Kristin- I couldn't help jumping ahead!

I had a flash on Monday night of how I might use Ryan's Santa drawing on a quilt. He wasn't fitting into the Merry Christmas quilt as I envisioned it, so I decided to make a mini quilt just for him. The words went quickly. I plan to use applique and embroidery to transfer the Santa image to the quilt and he'll be on a round piece of the lighter fabric so he'll show up. I also want to have Ryan draw a tree so I can add that on the left. The letters will have more background fabric added and then I'll applique them on, rather than piece it so I can preserve the plaid pattern on the red fabric.

Kristin- I'm having so much fun!

These are my first free pieced letters and were so much fun to do! We've decided to write out Merry Christmas in several languages on the border, starting with French. I have only done the first letters of the other phrases, can you tell what they will be?

After the letters are all done I'll add some more background fabric and figure out how to attach them together. We're still thinking about how to do the interior of the quilt. I think this is the first time I've ever worked a quilt from the outside in!

I've been thinking about another quilt too. I want to do a Peace on Earth version with trees and stars. Must concentrate here!

Kristin- some of our ideas

I didn't have the time last weekend to plan the quilt like I thought I would, but I did make some mental notes of ideas. My 14 year old daughter had the idea to use these 5 inch squares as baubles on a tree. I also want to use a Santa drawing my son did last year. We were also talking about what words to put on it and Chloe thinks we should have Merry Christmas in several languages around the borders. I would like to make some funky houses with these fabics as well. My mental picture of this thing keeps changing, but hopefully I'll have time for some sewing next weekend and can get to work on the letters! I love all the inspiration here. It's great to see all the wonderful ideas and photos.

Kristin- intro

Hi there! I'm Kristin in Oregon. I love Tonya's quilts and find her whole blog so inspiring. We are both big fans of Gwen Marston and it's nice to see another quilter working in a free pieced fashion.

I have a batch of the new Holly Jolly fabric that I want to make a small wall hanging with. I have some of my own ideas, but plan to ask the kids to help me design it so it will be a true family quilt. I haven't tried any of Tonya's letters yet, so that will be a goal for me on this one.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with too! So much inspiration!