It's December! The last month of the year! I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. I've been busier than usual this year.
This little man finally made his arrival on November 9th. His name is Vincent Robert and he weighed 9 pounds - 1 ounce. His due date was October 23rd so we were all relieved when he finally arrived and is the perfect little bundle of joy.
The Shipshewana Quilt Retreat a couple weeks ago was fantastic. The trip deserves a post of it's own and I'll work on that in a little while but the classes and time spent with Linda Collins will be treasured by all of us for a very long time. If you ever have a chance to take one of her classes or attend her lecture be sure not to miss it!
I'm just getting into the swing of this year's 12 Days of Christmas promotion so I hope you're signed up for the newsletter so you'll hear about the new products and great deals in this once a year sale.
With everything that's been going on I decided to select easy blocks this month. I just went along the bottom row of the quilt and hope you don't mind.
Block 39
Although this block is simple, I think it'll be fun to stitch. It is signed by John DeClarke.
Block 40
This block has a tiny cross stitch signature of Susie.
This isn't one of may favorite blocks by a long shot but I do really like the green print used in it.
Block 41
What in the world is this meant to represent?
Many have thought this piece of fabric is newer than the rest of the fabrics used in the top and was sewn on to replace another that has worn away. I can't see any indication of this but it's interesting to think about.
This block was made by Julia.
The winner of last month's 20th Anniversary Prize is Karen. Congratulations!
This month's prize is a 50 pc. set of the new Clover Mini Clips. The new narrow tip is fantastic for hand stitching and English Paper Piecing. By now you probably remember, leave a comment on this post by the 20th of the month and I'll drawn a name for the winner.
That's it for today!
The 1857 Album Quilt - Block Set 12
Thanks for the block patterns, Gay. I can’t believe we are in December already! Congratulations on the newest addition- he is so handsome!!
Is it possible that blue stripe block made by Julia is supposed to be an eagle? That was my first thought when I saw it in the top photo.
Congratulation for the new grand baby!
I thought the last block was a frog. I have a hot pad cushion that looks like it.
Thanks
Carole
Vincent is so sweet, congratulations to all! Grandbaby #12 just arrived for us on Nov 15. Grands are the best! Enjoy your holidays with the new little one.
I thought it looked like a frog. But it will be easy to sew up quick.
I had an amazing time at the retreat and am working on that quilt today.
Your grandson is adorable. I got my third great grandchild on Nov 30th. Makes this white hair worth while. Thanks for all you do for us quilters.
Thank you for sharing December’s patterns! Love the poinsettia block and am thankful you chose “easy” ones! Congrats on your new arrival! May the Lord bless you and your family abundantly this Christmas season!
Love those sweet little babes. I’m collecting the 1857 patterns for now as I am still slogging along on Benjamin Biggs. Thanks for all the patterns.
Congratulations to you and your family in your new grandson. He is beautiful!
Block #41 sure reminds me of a turkey. 😉
Best wishes for a great holiday!
Cheri
Thank you so much for providing these patterns each month. I think I’ll start with this month’s and work backward to try and catch up a bit.
What a very handsome little guy! Thanks for the patterns and the giveaway!
Congrats on the new baby and thank you for all the free blocks
Congratulations on the new grandbaby! I am so sorry I had to miss Shipshewana – I really, really wanted to take a class from Linda. And thanks so much for the patterns! I particularly love the “poinsettia” block – I think that would make a nice Christmas quilt!
What a sweet grandson.. just love the feel of a baby in my arms!
Thank you for the new blocks.. I have quite a few done but not caught up by a long way!
I think block 41 could be some kind of family crest.. I think that is the way I’ll treat it.
Merry Christmas to all!
How appropriate! A poinsettia! Congrats on the grandson, he is beautiful!
Congratulations on your new grandson! Thanks for the patterns and the giveaway!
Congratulations to you and the new family. What a cutie!
Thanks for the blocks.
Have a happy holiday season and a happy 2017
What a beautiful baby! New joy!! 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win the Mini Clips! Love this set of patterns! Thanks!
Vincent is precious and a special holiday gift! I like your first block….it might make a good quilt alternating it with a patchwork block. I always enjoy your posts. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a cutie! He looks a lot older than a month! Thanks again for sharing the block patterns and also thanks for the giveaways. K-
Congratulations to all on such a beautiful bundle of joy. May Vincent have a healthy and happy long life.
Thanks again for the patterns of this awesome quilt and for the giveaway.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Oh my gosh, what a cutie!!! Congratulations on another little bundle of fun. I hope to get one on those some day. I think the block does kind of look like a frog or a funky eagle with a flattened head. Nah! I’ll go with a frog.
Some how I have missed out on set 10 and 11 and can not find them. I do not mind paying for them. Can you help me please?
Audrey
Thanks for another set of blocks, and thank you, too, for your drawings. The mini clips sound like a good idea, I tried using the original clips when hand sewing and was clumsy with them. I was not in school band, but that last block looks a lot like the gadget that my sister could attach to her clarinet to hold small pieces of music when the band was marching. I am sure it has a name and probably more uses within the band community.
Hi Gay,
Congratulations to you on the safe arrival of Vincent. A baby boy is a bundle of joy forever. What better early Christmas gift could anyone receive?
To me block 41 by Julia looks like a stylised crown. Whatever it is I love the fabric Julia used to create her applique. It is very different to all the others used in this quilt.
Thank you for another set of blocks and the opportunity to win a set of Clover Mini Clips. They would be perfect for my EPP hexie project.
Cheers
Pam
Wishing you & your family a very happy and safe festive season.
Congrats on the super cute new grand baby. I am not sure what that last block is but my thought was to replace it with an outline of my state on my quilt. I guess that would be making it “my own” version. Thanks for all you give us.
You can order the missed sets here –
https://sentimentalstitches.myshopify.com/collections/block-of-the-month-1/products/the-1857-album-quilt-block-of-the-month
Love the poinsettia block! Thanks for the chance to win the Clover clips.
This is so wonderful that you are making a replicate of this quilt and allowing us to do the same. Mine will be by only one person and today’s fabrics but it is still beautiful.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ginabeth
I agree-hard to believe it is December. Congratulations on the new grandbaby and thanks for all the lovely patterns!
Oh MY What a beautiful baby boy. What a wonderful early Christmas present. I bet you had a blast. This unit of block are my favorite I think so far. Can’t believe we will be done in July. Whow how time is going so fast. I’m so far behind but I will catch up one day. Thank you for all you do Gay. You are one of a kind. Can’t believe how you juggle your time. I want to be just like you when I grow up. 🙂 All kidding aside. Thanks again. Happy New Year.