Cross Stitching 12 Days of Christmas Freebies!

Look at this adorable pattern! It's the first release in the CrossStitcher and Cross Stitch Collection's "12 Days of Christmas" series!

According to the site, each day they're releasing a new freebie, and each freebie is only available for a few days.

I'm not affiliated with either site - I just wanted to post this here so nobody misses out!

Excitement Arrived in Today's Mail

A dear friend of mine sent me a fabulous package (talk about “antiparcelation”, Lauri!)  Inside were some fabulous pieces of her work (she is nimble with the ink and iron).  How long, Lauri, does it take you to setup and print a single-color page?  Honestly, I really am surrounded by some seriously talented friends!

She also included some fabulous quilt books.  But one made me cry…. The new Gail Pan book.  She is my FAVORITE embroidery designer (check out her free Christmas patten here), but she’s from Australia (where the cost of the books and shipping is very prohibitive).  I’ve wanted this book since I first read about it on her blog… and now I have it! 

I need to stitch!  I need to go home and pull out my Christmas embroidery and hang it up!  Why is it not the weekend so I can pour myself into my quilt room and start pulling fabric?!? I’m going to vibrate with anticipation for the rest of this very long work day!

I am blessed.

The Big Reveal: Japanese Butterfly Quilt

Here it is!  My sister’s Birthday gift!  I saw a quilt like this on a Japanese quilt magazine’s website and knew it would be a lot of fun to make for my sister.  My sister’s house has a lot of wood, world prints, about-to-travel-the-world-out-of-a-leather-satchel feel to it.  I could just imagine this quilt strewn across her white and tan divan (with a cat or two holding it in place).

There was no pattern so I pulled out the draft pad and set to work.  It’s made from a Kate Spain Terrain layer cake with very little waste! I drafted a way to paper-piece and THEN piece the butterflies.  I hope to one day share the pattern with everyone. 

Now to make one for myself…