Hi there, quilters! Welcome to my blog. It's a little early, but let me be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! It's time to get some sewing done to make your home festive!
The Henry Glass designers are helping you out with some simple and fun FREE designs and ideas to use in your holiday. Follow along to all the stops on the blog tour and you could win some prizes, too. I am going to give away a copy of my new book to the grand prize winner over on the Henry Glass blog, so be sure to sign up to win.
Each designer is going to answer a few questions and then share our design. Our theme this year is "favorites."
First of all, a favorite Christmas recipe. There are so many that we traditionally use in our family. But one of my very favorites is Zupfe bread. This is a yummy Swiss braided bread that is soooo delicious. I posted a recipe with instructions (including how to make the braid) on my blog last year. Click here to go see it.
This bread makes our Christmas meal so special. I love that it reminds my family about our heritage and all the wonderful people that have come before us to give us our rich history. My mom was a wonderful cook, and all of her recipes mean so much to me.
Next, my favorite decoration and my favorite tradition are the same thing. Every year we make hand-cut snowflakes to hang from the ceiling.
They are simple and almost free, and so beautiful. I have told you about them before on this blog, but I have so many new readers, and it has been a few years. My husband and I were married in December, (36 years ago!) and we had a reception at my home. We covered the ceiling with snowflakes that we had cut, and it was magical! Every year since then, we have cut new snowflakes and hung them. We have lived in many homes, but at Christmas time, you would always find snowflakes hanging from our ceilings. So here is a little bit about how we make snowflakes.
I don't have this year's flakes cut yet, but I will show you some pictures when we get that done.
For my FREE design this year, I decided to whip up some placemats for you.
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| Very Merry Placemats |
I prepped my applique pieces the usual way with the edges turned under, then with the quilt sandwich layered together, I top-stitched along the edge of each piece.
Of course I used Henry Glass fabrics from my new line, Beyond the Gate. (In stores now.) You can order a kit for the placemats on my website, but the pattern is free!
I want to have a little give-away here, in the spirit of Christmas, so sign up to follow my blog, "Like" Jillily Studio on facebook, and leave me a comment here. I want to hear about your Christmas preparations. Have you started yet? Sewn anything Christmassy yet?
Tell me about it and I will choose a winner for a kit to make 2 placemats and some Jillily Studio Appli-Glue. The contest will close on November 18.
Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your support of the Henry Glass designers, and we love to give you ideas and inspiration! Happy hopping!
-Jill
90 comments:
Have I started anything? Let's see. There's 8 secrets, a Crazy Christmas Tree quilt, my Christmas Wreath quilt, my Festive Mystery quilt, several runners ... Get the picture? As hostess of the monthly Christmas Quiltalong, that's been running for about 3 years, I am always starting something Christmassy.
I have a couple of pairs of pajama pants cut out that I need to sew. A hat that I've traced the pattern onto the fabric and a box of other things that I've collected to do. Mostly I've been thinking about it as I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year.
I have a wall quilt and some stars as candleholders in work. And the cute pillow Holiday lane for the blog hop. Still working on the finishing.
Thanks for the great pattern. I just had problems to open it. But will have to aks my hubby for help!
Greetings from Switzerland
Martina
I have all kinds of Christmas "surprises" in various stages and many more dancing about in my head. I love Christmas.
I follow your blog, but I don't do facebook, so don't know if this counts. I haven't done a BIT of Christmas shopping or planning, but I have been making quilts for months that I will give as gifts. Gotta start early with the sewing projects if I hope to get them done.
I follow you, I love to make placematts and mug rugs this Xmas. Henry Glass fabrics sure make a difference.
Thanks
I have purchased Christmas decorations throughout the year at flea markets. I do lots of vintage so am always on the lookout for new items. I have a couple quilts to finish up for gifts yet.
This weekend my sisters and I made holiday wreaths for our mothers in law and are giving them to them on Thanksgiving! I have one lap quilt in the making also for my Dad! thank you!
Cute placemats and I have red dishes too! Perfect for so many holiday! I made two utility aprons for gift exchanges and some adorable baby shoes that my daughter gave to her girlfriend. Of course lots of UFO quilts so my goal is to finish two before I start something new!
I usually do my Christmas decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. I have some quilt tops ready to be quilted that I want to give as Christmas gifts, but haven't started the small quilty things I want to give to co-workers this year. I'm a follower & liked you on Facebook. Thanks for sharing the pattern & thanks for the chance to win.
