Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to the third day of

Christmas in July Blog Hop 

hosted by Carol Swift of Just Let Me Quilt.  

Today is my reveal day and I'm so excited to show you what I've been working on.  I always try to start my Christmas projects during the summer.  The weather here is always HOT in the summer and venturing outside is just not an option.  Staying indoors under a cool air conditioner is the only way to survive.  And what could be better than getting a head start on Christmas!

It's no secret -- 

I love snowmen!

For my project, I decided to make Snowman Gift Swap Quilt by Cleo and Me.  It's not a new pattern, but one I have always wanted to make.  Carol's Blog Hop was just the nudge I needed to complete this adorable lap quilt.

This is a quick and easy quilt made up of 12 snowball blocks.  The snowmen's top hats are quickly constructed from differently sized rectangles.

 A simple strip separates the rows of snowmen and creates a secondary design.

Once the snowmen blocks are assembled, there is a little embroidery and applique necessary to finish them.

Each snowman gets an appliqued carrot nose and button eyes.  Instead of using fusible web, I dot a little Elmer's glue on the wrong side of the nose to hold it in place while I zip around it with a straight stitch on the sewing machine.  The button eyes are sewed on next.

Three strands of black embroidery floss are used to make a cross-stitch mouth.

The gift is appliqued next and then the arms.

To finish the blocks, you need to make 6 yoyo's and sew them to the gift boxes.  Finish with buttons sewn in each center.

Next comes the border and binding and this little quilt is done.  The overall quilt is 36 1/2" x 48 1/2" and perfect for snuggling under on a chilly evening.  I can't wait!

And what is Christmas without Gingerbread cookies?  

HO HO HO

Although I'm not very fond of eating gingerbread, I do love making them out of felt.  Won't this make a cute package topper?  I found a similar one on Pinterest and had to make some for my grandkids.  Of course you have to start in July to get them all done by Christmas!

To make this little guy, I found a free gingerbread man pattern that measured about 4" wide and 5" tall and traced it onto freezer paper.  I ironed the freezer paper to tan felt, then cut out 2.  I used a decorative stitch on my sewing machine to sew the 2 pieces together.

The alphabet beads come from Michaels and were strung together on a 6-strand piece of red floss which I sewed to each hand.  Next I sewed two baby buttons to the chest.   Last I used Tulip Slick paint to make the face and set it aside to let it dry overnight.

I think my grandkids will love their individualized little cookie guys.

Thank you, Carol, for hosting this fun blog hop!  It's always a joy to get together with this group of talented quilters and see what they pull out of their scrap bags! 

Thanks so much for stopping by 

and be sure to visit the other bloggers.  

You're in for a treat! 

July 25

Quilt Doodle Designs

Kwilty Pleasures

Creative Blonde

Just Because Quilts -- you are here

Vicki's Crafts and Quilting

Quilter in Motion

Made by Marney

Until next time!