Christmas Past and Presents

Merry Christmas!
see my Instagram to see with borders.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 12.
looks like a big candy lollipop.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

already had my share of extra calories.
holiday goodies you eat while out doing holiday errands.
oh the delicious treats. wrapped up with a bow.
trying to offset some of the damage.
with a few apples and a fair amount of water.
enjoy!

Christmas Past and Presents

block 11.
X'ing off. what's left to do.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

handknits for me.
i took the time.
to work on the tricky parts.
switching colors.
holding 2 yarns together.
provisional cast on.
doing the kitchener on a zig-zag.
just a bit of finishing left to do.
take a wander and discover these awesome knitters.

Nice & Knit.
Kara & Katie.
Nice & Knit DK.
Maritime Cowl.

The Wool Sanctuary.
Suzie.
Rowan Pure Wool DK and Kidsilk.
Nicki Franklin Scarf.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 10.
this one is distracting me.
it's a keeper.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

these are my gift wrapping essentials.
cellophane bags.
similar to this one.
single hole puncher.
fancy baby hand puncher.
this is cute on a handmade gift.
black Sharpie ultra fine marker pen.
sometimes i alternate letters in red and green.
manilla tags. 2-3/4 in. x 1-3/8 in. 4-1/4 in. x 2-1/8 in.
any questions?

Christmas Past and Presents

block 9.
it's a nine patch. and it's red. so it's awesome.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

look at these little munchkins.
my niece and nephews.
all grown up now.
15. 18. and 21.
honestly an old photo is just the best thing ever.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 8.
classic pinwheel.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

dusting off the ornaments.
must stalk Ebay to get missing ones.
i have a small copper tree and keep these up all year long.
1971. 1992. Holiday 2008. Holiday 2010. 2011. Holiday 2011.
Holiday 2012. Holiday 2013. Holiday 2014. Swarovski® Holiday 2014.

come back on Saturday to see more blocks.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 7.
more pieces. more fun.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents is a quilting class.
pretty mandatory to learn proper techniques.
it can add to the cost of your project.
but new things learned can be of great value.
this year's sampler at my LQS is another one by Eleanor Burns.
El's Kitchen by Quilt In A Day.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 6.
tie it with a bow.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents is beauty products.
my favorite for a few years now.
there are virtually hundreds to choose from.
so strange that we just pick one or two that we must have.
so i add shampoo to an Amazon order every now and then.
my first bottle was a gift and may have come from a beauty supply shop.
It's a 10 Miracle Silk.
Dr. Hauschaka Rose Day Cream.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 5.
xmas-y red.
and xmas-y green.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents a xmas movie.
people really love this one.
and actually like to watch it at xmas.
the t.v. people must have been saving it for December.
because it could not be found playing anywhere.
but a few months ago i saw at Savers and gave it to my sister.
so she could watch it anytime she wanted.
because she is one of those people.
now to gather with family and watch a xmas movie.
Bridget Jones' Diary.
Love Actually.
Elf.
The Holiday.
White Christmas.
The Family Stone.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 4.
i made this block a few times.
then i made the next few blocks.
so many choices.
but fabrics chosen simply compliment the other blocks.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents a quilt pattern.
everyone wants to make this one.
me too.
just the how.
we know we didn't design it.
but we still want to create a quilt to look like we did.
oh the look on my sister's face.
when a quick-under-$20-trip-to-the-quilt-shop quickly doubled.
only you may understand the need to hold this in my hands.
so the over-thinking has begun.
Moda Building Blocks.

check back on Saturday to see more of my blocks.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 3.
a bit tricky to photog.
decided on this odd angle.
avoiding the glare but revealing my Mom's lovely vintage wallpaper.
can you see my block?
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

so for presents this wooden advent made &/or sold at Starbucks.
it's no secret that i love this darling coffee shop and all they do.
but i was looking for a break from running around and filling bags.
it's very nice and each tin filled with a chocolate biscuit.
including the one with a $5 giftcard. and it's reusable.
not sure if she loves it. probably not the advent's fault.
so a filled advent for my Mom. and time for me. two gifts in one.
starbucks.com

Christmas Past and Presents

block 2.
day 3 but block 2.
because they are alternating blocks with presents.
and i am posting mine together.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

up next for presents is hardcover fiction.
my preference over my Kindle or a paperback.
although i have been thrifty and visited secondhand stores.
my favorite authors always come home as a brand new and real book.
Sarah Waters is one of my favorite authors.
i have read all her books. ok. so there are only 6.
but this one was just released.
quickly read and already on my bookshelf.
if only to serve as a trophy for finishing them.
sarahwaters.com

Christmas Past and Presents

block 1.
so this is happening again.
not that i did it. but.
Temecula Quilt Co. did this last year.
CORRECTION: could it really have been 3 years ago.
so if you hate mysteries.
"spoiler alert".
you can peek at the finished 2011 design.
or follow along the in progress 2014 design.
trust me. seeing the design won't spoil the fun.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

and i want to include here a version of presents.
up first is this very nice cotton ribbon.
insert "Italian" after "nice" and before "cotton".
the packaging is really pretty.
and since this may not be ideal for the intended project.
i will keep it wrapped as long as possible.
studio carta by angela liguori.