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Thursday, December 31, 2020

December Monthly Mini and Gnomes in the Dome

I had thought I had plenty of mini quilts for Christmas decorating, but it turns out I was short a few. Now I am short one less. Linking up with Wendy at The Constant Quilter blog for our Monthly Mini challenge. This has been the 3rd year--can't believe I have kept up. It is often the only thing I accomplish in a month, so I am grateful for the motivation to at least do this!

Just a handful of green scraps, some leftover Marcus Brothers aged muslin, and a chunk of red from the "smaller than FQ" storage, and this little cutie was whipped up pretty quickly.

 

I actually did follow a pattern for this, which you wouldn't think I would need for such simplicity. However, I was fascinated earlier this year when I saw this book from Primitive Gatherings, and the quick way to make a negative and positive 9-patch using two squares of fabric.  I had seen the method before, but had never attempted it.

The mini quilt on page 17 caught my eye and I decided it was time to give it a try. It really is slick, but especially when working this small it is important to get your seams accurate. And I always sliver trim the finished product, to make sure they are all the same size.                                                This little piece finished just under 10x12. That is a hair larger than the pattern, but I cut my borders just a bit wider.  I machine quilted the whole thing. I wanted to do some of the quilting by hand, but there just wasn't time.
I actually had another "keep someone warm" finish this month! On a socially distanced shop hop with a friend back in September, I was taken by the Timber Gnomies fabric line from Henry Glass. My youngest daughter loves the gnomes and I thought this might make a fun throw quilt for her--for Christmas!?! What was a thinking? I swore years ago (after frantic Christmas finishes) never to make quilts as Christmas gifts--save that for birthdays! But how hard would it be to whip up my favorite quick strippie quilt pattern? I must have a very short memory.
But I did it!
This quilt is based on Mary Johnson's "My Favorite Quick Donation Quilt" pattern. I have used it many times, but I always add borders, and sometimes extra rows. Makes a good twin size quilt that way--or a large throw. I am really pleased with the results, and my daughter does love it.

 

I did straight line quilting down each side of the black, inner border. Then using a longarm ruler, I quilted clamshells over the "strippie" portion. The borders got a large swirl, which design I "pounced" using a stencil. Very quick and easy to follow.

 

 

 

 Henry Glass offered a free strippie pattern for this fabric line, and I did download it, but it was a bit too busy for me. However, you could adapt it to your liking, if you prefer this pattern.

 

 

 

 My son was very happy to finally have his college graduation t-shirt quilt--he graduated over 5 1/2 years ago. And I was thrilled to have it finished for him!


And now for one last gnome (as if those Timber Gnomies were not enough). Here you see our resident Dome Gnome with my monthly mini and a nearly empty basket of holiday soaps. I fill a few baskets with packages of my handcrafted holiday soaps for gifting around my community as the holidays get underway. You see there are two lonely packages left. I know the Christmas season is past, but if you wouldn't mind some gingerbread shaped soaps at your house going into the new year, leave a comment that you would like to be included in the drawing. 

Are you a resolution maker, or not? As for me--not so much. I am more of a daily goal maker, working toward larger goals, so I don't make any dramatic changes to my plans for January.

I hope you have all had times of joy through the season, and times of bringing joy to others. I know you bring joy to me!

Until next time,

Janet O.

 

Okay--I have to do a little more weather geek stuff. Three days ago we had such a pretty hoarfrost. It makes the world look like a fairy land. I just want to share a few photos.

 

 

Feathery frost creating fluff on all surfaces.  I never tire of it. Hopefully you can enlarge the photos for a better look.




Drawing now closed!



38 comments:

  1. Happy New Year!! The Ball has dropped in New York. I have one more Half hour to sew or Blog! I choose to Blog Hop a bit and then I will Post for the first time in January. I worked on the Quiltville Mystery. I am so far behind but will have a little more time this weekend to catch up and hope she doesn't do the reveal today. We shall see, she's on the east Coast time Zone so I will wait til she posts or go to bed and look in the morning. I love the White soap the best. Any of your Soap is great for using. I was happy to get a surprise Pkg in the mail. Cute Christmas card too. Great that you have kept up with the Monthly Mini's.

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  2. Wow. Those frost photos are amazing. Nice meeting you today in Zoom. Time to go and read more of your blog.

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  3. Good to chat today. Had to pop in and see the T Shirt quilt - which looks amazing! I love your little mini too. xx

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  4. Happy New Year. You truly do get the "mini" just in time. I am now thinking I need to check out the process you used for the squares. So glad your son got his tshirt quilt. You did a great jog and the gnome quilt was a good finish too. Why do we get these ideas close to the gift day? Maybe we work better under pressure. I tend not to make resolutions, though I do try to finish the projects started before starting new ones. Does now always work. Hope that we all have a 2021derful year. Dotti in Ct

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  5. as always janet, beautiful mini...perfect! lovely winter photos....