Oh gosh I started seeing holiday decor back in August at our Hobby Lobby. I thought how crazy! But now it's nearly the season and I think how fast the year has went. Each year I promise to do better about prepping early too. I'll heading over to like you and am becoming a follower. I look forward to getting to know ya. I hope you visit me too.
I just love the Henry Glass holiday blog hop, it's always so fun and inspiring! Your fabric is always so beautiful and you put things together in such a great way. Thank you for sharing your pattern!
We always wait to decorate for Christmas the weekend of Thanksgiving. We aren't much into Black Friday sales, so we just spend the weekend decorating, cooking and having a blast!
Happy holidays to you, too!
Thanks for the fun pattern! This year I'm trying to finish a Christmas quilt. I have made lots of gifts and holiday decor items, but never an actual quilt just for the holidays. It's nearing completion.
I do follow your blog but don't 'do' facebook.
Our Christmas tree is up! We celebrated our first Christmas yesterday. My son left today for 6 months on a ship. I am a follower!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for your fun blog entry. I haven't made cut-out snowflakes since I was a kid but think I'm going to give them a try. :) I make my grands their Christmas stocking. I need to complete one yet this year and will need one for next year, too. I'd better get crackin!
I'm in the middle stages of some Christmas quilts but that's about it. It's going to be a mad dash to the finish line again this year because I've been so busy at work.
thanks for sharing the cute pattern.
love the idea of the snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.
I am working on Christmas gifts.
Oh, I am a follower. I get your blog in my email.
I saw your post on your snowflakes a couple years ago and made some for my family Christmas celebration. They were a big hit (although I didn't make nearly as many as you did!) Thanks for the opportunity to win - I love the placemat pattern!
I have a Christmas quilt that is in parts from last year and a tops that need quilting- I would like to finish two of them for Christmas but we shall see. Thanks for participating in the blog hop and for the fun placemat pattern.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
Wonderful project for gifts and I love your paper snowflakes. I do paper cutting myself and love making them for the house and windows.
Debbie
I've been working on a table topper, that I started a couple of years ago. I'd really like to get it finished to use this year :-)
I love the placemats. The red/white fabric is so cool! I am following and facebooking!
Yes I have a wallhanging done and finishing up a runner for gifts.I have two lap size quilts at the quilters that I am going to use as decorations around the house.
I have started a Christmas tree skirt/pant. Its square so I guess its called pants instead of skirt. I will be making your placemats too hopefully. very cute. I am now a follower of your blog. Don't do facebook otherwise I would do a like.Thanks for the give away and pattern.
I'm going to sewing some aprons using some vintage feedsack fabric that my mom had. It had been my grandmother's. I have the pattern and ric rack trim ready to go. Thanks for the placemat pattern. Lovely fabric.
I have started making my gifts, towel sets, kitchen hotpads, and the like. I am on my way over to fb to like. I am also going to add you to the blogs I follow.
I'm way behind, haven't done a darned thing yet. But I'm trying to get kennel quilts done for shelters in need in superstorm Sandy areas of NJ and NY.
Great placemats!
I'm busy sewing aprons and totes for Christmas!
I'm a follower but I don't do FB!
Morning Jill ~ Thank you for posting your bread again this year. I had forgotten about that and hope maybe to try it this year. Those placemats are awesome. Thank you for the pattern. And your fabric is just beautiful.
Before I forget, yes, I am a follower of your blog and am subscribed to email notifications too. Plus I have previously liked your facebook page however I use my full name there so if you want to email to ask the name if you're checking that's fine.
Christmassy stuff ~ The closest I've come to that is to make some plans of things I want to make and for who. I just know I'll be sewing again on Christmas Eve or very early Christmas morning after the turkey is started. lol Gosh, I really hope not, but I am the Queen of Procrastination and wear that crown proudly. LOL
Good morning! I have been thinking about making some Christmas placemats to give as gifts this year and lo and behold!!! You give us a free pattern!! I am so excited to have this pattern! Your snowflakes are jsut adorable! I love FAKE snowflakes and snowmen, but don't care much for the real thing! I have to go to work in it no matter what!!
Thanks for the cute placemat pattern! My decorations for Halloween are still up, so you can imagine how into Christmas I am right now. We have snow this morning--maybe that will put me in the mood for Christmas.
