Friday, December 20, 2019

My Stop for the Holiday Favorites Blog Hop....

To all Quilters in all corners of the world!


And, a big ole' Merry Christmas from
East Central Missouri in the Heartland
of the United States of America!
Home of Kevin the Quilter,
and the Quilt Cave.

Welcome one and all
to my blog and 
to the final stop,
 my stop,
during the......

Special thanks specifically to my friend Lori of
Humble Quilts for organizing this event,
and to all of the wonderful bloggers
who have contributed
to this
festive read throughout
the Christmas season.
I know I have enjoyed reading each and every blog
post from the following bloggers:














Truthfully, there is nothing I can share
with you all that my fellow bloggers
haven't already shared
in their own
beautiful way.

However, in retrospect,
I have come up with some of my
own personal Holiday Favorites
that I would like to share with you all.

My family has ALWAYS been
close and celebrated Christmas
together.
This photo is of a 2-3 year old
Kevin the Quilter
along with my sis
and my maternal Grandma.
Notice the tinsel tree?

Music has ALWAYS been a huge part
of the Christmas season 
for me and my family.
Listening to old records,
singing in Church,
performing in Christmas plays
and Handel's Messiah,
music is ALWAYS present
during this time of year.
I know several people who don't
like listening to Christmas music
 for various reasons.
As for me, I think it is some of the
happiest, and most beautiful music
ever made.  I would gladly listen to it
at most any point in the year!  LOL

And, my beautiful mother always
sings a song she made up....
"Christmastime is secret time...."
She has sang this to my
family for years, or
any time she goes shopping
or starts wrapping presents.
It's always fun taking my
parents (on the right)
 Christmas shopping.
This year, we ran into
my aunt and uncle
on the left.
Can you believe my
mom and uncle are twins?


As for decorating here at
the Quilt Cave......

I used to be quite elaborate.....
This was at the old house,
circa 2014.

 I still decorate to an extent.

The nativity is a huge part of my
Christmas Celebration.


As far as decorating with quilts....
well, that has been happening
in my family for quite some time.
As most of you know,
I come from a family of quilters.

Giving and receiving quilts at
Christmastime is a part of my heritage.

I received this beautiful quilt for
Christmas when I was
12 years old in 1986 from my
Aunt Mae.  She had a profound influence
upon me in the quilting and cooking
departments.
I certainly didn't receive my "scrappy"
quilt gene from her though and you
can tell that from this gorgeous quilt
above.

"I came from a time when we had to
make due with EVERYTHING,
and if I don't HAVE to now,
Ima notta gonna!" Aunt Mae
She always told me this when
we talked about her quilt
making adventures.

This is the
 guest room at the Quilt Cave.
I love decorating with this quilt
as it reads more "winter" than
Christmas.

Even if a quilt is not necessarily
classified as a "Christmas quilt,"
simply by adding jolly
pillows, and a
jolly pup.....
et voila.......
instant Christmas cheer!

This quilt hung over
the railing
has special meaning
as it is the very first quilt
I ever made for myself!
I used Bonnie Hunter's
"Talkin' Turkey" pattern, and
Bonnie herself signed the label
for me!


Mr. and Mrs. Chicken
keep watch over the
Christmas trees while
sitting atop a piece of an antique
quilt a friend gave to me.
It is sized perfectly for this table.
The sleigh at the bottom
has been used to keep
Christmas cards as
they are received
for many years now.

Vintage Santa salt and pepper
shakers that were my Aunt Mae's,
adorn the table this time of year.
I also love sending and receiving
vintage Christmas cards.

Baking while decorating
and wrapping gifts occur
 this time of year.
This is fresh Apple Danish
made the easy way with
refrigerator crescent rolls
and fresh, homemade
apple butter.

Cooking hearty, savory meals
with rosemary fills the house
with the aroma of hearth
and home.

A quilted tree skirt courtesy
of a good quilting friend
is the perfect finishing touch
for this Christmas tree.

Over sized ornaments
hung on door knobs
dress up even the most
over looked yet regularly
used objects.

Thanks to Cousin Phyllis,
my grandma's treadle sewing
machine is decorated this
Christmas.
(The treadle belonged to my
maternal grandmother who is
pictured with me and my sis
when we were small children above.)

A woolen stocking
atop antique quilts
on a quilt rack proclaims
"Christmas is near!"

Old wreaths hung in place
with twine from hay bales
are in various locations
around the outdoors here
at the Quilt Cave.

As for Christmas Eve....
we must hear Dad read the
true Christmas story to us.


As for Christmas Day....
It is NEVER complete
without a slice of
homemade Red Velvet Cake.
Boxed cake mix will NEVER do!
This is genuine homemade
all the way...usually
by my Sis.

And, Christmas Day
is definitely not
complete without
MY FAMILY!


And, nothing.......
NOTHING...
can ever replace my favorite 
holiday memories I have in my
heart this time of year.



