It's still Christmas

By most Christian traditions, the Wise Men appear on January 6, the Day of the Epiphany, the day when we recognize Christ as a gift to all of the world.

So I am finishing gifts and mailing just as if I were trying to make a Dec 25th deadline.

This is a Cat in the Hat quilt bound for great grand-daughters in Maryland.  They already have a Berenstain Bears quilt in the same primary colors.  This one will create a set for their twin beds.

Another great kit from Nancy's Notions
and quilted by the talented long arm of
Heather Spence Designs.

Here's the Berenstains Bears Quilt so we can see the set. I hope the bears and the cats get along!

Now that I think about it, I reckon I didn't photograph
this one after quilting and binding.  I've been told it
looks great on the bed in Maryland.

Close-ups of the Cat in the Hat quilt.  I really enjoy these kits from Nancy's Notions.  The directions are clear, the fabrics wonderfully coordinated, and the colors are bright and true.  It's a great way to create a kid's quilt -- especially with the specialty fabrics.

The backing is the striped fabric that
also appears as the final border on the front
Binding is a collection of scrap squares
sewed together to make a long strip.

In progress -- two more cross stitch crib blankets.  Two more babies arriving in 2013.

Cat in the Hat

Love the kits available for kid quilts.  Found this one at Nancy's Notions. 

• Clearly written instructions.
• Coordinated colorful fabrics, each with a Dr. Seuss motif.
• Full color picture of what it's supposed to look like.
• Reasonable price.

Some folks don't 'approve' of kits -- and maybe it's true that creativity is less likely to be unleashed when all the pieces (color, fabric, layout, etc.) are handed to you.

I enjoy kits, especially when mental energy is low, as it is now for me.  There's little time or enthusiasm for designing my own, finding the fabrics, working thru the layout challenges, dealing with disappointments along the way.

So I love kits when I just wanna make something that has a very high probability of a)making it to the finish line and b)looking great when it's complete.

Preprinted panel with great Dr. Seuss drawings.
Great fabrics for the borders.

Border fabrics -- next step for me.

To kit or not to kit.  May not be life's uprooting question but I am sure glad the option is available to me when I need it.

Happy crafting.