O'Brien Christmas Original

As promised, here are pictures of my third Christmas quilt - a small wall hanging. It was fun to make this because it was an 'original' design and took on a life of its own once I started. 

The design began with one flower blossom, not even a poinsettia. I had purchased some very cheap applique shapes at Tuesday Morning (won't make this mistake again!). I liked the shape of the flower and thought it looked a little like a poinsettia, so I started making more of them in the Christmas red fabric. 

I used a large plate to make the round shape for the wreath. Found the reindeer as part of a Santa/reindeer/sleigh pattern and liked the position and the striking contrast of colors. Found the leaves, inner blossoms and stars online, so that made the job really easy. Sent it off for quilting and was stunned at the expense, so as I noted in my previous post, I must learn to free motion quilt. 

After the piece was quilted, I embellished it with green iron-on crystals for the center of the flowers, the red collar and horn "ornaments" for the reindeer. I had found some snowflake buttons which I used for the center of the stars, then added a gold crystal on top of the button. 

It is very simple, but DH really likes it, which makes me happy, of course!

I was, however, very disappointed, that the fabric frayed so much when it was quilted. I learned my lesson about using a stabilizer when doing applique. Won't make this mistake again! 

I'm starting on a whimsical art quilt depicting our neighborhood. I'm excited to see how it turns out. 

Onward into my sewing room and . . . 

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"