Merry Christmas

I have not gone over the top with Christmas this year like I normally do. I have had a workman here most of the month. His has built me a 33 foot long raised flower bed and painted the landing and stairwell. He is one of the nicest men on the planet but I love being alone and somehow I never manage to get anything done whilst he is here.
So I just decorated two of these little white trees.

I did applique another horse.

I cannot tell a lie. I stole this horse from the original Rachel Meyers quilt.

Sorry, this is a photo of a screen which itself is a photo of a photo. I think George Washington is the chap on the original.

Frank got his present early. He loves this reindeer.

He loves it so much, he sleeps with it and carries it everywhere with him. (I bought a 2nd one as this will surely fall apart in time).
Merry Christmas (it is already Christmas Day on the other side of the world)!

My card reader didn't work so I got a new one.

Now I can show you how I prepped that horse.

 I did the mane and hooves first as they are behind or under the main body pieces.

 Each shape was traced onto freezer paper, then I ironed that piece onto two more layers (three in all) before ironing it to the wrong side of the fabric before cutting out with a scant 1/4" allowance.

I painted starch on the turn under allowance and used the tip of the iron to fold it over and iron the starch dry. I clipped the inner corners and any concave curves. I use an old bit of linen under the iron whilst I do this as it gets scorched and excess starch burns. It mostly washes out but it is easier than ruining your ironing board cover. I pulled the freezer paper out before using a glue stick to hold it in place.

It was easy to stitch down, with the exception of those ears....... I am getting better at hand work but it is taking it's time. As always put Perfect Marking pen in the little search box at the top left to find a pen you can use to mark your own background fabric.

THE ART OF MACHINE PIECING

 I bought The Art of Machine Piecing when it was first released years ago. I opened it, saw a few blocks were done with English paper piecing and felt a little cheated. It went on the shelf and not looked at again until this week. Stupid me! What I hadn't realised is that Sally Collins pieced all these blocks at three inches square. They are incredible and I am not sure I could ever reproduce them. I am in awe.

 Remember this is just 3"

And this. I bow down to her.