Oh! Christmas Tree Quilt
Quilt #175
Began January 2016 • Finished December 2016
It’s finally finished. I started this once I saw the QuiltMania magazine it was featured in. It is a pattern from Wendy Williams of Flying Fish Kits. I had a companion in the making of this, in Wendy Welsh from New Zealand. She was about a month ahead of me in construction and was such a great help, especially in untangling the borders dilemma. All of the posts about the making of this quilt are referenced in the Quilt-A-Longs tab, up above.
I did finish it by my goal of December 1st, but had to find the right locale accessories, like the lumber-jack looking guy above. (By the way, the most important man in this photo is unseen, holding up the Christmas Tree quilt. Thanks, dear!)
I had written about how I quilted the center: a meander with tiny stars here and there.
As usual, I printed out my quilt with partial transparency and doodled and doodled, coming into a dead end always. But finally, inspired by an idea from *here,* I chose to do swirls around my stars with a spiral in the center, linking them all together.
I quilted the cream background fabric around the wool felt appliqués, then in around those red triangle points, leaving them unquilted. I did outline them in a straight stitch, helping them to stand out from the background.
My husband Dave and I went out for a photo shoot as the sun was dimming, first hitting the tree lot at Teen Challenge (below), a charity near our house.
And then we went looking for more evergreens for backdrops, a near herculean task in Southern California. We finally found these pines in the university parking lot. I told my husband that Marsha, in Vermont, could photograph hers out in the woods amid the snow, but that typical to our climate and locale, we have to pose in an asphalt parking lot.
The back is a series of panels and fabrics from Cori Dantini from her Merry Stitches line, purchased at Quilt Market this past May and available now. It’s fun to use them on the back.
This quilt (or parts of it) have gone to Spain, all around my town, and then finally tucked in at home to be finished with the quilting. I took inspiration from all of those who followed along on the Quilt-A-Long and on Instagram, but am indebted to my husband for his love of my quilting and constant support. Lastly, the design for Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus are found here on the blog. Uusually we say that what’s important about Christmas isn’t found under the tree.
But in this case, it is.
I hope your Christmas season is merry and bright and filled with the love of our Savior.
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
What a beautiful quilt. This is definitely on my list, my very loooong list.
I love it! If you had asked me in March what I thought my comment would have been different but with each posting I was pulled along until now I want one, too. When I miss the evergreens, etc., I remind myself that asphalt doesn’t have to be shoveled. Even though I moved to CA 30 years ago I still remember listening to the weather report, setting my alarm earlier, and getting up to face a driveway full of snow and snowy, slippery roads on the way to work. Not willing to trade yet but I am looking forward to visiting family in NY over the holidays. I’m looking for some white stuff around the 25th, too. Thank you for sharing!
Even though I traveled this road with you, with its fun and bumps, I remain in awe of your finish – it’s just perfect! Besides your very special “under the tree”, I think my favorite part is how you finished the stars (and they were one of my favorite parts to work on). You did a great job with this QAL and I am most appreciative – thank you again! The asphalt background is “California fine”, along with your holder and “Paul Bunyon”.
Your Christmas Tree is just delightful! You can always imagine you are living downunder where its Summer! No snow in my Christmas photos, that’s for sure! Love the look on the lumberjack’s face- priceless!
The finish is fantastic. I love the way your quilting really brings the elements of the quilt to the forefront. (After all, that is why we call the background fabric “background”.). Beautiful work.
Oh Elizabeth, it is beautiful! I love how some of the stars have a little light color in the background. The back panels are adorable too! I don’t know if mine will be done in time for Christmas. But once it is done, I should have no problem finding evergreens (or lumberjack looking guys, haha) here in Minnesota! lol Have a blessed Christmas!
This quilt always makes my heart sing “Happpy, happy, joy, joy” whenever you post it,
Elizabeth! Plus, the hunky lumberjack guy is an added bonus! ~grin~
Hugs,
Celia
Oh Elizabeth…it might be my newest favorite quilt of yours! I love everything about this quilt. I think I need to put that on my “to do” list. Maybe I will be doing my backing at retreat next fall. 😉
Beautiful!
Sent from my iPad
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Congratulations on the finish and making your goal deadline. I agree that southern California can present certain challenges for photography, but the quilt is the star of the show regardless. 🙂
It is just plain lovely, Elizabeth and so evocative of the season. Your quilting decisions were perfect. A wonderful addition to your collection.
Your Christmas Tree quilt is amazing and I love that you included the nativity under the tree – perfect!
Absolutely amazing. It’s been great following your blog as you worked on this.
Absolutely stunning! You’re so talented!!!
Jean
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That quilt is absolutely a keepsake! You did a beautiful job.
Oh Elizabeth, this is so beautiful! and the Kaffe stars and triangles are so perfect with the tree!. When I first saw you start on this I thought it was just the for a wall hanging. !
WOW! this is so inspiring. Fantastic! and bravo for Hubby!
XXOO Cat
I love how you changed what is under the tree to a nativity scene. Even to someone non-religious like me, it seems like the perfect alteration. You are so clever!
(Marsha might have snow in her quilt photos, but you have hunky lumberjacks. That will take some beating. 🙂 )
Another masterpiece. I adore this beautiful creation–so much to appreciate, from the swirling quilting, to the bird and flower tree decorations, to the tender family under the tree, to the nostalgic images on the back. I love it all.
Lovely, lovely as usual. You always accomplish so much.
Would love to have your energy. Enjoy the holidays, Merry
Christmas
Magnificent! The video-thoughtful. Thanks. ‘Tis the season.