Ode to the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop

Choirs of sewing machines continue to hum all across the lands

While quilters and sewists are busily laying out their plans

For filling their lengthy Christmas lists from all of their labors

To wrap, bag, or stuff in red stockings and hand to the neighbors.

by: Tu-Na Quilts

 

Join these bloggers on this Eve because tomorrow’s the last day of this year’s 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. But don’t worry, everyone’s posts will be available for a long time so you can come back and look at them again and again.

Monday, July 24th, 2017

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah walks us through the next step of Santa’s Trip Around the World Quilt Along if you’re sewing along. If not, you can always start one and finish in time for Christmas. After completing today’s assignment, the quilt top will be finished. Probably not mine, yet, but it will get there, eventually.

 Anja Quilts If you can’t see the forest for the trees, head over to Anja’s to create your own forest of Christmas trees. This table runner looks like it would grow mighty quick.

PickingandStitching Judy’s showcasing the easy quilt as you go method on her table runner. If you’re looking for a quick project that you need to get done TODAY, stop on over to take a look. While you’re there, take a look at the picture of the back of the pinwheel block to see those gorgeous spun seams. That’s truly a work of art behind the scenes.

 A Dream and a Stitch Jen made a real sweet treat to hang on the wall or door. This is one way to enjoy some Christmas candy and not worry about cavities or calories.

Remember to leave comments on each of these 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop posts so you can qualify to win some fabric giveaways of Tula Pink’s new holiday line, Holiday Homies, generously donated by Free Spirit Fabrics!!! You have through July 26th to leave comments on all of the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop posts.

Please note: Sarah has notified us that she needs to delay the announcement of winners until August 4th due to a family emergency. Winners will be notified by email then. I will be posting a list, too, as soon as I see it.

Here’s a sneak peek at the prizes thirteen people will be winning just by commenting on each of the 12 Days of Christmas in July participating blog hop posts.

 

I posted my 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop post on Monday, July 14, 2017 where I showed how to make a mini quilted stocking and a ring wreath that kids can make. Click here if you are looking for it. It also contains links that will take you directly to each blogger’s 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop post to make it more convenient for you to comment or find that project long after the hop is over. 

My first stocking stuffer reveal (Pincushion in a Pail) happened here, the second stocking stuffer reveal (Strawberry Pincushion) happened here, and the third stocking stuffer reveal (Pretty Pillow Pincushion) happened here. Here’s a picture recap of what I’ve created for this hop:

Jean, who blogs at All Points of the Compass,  was quite smitten with that Pretty Pillow Pincushion. She wrote a poem about it and shared it with me. She’s given me permission to share it with you. Who needs to read my pincushion tutorial when you could just read her poem!

The Pincushion

This is the tiniest wee item,

you’ll be sure to find it all fun.

Then before you can say “ Woohoo”,

it’s  finished, even quilting all done.

 

Now go and sort out your fabrics,

You won’t need them larger than SMALL.

Sort them out into order,

The shorter, the tinier, the  tall.

 

A pinwheel of only TWO inches,

that’s the first part, the true centre square;

The borders just go on like magic,

a tad more than 4 inches, you’re there.

 

Add some batting and then do the quilting,

such short rows, a real pretty sight.

Interface and then add the backing,

at this stage it’s all going right.

 

Sew round the edges, leave a gap, trim the corners,

turn it out and fill so it’s firm.

Add stuffing and sew up the opening,

to test it, just stick in a pin!!!

 

But remember, these are only the words,

Save some time, and make sure you’re thinking

Before pinning and cutting, and sewing it up,

It won’t quite be done in an inkling.

 

But the many minutes and hours that you spend

Will reward you so very well.

Then you’ll show it off often,

And have a story to tell.

 

So sit back and relax, look with great delight

A design made for us all, thank Karen so much,

She is a whizz at the needle, the words and the photos as well,

And we can all be so thankful for her magic touch.

 

With apologies to any poet who can do better.

This was a fabulous tutorial, I smiled, I enjoyed it SO much.

Hugs from a Sunday night down in New Zealand.

Jean. ( you deserve a huge hug, some XXX, and a glass or two of bubbly) !!!

 

 

Thanks, Jean. I was touched and honored that you took the time to write me a poem about my work! Your poem is perfect!

 

I’ve been having a lot of fun here at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats revealing that stocking loot. There’s one day left on the hop but the stocking still holds quite a bit. So plan to stop by tomorrow to see what else I could possibly have stuffed in there. And then the big question is: What does Tu-Na plan to do with it all?

Coming soon on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats:

Tu-Na Quilts: The Fourth and Final Stocking Stuffers Reveal—Does The Fun Have to End? (Do you see the s on the end of Stuffers? I bet you know what that means.)

What I Learned Today:

1. Sharing my cold with my husband seems to have done the trick; I am feeling much better.
2. I need a longer list of toddler activities. I got to babysit my 2 year grandson for about 4 hours today (my son, his wife and this little guy are living with us for a few weeks while they wait to get into their new home). By the time 30 minutes had gone by, we had done just about everything on my list of things to keep him busy.
3. Treadmills make a good bowling alley for toddlers.
4. Tu-Na makes a good bowling pin setter. My 2 year old grandson brought me to my knees. I was on my hands and knees at the front of the treadmill setting and resetting the bowling pins for him. He had fun until the knees complained—mine.

Question: Do you celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, both, or do you celebrate all the way through New Year’s Day? Now that almost all of our children have married, we have to share them with their in-laws over the holidays. They’ve all worked out a schedule so everyone is on the same calendar. One year we all gather for Christmas around New Year’s Day and the next year we gather for Christmas around Christmas Day.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts