Saturday, December 14, 2013

Christmasl QAL & Challenge Finale


Our venture began back in June with the lovely Joanna as our first hostess and Hazel was our alternating months hostess. And it was nice that they ran the QAL for the weekend so you could join in either day. We also got the big Challenge given to us by the spearhead of this venue - Sue @ Quilt Times.

The Challenge
Make a quilt on the theme of Christmas without using the colours red or green.

The small print:

·         The quilt may be any style, as long as it has two layers of fabric enclosing wadding, secured by quilting or tying
·         It may be any shape, but must measure no more than 96” around the outside edges.  ie, it could be a square 24” x 24”, a rectangle  8” x  40”, a triangle measuring 36” on each side,  a circle with a diameter of 30”, or any other shape you can think of, as long as the total outside edges do not add up to more than 96”
 ·         If the design is not your own, you must credit the original designer
 ·         It must be completed, including binding, in time for your final photo to be included in our grand parade in December
·         You will be asked to send one photo of your finished quilt with a ruler along the longest edge to prove it meets size restrictions to your hostess  in December
·         To be eligible to win the prize you must have joined at least three of the Quiltalong Linky parties with a post during the weekend showing what you are working at that time.


Now I am not a huge fan of Christmas print fabrics, and I do love working minis - so this challenge was really easy for me and scraps were pulled out for play.


They became the base for my project.  If you are familiar with the 'twister' template, this sqaure setting makes sense to you.  Yep, lots of scrappy 2.5" squares, then a solid border - waiting to be chopped up!


With the mini Twister only 1.5" square, I bought the small rotary which made it much easier cutting these.  No room for error inbetween those cuts as you can see - as well as that project really shrank down once cut and re-sewn.


All cut and re-sewn for a mini tree - ready for decorating.  Yes, that border fabric had a silver 'sparkle' to it - not the easiest fabric to sew thru.  And there are some really heavy seams to this, so it is going to have to be finished by hand.


Lots of tiny beads and buttons (no red or green) and metallic threads in siver, gold, and blue - all hand tied.


I went thru that package of beading needles.  As they got more and more bent, they eventually broke.  I made it thru the project and one (bent) needle left.


Since we need to show the size meets the challenge - a photo with tapes.  Finished at 12.5" x 14".


And I made sure there was no red/green on the back either.


So I present my piece for the Challenge - please be sure to visit Sue and see what others have completed for their challenge.  I, also, find it funny that this QAL/Challenge started with a tropical storm - Andrea (boy it rained) and ending with our first major winter storm (at times we are to see 1-2" an hour). And boy it's cold!!  Looks like a blue and white Christmas for us.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

29 comments:

Sheila said...

Oh I love your challenge piece Sharon , a lovely tree with all the bead work , that must have been challenging . Terrific job!

Pauline G said...

I love what you have done for the challenge - it's beautiful and I think all of you have doe so well to keep to the rules!!

Julierose said...

Ijust love your blue tree--My decorations (such as they are) this year use a lot of blue in them...hugs, Julierose

Lynn said...

It's beautiful Sharon....just perfect for your snowy, winter day!

QuiltSue said...

What a gorgeous little tree. I love how you "decorated" it too. Thanks for playing along Sharon.

sunny said...

Very pretty! I love the beads. And thanks for the reminder that today is unveil day - I almost forgot!!

Quilter Kathy said...

I love your challenge piece! It's an amazing work of art... love the colours, how tiny it is, and the beading!

Joanna said...

The beading shows up well in one of the pics and looks great. I love this project. Nice job, Sharon.

tink's mom said...

beautiful tree and love the sparklie look. Bless those needles for holding out to the bitter end. So worth it. Great job.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Oh Sharon - wow! I have a twister but have yet to use it. I even have the blocks cut and in a bag with the ruler...but your tree inspires me to go back and pull that out! blessings, marlene

Raewyn said...

Love what you did with this for the challenge! I didn't realise you could do shapes (ie like the Christmas tree) with the twister ruler. The beading is a lovely finish to it - top marks for persistence!

Dolores said...

What a beautiful project. I can't believe it's so small. Well done. Too bad that the beads don't show up better.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Sparkley.....I'm not sure that's a word, but I love your Challenge. Great job!

Melanie said...

Amazing! I so need to buy a 'Lil Twister template. The colours and beads you have used are fab. x

Janet said...

Gorgeous! And not a speck of red or green was necessary.

Christine M said...

Your quilt is fabulous Sharon. I love it!

Michele said...

I love it! I like the blue and white :-)

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

Wow....the twister tree is beautiful! What a perfect way to use that pattern and the blue works!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh my goodness. I love it! Such pretty blues. I love all the glitz and bling. How fun. Stay warm.

Vickie said...

Wow Sharon....it's beautiful !

Alcea Rosea 31 said...

I might have to do a twister quilt, now I've seen how good they can look. It's lovely, from the colours to the design.

Susan Smith said...

Well done, it's lovely, and I'm sure we've all had such fun with the challenge. Happy Xmas and take care.

Donna said...

Perfect! This is the prettiest blue Christmas tree ever. I love it.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

The tree turned out wonderful. Love the sparkle!

Michele said...

Your tree is just fabulous. Congrats on a challenge well executed.

Jasmine said...

Oh, so pretty! I love the sparkle. Reminds me of the white tree my grandma had when I was little.

Nancy said...

While I have not made a twister quilt, I am intrigued by the way the squares are sewn and then with the template become all twisted! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Your twisted Christmas tree turned out really wonderful.... what a good inspiration for this year... it is still enough time!!! Thank you!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Isn't it amazing how the "twist" can transform a little tree from ordinary to extraordinary. LOVE IT sharon...thanks for rejuvinating this adorable wallhanging. I need to make one.!