Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Getting in the mood...........

I usually have a hard time convincing myself that it is time to get the Christmas decorations out.  I decided that this year I need to do a little bit every day until it is all out.  I found these embroidered squares when I was looking for something else.  I got my first embroidery machine in 1994 and I did a lot of samples on denim cut from old blue jeans.  Here is a picture of the quilt I made from those squares.  Every year I embroidered a few winter/Christmas designs on denim.
I think this will be my first Christmas project for this year.  I will look through my flannel fabric for red plaids and stripes and green ones too.  The squares are 8" so I'll have to figure out if I need to embroider a couple more.  I used to to extensive hand embroidery and no longer do because of arthritic thumb joints and carpal tunnel problems.  I have always loved embroidery so I get my 'fix' watching the machine work now.

16 comments:

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Wahoo I'm the first commenter! Clever use of denim, Wanda. Good luck on your quilt.

dianen said...

I think those embroidery pieces are really nice. As is the quilt.

I know what you mean about the arthritis and carpal tunnel. I love to do hand work, too, but after a night of doiung it, I suffer for two to three days. Still, I try to do a little even now.

Joyce said...

Great idea to practise on denim. You will end up with a very Christmassy quilt.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I always seem to get my decorations up day by day also. It is easier I think and gives you time to think about where you want things. When the kids were home we did it all in one day or evening and made a party out of it - now it is just the two of us and Mike is not a Christmas decorator and really could care less of the whole thing = it usually falls to me to do the whole thing.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Needled Mom said...

So cute and such a great idea for old jeans. I love the idea of adding the reds to it too.

patty a. said...

Wanda, Let me know if you need any flannels. I have some solid red, a wonderful red and white plaid, and red and white stripe. I could cut you a square. I may have some green too. I have had these in my stash for years and planned on making a flannel quilt that I haven't quite gotten around to making yet.

Jody said...

I LOVE IT!!!! Cannot wait to see how your magic touch transforms those blocks!

Vicki W said...

I am having a really tough time this Christmas. We are having our windows replaced in 2 weeks so I really can't do any decorating or put the trees up until about the 15th - and I'm not about to bother doing it that late!

Char said...

I enjoy hand embroidery. I just joined a new hand embroidery group at Quilt With Us. I have one of those old Bernette Deco embroidery machines. I could never really get into machine embroidery, so it sits, collecting dust!
Love the Frog!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Those squares are really pretty. Sounds like my kind of embroidery!

Anonymous said...

INSPIRING ! ! ! I must get going making some of those squares also. LOVE every one of the designs. I will have to look and see how many of those I can duplicate on my machine. Otherwise I might be calling you to see where I can get the designs.

J~MT

Meggie said...

Lovely blocks. I love the thought that old jeans can go on 'forever'!

Sharon said...

What a great idea, I love the thought of red/green plaids as the alternate square. Do you buy plaid shirts at the thrift store and cut them down?

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda,
Another great idea from you! Using old jeans fabric is something on my to-do list.
Stay warm, now that the chilly air has arrived!
Vicky F

Carol said...

Hi Wanda,
Love the denim/flannel squares. It will be such a substantial quilt. Now I'm going to save some jeans which were destined for the trash! Have you tried laying a bag of frozen peas on your aching hands? I'm finding it helps--that and less handwork of course.
Carol
http://quiltfever.wordpress.com/

Joan said...

great idea - I have such a lot of jeans I cant fit into neo ;;;and alwasy hoping - would be getter cut up!!