Since all the recipients of my handmade Christmas gifts have received — and opened — their presents, I can now share what I made for my four children. Gifts for adult children and their families can be challenging. Sometimes we’ve given money so they can share an experience, sometimes we’ve purchased gifts for the whole family — spending hours in the toy aisle at Target — but sadly, most of the grandchildren want something from the toy aisle at Amazon these days. Other years we’ve given a beautiful Christmas picture book.
This year, we went this way.
I had leftover bits from my Criss-Cross Christmas quilt, but had to search to find more fabric to make what I wanted, then used an entirely different line for the backing and binding. When these lines sell out, they are gone gone gone.
I started these in April (in process photos, above) and finished, quilted, and bound them in November and mailed them before Thanksgiving so the families could use them in their decorating (if they wished). I unpicked the upside-down animals, righting them (as seen in the left photo).
We were at my daughter’s for Thanksgiving, and I snapped this quilt, casually tossed on her bed. I thought it looked great. I hope to get photos of what the other families are doing with their table toppers/bed accents/wall hangings/whatever.
We finished up our 2019 Gridster Bee by making these hot air balloon blocks, free from Woodbury Way. They are for Afton, who lives in an area known for their hot air balloon festivals, so it’s a fitting block for her (although she may just really like them, I haven’t asked). I was supposed to do Block 4, but things just kind of morphed into something else once I got going.
Finally, in other happy news, this is a photo of me dropping off three quilts that were accepted to the upcoming Road to California Quilt Show.
We have quite a group that will meet up there, with Lisa bringing friends from Utah, Carol coming all the way from Boston, Kelley from Palm Springs, and the locals (Simone, Leisa, Laurel and I). It will be a gathering, of sorts, for a few members of the Gridster Bee! We generally meet upstairs for lunch, overlooking the gallery of hanging quilts. This year I’ll have a quilt in that gallery as well, as our Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild has been selected to provide those quilts. I’ll have more news about all of this when it gets closer to Road, which will be held January 20-26, 2020.
I have one more Christmasy post on Christmas Day, so until then, keep your spirits Merry and Bright while finishing up the shopping, baking and gathering. And if you are having a solo holiday experience this year, I wish you lots of good music, great take-out, and quality sewing time.
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
Very cute wall hanging! I struggle with gifts for my adult kids too. I have been buying them a subscription to Amazon Prime, good shows, books, and free shipping. I add gift cards to their favorite restaurant and a mini quilt/ runner/ throw to unwrap. My dil is a minimalist so I don’t want to bog her down with ‘stuff’. For the grandkids we are trying to plan trips and experiences rather than stuff. I did get my gd a small rolling bag for a Disney cruise and first plane trip. I will fill it with fun things!
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas,
I have given up on choosing presents for grandkids and children and give them all Amazon gift cards and they can get what they want for themselves – I give them quilts throughout the years – the daughter and granddaughter pick out for themselves one that they like from the stack when they visit and the other daughter chooses as she sees me make them – the grandson has quilts too but is not interested in them right now at his age but later he will be able to pick one out now and then as well when he appreciates them more. It might seem rather impersonal but I would rather they pick out what they want rather then make returns and buy what they want then
I like the way you’ve used the themed fabric in different ways but it’s still unified – like a family should be!
Gifting, whether for Christmas or birthdays – I’m best off when I make a list of what gifts for which recipient. I have to go back to that practice. Otherwise I spend too much if I’m buying gifts or giving cash cards, don’t finish gifts I’m making and sometimes end up unhappy with what I’ve given.
My sisters are trying to purge their homes of “stuff”. This year I’m giving them an experience gift that we can share together. We’ll be taking a class at the UCR Botanical Gardens.
I’m looking forward to seeing your quilts at Road as is Leslie.
Such fabulous quilts! Have a very wonderful holiday season, and year ahead!
Your gifts are lovely. Did you hand appliqué the animals,or,is it a panel?
Your quilts are lovely gifts. They will enjoy decorating with them for years to come.
Congratulations on getting your quilts in Road. Joan and I may make it down on Friday if her plans go as expected. It would be fun to get together.
Would you mind sharing the fabric line with the red and white leaf print? I love this print and would like to find some. Thank you.
Your Christmas quilts are all lovely and those fabrics are so so cute. I’ve had a particular fondness for deer this year after using fabrics with deer in my new Christmas quilts. Congrats on your quilts being in Road. Have a fun time. Merry Christmas!
Very nice presents. I especially love the penguin blocks > So cute!
Your Criss-Cross quilt is one of my favorite holiday quilts. And all those you made for family are beautiful! I often miss being in a bee. Mark and I might drive down to Road2CA. Would love to see you. It’s been way too long!!
Your lucky kids! It was an heirloom Christmas, I’d say.
What great, thoughtful gifts and very family-friendly! And like Michelle Meyers, I’d love to know the name of the red/white leaf fabric you’ve used – it’s great. I always love “going to Road with you” chairside (hopefully one day in real life!) so looking forward to that and seeing your 3 quilts all happy and showing off 🙂
Hope your Christmas and celebrations are lovely and your travels safe!
Lovely gifts for your kids, for sure! Congratulations on having quilts in the show – something to look forward to with friends. And we will look forward to seeing your blog posts about it! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! How wonderful to spend time with your kids. 2 out of 3 of our daughters made it home for Christmas and I am so thankful. I know traveling days are ahead so I cherish this time in between the old and new traditions. Looking forward to some quilt inspiration from you in the new year!
You certainly have been busy with so many beautiful quilts. I tried to pick a favorite, but I like them all. Congratulations on getting so many quilts accepted to the show. Sounds like it will be a fun trip for you to see them there with your friends. Merry Christmas!
Whoa! You kept yourself very busy this year, and kept all those quilts under wraps. You took on a big task and did it well. Puts my paltry gift-sewing to shame. No doubt your children will display their quilts to their best advantage. I’m happy for you to have quilts in Road to California. Congratulations! Sound like you have great plans for meeting up and hanging out with friends. Merry Christmas, Elizabeth! Have a blessed day, Elizabeth, spent with those you love.
That’s a lot of nice quilts for family!