Christmas in July

 My Quilt Club meeting had a theme of Christmas in July.  We were shown how to make a folded Christmas Star, it seemed rather tricky to me.  And there was a special supper provided, that was much appreciated by the members.  The highlight of the evening to me was the special Christmas themed show and tell.  We were asked to bring a couple of Christmas items and talk about them - I took a Christmas table runner, and a Christmas quilt which had a particular memory for me.  What I found really interesting was that some of these things were made quite some time ago, and hold a very special place in the hearts of the now adult children in the family.  And if the Christmas items were not out on display each year, the visiting family wanted to know why!  It was so interesting having a close up look at everything on the tables and see exactly how they were put together.

Hand made Christmas items - I remember stitching one of those  fabric wreaths many years ago

 

I was intruiged with the white cable knitted wreath, never seen one like this before

There's plenty of bling on this Christmas tree

We were asked to help out with a Christmas project, stitching tiny Christmas felt stockings.  These will be hung on our club entry to the Avenue of Trees in December.  And as a really nice gesture, the pretty little stockings will then be removed from our tree, stuffed with a small chocolate bar, and then donated to the Food Bank.   We can decorate them however we want, and I took three sets home to work on.  

Red, white and green stocking to decorate

I've been thinking what to do, and made a start, but first I had to go to the LQS to purchase some red Perle No. 5 thread.  Luckily I already had green and white thread.  My idea is to buttonhole stitch around the stockings, but I really haven't had much experience in that.  Hopefully it will work out fine and I'll have more to show next time.

Ready to stitch those tiny stockings

And lastly, we were given a challenge, to stitch a bigger Christmas Stocking, and bring it back to the December meeting.  This will not be donated. but to keep for ourselves, or family.  Any colour, ideas, decoration, whatever we want to do, but it must be lined.  I'm looking forward to this challenge, and will make one for myself, as I've never had a Christmas Stocking.  Yes, I've been thinking about a few ideas for  this, and as it is a club challenge, it must be kept secret till the big reveal.  I'm looking forward to working on my very own Christmas Stocking.