined — I just arranged them like this for the picture.

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Embroidered Pillow

I really like this pillow I embroidered for Phil’s sister.   It is like the ones I did for our living room this summer but a smidgen smaller.   Thankfully I was able to shrink each of the embroideries for the smaller circle.  Yeah computer software!!

This pattern is from the Aquamarine Ambience book.   It took 5 hoopings but aren’t too hard to line up.  Plus with shrinking it 10%,  I had more room to work in the hoop.  It stitched out in 3 1/2 hrs!!  Yikes!

It is dark blue and very dark green center circle with 3 creams in the threads and a hint of pink.  

I love the ruffles like that we learned at Embroidery Club.  They are a hassle to do but always seem worth it in the end.

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