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  6. It seems the "make a Christmas quilt" at the last minute bug struck a lot of us this year. Love the gnome quilt you made for your daughter, it looks so warm and snuggly. Not surprisingly your son looks really pleased with his t-shirt quilt, you did a fabulous job with it. Only one resolution or goal this year, to finally finish the oldest ufo around here, Quilty 365.

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  7. Lovely post and would love some hand made soap. Happy New Year, Happy Sew Year. Hugs.

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  8. Love the new mini. The positive/negative thing is a great thing to play with. You can get different effects. It is quite striking for the season.
    I always love those t-shirt quilts. I think it is the memories that go along with it that makes them so special. And nothing wrong with gnomes....that one looks like fun.
    I am picking my word for the year as per the challenge in my on-line Bible Study group. We are to do a vision board too.....think I will do a small quilt instead. lol, no surprise there. I have been receiving messages and cards all month containing the words Light and Shine. So I think I finally got the message. So no resolution for me, just a focus phrase for the year. Have a healthy new year willed with your best choices.

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  9. Wonderful finishes, Janet! The gnomes are adorable :-)
    Happy New Year!

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  10. Love the hoarfrost too!!
    Cute little mini and fun gnomey quilt!
    Definitely had good times along with the sad this past year. Life is really what you make it. Happy New Year, friend.

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  11. I would love to enter the drawing for your soaps! Happy New Year, Janet.

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  12. Your frost photos are stunning Janet. Just amazing as I sit here in the heat & annoying flies buzzing round. I always love your minis. Such a wonderful pic of your son with his t-shirt quilt all finished. Just perfect. Thank You for the chance to enter your draw - you know how much I adore your soaps ... however I am thinking with the cost of postage it may be better for them to be won by someone a bit closer to home. Happy New Year Janet xx

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  13. Would live the chance to win some of your soaps.Love the frost pictures, its been cold in Colorado too

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  14. I don't usually do resolutions, I just hope for the best, although today I did say I would like to set aside just a little time each day to sew or do a little wool applique, just a little bit of time!
    I love your red and green mini quilt, I have that book and sure will go look that pattern up. I also very much like your gnome quilt you made for your daughter, what a fun quilt!!!
    Thanks for a chance to win those cute gingerbread soaps, just adorable!!
    Carmen

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  15. I have given up on resolutions. Instead, I choose a word each year to guide my daily plans. I haven’t chosen one yet for 2021, but I think after the dumpster fire that was 2020, I should choose something that embodies hope. Still thinking on this one.

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  16. I’m not much on “Resolutions”, but I ado set goals to meet. Helps me to stay focused at least a little better. Please include me in your drawing. (Gingerbread make their first appearance at my house in October and don’t leave until March when the Leprechauns arrive!)

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  17. I don’t do resolutions but I am trying to eat a healthier diet and get in a few more steps! I also use that “strippie” pattern. In fact, I’ve cut out 31 of them this week for my guild. I’m going to issue a challenge using them. Would love to try your soaps! The frost pics are awesome!







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  18. planner! A lovely beginning to the new year reading your post. Your December mini is a tiny christmassy gem. Loved seeing your son peeking over his new quilt. I don't do quilty gifts just for the same reasons, too much stress and pressure. But your daughter's gnome quilt is precious. That's for the pattern link. My goal for the year is making some donation quilts and this will be the perfect pattern to include. I love the fairy frost.

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  19. as you mentioned he looks very happy with his quilt........and it looks great.........
    I have that nine patch book so must pull it out..........your mini looks great

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  20. Much to inspire in this post! I had to show my husband your feathery frost photos. I’d like to see that in person—nature’s beauty! The gnome strippy is a really cute one—perfect border fabric! It’s a great style for those fabric lines that make you think of a special person. I’ll be checking that pattern out today. Happy New Year!

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  21. Good morning, I can't believe it's already Jan 2. I just absolutely love the red mini 9 patch quilt. I am pretty sure I need to try and make me one of those. I am just finishing quilting my 50 shades of brown quilt, and sure hope I can find some of that red fabric so I can see if I can also make one of those. I love Gingerbread men. This year I found the cutest gingerbread man towel, at my local quilt shop. They had 2, one for my kitchen, and one for my daughters kitchen. Her name is Ginger. Sometimes I call her Ginger Snap Weatherford. Enjoy your day, and keep stitching

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  22. I adore all things red and green and your mini is exquisite! My accuracy is nowhere near good enough for such tiny measurements! The Strippie quilt is so cute—I’m sure your daughter was thrilled.
    I’ve never seen hoarfrost in person but am always enchanted!

