Last weekend my daughter headed back to college. So now, I have to admit summer is over. I had such lofty goals for this summer, that just didn’t happen. As John Lennon said “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” I had lots of plans, but instead I lived life.
While several most of the projects I had hoped to get finished did not happen, the one thing I did complete was the Texas Christmas Shop Hop. This quilting shop hop was scheduled for July 1st to August 15th. There were a total of 24 participating shops. Each shop provided a different quilt block pattern (with a few having more than one). When joined together they create a Texas Christmas Quilt.
My sister and I hit the road mid-July after I recovered from another bout of Covid. It took us a few weeks to visit all 24 quilt shops. The shops were scattered throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area from Denison to Waco and Celeste to Hurst. Thankfully most were pretty local, but we did get to enjoy a couple of day trips. We had a blast shopping and making memories.
The blocks varied greatly in style, technique and difficulty. Some were very traditional pattern piecing, while a few included appliques, embroidery work and even yo-yos. However, together they will create a beautiful throw size quilt.
While each shop did offer a kit for sale to complete their block, I opted to use different fabric to help the quilt have a little more unified feel. I purchased a couple of fat quarters from the Howdy Christmas fabric line by Northcott. Below are the fabrics from the Northcott line that I will be using. Together with some added coordinating fabrics, I believe I will have enough to complete the quilt.
All the fabric has been washed and I am currently in the middle of cutting all the pieces. I am looking forward to sharing the blocks with you as I complete them. While work is keeping me busy, hopefully I will be able to find a little time each day to work on it and have it completed in no time.
Stay tuned to see the blocks as I complete them.