I like you on FB. I'm working on a table runner for Christmas.
I've made a couple ornaments already and a rag quilt for my grandson. I haven't done anything else. Cute placemats. Wish we sat at a table to use them. :) With just the hubs and I and he's retired and eats at crazy hours, we just never seem to be hungry at the same time.
I'm sewing a quilt top this week then I have to quilt 3 quilts for Christmas gifts. Thanks for the placemats pattern. I'd like to squeeze some time to sew 2 for Christmas.
I follow you on B.
I plan on making placemats for Meals on Wheels this weekend and was looking for a new seasonal pattern. This one is perfect. Thank you.
Love the placemats.
I am working away on quilts for presents. We have our Christmas at Thanksgiving with the family. We travel in the winter south so we leave right after Thanksgiving. My machine has been humming away to Christmas carols for the past 3 months.
This year there will be little preparations as we are hoping to move soon! But I have started sewing little gifts.
kimberlee
Hi, is it possible to get a PDF file or just a plain .doc for the placemats? I'm not able to open .docx files so don't have access for the placemat pattern.
Thank-you for the cute placemats pattern Jill, will have to go on my to-do list for sure. I have not started any Christmas Gifts this year, we business year end is at this time of the year, so I'm always working on that until the end of November, then if I have time I will make a gift or two. But I do have 3 quilts that I would like to get quilted for Christmas gifts, so that might be all I have time for.
I am a follower of your blog and have previously "liked" you on facebook.
I have started a Christmas sampler quilt which is a class at a local quilt shop.
OK, everyone, I changed the download for the pattern to a PDF. Sorry about that. Don't know what I was thinking!
Love the placemats, I plan to make them for gifts for the coming season.
Your placemats are beautiful. Thank you for the pattern. I haven't started anything Chrismassy yet but I intend to at least make a Christmas tablerunner for my dining room table this year.
Love the post and the project! Thank you!!! xo
Jill, Thank you for the pattern. It is very cute and fun. Christmas is still on the back burner here.
I have a little quilt for my granddaughter that needs to be quilted. Hope to get started on it soon. Thanks for chance to win. Janita
Those are sweet. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't started to make anything for Christmas yet but I think I may start with your placemats! Thanks for the pattern!
HI! YES, I'VE FINISHED A 66" LONG BURGUNDY+CREAM CHRISTMAS TABLE RUNNER+A CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT+NOW ON TO SOME PLACE MATS+YOURS ARE GIVING ME IDEAS!
THANKS SO FOR SHARING!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
Thanks for the pattern.I`m working on a new wallhangin and some christmas decorations.I love decorate my home.
I`m a happy follower.
i've a small start on a table mat ... so much for my big plans for christmas projects! thanx for the chance to win your place mat kits.
Great placemats. Thanks.
I am a follower of your blog. Thanks for the great giveaway. I am currently working on several quilts.
I 'Liked" you on facebook.
I am a follower of your blog and loved seeing your quilts displayed in your beautiful new home! Also I liked you on facebook. I got started early and made some new Christmas stockings and with the leftover scraps I made some tiny ones to hang on the tree! Your placemat pattern is definitely on my "to do" list! tkmattson@hotmail.com
I love your designs and the placements are no exception. I don't know if I can legitimately count this, but I am almost finished a Christmas Tumbler quilt I started last year.
I haven't started a thing and Christmas is coming way too fast! Oh, wait a minute, I did start, I found some Alpaca Wool socks for my son and his girlfriend. I have so much more to do. Thank you for this blog hop and for the giveaway! And, thank you for the free pattern, I love it. I do receive your great blog.
Have a super great sewing and stitching day!
I have made 6 felt ornaments, a table runner and I am working on a tree skirt. I will get it done, I will get it done.
Karen
I'm gathering all of my supplies and I'm planning on doing tons of sewing in the next few weeks! Then on to crafts with my grandson and finally baking!
I already follow your blog.
I've made a few Christmas handmade fabric gifts for grandnieces (stuffed dollie, necklaces, and dollie quilts). I need to make several more plus two b'day gifts. And, the Dr. told me today to stay off my feet for 4 or more days. Arrgh!
p.s. I cannot find a link to your FB page??
I already like you on Facebook. :)
I have started making a messenger bag for my niece. It is out of Camo fabric and will have the bright orange for the lining. Hope she likes it!
