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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Christmas Jar Challenge

Last year mt quilt club announced a secret challenge.  We were to bring in some fabric in a jam jar, with our name under the lid so you didn't know who it belonged to.  The idea was for another club member to take your jar home, make whatever they liked from your fabric, adding one other fabric if necessary, and bring it back on the last club night of the year.  This is the anonymous jar I chose to take home, it had an interesting mix of colours inside.

Wonder what's in here?

Tucked inside was a lovely piece of linen type floral fabric.  As soon as I saw it, my mind was made up, I was going to make a tote bag.  My extra fabric was purchased, turquoise Grunge for the back, straps, and lining of the bag.  I started work on this project straight away, and this is what I came up with.


  Bag front

I used the pieces of fabrics provided, making an inside pocket on the lining, and using this pretty floral strip down the back of the bag.  And I must say, I'm rather pleased with how it all came together.


Back of the bag

It's just as well I finished this project in good time, as Robin passed away in late November and I didn't feel that I could attend the Christmas meeting.  This bag was dropped off to the recipient, and challenge was delivered to me last week, thanks to the Sew Wot girls involved.

I had filled my jar with New Zealand themed fabrics, and was thrilled with what I received back.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the club member would make me a rope basket.  Such a lot of work, and it was beautifully done.  Colleen had placed the beautiful native Tuis in the base of the basket.  The early settlers named these parson birds because of the white feathers at their throats.


My beautiful rope basket

Collen had also made me two lovely little coasters.  I think her creativity and skill is amazing indeed.


Rope basket and two coasters

In my view, the Christmas challenge was very sucessful.  I'm pleased with what I made although  it was a big responsibility making something really special from the jam jar fabrics.  And I'm over the moon with what I received back, thanks again to Colleen.

18 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

Lovely creative gifts, both made and received! What a great idea for a challenge.

Janice said...

What a fantastic idea. I’d be a bit intimidated as to what to make. Both of your projects have turned out beautifully.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the rope basket is beautiful!! what a good gift! and your tote bag turned out so great too

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

What a fun guild challenge. The tote that you made looks fabulous ; it is so great that the fabrics immediately inspired you . And the rope basket is darling. Enjoy your day, Jenny.

Julierose said...

What a beautiful bag; I envy you gals that can put those together--i am not very good at things like that!!:(((
That rope basket is so special--what a lovely surprise for you...enjoy
Hugs, Julierose

Maureen said...

I’d both you and Colleen rose to this challenge! Beautiful and very useful projects both.
God bless you

Jackie said...

Both were very creative. You and Colleen made the challenge perfect.

God bless.

loulee said...

Beautiful exchange gifts.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely thing to do! Good for you. I hope you are doing well.

Maria said...

What a fabulous challenge Jenny.
Lovely bag you made for your partner from the jar 🫙 and your gifts made by Colleen are gorgeous. Great to use the bird as a feature.

kiwikid said...

That is a wonderful challenge, love your bag and the bowl and coasters are stunning.

Karen S said...

What an interesting challenge. I am so pleased you were organised and finished early.
Great idea with the bag you made. that worked really well with the fabrics.
And that is a lovely basket that you received.

Tired Teacher said...

Both projects are fantastic!

Lianne Makes Stuff said...

What a great idea and 2 beautiful gifts

ButterZ said...

I love that idea of the filled jars for the challenge. You received a beautiful bowl and coasters. I have always wanted to try to make those baskets/bowls. You could also make some jams or pickles/relish to fill the jar and give as a gift too.

nestki said...

Your bag turned out beautifully, and so did the basket. This jar idea is quite successful!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Such beautiful gifts...given and received, Jenny.

Lyndsey said...

The tote bag you made for this challenge is delightful and I'm sure very much appreciated. The rope basket made for you is amazing, so beautifully made. I really need to try making one.