The final snowmen and more hand quilting

As I was stashing away some Christmas gifts today I realized that I had snowmen quilty things in yet another room.  This little pillow was made many years ago for my youngest son's bedroom. I believe the snowman pattern came from a Thimbleberries Christmas book.  Now he has a perfect winter home in our tiny guest room.

 And here is the quilt on the bed in the same room.  This is about the only bedroom that always has a quilt on the bed, which I change often.  Sorry you can't really see the quilt, I'll have to get a better picture. :)

 Snowman Country is quilted, embellished and bound and now hanging in the guest room awaiting the arrival of the youngest son.  I wonder if he will remember making those snowmen on the bed when he was in elementary school.  They were projects we made during Christmas craft day in 2nd and 3rd grade.  One year we made the pillows, the next the little beanie baby to match.  I cut and sewed all the fleece snowmen and had the kids stuff and sew the opening closed.  I also cut all the noses and black circles and scarves and they then just had to glue on the faces and buttons and tie on the scarf.  I did this for 3 classes, so about 60 kids.  Hard to believe now but I really miss those days!!!

I know I've shown this one before but I can't resist showing it once again.  I love hand quilting this during the holidays, not a Christmas quilt but it says Christmas to me.  I'm starting to move around the edges but still a long way to go.  Maybe a finish by next year!

Snowmen top complete

I finished the Snowman Country top today and I am really happy with how it turned out.  Using the white as sashing really seemed to brighten it up and somehow makes it look a bit more modern.  Unfortunately I haven't got enough of any one fabric for a backing so I will have to put my thinking cap on for a pieced back. I'm really trying hard to use fabric in my stash these days and so far I haven't bought anything new for this one, but I have a pretty big stash so I shouldn't have any trouble coming up with something!

The snowmen are home

 Finally the snowmen and I are home and as I had hoped they are all ready to be put together.

These have been fun and quick. Just the thing for the past week.

And here they are all up on the design wall awaiting sashing.

The original pattern called for scrappy sashing with cornerstones in a different color and my original intent when I started was to have black sashing, made with many different fabrics and then red corner stones.  But seeing it up on the design wall I like this lighter look and have decided to go in a different direction.  Can't wait to get started cutting to see how it turns out.  Sometimes you just have to listen to the quilt!

Snowman Country continues

Here are a few more of the blocks from "Snowman Country" that I have been working on during my son's recovery.

 Thanks to everyone who sent good thoughts and kind words.  His surgery went well and he is progressing nicely.  This surgery involved bone grafting and moving more teeth. His jaw was crushed in a car accident 2 years ago and he has is still missing his 4 upper front teeth.  Doctors are working on improving his bite and preparing him for implants, hopefully in a few months. 

 Another holiday of soft foods and lots of cooking for me to keep his weight up.  It is very difficult for him to eat, nothing that needs to be bitten into and with a poor bite, lots of easy chew foods.  I've become a creative cook, using lots of ground meats, mashed potatoes and pasta, soups and stews and these trips keep me pretty busy.  But I've still had plenty of time for some hand sewing and I am happy with how this little snowman quilt is turning out.

Sorry that these  2 photos are sideways, not sure why or how to fix them but you get the idea.

Hope to be heading home tomorrow and to have this put together soon. I really enjoy working on Bunnyhill patterns, so easy and fun and a change from my more "serious" work and during this busy holiday season its good to have something relaxing at my fingertips.

Happy Stitching to all!

Snowmen for the road

 For Thanksgiving next week I am headed out of town to be with my youngest son while he undergoes another surgery, so I've been prepping some handwork to take.  Since I want it to be easy and happy work, I decided on this "Snowman Country" pattern by Bunny Hill Designs that I have had lying around for awhile.  I couldn't resist sewing this first block (still needs embroidery) and starting the second.

But at this rate I'd have them done before I leave so I'll just prep the rest for now.  Hopefully this will be a fun and festive little distraction between my cooking and nursing duties!