All is Swell

The one project I needed for Christmas is finally finished and just in the St. Nick of time--a Christmas Patchwork Blankie for my sweet Granddaughter, Micah Rose, to celebrate her very first Christmas. As mentioned in a previous post, a patchwork blankie is just a simple quilt top with a backing of Minky or any other plush fabric with no batting in between.

The top was made with mostly a mix of David Walker and Anne Kelle Christmas fabrics and I just love the bright, happy prints and wanted to keep the patches big.  The blocks measure 8" (finished)  and are just two 4"x8" finished rectangles sewn together and are laid out in an offset pattern so there were not too many seams to match.

The bright red Minky is embossed with stars and I lightly quilted with meandering lines.  The Christmas Patchwork Blankie measures 48" x 64" which is way larger than my other blankies and I made it bigger so either Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and maybe Grandpa can cuddle with Micah.  I'll be spending Christmas with Micah and family and I am going to make sure this blankie is going to be put to good use.

The blankie took a little longer than expected only because I somehow got distracted with a DREAMi project which probably was due to my experiencing withdrawal symptoms from having finished my Smitten quilt which involved a lot of handwork and time.  I decide to spend some time sorting some of the scrap strips accumulated from die-cutting which involves deciding which strips should be used for weaving, twining, bead making, etc. I love being able to use these scrap strips because I can't bear discarding them and was really happy to find a use for the thin strips that are 1/4" to just under 1/2" wide which is the perfect size for making fabric twine.  I've been making fabric twine for several years now after finding a tutorial on Pinterest, (you can read about it here) and have made several balls of fabric twine which has been sitting around in my studio.  I keep my twining strips in an upcycled bag which was made from a goat feed bag by Mary Etherington and given to me several years ago.

I suppose I could have used my fabric twine balls for decoration by arranging them in a basket or jar but got an idea thanks to my hubby's gentle prodding to finally do something with the empty Oatmeal containers which I asked him to save and they've been accumulating in the garage. Hubby started putting the empty containers in my studio right next to the bag of twine which inspired me to finally make what I think is a pretty nice upcycle project.

Aren't these fun?  They just make me smile.  And they make my heart feel good to turn scraps and waste into something useful.  All I did was lightly coated the containers with fabric glue maybe, an inch at a time, and wrapped the fabric twine around the glued area.  I've only made two from the Quaker Oak containers and the other oatmeal container will be different since the lid closes on the outside and not the inside like the Quaker Oats containers which I also covered the lid with fabric twine to hide the label.  I'm not sure how the other containers are going to look since I can't add twine all the way up to the top since I have to leave room for the lid.   I'm calling these my Fabri-Can Cans and I definitely have the twine and the containers to make more.  I think these would look cute with  a chalkboard tag hanging on the outside.  It's a project I can do upstairs while watching TV since I still have some series I have to finish watching.   I have made fabric twine while traveling in the car but it is messy so it's best to have a plastic bag on your lap or on the table while you're twining.   It's too bad I didn't think of this sooner for the holiday seasons but there's always next year to give them to those who may appreciate a quirky gift.  As you can see, my Fabri-Can Can is holding my Christmas chocolates and would be perfect to hold treats for the pets.  I'm thinking I should send one to Mary Etherington since she wasn't too excited about making fabric twine.  I'm planning to give the other can to Micah which I think she might like to play with it; the texture of the twine feels really nice.  I think I can make another one in time for a White Elephant gift for the annual New Years Eve Bingo games with the Peeps.

Otherwise, before I call it a year, I have to quilt my Splash of Color Quilt (I think this mural which was outside of the restaurant I was having lunch at in downtown Chicago today was a nice reminder of the QAL) and make some blocks for the Covered in Love's December Block Drive.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season and enjoy your time with family and friends.  And hopefully there will be some gifts for you which will bring you some quilt joy.  I know I have some wonderful fabrics waiting for me underneath the tree.

Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth!

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Thursday Needle and Thread, Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Busy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday