Saturday, January 02, 2016

Happy New Year!


I started off this new year hanging out with, and cooking for, my family - an awesome first page of my 2016 book!

2015 ended with finally finishing 
Christmas gifts for the nieces and nephews - 11 pillowcases!
4 were made for the girls with an Olaf theme (from Frozen), 



and 7 for the boys and of course they had a Star Wars theme.




Here's the stack of finished pillowcases ready to wrap and put under the tree. That represents a lot of hours of effort right there!
It's been 16 years since I made these for all the kids, and since that batch I had learned how to make a french seam. That means there are no exposed or fraying seams. If you haven't tried that method yet, you can see a tutorial at Karen's Fabric Obsession.





Here's another one of my recent creations - a pickle tray.
I had fun finding unusual flavours and a variety of pickled vegetables. My niece made the labels for the tray. It was interesting to see which of the kids were game to try anything, and which wouldn't eat a single one!
Once the company leaves today, I will be heading to the quilting room to work on my mystery quilt. Did you see the exciting Allietare reveal? It's a gorgeous quilt and I can't wait to see how my version is going to come together!

9 comments:

Kate said...

Happy New Year Kathy! Very fun pillow cases, I bet they were all a hit. Hope you get some stitching in today. I've almost finished stitching my first couple of Allietare blocks. I'm hoping to have enough to show a corner of my quilt for Monday's linky.

Deanna W said...

Bet the kids love the pillow cases. I find it hard to do repetitive work like that...kudos to you 11 !!!! I am working away on the mystery. I am finished all the clues except #4 which I hear is the most work! hmmmm guess what I will be doing this weekend! Happy New Year friend!!

Teresa said...

I made pillow cases this year, but I only had to make 8. New pillows and cases are always a hit with my grandkids

Deb A said...

That tray looks so inviting! I am missing the nibbles I had planned for Christmas and have yet to have. I think we'll just have to do it for the next birthday... which is next week in our house. I'll bet they love the pillowcases.

Mary said...

Pillowcases are always a welcome gift. I use my serger so I don't do the French seams. Choosing and cutting the fabric is the hardest part. Pickle tray? I'm not to adventurous on that. I spent New Years Day with Family also. My Quiltville and MM 139 Mystery is calling me also. Thanks for sharing the link for the Merry Mayhem one.

scraphappy said...

Sounds like you are off to a great start for the new year. Beautiful pillowcases! I am sure they will be well used.

Janet O. said...

Very fun pillowcases. You are good to your nieces and nephews.
I've never seen such a variety of pickles together? Which was most popular--and which was least?

Edith said...

The pillow cases are great, the kids are going to love them. Pickles look yummy, wish I was there to help eat them.

Anonymous said...

Good girl on finishing up fun pillowcases as gifts. I must remember that idea for next year.