Before there were electric lights, piles of wax held candles on the branches of Christmas trees. Once they were all lit the tree was ablaze with light. Literally, many Christmas trees and homes burned to the ground because of this practice. You’ll be relieved to know that this block will light up your quilt the modern way.

This cute block pattern was designed by Laura of Slice of Pi Quilts. It is available free only through January 15, 2018 so don’t delay, download it today here on her blog. Grab some fabric and sew up this block to enter to win some prizes. Details are below.

This is a quick block to sew. The directions are quite easy and straightforward but I do have a couple of tips. 

Yes, I put ric rac on my block! Would you expect anything else? The string of lights was perfect for the ric rac. I laid it on my square of fabric and then ironed it before hand stitching it at the hills and valleys. The ironing made the fibers in the ric rac relax making it easier to make the rounded curves.

After printing out your pattern, check to make sure the test square is exactly an inch. You can see by the photo below that mine is.

To get it this way, I had to adjust the printing. First, I had to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program on my new computer to open pdfs. Then I was able to check the box so that I was printing it at 100% to get it the correct size. If you are not finding printing size options, make sure you are not just opening your pdfs with your web browser. It also helps that I had a very knowledgeable and computer savvy husband. Now if he could just figure out why my keyboard freezes. 

You will need fusible web for this pattern. I like Lite Steam a Seam 2 (no affiliate). It sticks well but is positional before ironing.  I usually use my 50% or 60% off coupons at JoAnn’s Fabrics for this item.

Giveaway for completing this block

Once you’ve finished your Christmas Lights block, enter the giveaway by doing one of the following:

• post a picture on the party link on Laura’s blog, Slice of Pi.
• post a picture on the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook page 
• post a picture on Instagram and tag # #iwishyouamerryqal.

You have until December 18th at 11.59 PM to link or post your pic to be entered to win. It’s really not too late to start quilting a-long with us if you’re finding you’re just now getting into the spirit. These blocks go together quickly.

 Thank you Make Modern and Sandy Star Designs  for these splendid prizes.

Grand Prize Alert

At the end of the QAL there will be a link to download a picture of your finished quilt. Each of the other hosts will have a link on their setting instruction post also publishing today. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must make a quilt top using all twelve of the QAL blocks by January 16th, 2018 and entering by posting a picture

• post a picture on any of the host blogs listed below
• post a picture on the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook page 
• post a picture on Instagram and tag # #iwishyouamerryqal.

Thank you to all these sponsors for prizes.

Here’s all my blocks so far.

To find info on where to download the patterns, view my blocks, and read some construction tips, check out my links below. Remember, they are free only through January 15, 2018.

• Block 1 – This one is almost done. But until I post about it, you can find the pattern for block one-snowflake here
• Block 2 – Christmas Tree Farm here
• Block 3 – Santa’s Belt here
• Block 4 – Christmas Memories (ornaments) here
• Block 5 – Snowman here
• Block 6 – Angel here
• Block 7 – Poinsettia here
• Block 8-Presents here
• Block 9-Reindeer Games here
• Block 10-Christmas Lantern here
• Block 11- North Star here

Meet the rest of the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Hosts as they reveal their version of this block

• Pretty Piney
• Sparkle On
• JANDA Bend Quilts
• Snowy Days Quilting
• Cwilt
• The Inquiring Quilter
• Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats    You are here. Thanks for stopping by.
• Slice of Pi Quilts  Here’s the creative designer behind the twelfth block. You can find her pattern and full tutorial here on her blog and find the linky party to post your finished block for a chance to win prizes.
• SandyStar Designs
• Powered by Quilting
• Quilt in Piece

Block Release Schedule

• Setting Instructions – December 5, 2017 (Mine may be posting a tad later but do see all the above links for their setting ideas).

Big Announcement!!!

For those of you who are sad because this is the end of the blocks and our quilt-a-long, there is good news. I’d like to share this bit of info I received.

“We’re excited to announce that we will be doing a Fall themed quilt-a-long in 2018! We’re still ironing out the details, but we’ll let you know more as soon as we do. Announcements about the next quilt-a-long will be made right here on the blog, as well as in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook group.”  I’ll keep you posted.

What I Learned Today:

1. There are only 20 days until Christmas. It’s a good thing I’ve decided to simplify.
2. Simplifying is easy to say but hard to do.

Question: How do you decorate the outside of your house for the holidays? We don’t do a lot of outside decorating but do like to put a few strands of clear lights around our gazebo. We’ve also added loops of green evergreen boughs and large red bows to the rails. Last year I posted pics of decorated cacti and yards each day for two weeks before Christmas. I plan to do the same this year. In the meantime, enjoy this pic I took a couple of years ago in our neighborhood. 

If you enjoyed this post and would like to read more about my journey or follow me by email, Bloglovin or WordPress, please subscribe using one those options found in the sidebar on this blog, Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts

Linking to:

Block 12 Linky at Slice of Pi Quilts

Linky Tuesday at Free Motion by the River

WIPs at Silly Mama Quilts

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilt

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict