Monday, January 5, 2009

Keeping Christmas

My husband commented on Sunday how bare the house looks with the Christmas decorations put away. It is bare, but it's also clean and feels to me like a fresh start. I am keeping a bit of Christmas with these winterberries and my first finish of the new year, these fun pillows made with embroidery panels that Michele, of Calico Daisy sent me.
This loopy quilting is a first for me. I love the look and it wasn't too difficult. Reminded me a bit of those days in school practicing cursive writing and making 100's of little e's.
The pillows (they're euro sham size) will replace these for awhile. My living room is aqua and brown and the pop of red is really refreshing and fun. Look closely at the panels...each is a house with a Christmasy saying...peace on earth and joyeux noel. A nice reminder of that Christmas feeling.
Michele has an embroidery business and will work with you to do just about anything you can imagine. These panels are just my style...simple and whimsical and I loved working with them. I can see them in a Christmas quilt too. Michele, I may want more of these. Contact Michele. She's creative, great to work with and can do not only panels for a quilt, but custom quilt labels or embroidery embellishments for just about anything. Check out Nanette's new header. Michele's embroidery appears there too. So cute! I'm sure Michele and I will be collaborating again soon.
The "Creamsicle Whirlygiggles" quilt is under the needle being quilted. I hope this one turns out. My seam ripper and I are getting a bit too familiar.

37 comments:

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Really, really, cute, love your "e's"

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

I love the red pop on your aqua/brown colors. I'm taking down Christmas today, but I'm inspired me to keep a little around too.

QuiltedSimple said...

I like these - I've never done "e" in quilting before - I'll have to try that. The embroidery on these is fantastic!
Kris

Unknown said...

oh wow - those cushions look wonderful, I am off to look at Michelle's work....

as for the seam ripper - it makes me feel so much better when someone like you (who is much cleverer than me!) has a good friend in the seam ripper. It makes me feel like I should keep soldiering on and one day I may (finally) grasp this quilting lark!

Anonymous said...

Your comment about the seam ripper killed me. I am not normally superstitious but I keep mine open and ready right next to the machine. Every time I put it away something happens. Keeping it out keeps me humble-doesn't keep me from having to use it though:) Crazy right?

Thanks too for the link to Michele's blog. I am looking forward to reading the posts there.

Unknown said...

Love the new look! Funny how red always seems to give a room or really anything that "pop". It really looks great. The quilting is fun! Oh and how I hate to unsew!

em's scrapbag said...

I agree once the Christmas decor is put away things feel cleaner and fresher. I just love your cute, cute pillows. Red is great for pop.

Patty said...

I love these pillows.

calicodaisy said...

Jacquie:
I'm so excited to see the embroideries worked into your pillows. The fabric choices and free motion quilting is what really makes them gorgeous!
-- Michele

Cami said...

love the loops quilting. Super cute! I need to break out of my comfort zone and try this. Super cute pillow!

Abby and Stephanie said...

CUTE pillows. I wouldn't put them away either. Love Michele's work. I'm going to have her do something for me but I'm still pondering the idea.

Leslie said...

Love the winterberries and your room is gorgeous. Looks like we have the same paint color

Amanda Jean said...

gorgeous pillows! i love adding a pop of red to a room.

Anina said...

The New Year always makes me want to decorate. Those pillows are lovely!

driftwood said...

ooh, how I love those curly e's!

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed looking back over your many projects! And you have me curious about your collaborative project....after all you participated in my project (and I have yet to finish mine :O) Maybe I should finish mine before I consider signing on to yours, especially if it's collaborative!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I think you're copying me! I have also been enjoying a close relationship with my seamripper! LOL!
I started making pillows for my living room this week, too. I am doing it kind of the same way you did, by quilting the front. Mine will actually be removeable (read: washable) pillow covers as there are some dirty filthy small people living in my house... :-)
Your pillows are very cute! I like the embroidery and the loopy quilting.

Victoria said...

The cushions look fabulous!

Regi said...

The pillows turned out wicked sweet, love the quilting on them!

Chookyblue...... said...

love the cuahions........must have a go at quilting again.......

jovaliquilts said...

Great pillows, but oh my gosh, I love your rug!!

Eileen said...

yes.. I keep my poinsettias as long as I can too.. it is nice to hang on to Christmas as long as we can.
Love the red in the livingroom. Red is always good!

Joanna said...

Oh how I love the blue/brown/red in your room. I have been agonizing over whether or not to paint my living room that color. I just love the whole red/aqua thing, and our couches are red leather, so it might be kind of fun!

And I LOVE your loopy quilting! You are getting so good at quilting now!!

Sherri said...

The pillows are gorgeous...love the loopy quilting...and yes, you don't want to spend TOO much time with your seam ripper!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jacquie,
what a lovely pillows...
I had inspired by you in making quilt pillow (because your pillows are always cute and awesome to me), now still in progress. I'll upload the photos tomorrow, maybe. Thanks Jacquie :)

Kate said...

Love the pillows and the quilting - they are very cheerful!

Sara said...

You never fail to inpsire me (no pressure :)). You were key in re-lighting the fire under my backside to get me back to quilting / sewing. In fact, I started a blog and mentioned you in my very 1st entry!
http://itsjustonemore.blogspot.com/

Levin said...

our lounge room looks sad without the Christmas tree - there's a great big hole there now!
but like you, i love the fact that it's clean and tidy again.
love the new pillows - i really need to try machine quilting myself!
l
x

Beth said...

LOVE the quilting (and the rug)!!

bettyninja said...

Love those little pillows!

Rebekah said...

those pillows are so cute and the winterberries look so cheery!

Amy said...

Thanks for the great links. I've got some surfing to do.

I love the loopy quilting and the cheerful pillows.

audreypawdrey said...

I really like these pillows. The embroidery is fabulous and I love the quilting you did. I may have to try it! I am slowly taking down Christmas myself...

Marie' said...

Again, I just love your living room. Do you mind me asking where you got the uneven red polka dot fabric?

MightyMom said...

love the loopyloops!!

Darcie said...

That red does make a fun pop to brown and aqua. Very hip! Congrats...and you're only a few days into 2009! Well done.

susan said...

your cushions are fab
you have given me inspiration to try that stitch....so far i have only been successful at a big zigzag. wish me luck!