12 Days of Best Christmas Quilts Blog Tour

I am thrilled to be participating in the 12 Days of Best Christmas Quilts Blog Tour. If you are new to my blog - WELCOME!! This is where I share my crazy but crafty life as a mom, quilter, knitter, gardener and a deep love of books. I also have a podcast where I chat about all of that and more a few times a month: Crafty Garden Mom on iTunes.

I was so honored to have not one but two projects in Quilters Newsletter's special issue: Best Christmas Quilts. I’m so proud to be a part of this magazine as it is full of beautiful quilt patterns and projects for the holidays. Each of the 28 projects include step-by-step instructions. The issue went on sale on August 21st and is available at newsstands, fabric stores, and quilt shops around the country. It is not included in a QN subscription, but at $9.99 US/CAN for 28 patterns, what a value!

You'll find my first project, Selvage Christmas Tree Mug Rugs, on page 21. I have been intrigued and charmed by the colorful selvages that come in much of the quilt fabric on the market today. I've been saving a lot of it up to use in various projects but one day it struck me that little circles look like the bright Christmas ornaments we decorate the tree with every year. Why not add them as a fun element in a quilt project? This pattern is very simple to put together, as the tree is a foundation pieced block. These mug rugs will make great stocking stuffers and teacher gifts, so make a bunch up now and pull them out as the holiday season begins.

My second project, Christmas String, can be found on pages 22-23. This is a mini quilt using fusible applique (you could also hand applique these motifs on of course) and a simple embroidered backstich for the string and ornament hooks. I used a swirl motif for the free motion quilting in the background, and outlined each of the ornaments with black thread.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Quilter's Newsletter is making this holiday-themed blog tour even more merry by offering this fat quarter bundle of Star Flakes & Glitter by Tina Givens to one lucky winner.  

To enter, leave a friendly comment on this blog post before 11:59 pm MDT tonight, August 31, 2012, for a chance to win the fabric bundle! GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED I will draw one name at random. One comment per person, please. Open to those who haven’t won something from Quilter’s Newsletter in the last 90 days. Make sure you are not a no-reply commenter, or be sure to include your email address in the comment box so QN can contact you when you win!! The winner will be announced on this blog by 9/1.

Good luck and thanks for stopping by on the tour!

CGM