Let's Wrap it Up

44 comments
The big day is almost here. Tomorrow I will just give up and stop sewing. I've still got lots of other things to do for the holidays but I can see the end in sight. And it will be fun to spend time with my family and close the door on the world for a few days. Natalie has been wrapping gifts and I really like her idea for wrapping. She went to the grocery store and asked for some brown bags. And then she used a stamp letter set and stamped the recipient's names on the top corner. Cute and I love the simplicity. There is Roy wanting to see what is going on. Roy is a cat that sneaks into our house every once in while. I did embellish several more kitchen towels. I have 4 more left to make but that will be the end of the towels for this year. I went to Material Girls, a local quilt 'hot spot', on Saturday to get a bit of red check fabric for binding and spied this cute teapot fabric that had previously escaped my watchful eye. It is very vintage looking and when just embellishing, a little bit goes a long way. I wasn't sure about the white background on white towel but it is a clean look. I ran out of red rick rack so I substituted green. It pulls out the little bits of green in the fabric. I didn't have blue, so it's okay I hope.
I think I made 12 house pot holders all together. These all have special homes to be mailed to after Christmas. Your comments convinced me that I'm okay to send belated Christmas gifts out still. Thanks for that. I've taken some pictures while making them so I'll post a tutorial after Christmas since several of you asked. I used the same teapot fabric to finish up some scrappy potholders. I ran out of the insulated batting after making these so I suppose that means I am finished making pot holders for the year, too. Using scraps makes me happy. I got the heat resistant batting online. I wonder if they have some at Joann's?
Chen, from our Christmas Cottage exchange sent pictures of her finished!!!! quilt to me. It is beautiful and fabulous! I love it. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to see these blocks set in a quilt that will be a memory for a long time. Chen did a wonderful job.
Now look at Chen's label! What a great way to remember who made each block. Very clever Chen, I think I'll copy your idea. I've made labels like that before- printed from my computer. Thanks so much for sharing that with us Chen. I'd love to post more finished cottage quilts as they get done - so send on the pictures.

The scurrying continues at my house and your house, too, I'm sure. I hope the weather doesn't stop your plans. We had at least a foot of snow.

-nanette
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44 comments

Funky Kim said...

Thank you for sharing all these cute ideas in one post! Woot!

Sherri said...

I always get great ideas from reading your posts...today I got many!!! I'm so glad you're going to do a tutorial on those house potholders...they are soo cute! I love the fussy cut teapot in the center of the log cabin potholder...and I love the label on the back of the cottage quilt. Like you...after today I will put my sewing machine away...for a day!

Andee said...

Can't wait to see the tutorial on the houses..they are SO cute! I envy those on your post Chrismtas list! Smile.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for the tutorial on the pot holders. They are darling and useful. I'll have to try making them and then next year....oh boy can you guess what people will recieve from me. Yes you can get the heat resistant material at Joann's, I looked yesterday while I was there and they had it, also you can order it on line from them also. Thanks for sharing your lovely quilt as well. Rae

Unknown said...

What a fantastic post! It looks like you have gotten so much done. The potholders are great. Looking forward to seeing the tutorial. I love the Christmas Cottage quilt that Chen finished. The label is a terrific idea and wonderful documentation as to the participants in her quilt. Merry Christmas, Nanette to you and your family!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I buy my insul-brite at JoAnns and use my 40% off coupon! Absolutely darling house hot pads and tea towels. How on earth did you NOT see that teapot fabric on previous trips to the quilt shop??? Perhaps they just got it in. :o)

Candace said...

Nanette, you have been one busy elf!! I just love the potholders and towels! And thanks so much for posting Chen's finished quilt! I'm now inspired to get to mine - hmmmm....maybe a New Year's project in the works?
Now you deserve a very long winter's rest!
Cheers!

Unknown said...

Just love you pot holders Nanette,so cute. Yes time to close the door on the sewing room, take a deep breath and relax and enjoy.

Betsy said...

everything looks so beautiful.
I love the label on the quilt. What a nice finishing job your friend did.

Carrie P. said...

I know you will be glad when all the gifts are wrapped and given to the people who will definitely love them. How great to see a cottge quilt finished. Have a Blessed Christmas.

Unknown said...

Everything is so beautiful. Your quilt is so gorgeous. I love the label idea. That is a must do. Wow and your potholders are so beautiful. Merry Christmas!!!
Teresa

Ginger Patches said...

I love those pot holders!! I'll be looking for that tutorial :) I just call the late stuff New Year's gifts...and if they're even later you can always give them for "Quilter's Christmas" which I think is January 25th. Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Nancy said...

Oh thank you for the note that you will be posting the tutorial. I was going to ask.

They turned out lovely!! And I think belated gifts help Christmas to last longer!!

Hugs!!

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Your potholders are just the cutest!! What a busy gal you are!! Love Chen's quilt. Maybe next year you should have a post of the many finished cottage quilts that we have all made. It would make me get mine done if I have a deadline!! Hee hee! Scurrying here, too, and finally decided the Christmas cards will just be late. At least I'm sending them so better to get a late card than none at all!! Off to do more scurrying...........

Des said...

Can't wait for the tutorial. And I'm going to start making mine January 2nd. :)

Merry, Merry Christmas, my new friend. Enjoy your lovely family!

Elizabeth said...

I'll be back looking for that tutorial--those are the cutest potholders I've ever seen!!!

pratima said...

