Tag: holiday

Texas Christmas Quilt – Stocking Block

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

In addition to completing the first block of the RBD Block Challenge last week, I was also able to finish another block from the Texas Christmas Quilt.  The pattern for this Stocking Block was provided by Downtown Dry Goods in McKinney, Texas.  

If you are not familiar with this shop,  it is worth the trip.   Located in historic downtown, it features a wide selection of reproduction prints.  Additionally,  they share a space with the McKinney Knittery. This means there are lots of pretty things in the shop to admire.  

This is the first of several blocks in this quilt that use applique to achieve the desired look.  But, what makes this block so cool is the fact that you can actually stuff items into the stocking.  I used a piece of TenSisters EasyPiecing Grid. OMG, the Easy Piecing Grid is a game changer for quilters. This fusible foundation allows for effortless joining of squares.  And since the foundation is left in place, the stocking is lined and the fabric squares will not fray.  

Gee whiz, this quilt is taking forever,  but quilting is not a speed sport, it is for marathon crafters. But, I am determined to complete this UFO so I can clear some space for my next project.  You can find the first post in this series here. 

Thank you for joining me on my quilting adventure.  I hope to see you when the next block is complete.  

Momma B

Happy New Year

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Happy New Year! Are you as excited as I am to put 2023 behind us and start afresh? This past year has been a tough year for my family, with many challenges. This is not to say that there have not been moments of joy and celebration scattered throughout. We have mourned loved ones, and job changes and felt heart ache. But we have endured. We have grown and changed. My hope is that 2024 will be less chaotic. The new year brings hope.

Isn’t it crazy how simply turning the page on the calendar brings hope and excitement. It is as if when the ball drops and the clock strikes 12, we magically have the will-power and self discipline to go to the gym, eat healthier and spend more time with the people we love, doing what we love. 

As crafters we set goals of finishing all those unfinished projects, learning new skills and organizing our craft space. With the challenges of the past year, I lost my sew-jo (you know that all elusive sewing mo-jo).  Thankfully I found it in time to finish a few quilts before Christmas, and will be sharing those soon. I am excited about finishing a few more and starting a couple of new projects.  Here is a sneak peek at what is sitting on my sewing table.

You have already seen the Christmas in Texas Quilt and the New Year’s Mystery Quilt, and little progress has been made since I last posted.  As you can see, I started a few other quilts. There are so many great quilt patterns out there and there is an adrenaline rush that comes from starting a new project. But quilting is a marathon.  I’m still working on building endurance to finish the projects that I start and not getting distracted. There are a few projects that I am looking forward to, and I have all the fabric ready to go. The one I’m looking forward to most is the RBD Block Challenge.  It is a quilt-a-long hosted by Riley Blake Designs.  It begins January 9th, so there is still time to join me.  You can learn more here.  

Here’s hoping that 2024 is a great year.

Momma B

Texas Christmas Quilt – Santa Hat

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

I had hoped to complete a few blocks of my Texas Christmas Shop Hop Quilt last week, but life got in the way. I have been extra busy at work and preparing for the fall craft fair season with Creative Sisters of TX.  But I have not abandoned this project.  Today’s quilt block is a Santa Hat from Urban Spools Sewing Lounge in Dallas.   

My goal is to complete a few more blocks this week in between work and a top-secret Christmas project that I am working on. 

What are you working on currently?  

Texas Christmas Quilt – Susannah Quilt Block

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

As promised, here is today’s quilt block for my Texas Christmas Quilt.  I picked up this block on my Texas Christmas Shop Hop from Kaleidoscope Quilt Shop.  This shop is located in downtown Whitesboro.  While the street view of the shop was not overly impressive, don’t let it fool you. The shop is super deep and has a wide selection of fabric and a super friendly staff.  When I go back to this shop, I need to time it better. There is a yarn shop next door that is only open from 10-2 each day, that I would love to check out as well.   

Now, back to the block. According to the pattern, this uneven 9-patch is attributed to Beth Gutcheon. Gutcheon is most known for her mystery novels, but her first two published books were actually quilting books.  I opted to use the horseshoe fabric from the Howdy Christmas collection to add a little Texas flair to the traditional block. 

Well since I have 22 more blocks to complete, I better get back to my sewing machine.  

Texas Christmas Quilt – Elfin Magic

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Today’s quilt block, Elfin Magic, is now complete.  Don’t you just love this block? The little elf shoes and plaid tights are so adorable. 

While this block is not a traditional block pattern, it did come together fairly quickly. It used a couple of stitch and flip corners to create the angle pieces – I’m thankful for the designer, Lisa Paul, not using HSTs for the little fiddly bits.

My only frustration so far with Texas Christmas Quilt, is I have not been able to chain piece my work.  When I piece a top, I love to create long chains and then do all my pressing. I seem to be sewing a few pieces and then heading to the ironing board.  I must say I miss just getting in a zone with the hum of my sewing machine.

I picked up the pattern for this block of the Texas Christmas Shop Hop at Must Love Fabric in Colleyville, Texas. 

Look for another block tomorrow.