Tu-Na Quilts: The Day After Christmas in July

I don’t know about you but the day after Christmas can leave one feeling a bit let down. Maybe you didn’t get the gift you really wanted. Maybe your family is leaving and you’ll be alone. Maybe you’ve eaten too much and now you’re feeling a bit guilty. Maybe you’re exhausted from all the hustle and bustle of the past 12 days.

Even though The 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop is over for 2017, the tutorials will be around for a long time and you’ll be able to stop back and revisit those ideas you’re compelled to make. Hopefully, you’ve found a lot of Christmas inspiration during the hop and your list of “must makes” has grown. I know mine did. You will find recaps of each of the participating blog hop posts on each of my 12 Days of Christmas posts.

To make it even easier, I’ve also included the list of participating blogs at the end of this post which also includes all the recaps of each of those posts to help you and me find the projects we’re wanting to make. Now just to find the time to sew them all up.

Have you discovered some new blogs to follow? I know I did. And I gained many new followers, too. Welcome to Tu-Na’s. I hope you’ll like it here, be entertained, and find some new inspiration.

While I’ve been a follower of Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict—the host for this blog hop—for awhile, I do want to give her another rousing THANK YOU. She spent a lot of time pulling everything together and getting us all excited and organized. She even found prizes for the giveaway. Speaking of prizes. Did you enter?

There’s still just one day left to enter the giveaways for some Tula Pink Homies fabric generously donated by Free Spirit Fabrics—today! To enter just comment on the participating blogs, there’s only a bit of time left and just like Cinderella, when the clock strikes midnight tonight, the fun has to end. For your convenience, I’ve put the updated list towards the end of this post which includes links that will take you directly to the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop posts. Sarah will be announcing the winners on August 4th and I’ll be posting the list as soon as I see it. And I’ve included the list at the end of this post.

Homies

Giveaway items of Holiday Homies by Tula Pink from Free Spirit Fabrics.

And don’t forget about my own giveaway which I introduced yesterday. I’m giving away the cute little mini quilted Christmas Stocking and all the stocking stuffers that I revealed (pictured below). Now that’s some really good news for one lucky person. But you can’t win it if you don’t enter. Check out my post here to enter by leaving a comment. You get a bonus entry if you are an old or new follower. The giveaway closes on August 1st. The giveaway is open international entries.

The comments for my giveaway have been pouring in and I’ve even shed a couple of tears and laughed out loud as you told me about the most memorable gift you’ve given or received. There are stories of becoming engaged, adopting a child, getting a pet, receiving sewing machines, and many more touching gifts. Many of the gifts you gave or received had to do with a quilt; one was even made with the shirts from a father-in-law and gifted after his death. Gail wrote,

The Christmas after my FIL died, I made quilts from his shirts for my MIL, husband, the three grandchildren and my husband’s sister. There was not a dry eye in the house. Here is a link to my blogpost about the shirt quilts. http://thecozyquilter.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-quilts-of-christmas-2013.html

After reading that comment, there wasn’t a dry eye in my house either! I’ve been enjoying reading each one and hope to be able to reply to all but it will take some time. Thank you for sharing your story and your heart.

What I Learned Today:

  1. I have some really faithful followers and readers who leave wonderful comments. As of midnight last night, you have left 397 comments during the blog hop and even more have come in this morning. Thank you for taking the time.
  2. Sometimes, one has to remove the old and put in something new to freshen up the look. I’ve changed my header pictures. I think it really changes the look of my blog. What do you think? Email followers: if you haven’t seen the blog for awhile, pop on over to see the new look.
  3. If only I could get my husband to believe the first sentence of #2, then I could redo the kitchen.
  4. I am very sentimental and can get rather emotional.
  5. This is my 14th consecutive daily post! I posted the day before the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop started, then each of the 12 days, and finally this day after. I think tomorrow I’ll take a break and get some sewing done.
  6. I have three bee blocks to be sewed and mailed before month’s end. I’m not behind yet, but it’s getting close!
  7. There are only 2 more days until the 2018 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop begins. Will Tu-Na and Tu-Na Helper go this year again or sit this one out? What do you think?.