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  23. I love those snowflake pics! :0)

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  24. Happy New Year! That's a sweet mini for Christmas. Something about setting nine patches on point just adds some energy. Nice idea for your daughter's gift for sure. Thank you for sharing the hoarfrost photos - really beautifully otherworldly!

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  25. Put me down for your drawing, please. Love that little latest mini, you trying to be a squirrel and get me making something not already on my To Do list?

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  26. great quilts and I really like a hoarfrost when it happens. It almost makes winter worth it.

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  27. I love the hoar frost! I love snowflake designs and winter is so beautiful to look at. If you haven't done the drawing yet, I would love the chance to try some hand made soap.

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  28. Yes! Put me into the drawing! I have been lucky enough to win from you before. In fact, one of my wins was a mini magazine and patriotic pieces. I actually gave my sister (who is visiting), a tiny flag that I made from the magazine I won from you. And she gave me a kit to make a really cute flag, which I will probably get made soon. Congrats on finishing the T-shirt quilt!! That is an accomplishment for anyone to do. I'm sorry I haven't been visiting blogs as often this year. You would think that being more restricted in activities that I would have more time for blogging, but actually the opposite is true. I spent lots of time sewing and was able to get a lot done including some UFOs. Now I need to do a post with a review of the year and another one about goals for 2021. I will try to do that! Happy New Year, Janet!!

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  29. Oh Janet, you have done it again! I am so sorry to be late in linking this up with my mini post. I guess I forgot to press the "publish" button for my automatic post and then I couldn't get online to fix it. Oh well, as they say better late than never!! I adore this little mini and if this method is the same one I have used in the past (thanks to Barb) then you should have a number of little "positive" 9-patches to use next time. I'm with your daughter, I love gnomes too and your quilt is wonderful. So cozy! The photos of your hoarfrost are amazing. We don't get that very often on the coast. When my friend was stationed on top of Mount Washington he used to send me fabulous photos. Yours are gorgeous. And I don't think it is geeky at all to love it! Happy New Year!!

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  30. Oh my goodness! I love the red and green quilt!! My goal is to have myself a Christmas quilt made by next Christmas. I’ll bet your son is loving having his tee shirts back in the form of something snuggly from Mom. It looks great! Love the ice crystals on the lights; truly a winter wonderland there. Yes, I would love one of your gift bags! Happy New Year!!

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  31. The frost is beautiful! So is your mini. I will continue to browse your blog.

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  32. Good Luck to all the entrants! I hope I said that correctly. Your photos are magical! I agree with the beauty of a hoarfrost. If it needs to be cold, at least let it show such beauty!

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  33. Looks like you have been busy as usual! Everything is beautiful, and I feel your pain on the T-shirt quilt - they are one of my least favorite things to do. I miss having your soap - do you have some that I can buy? LOVE your postcard (haha) - what a gorgeous sight!

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  34. Oh, what a fun, fun post that I am late in seeing!! I love everything, but especially the smile on your son's face behind that spectacular graduation quilt!! Hey, and what's 5 1/2 years when we are counting in quilting time?? Miss the hoarfrost!! Got a taste of snow last week getting to Colorado Springs and we still have lots of snow on the ground even with all the sunshine!! And a belated thank you for my wonderful Christmas gift of soap!!

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  35. I *love* your mini!! And how perfect to do it in Christmas colors! :) Wow...two "warmers" in one month?!? You GO girl! Love your son's face peeking over the top of his quilt! I love, love your hoarfrost photos. How beautiful nature can be! You've been on my heart and I've been meaning to text you, but already (we're just seven days in!!!) I feel behind in the year. LOL! I don't make resolutions, but my word for the year is study. Hugs, sweet friend. :)

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  36. Another lovely mini!
    I fell out of routine around Christmas and must get back on track! Love the frosty photos!

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  37. Your little mini is adorable. It's a perfect companion for your gnome--sweet! Congrats on getting your son's quilt finished--that was quite the accomplishment!

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  38. Your little mini for December is just adorable. Of course, I love red and green together, and the white plus the wide border make it perfect.
    What a fun quilt for your daughter. I'm impressed that you made it so quickly.
    Oh my goodness, your frost photos are beautiful, and I'm sure the frost was even better in person! I'm so glad you took photos and posted them. Thanks for sharing its beauty with us.

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