Patchwork Christmas Trees and Birds

This week I had to make a gift for my quilt guild raffle.  Because we don't have a regular meeting in December, our theme for this month is Christmas.  (I know, already!)

I decided to make some little tree ornaments that are made using 1 3/4" strips of fabrics.  I sewed four strips together and then cut them out using a 60 degree triangle ruler.  I sewed a long strip of brown fabric for the trunk by folding it in half two times ad tucking under the raw edge.  

I have a lot of Fig Tree Christmas fabrics left from a few years back, and I like using them to make Christmas items.  They are such pretty reds and greens with a bit of a vintage look to them.  

After making the trees, I decided to make a couple of little bird ornaments to coordinate with the set.  And you know that I love making my little birds.  I added a crocheted flower and button accent to them for the "wing."  

While I have made these before, I had fun making up a new batch of them.  They're quick, easy and fun to make.  That's what I love.

What do you think of my little tree ornament assortment?  Would you put these on your Christmas tree?

I just want to make more.  :)

 

Fall Tea Cup Mug Rugs

Last week I needed to make a project to be raffled off at my quilt guild.  I chose to make a couple of fall tea cup mug rugs (say that 10 times) for this month's raffle.

I used Fig Tree fabric called Cinnamon and Cream that I have had for a couple of years.  I love how the colors worked for this project.  I drew up a tea cup on graph paper and worked to make it fit with eight 2 1/2" squares.  I just love how they turned out.  

Here is what it looked like while I was working on it.  I should have made the top strip just a bit wider, so I will adjust my pattern to make the cup fit better next time.

I want to make these all day.  All of my friends said that they loved them and wanted them. :)

So I guess I will be making more.  They would make a cute wall hanging or even a quilt if I had time to work on it.  

The cup could be a (large) tea cup or a small mug.  Which do you prefer?  Tea or coffee?   And the squares to the right - they could be for a cookie, muffin or scone.  It's just the perfect little gift.  

Let's go have tea and scones - my favorites.  

 

Making Birds for the Ornament Exchange

Every year at Christmas time I host an Ornament Exchange Party.  Seven of my crafty friends each make 8 handmade ornaments and then we exchange them at our party!  This year I decide to make some Christmas birds for my exchange.

Although I have made little birds before, I lost the pattern and had to find a new one.  So these little birds are made using the Sizzix bird pattern.  They are a bit smaller but are just as cute!

I painted some beaks and eyes onto them using a charcoal paint.  For some of the birds, I crocheted a little red and white scarf and for others I glued on some flower embellishments and poinsettias.  Then I sewed a thin gold cord so that they can hang on the tree.

The birds are made using Fig Tree Christmas fabric.  Each bird is a little bit different and that makes them so special.  

I made extra birds so that I can give them out as Christmas gifts.  My crafty friends just loved them.  Of course, I want to make MORE.  (They're like eating potato chips; you can't just make one!)

I put them in a two-tiered tray that I picked up at Target.  I think they look so cute!  

 

Tree Ornaments Using Fig Tree Fabrics

Every year I host an Ornament Exchange with some of my crafty friends.  For this year's ornament, I made some quilted trees from my Fig Tree Christmas fabrics.  I've made some things before using these fabrics, and I love them because they are bright and cheery.

To make them, I cut 1 3/4" strips from 4 different fabrics.  After I sewed them together, I cut them out into triangles using some of my triangle rulers.  I started with a 60 degree angle, but then kept trimming them into smaller triangles. 

I folded and sewed a brown strip for the trunks and then trimmed it into 2" pieces to make the trunks.  After I sewed them together, I added some little buttons to make them look decorated.  I used thick gold twine for the hangers.

I made extra trees to give away and packaged them up into homemade bags with a tag and some chocolates.  I put together an assortment of trees in different colors and sizes for the gifts.

I love having homemade ornaments to take out each Christmas to decorate my tree(s).  It's fun to remember our Ornament Exchanges and who gave each of them to me.  

Which ones do you like the best?  Strangely, my friends all chose the red tree ornaments for their ornament in the exchange.  I wasn't sure if the red tree idea was going to over well, but I guess I was wrong!  

I'm off to make some more.  They're fun to make and kind of cute.  What do you think?