Question: Do you shop the After Christmas Sales, either in the store or online, or find it not worthwhile? I usually take advantage of the sales after Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. The days after Christmas usually finds us either hosting family or cleaning up after they’ve left. 

12DCIJ2017

July 14-25, 2017 Hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Direct links to the 2017 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop posts:

Friday, July 14th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah will be offering a quilt-along during these 12 days. Her post gives fabric requirements and cutting instructions. I hope you will join along as we sew our way through the rest of July. If you can’t participate now, remember this quick, easy tutorial when you need a quilt pieced NOW.

cfa

Santa’s Trip Around the World Quilt Along

From My Carolina Home Carole makes sewing a zippered bag look easy. She offers the free tutorial and gives directions and pictures. Take it one step at a time and you’ll soon have one (maybe more if you can’t stop making these) gift made for someone on your list.

Vrooman’s Quilts If you have kids or grandkids, you might like to see these ornaments out of CDs that the kids can make. Jump start the little ones creativity, today!

Pampered Pettit Are your pillows looking tired and worn? Breathe new life into them with Brandy’s quick pillow sham/covering tutorial. You could also make new covers for your existing pillows in pretty holiday fabrics and add some holiday cheer to your sofa/couch.

 Saturday, July 15th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah will be offering a quilt-along during these 12 days. Her post gives fabric requirements and cutting instructions. I hope you will join along as we sew our way through the rest of July. If you can’t participate now, remember this quick, easy tutorial when you need a quilt pieced NOW.

 Citymousequilter Grace won’t be left without a sock—to hang on the mantel at Christmas time that is. See how she constructs a string-pieced stocking both with and without a cuff.

Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting Vicki shows a new pattern she just released on the Craftsy site. If you want to make a fun table runner with snowmen dudes, check out her blog. She has a link to the pattern. It sure looks like fun!

Quilting Fun Pam makes a quilt and gives a couple good tips (what she uses to make a circle and how she does the center of the circle) as she quilts a circular pattern around her quilt. I thank you for them!

 Sunday, July 16th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah gives us our sewing assignment for Santa’s Trip Around the World quilt and also shows some great decorating and gift ideas that you could make for someone on your list. Are you sewing along? I’ll show my pics soon.

 Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen Amy won’t be burning her fingers this year when she pulls hot bowls out of the microwave. If you’ve been wanting to make yourself or someone on your Christmas list some microwave bowl cozies or if you have no idea what these are, you’ll want to hop right on over to her blog to see how really easy and fast these are to stitch.

Everyone Deserves a Quilt Do you set up a Christmas tree? Joanne’s got you covered if you do. Well, your tree that is. She has a tutorial for a tree skirt that looks mighty festive. You might want to check it out.

Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting If you haven’t found anything to make for those on your list yet, don’t worry, Cheryl’s posting lots of ideas with more to follow. She’s also giving away three mini kits so  you might like to leave a comment on her blog if you want to win one and really get a jump on  your holiday making.

 Monday, July 17th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah gives us another sewing assignment just like the others. She’s found some great looking origami ornaments to show us and we can make them too.

 Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats You are here. I am making sure no quilter will be unhappy with all the stuffers she’s put in her stocking. Do you have kids or grandkids? Karen also includes a tutorial for helping kids make a Wreath so everyone can help you decorate for the holidays.

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life Wendy adds a colorful touch to the holidays by showing how to color some holiday cheer with the children. You’ll be running for your box of crayons after reading this.

Crayon Box Quilt Studio Michele made a Christmas quilt. She shows how using charms, half charms, and sashing can make a beautiful quilt for anytime of the year. Look closely at the pics to see some design inspiration in her quilting.

 Tuesday, July 18th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah gives us our next sewing assignment which is just like the others; sewing one final strip set. She promises something different for tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve got some sewing to catch up on. How about you?

 Seams To Be Sew Do you need new ornaments for your tree? Marian shows us how to make some simple ones from fabric. For only a short time spent, you can give your tree a new look this year.

Stitchin at Home Cindy is spreading a little JOY at Christmas time this year. This super cute project just might be on your list to make this year.

Domestic Felicity Anita’s stitching up some Christmas cards on her blog today. Or you could use this cute idea for some really fun gift tags.

