Monday, April 16, 2012

So today is my day to be part of the Table Topper Blog Hop that Madame Samm is most generously hosting...


When she offered this opportunity I thought it would be fun to see if I could come up with something to hang in this cute little 12" x 14" stand from Ackfeldwire...

Well, I so enjoyed making these mini quilts and found it addictive enough that I made four instead of the one required!  I will start with my favorite:




This combines my new love of hand embroidery with my well established love of piecing and quilting.  I used Microsoft Word to design the font pattern for this and  then added a bit of strip piecing with batiks in the traditional ROYGBIV way...you can tell what my usual fav color is based on the "thread" coming off the spool!

My second favorite mini is probably this red and neutral simple pieced nine patch.  The individual little squares are 1/2" finished with the nine patch finishing at 1 1/2" and I am dreaming about making a lap size quilt with these same fabrics in this scale.  Unfortunately I don't have enough of this particular red left over so I have been looking for a tiny print in this same red shade that I might substitute.  BTW, the rhubarb is definitely suggesting pie for tonight...lol!


 As I have been doing many embroidery projects lately, this next one is adapted from a fun free pattern from Bird Brain Designs called Live Laugh Love which can be found on the Lecien site.  The pattern actually is about twice the size that I made so I chose to just do one of the panels.  Those birds are so sweet and it was very quick to stitch up.

here is a close up of the stitching:


Lastly, is a red swirly heart that I free-pieced and tried to swirly quilt.  I am nearing the end of the scraps that I have of this red fabric and it has been a favorite go-to of mine.

I really find these mini toppers a quick fun project and the stand holds them in such a way that a very simple hanging sleeve sewn into the binding is all you need...
 

In honor of this being my first blog hop, I am doing a giveaway.  Leave me a comment with which mini you like the best and why and I will enter you in a drawing for a charm pack of Moda Fig Tree &Co.'s California Girl.  You don't need to be a follower but I'd love it if you were :).



I will ship internationally but be sure to include your email address if you are a "no reply blogger" so I can contact you if you are the winner, if I don't have contact information I will draw another!  I will draw on the last day of the hop, April 25th.


Thanks for visiting and be sure to visit all the other great ladies today and the rest of the hop!

Table Topper Blog HOP Schedule

Monday April 16th

Piece Peace * please visit her on Wed April 18th

Tuesday April 17th


Wednesday April 18th


Thursday April 19th


Friday April 20th 



Monday April 23rd

Patty D


Tuesday  April 24th
Syd 

Wednesday April 25th 

126 comments:

Mhairi said...

I love all of the quilts but the color one is my favourite. It is wonderful, so simple and effective. And it is really reflective of how most of us quilt.

Sparky said...

Good Morning for you Kris...I am just heading to bed but wanted to say..OMG
are you kidding me...these are fabulous...my fav ...ok I can't tell you...I love them all...ok, maybe the stitching a bit more lol...great work sweetie..and your photos exceptional... p.s if you turn off your word verification on settings comments...you will get more...just a thought lol

Linda said...

Kris, I love all of them but my favorite is the red and white nine patch. Half inch squares!!!!!!! I want to see this one up close!

mennikelly said...

1.5 inch finished nine patches in a lap size quilt would look amazing. I think the nine patch is my favorite and I'm jealous of your abundant rhubarb.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Well, be still my heart. Just has to be the 9-patch because of the tiny pieces, I love tiny. Well done on your first time posting to a Hop and all your minis are wonderful. Thank you for your generous give away.

hueisei said...

I loved the Live Laugh Love stitching one. Thank for sharing the free pattern too. :)

Lesley said...

Beautiful table toppers! My favorite is the little nine-patch just because it is so precious! Thanks for the giveaway!

charlotte said...

I think I love the stitching of the birds the best, but the nine patch is pretty awesome too.

Lisa England said...

I especially love the topper with the bird embroidery. So gorgeous! I haven't learned embroidery yet so I'm totally amazed at people who do it.

Donna said...

I love the first one, both for the quilting and because I'm a science teacher and love the ROYGBIV reference! Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway! My fave would have to be the 9 patch. I'm a traditionalist. The simple blocks are always my favorites.

Karen M said...

I have always loved the traditional blocks. The nine patch mini has stolen my heart. I really admire the accuracy of your stitching. Thanks for sharing.

Patty said...

They are all wonderful. My favorite is the 9 patch - those colors really pop!

hennies.pennies said...

I love the Live, Laugh, Love. It's a wonderful motto. I especially love to embroider on my quilts and this one is just so dear!! Thank you for offering up a give away! Be especially blessed, Kathy

Martina said...

