Friday, December 7, 2012

First Friday Freebie #32

Can you believe it's December 7th already and the First Friday of the month? Before we know it, the 25th will have come and gone for another year.

It's been three months since my last First Friday Freebie and much has been accomplished in my sewing studio during that time.  I've managed to finish two Christmas quilts which I'm thrilled about...not to mention a few other projects as well.

While making the Christmas quilts, the inspiration for this month's FFF came about.  You all know I love samplers, stitching, wool-on-cotton applique and piecing...and the more vintage looking and scrappier the better!

Do you remember this photo from two posts ago where I showed you our sitting room decorated for Christmas?



Look a little closer...



Did you happen to notice the quilt hanging on the wall going up the stairs?

That is this month's FFF and it's called, "Twas the Night Before Christmas"!



Here are a few close ups because the lighting was not the greatest when I took the photo.












My friend Alice custom quilted this one for me as well.  Didn't she do another amazing job?  

I think this little guy might just be my favorite FFF to date.  

Thanks again, Alice for doing such an amazing job with very little notice and in a very short turn around time.



To download the PDF file with the instructions, line drawings and photo, please click HERE.



I'll leave you with this photo of Ollie and Frankie chilling by the fire early this morning.  Aren't they just too much?


Best friends!
I hope that you enjoy making Twas the Night Before Christmas as much as I did.  Enjoy!


113 comments:

Birgitte aka Bietje said...

Kaaren, thank you for this FFF. It's my favorite too. What a wonderful gift you gave us for Christmas. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jenny's Place Online said...

Kaaren, I hope you have a lovely Christmas, and thank you for such a lovely design. May the New Year be one without hospital visits for you... unless they are good ones! Best wishes, and happy crafting, Jenny x

Sunnybec said...

Hi Kaaren, Wow, thank you so much for your generous FFF what a lovely Christmas present to us all. Hope you are doing okay. Hugs Linda x

Laurence said...

Very beautiful quilt ! Thank you very much for your PDF instructions.

ara said...

Muchas gracia.

Feliz Navidad!!!!!

Lilian Pilar said...

Kaaren! buenos días!!! que bella tienes tu casa...tus trabajos son preciosos.
Un Gran Abrazo

Lily

barb's creations said...

Thank you so much for your gorgeous quilt pattern,I'll have loads of fun making this one up!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe Christmas :) Barb.

Karin på Ösäter said...

Thanks for a lovely pattern, for next year I might have it done :)
I hope you feel fine and stay warm.

Hugs Karin

http://karinpaosater.blogg.se/

Lesley said...

Fantastic, fabulous, and fun...a wonderful little quilt that is just so gorgeous! Love the combination of stitcheries and fabrics, especially love the Santa you designed. The entire quilt is stunning...perfectly designed, pieced, and with exquisite quilting. You are so very generous to be 'gifting' all of us with this pattern. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful creation...

Vlijtige Handjes said...

Thank you very much. I love it. I wish you a merry and bright christmas with you're love ones. May the Light shine on you.
Greetings Anita

Marisa said...

Hola Kaaren, precioso quilt me encanta, felicita de mi parte a Alice por el acolchado como siempre espectacular, gracias por compartir pdf instrucciones, saludos.

Siobhán said...

Wow, thank you! What a beautiful design. I was such a slacker this year in the Christmas department but would love to have this done for next year. What a generous gift you've given us. Thanks, Kaaren! :)

antique quilter said...

wow how generous of you its sooo nice.
Of course I hd to look at the pictures and love that pillow on the table by the staircase with the tree ? is that an original of yours too?
LOVE that!
Kathie

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Thanks so much Kaaren. I just love it.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Janet

Carin said...

Thank you so much. Its beautiful !!
Have a wonderful christmas

Sheila said...

Thank you so much for the FFF; it is beautiful Kaaren. You are so generous to share this with all of us. Love the photo of Ollie and Frankie, what friends they have become. Have a great holiday!

Jubama said...

merci, il est superbe !!!
Bises de FRANCE !

Betsy said...