 Wednesday, July 19th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah’s got us sewing the next step on our quilt along.

 The Colorful Fabriholic Jan found the perfect solution for those of us with limited space but still having a desire to put up a Christmas tree. Making one of these is definitely on my list to do.

Smiles From Kate Kate’s drawn some cute holiday pillow covers that can stay around longer than just Christmas. Even if the weather warms and you haven’t put them away, they won’t be melting anything except maybe your heart.

 Thursday, July 20th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah’s posted the next set of instructions for the  Santa’s Trip Around the World Quilt: a little bit of ripping and a bit more sewing, pressing included.

 Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting Cheryl’s post is filled with 10 more ideas of gifts to make and give away or even keep for yourself. I found one or two that I put on my must make list. Maybe you will, too.

The Inquiring Quilter Are you needing a quick table runner pattern? Jennifer is one talented quilter who’s designed a beauty that will leave you lots of time to either make more or turn some into a quilt. I’m putting this one on my list to make. You might like to, too.

Selina Quilts Selina’s suggesting making some vinyl bags for someone on your list. She’s posted the link to the free pattern and tutorial. She also gives a hint for sewing with vinyl. I often forget about how great these are for gifts and great to use for myself.

 Friday, July 21st

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah’s giving us the next set of instructions which includes more of the same of yesterdays. You should be seeing your quilt starting to take shape now. Unless you’re a tad behind, like me, but don’t fear, I bet we’ll be doing the same assignment for the next few days. She’s also sharing a couple of ideas on how to start your holiday morning right with a cute breakfast idea the kids, of any age will love as well as sharing some snacks and treats.

 Katie Mae Quilts If you think your quilt borders are getting rather boring, you might like to check out Kate’s technique for a jazzy new idea and great instructions on how you can make it too.

Quilted Blooms Hands down! Paige has designed one clever pillow cover that will get the whole family involved. If you agree that Christmas is a great time for creating new memories or traditions, this idea won’t disappoint.

QuiltFabrication Susan’s designed a fantastic coaster idea; they can’t get any prettier or more festive than that. Using her easy tutorial, which includes lots of pictures, you’ll be making lots of these to tuck in Christmas stockings this year. The people on your Christmas list will be thanking you for sure.

 Saturday, July 22nd

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah gives the next sewing assignment for Santa’s Trip Around the World Quilt Along which is a repeat of the past two days. She’s also found some great kid’s Christmas craft ideas which are fun for kids of any age including those of us who are young at heart.

 Devoted Quilter Leanne’s been freely sewing with her machine and has stitched up some quilty tree ornaments. Bonus: you can practice your free-motion quilting at the same time.

 Kathy’s Kwilts and More Kathy shows how easy making a pillow cover is. You might be able to stitch up several in an afternoon following her directions unless you decide to use one to lay down and take a nap.

All Points of the Compass Jean’s post is really a hoot! She’s sewing some parliament members that are looking really wide-eyed and fun. Who wouldn’t want to sew one on the front of a bag? Who wouldn’t want to stitch one for a banner or flag? Who wouldn’t want to receive a pillow cover with one on the front? (Jean’s been tracking all the bloggers through the hop. Her posts are really fun to read.)

 Sunday, July 23rd

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Today’s assignment is just as I suspected; finishing the final quarter for the Santa’s Trip Around the World Quilt so be prepared for a new assignment tomorrow. Sarah’s also sharing a bunch of ideas for cute. little gifts to give quilters. You may just want to make one of each for yourself, too.

 Mel’s Quilting Blog Meloney’s sharing a trio of little gift ideas that are perfect for teachers, or guild members, or neighbors. No one on your list needs to be left crying or looking for a tissue. Go see for yourself.

Resourceful Momma Mel persevered some obstacles to create a cute little project for the hop. She’s even offering it as a free pattern download. Those of you who enjoy embroidery or want to learn, this is your chance to create a cute center block for your wall hanging, table topper, or pillow cover. Who can resist that impish smile?

Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting If you haven’t come up with an idea or two for Christmas this year, stop by Cheryl’s blog. Her post is filled with suggestions and examples, that should please someone on your list. Make a few extras, just in case you forgot to check it twice!