Roy is awesomely adorable :) Love Natalie's idea of using brown paper bags. So sweet and simple.
I'm always awe-struck with the way you use fabrics. The binding fabric completes the already perfect set.
Chen's Cottage quilt is so beatiful! Love the way she labeled it.
Have a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays :o)

Pat said...

I can tell you gals that I have seen firsthand the cottage quilt put together by Quilting Nana (Kathy) who was in your swap this year. It is BEAUTIFUL and you will also love hers when you see it. I'm sorry I didn't know early enough about that swap or I'd have joined, too. GREAT WORK by all of you to make such adorable little cottages!

Lurline said...

I see you are still so busy, my Darling! I am looking forward to the potholder tutorial, too! I like that idea for Quilters' Christmas - 25th January!
Have a wonderful Christmas an it has been just lovely meeting you this year!
Hugs - Lurline!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I so look forward to reading your blog, I am just amazed at you talent and the way you use color and fabric. Your items never fail to inspire me. Love the bag idea, when we were little my dad would use the comics from the paper. I also love the cottage quilt; I have not gotten a chance to even touch it yet. Have a blessed and happy Christmas.

Shari said...

Well Nanette, the lead-up to Christmas has been very busy for you with lots of tight deadlines and I'm so impressed at how well you've done. Your work is so fresh and lovely and you are so generous with sharing your ideas. Visiting you is always so delightful. It has really been a pleasure and I look forward to more wonderful visits to come. Big hugs to you and your family...
Shari

Mel said...

I tell ya, I just love those towels!! I'm going to have to make some . . . maybe for Valentine's Day!
Thanks for showing us Chen's quilt! It's so fun to see how the blocks are being put together!!
Be Merry!

Beth at Aunties said...

It was wonderful finding a cousin in this blogging world:) I wanted to drop by and wish you a very joyous Christmas. The pot holders and towels, quilt and just everything rings TALENT, and Love.

Merry CHRISTmas!
Beth

Val said...

I just love visiting with you. I always learn something. I love the pot holders and I really love that quilt. After holidays and new grandbaby is born which could be any day now, I am going to get busy and make some more cottages. I loved making the 2 that I made. Thanks for the tutorial.

Unknown said...

Love the cottages! Such a great quilt and label! Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

Lovie said...

Love the house hot pad, and you are right it is a wonderful ideal for a quilt label.

strawberrycream39 said...

Hi Nanette! Wow, are those potholders cute. The towels too! I think the green ric-rac looks perfect. The cottage quilt Chen made is just lovely.

Have a very merry Christmas!! --Jen in NY

Cheryl said...

Wow you amaze me how much you get done! Love all that you have been working on! Merry Christmas to you and your family Nanette!!

Cathi said...

Brilliant idea for the wrapping -- love it!!
Have a very very Merry Christmas and a wonderful time with your family!

Gayle said...

Merry Christmas, and thank you for your positive and inspirational blog. :-)

calicodaisy said...

Oh, wow, Nanette! I love the potholders. What a great job. This year I want to copy all your fall projects that I have seen since I found you with the fabric baskets. Well, a girl can dream anyway! That cottage quilt is fabulous. I have to look closer again and see if my block is on her list. I think I still have all the names attached to my cottage blocks. Maybe I can make the same type label. Happy Christmas to you and yours! Thanks for becoming my blog friend this year. -- Michele

Mimi Sue said...

Your pot holders and towels are so great. I'm on the Kid Korner committee for Festival of trees and I'm always looking for CUTE QUICK ideas for the boutique. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. Mimi

Mushyhed said...

Nanette and friends,
Thanks for all the quilt love! The exchange was really fun and you really made it so enjoyable. I hope you and your family have a great holidays! ~Chen

P.S. Love the potholders! can't wait for the tutorial!

Karen said...

Hi Nanette,
I love your potholders...can't wait to make some of my own. They have the insulated batting at the Joann's in Orem. It's sold in pre-packaged bags in the sewing machine dept.
Merry Christmas to your and your family;)

Karen said...

Oh yeah, I totally love that quilt label idea and Chen's Cottage Quilt is so cool.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nanette! Just wanted to wish a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Amanda Jean said...

that quilt is great! and the label is a great idea, too. it's fun to start to see the completed quilts.

Eileen said...

These truly are "Nanette" potholders! no one else quite does it like you do.

MichelleB said...

I love your potholders! Those ones with the little teapots in the middle are adorable. The house ones are too. There will some happy recipients.

Anonymous said...

You make the greatest gifts, Nanette - I'm sure they're cherished by all! Hope you had a very merry Christmas. Barbara

Lady of the Cloth said...

Love those house potholders, I have been looking for house patterns that are smallish to put in a row robin, are those ones you have for sale??? HOPE so!
Happy New Year.
Carlne

Lady of the Cloth said...

Do I feel stupid or what?? Yep, I do. I got so excited when I saw the houses, that I forgot to read the rest of the post about the tutorial. So I'm ok. Well relatively ok. Thanks for sharing.
Carline (hiding her face in shame for selective reading)

Nan said...

You are such a talented lady! I am in love with the towels and potholders. How adorable they are! And, a tutorial to boot!?! Oh goody, goody!! I'm thanking you in advance.
Chen's cottage quilt is lovely and her label is ingenious. I can't wait to see more finished quilts.

Farmhouse Blessings said...

More pretty towels! I just love em!

Smiles,
Lea