Kaaren, thank you so much for your generosity. I am going to prep this pattern tonight! It is wonderful.

luv2quilt2 said...

Thank you so much for the lovely FFF. I can't wait to get it started.

Darlene D said...

I love it! I really hope to get this one done for next year! Thanks so much!

Kate said...

Thank you, Kaaren. I can't wait to start this one. I love the pix of Ollie & Frankie - they are adorable pets.
Merry Christmas.

Joan said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful quilt. I am absolutely delighted with the pattern. I am also enjoying the pictures of Ollie and Frankie. Have a good weekend!

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Thank you again for your generosity!! Ollie is a doll!

KaHolly said...

Your generousity is so much appreciated by many. Thank you for such a fun FFF, a wonderful gift. The quilting on yours is exquisite. Have a great day and a fun-filled weekend! ~karen

Terry said...

It's beautiful! Thank you so much Kaaren! Merry Christmas! :0)

Abby and Stephanie said...

Another beauty.

Pamela@ The Sampler Makers Farmhouse said...

Thanks so much! and, that is a beautiful quilt!

Guusje, said...

Thank you so much for this Freebie it is Lovely and what do you have a beautifull christmas house.

pinsandneedles said...

Kaaren, thanks for the FFF. Your quilt is beautiful! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

Thanks for the great FFF quilt and especially the rocking horse block.
I think this might be my winter project for 2013 for my daughters.
Love all your home decorations.
Enjoy your weekend.

Dianne

Shawkl said...

Thanks Kaaren, such a special little quilt! Love your decor as well. So glad that you are doing so wonderfully these days! Thanks for the early Christmas present...this will be a glorious little redwork to stitch up!
Kathy

Karen said...

Your wallhanging is amazing - both the construction and the quilting! And your babies are looking so cute :)!!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Kaaren, I noticed this wonderful quilt in your decorating posts and was immediately smitten with it. Thank you so very, very much for this most generous FFF. My hope is to have my own ready to hang next year for Christmas. Thanks again! Also, the photo of Ollie and Frankie is just adorable. Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy and blessings. Big Hugs....

Lynn S said...

Oh my this is so wonderful!! This is a must do! I love redwork and it will make me think of you!!

Colleen G said...

Another generous offering of your talents and time; thank you, Kaaren. And beautiful quilting too!

Me and My Stitches said...

What a wonderful pattern - thanks so much for that. I absolutely love every picture of Frankie and Ollie -they are just so cute together.

Bev said...

Oh, how exciting! I'm putting this on my blog and sharing! Thanks so much! Your babies are darling btw. xo

Cheery wave!

Bev

Lynn said...

What an overwhelmingly generous pattern to share with us. Thank you!!!

Sheila said...

Thank you so much for this beautiful FFF , it is gorgeous !I will stitch this with much pleasure and may your Christmas be filled with joy! hugs Sheila

Jo said...

Thank you very much for this pattern, it's a beautiful Christmas gift !!

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que preciosa decoración, el panel de Navidad te quedó precioso!!!! me encanta la foto de tu westy y tu gato, yo también tengo un westy, besos

Phyllis said...

Thank you so much for the beautiful pattern. Your designs are such fun to make. I just finished the little girl with the snowman as a wallhanging and I have to make another for a friend. You are so talented. Thank you for sharing with us. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

LONA said...

Thank you so much for the Christmas quilt. You truly have a giving spirit.
Merry Christmas,
Lona

Needled Mom said...

I love seeing Ollie and Frankie by the fire....so cute.

Thank you so much for the beautiful FFF. It does make up into a beautiful quilt and your stitching is gorgeous.

Pam in KC said...

Kaaren - this is a wonderful pattern. I'm in the middle of a long term redwork project, but I may have to prep these blocks anyway. Thank you so much for this pattern.

Janet O. said...

I had noticed that quilt in your home tour, but since this is my first year following your blog I thought it was just one you had made in previous years-but it does seem now that you had mentioned the recent Christmas finishes were your first Christmas quilts. You are sneaky! : )
What a lovely, generous gift for FFF!

Darlene said...