Sandy A
I'm a follower of your blog, Jill and of Jillily Studios on Facebook. Sorry, I haven't begun any projects yet for Christmas...I have to get through Thanksgiving first! Thanks.
I am just putting together winter wonderland.....hoping to get it quilted for christmas!! Good thing I know a great long armer who just happens to be my bff!!!
I have two quilts I want to make for Christmas. I have been wanting to make placemats also and it looks like I found the pattern. Thank you.
I have not started anything. I have ideas, but most will probably be for next year.
I recently had a quilt retreat with friends at my house, and I finished the applique on a Christmas table runner I had started several years ago, and I finished the top for another Christmas table runner. Now to get them quilted so I can use them this year!
Oops-forgot to mention in my original comment that I already like your blog, and I now like you on FB too!
Other than starting a little Christmas shopping, I haven't done any Christmas preparations, and won't do any until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I want to enjoy it to the fullest.
Thanks for the placemat pattern - it looks adorable!
I have started the sewing process for Christmas. It is going well and I believe I will get it all done. fingers crossed. Thanks for a chance to win
Mug rugs are what I'm making now for gifts. I'm a new follower and I'm heading to find you on facebook to like you.
hulseybg at gmail dot com
Yes, I have started my Christmas shopping. I finally got a good head start this time. I have even decided to decorate my white tree in pink ornaments. There are so many great ideas for the Henry Glass Very Merry Holiday Party. Thank you for sharing yours.
Sandi T.
sandit1@sbcgloball.net
Jill, already a follower and so glad I found you on the last blog hop...I'm busy making your Holiday Lane pattern as a table runner. I'm also making TARDIS wrist bags this year and a couple of quilts...oh my goodness, I'd better get busy! Thanks!
Oops, forgot to leave an email address, sorry. pbstrand@msn.com
I really enjoed the place mat pattern, ty. Yes I already have my nametags done for my table and a tree skirt along with my grandbabies quilts started...this was the first year I have been early...lol Happy Thanksgiving...
The only thing for Christmas I have really started is shopping. With 5 grown kids, 3 in-law kids, 6 grandkids, a husband, sisters & a brother I have a lot of shopping to do. I started some table runners last year before Christmas that I didn't get finished, so I am going to finish those for gifts.
Because I don't do Facebook I can't enter the giveaway, but wanted to say thank you for the PDF. I have fallen way behind on Christmas, because I broke my ankle and may be having surgery. If I can make my way back to the sewing machine, your placemats might get me back on track, gift-wise.
What fun table runners - I like! I've been having fun making Christmas stockings this year - you can get pretty creative. I'm a follower - and like your studios on FB (as Mountain Quiltworks).
I'm making a mug rugs as a Christmas present for my colleagues.
Your booth looked so nice! Yesterday I pulled out my unfinished "Trellis" quilt that you came toVernal a few years ago to teach us. We had so much fun with you that day. I'll be forever grateful that you introduced us to Aurifil thread. My Christmas present to myself will be to finish your quilt so then I can start another one.
I'm already a follower and I'm making table runners, pot holders and hot pads for Christmas gifts (your placemats would make a nice addition to that).
I was working on Christmas table runners today,and making sheep for fabric nativity sets. LOVED your snowflakes..I am going to visit that tutorial in just a few minutes. :) Thanks for the post and the nice give away.
I've got a table runner pieced and it is awaiting quilting. Right now I'm working on log cabin blocks to donate to a drive to make quilts for Hurricane Sandy victims who were displaced from their homes.
I haven't started yet. I like your snowflake idea. Thanks for a chance to win. your booth looked great. Happy Hpliday
Thank you for the generous giveaway and sharing the lovely placemats. I have been working on a Christmas quilt, a knitted shawl and some machine appliqued baby bibs. Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm in the process of making mug rugs, potholders, a few coin purses and cosmetic bags for Christmas gifts. There's only a few items I still have to buy and I'll be done.
My decorations will go up this coming weekend.
Thank you for the great placemat pattern and your giveaway.
Thanks, Jill, for making the placemat pattern into a PDF document. I'm so glad I ended up coming back to visit you again.
I am busy making sweet apple pincushions to give to my "Bee" friends. I have started making free-standing embroidery icicles and snowflakes for my " Knit -Wits" group.
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