In closing, I would like to share with you
one of my more popular tutorials....... 
"Oh, Christmas Tree"
Mini Quilt

I am going to share the pattern I came up with
for these great little holiday presents.
I hope you enjoy it, and make some for your
friends this Christmas season.
They are quick, easy, AND.....
they use up the smallest of bits in your scraps!

You can create a mini quilt like I have or
you could insert some insulbright to make them into potholders.
There are a ton of different ways to embellish
or display them.

I hope you enjoy this mini tutorial
and whip some up for your quilty friends this
Christmas!

You all KNOW I am NOT high tech!
Fortunately, this little project isn't either.
There is no pdf,
so, just jot down the measurements.

For each "Oh, Christmas Tree"
mini quilt
you will need the following.....
working from your smallest bits of scraps......

For the Christmas tree.....
1: 1.5" square of yellow (star)
1:  1.5" square of brown (trunk)
14: 1.5" squares of green (branches)

For the background.....
I used neutrals, but, you can use any color...
(I probably wouldn't use green though! LOL)
2: 1.5" x 8.5" strips
4:  1.5" x 4" strips
2:  1.5" x 3.5" strips
2:  1.5" x 3" strips
2:  1.5" x 2.5" strips
2:  1.5" x 2" strips

Each tree block will be roughly 
8.5" wide x 8.25" height
before quilting.
Lay out block before assembling. 

Assembly:

These are your top and bottom rows.

2nd row from top.....the star

3rd row

4th row......isn't this fun?

5th row

6th row using up all those bits of green

7th row.....the trunk

You can strip piece 1.5" strips if you would like.
I just enjoyed working from the very
bottom of the scrap chain using 
little bits.
Do what works best for you, but, 
use variety!

Sew strips together in the proper order.
Here I sewed two strips together at a time.....

And before long.......

TAAAAAAA DAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!
A cute litte Christmas tree block you can have fun with.

To finish mine, I cut a 10" square of backing fabric,
and a 10" square of batting
then I stitched in the ditch on each of them.

Squared them up, and then
I used 1: 2.25" strip width of fabric to 
bind each little quilt.


ENJOY!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
Let me know if you make some!
Thanks for visiting me during the
Holiday Favorites
Blog Hop!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Keep on Quilting!
Kevin the Quilter

43 comments:

  1. Thanks for wrapping up the blog hop with so many wonderful memories. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
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      Email > leads.sellers1212@gmail.com
      Telegram > @leadsupplier
      ICQ > 752822040

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      Delete
  2. Merry Christmas Kevin to you and your family!
    Peace and Love in 2020

    ReplyDelete

  3. Thanks for the tour, have a blessed Christmas celebration with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful post and a terrific way to end our blog hop!
    I'm a huge fan of the fun primitive wool stocking!
    Merry Christmas friend!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so excited to add you to my blog roll list! Your post made me feel so happy and very much in the Christmas spirit! I love you low tech instructions, it looks easy and fun! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How heartwarming! I can't wait to show Jana that you decorate with Chickens for Xmas. She will love it, we have a chicken sewing mascot that sews with us and goes on road trips to retreats. Have a fabulous,joyful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Merry Christmas, Kevin! Love the "Chicken Table" with the golden trees. Your post is beautiful and shows your love of family. Thanks for the mini tree pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful post sharing all your sweet connections of family and Christmas. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am new to your blog--I really enjoyed this tour of your Christmas decorated home and your photos.
    Warm wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  10. I loved everything you shared and plan to make your little Christmas tree quilt. Thanks for inviting us into your charming and festive home! Have a merry Christmas☺️💙☮️🙏🌀

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sweet view into your Christmasy world! Celebrating God's gift to us is dear to me as well. I hope your celebration is warmed by your loved ones again this year with good health and God's love. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Descubro tu blog gracias Lori y su iniciativa.
    Gracias por compartir tus recuerdos y decoración.
    Con tu permiso me hago seguidora.
    Felices Fiestas