I think all of the are so cute. My favourite though is the 9 patch. Looks so beautiful!

Mary said...

They are all wonderful and that makes it really hard to pick a favorite. I'll say the Live, Love, Laugh because of the beautiful embroidery, and then I'd pick the red and white because I love that color combination.
All very nicely done!

Joanne Lendaro said...

Love the Quilting in Color!! All of the mini's are great, but the first one is my favorite too....

StitchinByTheLake said...

Even though I love embroidery I'd have to say the nine patch is my favorite - maybe because I've been thinking of tackling one this small and am too scared too! blessings, marlene

Teresa said...

I love the heart mini! But they are all nice. Great work!!

Anonymous said...

These are all beautiful, but for some reason, my favorite is the red and white. It is so classy and classic!

tpott said...

I love the 9 patch mini. My eyes hurt just looking at it, such small pieces. You work is lovely, very creative. I'm a new follower. ;-> Toni Anne

JudyCinNC said...

All are wonderful minis, have to single out the nine patch because the impact is so dynamic. Thanks for participating from Judy C

Cliodana said...

great mini quilt! lots of beautiful work. thank's for sharing

Linda Lee said...

They are all fantastic. My favorite two are your Quilting in Color...always love the rainbow and your 9 patch. I would love to try it..Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

They are all so beautiful. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the swirly heart. New follower here, too!

Joyce said...

Very Beautiful work...thanks for sharing the pics!

yorkie mom said...

Love the embroidery table topper! Thanks for a chance.

KaHolly said...

They are all great, but my favorite is the irish chain! The simplicity of the design always speaks volumes to me, big or small.

Rose said...

Love the live, laugh, love table topper. I am also a big fan of Bird Brain Designs and they came through again with this pattern. Great job.

Gill said...

I love the red and white quilt! My favourite colour combination - it works so well!!

Carrie P. said...

they are all great minis. I think I like the one with the spool. Very creative.

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

All are great, but I like the one with the embroidery because I like embroidery and birds!

Karen said...

Love the topper with the stitchery on it.

Messy Karen said...

beautiful stitching. love the birds.

KatieQ said...

I absolutely love the tiny red and white 9 patch quilt. I can't even imagine working with squares that tiny. Thank you for sharing the photos of your table toppers and for offering the giveaway.

Gmama Jane said...

I too have renewed my embroidery skills and although I have some practicing to do, I love combining quilting WITH embroidery. Hand stitching is very therapeutic for me! is it for you as well?
Blessings
Gmama Jane

Kathy H said...

I am having trouble deciding which one I like the best. I love the sweet birds the best I guess and have been doing a lot of stitcherie lately so I guess that would be my favorite. What great ideas though. i have one of those frames and was wondering what else i could make to put on them and your little nine patch is something else i wanted to make and now i will have the place to put it. Thanks for sharing. Love them all.

Joyce Carter said...

They are all beautiful, but I like the 9 patch the best.This is one of my favorite patterns because it is so simple to do, yet the results are always amazing. Thank you for the giveaway!

Lee said...

I adore the red/white 9 patch! cute! thanks!

Snoodles said...

They are all fabulous, but I love the "Quilting in Color" best - it's wonderful! I'm your newest follower!

Linda Crosby said...

Love, Love the Bird Brain design named Live, Love, Laugh as I use to do alot of embroidery work but my hands won't allow me to do alot these days. Thank you for the chance to win

Gwen said...

LOVE the Live, Laugh, Love quilt--- so pretty!! I love things with birds, and I love embroidery!! :-) Thank you for the chance to win!

Mary Jo said...

Very lovely quilts. Love the embroidery. Thanks for the give away.

Jessica Jo said...

Love the heart because it is imperfect. Those are my favorite things.

♥Duff said...

I like the spool--I love the colors together. Interesting that you used Word program--you must be tech savvy? Cool!

Lyn said...

I love the heart one. It is so colorful. I liked how you showed the back of the quilt with the hanger too.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

I like the heart the best. I do love the one with the hand embroidery too.

thegoose said...

I love them all, but the nine-patch is my favorite - so simple and so perfect.

Teri said...

They are all very cute, but I like the quilting in color one the best......I just love it. And have been trying to find out where to find the quilt holder.

Leslie said...

I also love color. When you see my table topper on April 20th you'll see why. The I Love Color is my fav.

Judith said...

My favorite "Live, Love, & Laugh", words to live by. I never thought of using the word program. Gives me an idea! Thanks for sharing, they are all beautiful. Judith, Texas (reynoldsjm06@yahoo.com)

Mrs.Pickles said...

what great mini's!!

