Welcome to my 12 Days of Christmas in July web post. Thanks to Sarah Craig at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for organizing such a delightful Blog Hop. Join us from July 14 through 25 as we share clever Christmas ideas with you.
If you are at all familiar with my paper pieced designs, you know that I love designing animal images for quilts, table runners, pillows, etc. Some of my customers have been asking for paper pieced Christmas cats. I thought this would be a great time to share my newest table runner: CHRISTMAS CATS. This pattern is available on ETSY now, or try winning one below.
Christmas Cats
This widely grinning kitty is Christmas Kitty.
Next is Merry Mouser.
And last is Yuletide Tabby.
If you are new to paper piecing, watch my free tutorials PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL #1 on how to paper piece a segment.
Rick rack is a super cute addition to any table runner or quilt. I have a great tip for adding the rick rack. This is done after the runner is quilted.
Pin the rick rack over the ditch between the sashing and the outer border, starting in the center at the bottom of the runner.
2. At the corner, flip the rick rack over to the opposite side and pivot at the corner (similar to how binding is attached. Rick rack has no right or wrong side.
3. Continue to pin rick rack around the remaining 3 sides of the runner. Overlap the tails slightly. Sew in place down the center of the rick rack through all layers of the runner.
And now for the GIVE-AWAYS. The 12 Days of Christmas in July is offering the first Give-Away to win a FAT QUARTER BUNDLE FROM FIGO FABRICS. This is their new winter line called Wintertide.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the FIGO FAT QUARTER GIVE-AWAY!
Win this pattern!
The second GIVE-AWAY is from me, Made By Marney. Just leave a comment to enter. The winner will win the CHRISTMAS CATS PATTERN. The winner will be notified on July 26th.
Here is the complete list of all participants in this years 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. Please visit them all for some clever Christmas ideas.
This is an opportunity for anyone living in the Two Rivers, Wisconsin area. Sarah Gallagher, owner of the The Quilt Shop of Two Rivers, is sponsoring a paper piecing class featuring little ole’ me as the teacher. The class will be held at her shop on Saturday, August 3 from 9am-3pm.
Link HERE for the class information. What a great chance to share a day of fun and learning with me. Can’t wait!
We will learn how to paper piece a Simple Block and a Combination Block. Once you master these two skills, the sky’s the limit. You will be ready to challenge yourself with any paper piecing project. All participants get to choose a FREE Made By Marney pattern the day of the class.
Stay tuned for the 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN JULY blog hop starting on July 14th. Guaranteed to be a good time, with 24 creative quilters sharing clever Christmas ideas.
Mark your calendar for July 14…the start of our blog hop!
We’ll have to start thinking CHRISTMAS…Start the Blog Hop HERE on July 14th.
I love this super simple paper pieced pattern. Using all pinks, I went for a monochromatic look on my sample. The giant rick rack sewn over the border seam adds a fresh, summery look.
My sweet customer Julie suggested I design some paper pieced Camping/Glamping blocks. I’m not so clear on the “glamping”, but the “camping” suggestion was spot on, especially with summer just starting.
Two more adorable pups have been added to my paper pieced dog block collection. Betty sent me photos of her sweet AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD to inspire me to create this new dog block.
Australian Shepherd
Here is a side by side comparison photo of my block and Betty’s pup.
I love how expressive he turned out! Find the pattern HERE on Etsy.
It was also brought to my attention that I did not have an IRISH SETTER in the collection.
Irish Setter
Making an image that has wavy or curly hair is very difficult in paper piecing. It is all an illusion, made from straight seams. I have always loved the beautiful fur on an Irish Setter, and am pretty in love with his soft wavy ears. You can find this cutie HERE on Etsy.
Last week I had so much fun paper piecing with the Village Quilters of Lake Bluff, Illinois.
Such a lovely group of quilters! It is inspiring being with friends who love to paper piece as much as I do. When I returned home, I was motivated to do more designing.
Carol, a customer from the West Bend Quilt Guild asked me create a set of blocks that would work for a special child who loves Paris. We brainstormed a bit about things that might work for the “Parisian Collection”.
Eiffel Tower Block
The EIFFEL TOWER is one of the images that Carol specifically requested. This grey check, used on the bias, worked well to give the illusion of the delicate lines criss crossing the structure.
Fifi the Poodle Block
FIFI THE POODLE needs a lot of small pieces since there’s quite a bit of detail in this block. I’m using gray and pink in all 3 designs to make them look like a complete collection.
Tiara Block
The TIARA BLOCK completes this Parisian Collection (for now!). I hope these images will work for Carol. I had lots of fun creating them. All blocks measure 8″x 8″ unfinished.
Please let me know what new paper pieced images you would like to see!
If you want to learn to paper piece and live near the Fox Cities, keep reading. The Darting Needles Quilt Guild from Appleton, WI is sponsoring me to hold an all day workshop on Paper Piecing Basics, Friday 14 from 9 to 3. This class will be held at the Fox Cities Quilt Company in Appleton.
Those attending the workshop will learn how to paper piece simple and combination blocks from my Sew Yourself A Merry Little Christmas book.
SIMPLE BLOCKCOMBINATION BLOCK
On Thursday, the day before the workshop, I will be lecturing on” Paper Piecing, and Selecting the Right Fabric for your Projects”. Join me for an evening of fun held at the First United Methodist Church on Franklin St, Appleton at 7pm. The lecture is free!
Contact JoAnn Nemitz for information about the Paper Piecing Workshop, (920) 731-3722.
I love my customers. They constantly motivate me. Kelly asked me to create a SKUNK BLOCK.
Creating paper pieced animals is one of my strong points, so this was a joy to create.
SKUNK
This Skunk Block would look great in my Forest Friends pattern, along with the other sweet woodsy animals.
All this designing has made me tired…
Here is an Owl Tote and a Fox Tote created by another customer. Mary is using the animals from Forest Friends for her handy totes.
Owl Tote
Fox Tote
Now do you see why I love my customers so much? They are super creative!
This Hedgehog Block was paper pieced with the coolest background color.
Instead of adding buttons, this customer used satin stitching for the eyes and nose. Super cute, and a great idea for a baby quilt.
Keep sharing your awesome photos! AND, if you are in northern Wisconsin this Saturday or Sunday, visit me at the Northwoods Quilters Quilt Show in Marinette. I better take lots of northwoods patterns.
