Getting into the Christmas spirit

 We still have about 6 weeks till Christmas and the shops here in Sparta, as well as the coffee shops and restaurants, are already starting to decorate for this festive time! Although there are some leaves turning color, it is still rather warm and very sunny, while at midday you can still walk around in a T-shirt with short sleeves. Not exactly Christmassy!!

At A&B, though, we  are in a creative spirit!! Planning a Christmas event on Sunday, the 18th of December, the women of the Quilting Bee Sparta are working on the creation of all kinds of ornaments, runners, cushions and other items. 

We started with English Paper Piecing projects, like stars and wreaths made from hexagons. A lot of vintage and recycled fabrics are used. We are lucky that we get quite some donations from people in Sparta and from friends and family in Holland. The star and wreaths above are made from a vintage tablecloth. 

I found the pattern of the Christmas bells on Pinterest. I love Pinterest, so many ideas, it is like a vision board! 

The clappers of the bells were once hanging around the neck of some lovely ladies. Now out of fashion the necklaces are used again. It is so much fun making new things out of old stuff!

Aren't these ornaments lovely!

 

This vintage tablecloth I told you about, was a rather big one. We managed to make a lot of these hearts, used the smaller pieces for EPP and discarded the pieces with stains. 

What is Christmas without Christmas balls? These ones are made from pictures,  embroidered by one of the Quilting Bee members. She is going do embroider some more! 

A few years ago these snowflakes were given to me by a friend. You iron them on fabric. I had forgotten about them, but found them a week ago between some fabric. 

All the fabrics, except from the red dot, are re-used. Two are from curtains, one was a shirt and the light green a piece of vintage batik.

We are going to make a lot more! All the Quilting Bee members are enjoying these little Christmas craft projects.