Wendy said...

All your minis are lovely, but my favourite is the one with the bird stitchery. I just think it's really cute!

Charlene S said...

That heart struck a cord with my heart but the roygbiv quilt with color had it singing!

In stitches and seams said...

great toppers!
I have only made the one but you gals are inspiering me to create more.
thanks for having a give away as well
in stitches

Anonymous said...

LOVE THESE TABLETOPPPERS!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

QuiltSue said...

Can I have more than i favourite? I like the 1st one, and the 2nd, and the 3rd and the ...in other words I can't choose a favourite, they're all great.

Michele T said...

I love the 9 patch and I love the embroidered one too! But they are all so sweet, thanks for sharing.

Lisa said...

"I love Quilting in Color" is my favorite! But they are all beautiful! I am a new follower my blog is www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com if you want to stop by. I really enjoy the mini quilts, it is helping learn to quilt my own work. Thank you for the giveaway charm packs are perfect for mini's.

Teresa said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful work. My favourite is Live Laugh Love and I'm off to see if I can get a copy.

Patti said...

My favorite is the red and white nine patch. First of all I love red and white quilts. Secondly, I am going to make a red and white double irish chain for a friend. This is next on my list. Thanks for a chance.

Jytte R said...

The stitchery with Live Laugh Love is my favorite because I love stitchery so much.
I have seen the pattern before but you have made it in such a beautiful way.
Thank you for the chance to win.

Julie said...

I like the red and white mini because I love traditional patchwork. At such a small scale, it speaks to your patience and talent!

Anonymous said...

All of your pieces are simply wonderful. It is hard to pick a favorite, but if you force me, I will choose the sweet nine patch. I love the small scale. It is perfect and traditional which I find I sometimes miss. Thank you. ~Kelly

Sheila said...

Simply beautiful , love them all , nice to see a traditional block represented this way , Great job!

Sallie said...

My favorite is the red and neutral simple pieced nine patch because I like traditional blocks and I love the little pieces you mastered. Thanks for the giveaway!

Leesa Gentry said...

I love the Nine Block Quilt but have been inspired by your First Choice to try something new.

Deonn said...

Oh, your projects are all so adorable! I love them all!

Laura said...

Cute projects. I especially love the first one.

ytsmom said...

I love the little embroidered birdies. So cute.

Fort Worth Fabric Studio said...

Hi Kris ~ don't enter me in your drawing since I'm a sponsor, but I wanted to tell you that all of your toppers are great, it's hard to pick a favorite! I love embroidery mixed with quilting...but I think I will go with the red & neutral nine patch! Awesome work! :o)

Warm regards,

Jodie

Sandra said...

I really like Live Laudh Love it reminds me of spring and is soooo cute.

Thanks for the chance to win

juliehallfeldhaus said...

They are all cute. I can't decide between the embroidery birds and the I love to quit in color!! Thanks for the chance at the great giveaway.

Sherryl said...

I'm a sucker for two color quilts AND for anything that has many little squares - (9-patches? love 'em!) so obviously your little red and natural mini speaks to my heart! I love it, I do!
- sunshdws at yahoo dot com

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I like the first one...but they are all beautiful

Vail said...

Because I am intrigued by the tiny size and I love red and whit, my favorite is you the second one.

Vail in tn

Diann said...

I like the Live Love Laugh mini the best because I like combining embroidery with quilting and I love everything Lecien

Michelle said...

What great toppers! If I had to pick one, it would be the nine patch...love it!

Milly S said...

Kris, I love them all! But my favorite would have to be the red & white 9 patch, just beautiful! Thanks for sharing them all :)

Milly in Va

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Now that's really hard. If forced to pick it would be number 2 because I just like red so much. I'm a new follower.

bets said...

I love the 9 patch...very cute! All are darling! Just became a follower also!

Jennifer M. said...

Very Lovely mini's. My favorite is the Irish Chain. I've done that pattern and it is one of my favorites. :)

Jen

Loralynn said...

I love the "I love quilting" one! It has that little pop of color and the embroidery too...genius to add the needle coming off the spool! Just charming!

Vickie said...

I love the embroidered piece because it's so springy but the nine patch is so cute!

bairdmtn said...

Love them all but I am partial to red and white quilts and embroidery!

sandra said...

I love the little embroidered birds they are so cute. It is really neat seeing all of these mini wall hanging, thanks for sharing.

tink's mom said...

I love the first one because it is different and shows your creative side.

Marcia W. said...

Number 3 is favorite with number 1 close behind. I cannot believe the teeny-tiny half-inch squares - you are so very talented.