    ReplyDelete
  13. Merry Christmas to you and your family Kevin! Very special post!
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  14. I so enjoy reading about your family antics at Christmas. They are so similar to mine (except that mine happened ever soooo long ago!). One of my favorite childhood memories is singing at church on Christmas Eve. But I really love the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" records you pictured. Great Christmas memories. And you certainly did not have to tell us that the pretty lady in the photo was your maternal grandmother. The resemblance to your mother is remarkable. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I Love your brown scrappy quilt the best. Is there a pattern? Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Merry Christmas! It's wonderful to hear how close some families are and to see what traditions are kept. I got a big smile when I saw the silver tree - a part of my childhood too for a few years. Your aunt's quilt gift to you is gorgeous and I'm sure you think of her every time you see that quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wishing you a magical Christmas, Kevin! Celebrating our Savior, treasuring tradition, and cherishing family - sounds like the perfect Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great, great Christmas post, Kevin! Thanks for opening the window to your world at home. Thanks for the mini quilt tutorial Wishing you a blessed Christmas! If you want a "new" (not vintage yet) handmade Christmas card, drop me your snail mail, might get there late.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Merry Christmas Kevin. What a cute little Christmas tree project.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Merry Christmas Kevin Thank for the Christmas tree project,what a great way to use up scraps,have a wonderful time with your famil,and a healthy new year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Not only do I remember those silver tinsel tress (with the colored lights to make them change color), I think gold living room curtains were pretty standard at the time too. Thanks for sharing memories of Christmas past and the tour of your decorations. Safe travels this holiday season. Have a very happy holiday and a wonderful New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So many wonderful stops on this blog hop, and yours is the perfect finale, with your focus on the real reason for our celebration. Christmas blessings to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Finally, a stop at Kevin's! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful memories. I remember those tinsel trees. They are making a comeback. LOL. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I might have to cave and make a few of those. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories with us, Kevin. I want to come to your house for Christmas!! May your Christmas be blessed with family and friends, this year and every year!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sometimes, little bits of Holiday cheer scattered around the house are SEW much cozier than going all out with "ALL Christmas, ALL the time!" style of decorating. Enjoy! That first photo with G-ma and Sis bring back sweet memories for me. Obviously, NOT because of the family, but that tinsel tree is JUST LIKE the one we had when I was growing up. LOVE that tree!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. It’s hard to see with tears in my eyes! What a sweet blog! I loved seeing Grandma Hayes and her little grandkids❤️

    ReplyDelete
  27. A heartwarming glimpse into your sweet family’s celebration. Loved all of your special decorations too. Merry Christmas Kevin!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really enjoyed your blog hop - so many wonderful ideas for Christmas decorating!
    Thank you for sharing your family celebration and a peek into your life at Christmas time.
    Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful post Kevin. Your family is so heartwarming and your holiday memories extra special. Thank you for sharing. I am excited to make some of your little trees!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for sharing your Christmas memories and beautiful quilts. Your house looks cozy and warm decorated for the holidays. Cute little tree pattern. Have a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am so glad so happy to know you Kevin. I always enjoy reading your blog. I always wish I lived way out where you do. I live 35 miles west of Washington DC in Loudoun County. I love your family and the story of your celebration of Jesus' birth.
    I also grew up with all of the music, and traditions and the real reason for Christmas.
    Times have changed but we can latch on to the goodness forever. Family, gratefulness to God and love. I always love reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Loved seeing your Christmas memories all around your home. It's all about memories and family. Your little tree is so cute. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Merry Christmas, Kevin! Thank you for your good cheer and big heart throughout the year!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for sharing - very heartwrming. Have a lovely Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for all of your Christmas memories.i enjoyed your pictures of your Christmas decorations also.thanks also for yourmini Christmas tree instructions..Debbie kelly

    ReplyDelete
  36. Loved the virtual tour of your home and down Memory Lane with you and your family. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Kevin! I loved making those little trees per your tutorial a couple years ago. Thought of you the other day as I took down the cute chicken plates I picked up thrifting a while back. The decor has changed in the kitchen this fall. If you'd like to give them a new home, just let me know! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. My grandparents had a silver tree, with one of those color spin lamps. What!?! You don't have Snoopy and the Red Baron's Christmas album? Most of my nativity's stay out all year long. What a lovely quilt your aunt made for you. I like the green treadle sitting on your grandmother's treadle. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  38. **SELLING SSN+DOB FULLZ**

    CONTACT
    Telegram > @leadsupplier
    ICQ > 752822040
    Email > leads.sellers1212@gmail.com

    >>1$ each without DL/ID number
    >>2$ each with DL
    >>5$ each for premium (also included relative info)

    *Will reduce price if buying in bulk
    *Hope for a long term business

    FORMAT OF LEADS/FULLZ/PROS

    ->FULL NAME
    ->SSN
    ->DATE OF BIRTH
    ->DRIVING LICENSE NUMBER WITH EXPIRY DATE
    ->COMPLETE ADDRESS
    ->PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL, I.P ADDRESS
    ->EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
    ->REALTIONSHIP DETAILS
    ->MORTGAGE INFO
    ->BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS

    >Fresh Leads for tax returns & w-2 form filling
    >Payment mode BTC, ETH, LTC, PayPal, USDT & PERFECT MONEY

    ''OTHER GADGETS PROVIDING''

    >SSN+DOB Fullz
    >CC with CVV
    >Photo ID's
    >Dead Fullz
    >Spamming Tutorials
    >Carding Tutorials
    >Hacking Tutorials
    >SMTP Linux Root
    >DUMPS with pins track 1 and 2
    >Sock Tools
    >Server I.P's
    >HQ Emails with passwords

    Email > leads.sellers1212@gmail.com
    Telegram > @leadsupplier
    ICQ > 752822040

    THANK YOU

    ReplyDelete
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