Quilts – Or Wrapped in a Blanket of Love

There’s just something special about handmade quilts.  When I was a little girl, my grandmother made both my sister and I quilts for our bed, made from scraps of clothing from my mother.  I remember going to bed that Christmas Eve, sleeping under my grandmother’s quilt, all wrapped in love.  Later, she made my mother a huge king size quilt with scraps of clothing from both of us girls.  Since my mom and grandmother made most of our clothes, it was even more special.  We used to sit on Mom’s bed, and be able to tell the stories each of each square.  Later, when I married, my grandmother made me a wedding quilt.  It’s 27 years old, but it’s been on my bed ever since.  It’s starting to become worn in spots, and you have to be extra careful when pulling up the covers, but it’s a daily reminder of the love we shared. 

My mother started quilting when she retired 10 years ago.  She began making baby quilts, and sold a few here and there.  She combines machine embroidery with her quilting.  Far from a traditionalist, Mom has found her niche in more modern, free-style quilting.  These are a far cry from the familiar patchwork quilts we grew up with.  Mom has carried on the tradition of making quilts for her grandchildren.  All three have  beautiful, personalized quilts crafted from love.  Though they aren’t made from clothing scraps, the fabrics and patterns reflect the personalities  of each grandchild.  

I’ve even tried my hand at quilting and have taken home blue ribbons from the county fair for my small lap quilts and wall hangings.  I love designing them and piecing them together, but I hate finishing them!  I have several  hanging about in a closet, just waiting for me to have the patience to bind them. That’s the main reason I love papercrafting; I can start something and finish it in a short amount of time!

Needless to say, when I saw the Christmas Quilt bundle (available starting September 1st), I knew it was going to be at the top of my list.  Last night was the 1st chance I’d gotten to play with it, and it did not disappoint.  There are so many possibilities and patterns.   There’s a whole Christmas Quilt Suite, with a 6″x 6″ stack of Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper, and a Quilt Top embossing folder.  If only quilting the top of a quilt were that quick and easy!  

I know I’m going to be using this bundle throughout the holiday season.  Find out more about this entire suite, by watching this video.  Then, contact me, to get yours. 

1. I followed the very same directions on making the quilted star you saw in the video above.  First, stamp outline in Garden Green on Layer 7.  Then, stamp the polka dot pattern in Lemon Lime Twist, and the stripe pattern in Pool Party.  Cut out with the star framelit, and add the stitching with the stitching framelit.  Adhere to Layer 6 with a dimensional.
2. The rest of the layers are  just layered on top of each other. 
3. Add Clear Faceted gem to center.