Crafty Tokyo Mama said...

I'm hooked on embroidery and quilting these days too. Your pieces are so pretty!

Bonnie58 said...

I love them all, but the red and white 9 patch squeaks past the others.....

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

I think they are all wonderful, but I love red so I vote for the red and neutral 9 patch.

sandi s said...

I love all of them but my favorite is the embroidery one with the birds. It is so spring like. Thanks Sandi szil949@yahoo.com

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Obrigada,sou seguidora internacional(Brasil)e o meu preferido são os pássaros.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

evelyn said...

Your enthusiasm shows through. They are all awesome. I am drawn to the red nine patch. Such tiny pieces. It is perfect.

WoolenSails said...

All wonderful pieces, but I am drawn to the bird stitchery, just such sweet piece and perfect for spring.

Debbie

usagypsy said...

I love the embroidered little quilt. There is something about the combination that I just adore. And the pattern is so cute!

Jen said...

I love the stitchery quilt! But really, I like them all! Thanks for sharing!

Needled Mom said...

I like the red and white Irish chain best, but they are all wonderful.

Deb said...

I like the nine-patch one. Or, I'm in awe of it!

Cherise said...

I love all of them but my favorite has to be the "Live Laugh Love" stitchery! Thanks for sharing! :)

hafza said...

I would say the second piece with embroidery is my favorite...beautifully done!! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway...

Jacklynn Grimm said...

I am torn between the Irish Chain quilt and the birds - I love the hand stitching, it's beautiful! Thanks for the give away!

Barb Neiwert said...

I like the Live Laugh Love embroidered piece. It's fun to combine skills in one quilt! I am signing up to be a new follower. If you'd like, you can find me, too, at mountainquiltworks.blogspot.com.

robin said...

I have a thing for birds, so I love the stitched bird one. Lovely!

Sandy D said...

I love the size of the toppers.My fav. would be the 9 patch.Thanks for sharing.I am a new follower there are so many good blogs our there

Judy1522 said...

I like them all but the one that really caught my eye is the color one because of the beautiful colors you used in the spool of thread.

Jan said...

My fav is red & white, red being my fav color! Never thought about putting it outside! Thanks for the idea.

MoeWest said...

I am in awe of the 9-patch! I've never tried anything so tiny.

Unknown said...

I love the nine patch mini! All of these are so cute! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great giveaway!!! :)

Unknown said...

My first choice would be the red and white mini with the stitchery coming in for a very close second! Thanks for the give-away!

Katherine said...

Fabulous toppers! My favourite is the embroidered birds - they are so cute.

Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring toppers with us!

Cloud 9 said...

The red & white nine patch is my favorite as minis fascinate me. I'm collecting scraps to make some minis, maybe of swoon or the farmer's wife blocks. Thanks for the giveaway.

rockgranny said...

I love them all but the first one is my favorite because it is different and the words are perfect for me

leanne said...

hey Kris - great little quilts - I like the 9 patch as well but I really like the little embroidered one - its so cute :)

Betty Lou said...

Love all your tabletopper quilts but your red and white nine parch is a work of art. Thank you for sharing.

mary mahoo said...

Love all your table toppers, but I love the first the best. Sums up how I feel perfectly!

MARIA CRISTINA said...

Adorable mini quilt spool of thread and charm the rest of the work!
Congratulations!

salamanda said...

Your first spool of thread mini is my mini but the heart is a close second

Carol Swift said...

Love them all, but that red and white one is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I like them all, but the red and neutral 9-patch and the Bird Brain embroidery are my faves... can I have two? Thanks for sharing these lovelies with us. I'm a new follower.

Bobbie said...

They are all sew pretty!

Kathy said...

I love the first one. I love quilting in color...because who doesn't love all the fab colors in our quilts? Simply inspiring!

JoAnne in southern California said...

I love your little Nine patches quilt. Nine patches finishing at 1 1/2"? Oh my! The Nine patch is my favorite block, I think I'm going to give that small size a try. So cute! Thank you for the lovely "Show and Tell". I'm a new follower and I'm glad I found you.

Valspierssews said...

All your minis are wonderful. The 1/2 in squares in the 9 patch look fabulous. I would love to win the charm squares. Thanks for showing you work in the blog hop.

Karen O said...

Kris, somehow you found me and became a follower. Thank you so much. And now I am one of your followers! I look forward to getting to know you better. It is very hard to choose my favorite. I think I would have to choose the 9 patch. I love mini quilts and that one is lovely and amazing.

Quilt n Queen said...

My favorite is Bird Brain Designs...Live, Laugh, Love...thanks for sharing in the blog hop...(o: