Fun With Barb: christmas

Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Christmas Time is Here

Hello and Welcome one and all. Thank you, Lori for putting this blog hop together for us all to enjoy.

My God Jul quilt made for my Danish husband, Rich. He's my biggest supporter and the center of my world.

This is the view from our bed. My Nana had a ceramic tree and I've come to love them for their kitschy vintage aesthetic.

Here is my new Christmas Quilt for 2019.
Toile' the Night Before Christmas in our guest room.

This is always the Red and White Room so it works naturally for Christmas.

Little Mary Engelbreit houses I've had for years and a little red and white quilt.

I am cutting down on wrapping paper because it isn't great for the environment, so here is a cardboard box that just needed a little embellishment. The whole box can be saved for next year :)

Here is an upcycle idea. I use Christmas cards that I receive as gift tags. I love to receive old fashioned cute cards and adorn packages with them.

A few little wooden things to decorate the windowsills.

Tin windup toys and another a red and white doll quilt.

Here is a little humorous moment in the kids/guest bathroom on another little quilt. "You'll Shoot your Eye Out Kid".......ha ha

Rich requested my Jubilee quilt for the eating area in our kitchen. I also like to layer tablecloths with vintage card tablecloths.

This is a little sweet log cabin gift quilt from a friend in Illinois, Mary, made for me.

Another little log cabin doll quilt that I made years ago.

the backing print. I wish I had more of this one!

Because of Nutmeg, the new kitten, I did not put up my full Dickens Village, but opted for a mantel display this year. Here is a short video.

In the Dining Room I have our collection of Nissemen, which are Danish Elves. Also on display is just a small part of our Danish Christmas Plate collection.

My Big Giant Tree! Every year I say to my patient husband, "Rich I want a BIG tree. If they don't have a big tree we're leaving" well friends, my dream came true!

Here is a video tour of ornaments and bubble lights.

The little elf in a green plastic ball is a gift I received from my kindergarten teacher. I treasure it.

My favorite Holiday Craft Tradition is making Pomanders. I just love how they smell and look in a bowl on the table.

The magic tool that peels the rind so the fruit will dry. You can find them at gourmet cooking shops and also on the all powerful amazon.

I cut a design groove into the citrus. This year I'm trying lemons, lime and a clementine.

I also use a nut cracking tool to poke little holes into the fruit. Remember Nut Bowls? It used to be a holiday tradition.

I use it make little holes to insert the whole cloves.

You can also just let the little peel swirls breath and insert cloves between the lines.

This quiet old timey activity just makes me happy. This year I tried a little clementine.

I like this design which I used on a lime this year.

A few more Christmas moments from around our home.
the hall table~

My German Creche was a gift from my Mother in Law. I put the baby in on Christmas Day.

A collection of handmade Christmas Mice from our friends, Susan and Owen. Aren't they sweet?

I was so inspired by Kelly's post, that I made a mason jar vignette myself. I used pink Himalayan salt and kosher salt and a few vintage pieces.

I put it next to "my spot" where I have my Remembering Jill quilt on the table top.

I have a great view of the room from this seat. It is where I watch TV, stitch quilts and pass evenings.

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Blessed Holiday Season!

xo

Be sure to visit all the wonderful Holiday Favorites Bloggers

Dec 9- Lori, https://humblequilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 10 KatyQuilts, katyquilts.net

Dec 11 Beth, [https://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com

Dec 12 Diane, butterflythreadsquilting.com

Dec 13 - Kyle, https://kyleredente.blogspot.com/

Dec 14 Kelly, https://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 15 Juliann, https://chasingstories.wordpress.com/

Dec 16 Knitty Quilter, https://suehoover.blogspot.com/

Dec 17 Lizzy, https://gone2thebeach.blogspot.com/

Dec 18 Barb, https://funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com/

Dec 19 Judy, https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

Dec 20- Kevin, http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/

Monday, January 11, 2016

Hello Out There!

Thank you all so much for your overwhelming support and encouragement and nice comments on my Alice Payne Quilt post. I will post quilting progress when I make a little more.

My first finished top of 2016 - "Toile' the Night Before Christmas" 75x75"

I used nine patches that I swapped with my Illinois quilt buddies a couple of years ago. We traded cheddar nine patches. I set mine with a variety of dark red prints and this fabulous Christmas toile'.

I hung it over the banister for a few days. It had really nice light here.

Here is a close up of the toile'

Today is a blustery day in the 100 acre woods. I tried an outdoor photo shoot. It was a challenge. My inadvertent selfies made me laugh.

Here is the setting I've decided for my Stars in a Time Wrap. I'm using black tone on tone and a wonderful double pink. Piecing this is picky so it may take several sewing room visits.

I'm taking a very laid back approach to putting Christmas away this year. It's happening and I'm trying to be thoughtful and organized. I came up with this little idea for small ornaments. What took me so long???? Each one is perfectly cushioned and separated from the others.

Here is my White House Tree. I decided to try this storage technique - wrapped up in Plastic wrap, lights, ornaments and all.

I am really really enjoying this book. It is author read and so interesting.

I'll close with this little centerpiece I assembled for January. I intend to make 1 each month as I enjoy having something pretty on the table where I work on the computer.

Have you heard that Barbara Brackman is doing a new sew along this year? She will be offering a 12 inch block pattern each month. The theme is Westering Women. I have decided that I will make 6 inch blocks. So who's in?

I'm really enjoying the quiet simple days of January and hope you are too.
xo

Friday, December 11, 2015

It takes a Village....

Warning: This is long and photo loaded with Christmassy Stuff.

I'm opening my post today with a photo of my Angel Tree.

My mother gave me my first angel ornament and a new one each year until she passed away, which was soon after the tradition started. After she died many of my friends and family have given me angels for this special tree.

Our Dickens Village is one of my favorite decorations. I add little touches every year. This year I added a table skirt and some new bushes, like the front hedge. I also added Ralphie's house as I reported in the last post.

Enjoy!

Here is a view before I add the snow. I can not tell you how much difference it makes in creating the illusion of a real town. It also hides those white ceramic feet on the figures.

And After -

Mr. Fun always does the fine snow on the rooftops.

Here is the "let's look up the skirt" view of the ugly wiring job. Every year I think I'll do better then I get into it and don't. ha ha.

I was really under pressure from this guy: Mr. Starbuck, who was judging my every move.

The end result. I leave this up all of January to enjoy from the couch.

Here is the framed print of the Lincoln inking that Barbara gifted me. I chose a red silk mat, simple scrolled black frame and museum glass. I had it done at Michaels and they do a wonderful job.

It is part of my "Hall of Presidents"

I have a White House Historical Society ornament tree. Did you know they are less than $20. each and they come in a beautiful box with a booklet all about the history of each years ornament.