 Monday, July 24th

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.

 Tuesday, July 25th

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah has a list of all the bloggers that are doing a final wrap-up of this season, too. She’s provided a linky so you can showcase your Santa’s Trip Around the World if you were sewing along. You don’t have to be finished, just show what you’ve done.

 Christina’s Handicrafts Christina has been dabbling in small pieces, too. She’s got a couple of super cute projects to show. You might like to try making them, too.

Abyquilts Stars are an important part of Christmas and Aby has one to show and share. Star quilts will soon be twinkling all over blogland thanks to Aby and her free pattern.

Kathy’s Kwilts and More Kathy’s back with more to show and she’s even brought a guest. She’s helping her granddaughter sew a special gift for her doll. Kathy’s extending her love of sewing as well as her love of giving. That’s one lucky little girl.

 

11 thoughts on “Tu-Na Quilts: The Day After Christmas in July

  1. Pat T.

    Wow! Thank you, Karen, for the recap of all the wonderful ideas, projects, and tutorials!
    This post is exactly what I need, for future reference!
    (I was wondering just how I could best organize and save it all!)
    *Thank you!*
    Pat T.

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  2. Tami Von Zalez

    I pinned that block (my Pinterest Quiltspiration board) you now have in your block header – great minds think alike!
    I enjoyed reading your blog participant summaries. So glad I didn’t ask to join as a participant as I had major family-related stressors hit this month.
    In answer to your question at the end of your post, I shop after Christmas sales for jewelry for myself because I rarely receive presents that I like or want (you think my family would know me by now!) For my birthday in June, I bought myself a lapis lazuli necklace that I simply adore.

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  3. Nanc

    Hello! The Eiffel Tower always grabs my attention and I do like the new look! I’m so happy to have found your blog and hope you will add me to your list of new followers! Shop Hop starts the day after tomorrow!!!! Thank you for the list of participating blogs! A great idea!

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  4. karenfae

    I hate to be the Christmas party pooper but I do very little Christmas shopping and what I do I normally do on line. I do not like shopping period. My grandchildren want checks or gift cards, my daughters and son in laws want gift cards. My husband and I have everything we need or want so sometimes we agree to not get anything at all. Both my husbands family and my family are way too large to even think of exchanging presents with. So I do not do a lot of shopping but always hit sales either before or after the holidays

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  5. Patricia

    I have a list of projects, I will be doing from the hop. And I have added some new blog to follow. I don’t shop after Christmas sales, everyone is getting older and wants and sizes change to often.

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  6. piecefulwendy

    I love your new photos, especially the cone flower! I don’t shop after Christmas sales. I just hunker down and find some fun here at home. If you do the Shop Hop and you’re stopping in at Quilt Cove to meet Nancy, give me a heads up and I’ll buzz up and meet you!

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  7. Jean McKinstry

    How much time have you left after a post like this one!!! Details, links and so much more, this is a wonderful ” One Stop Listing” for us all to read again, and find which project was the one we really wanted to save but forgot where it was. Thanks so much. Yes, a little flat, still answering all those comments from new and old readers. And yesterday actually did the final two sewing projects that NEEDED to be done so soon. Just one more to go, a MOP that will fly to Utah!! ( I know you will work out the acronym very easily!!!) Whoohoo!!!

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  8. Rochelle Summers

    Thank you for your dedication during this Blog Hop. I had a great time, met a lot of bloggers I didn’t know were out there and found some great projects to work on. I don’t go out after Thanksgiving and not much after Christmas. Never thought I’d do it, but I shop on-line a lot…even for fabric!! Hope you can rest up for a day or two before the Shop Hop!!

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  9. rl2b2017

    Hi Karen,
    I usually read on WP Reader, but had to pop over to see your new header on your website. Very nice – I am not surprised at all to see the Eiffel Tower. I love that block that is in your header too – I think the fabrics are just striking. Really nice choices. I think you should do the MN shop hop. You’re taking a short break from posting so go see what’s new out there. Find some new must-dos. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  10. Kathleen McCormick

    What a wonderful group and set of entries it was. I lost track somewhere with my move but so impressed by the work you all did. Thank you!

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