OMG, Kaaren, I actually have tears in my eyes because I LOVE this FFF - it speaks loud to my heart.

Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

Lori said...

Wow! That is awesome and the quilting really gives is such a nice touch!!
Who knew Frankie and Ollie would be such great friends?! Have a terrific weekend.

Marsha B said...

Kaaren, you are a generous soul. This is a wonderful Christmas quilt and my favorite of your FFF's as well. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talents with us! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Rosa said...

It`s spectacular.Thanks for the design and for be so generous!!

Barb said...

OMG what a wonderful giveaway! No way - Count me in, in in.
Can I pin your beautiful display?
I'm so jealous that your cat and dog get along so nicely! I wish mine did, what a cute pair.

Sandi said...

Lovely quilt Kaaren, once again you've given us a unique gift.

I noticed the small x stitched feather tree on the table by the stairs, did you design it also? It looks like there are buttons for the ornaments, am I correct.

Frankie and Ollie are great friends!

Colleen said...

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful pattern with us! Your quilt is absolutely beautiful.

moosecraft said...

Wowie! This is one super generous FFF! And a real beauty too! Thanks so much! Merry Christmas to you! And thanks for the cute pic of Frankie and Ollie... :-)

suz said...

Jaw-dropping beautiful! Wow, Kaaren, this is amazing. It is now at the top of my list for new projects. Thank you so much. Christmas is early!

Ali said...

The quilt is gorgeous. You really have inspired me. I thought if I could make a panel a month I may have my own by next Christmas. Wonderful FFF. It looks like Ollie's well and truly settled in for his first Christmas with you all.
Ali x

Gra said...

What a beautiful work and amazing quilting job!! Thank you so much for sharing. You are so talented and generous!!

Anne said...

Wow what an awesome gift to us. You're the best!!!

Ophélie said...

I'm discovering your blog with lots of pleasure.
Everything is so beautiful!!
I will add you on my links.
See you!

Jackie said...

Oh Goodness Kaaren. Thanks a mil.

Jackie

paulette said...

THANK YOU SEW much, Kaaren!! This is stunning! LOVE * LOVE* LOVE* it!! Very generous of you!!
Paulette

Kathryn said...

Thanks so much, Kaaren. You are such a talented and generous artist. Many blessings to you and your family this holiday season. Kathie L in Allentown

MoeWest said...

Wowsers! a whole quilt! Thank you Kaaren, it is just beautiful. I love the touches of wool applique with cotton too. {hugs}

Lindah said...

Oh, Wow! A sweet little quilt! It is beautiful. I can hardly wait to start. Your name will be in bold letters on the label. What a wonderful Christmas gift. Thank you, thank you! Lovely sewing memories ahead.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Betty said...

Oh, I am so going to do this. I noticed the quilt on your wall first thing and was thinking this may be the FFF. I did your Ragedy and Friends and loved it. Thanks you so much for sharing your talent with us.
Olie and Frankie look pretty content in front of that fire.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

What a wonderful quilt! Thanks so much. Love your fur babies enjoying each other....grin.

Mama Bell said...

Thank you for sharing your creative art with us! I can't wait to make that quilt! Love your new Ollie!

Libby said...

Kaaren, thank you so much for the FFF ~ that is just "too sweet" and just adorable. Just what I needed!
You are a sweetheart.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Libby said...

Kaaren, thank you so much for the FFF ~ that is just "too sweet" and just adorable. Just what I needed!
You are a sweetheart.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Unknown said...

Thank you for such a wonderful gift and it is just what I have been looking for. Hopefully I will have it done be Christmas 2013.

thelady(at)hotmail.com

Fiona said...

thank you for sharing this... it is beautiful...
Hugz

Fiona said...

thank you for sharing this... it is beautiful...
Hugz

brodine said...

merveilleux, merci beaucoup :)

Hardin County Keepsakes said...

It is lovely.Thank you.I will download it but before I start another I AM going to finish the raggedy ann quilt.I have all but one block of red work done.Then on to the finish.It has taken me a long time on this one.
judy j

Allie said...

Oh my word....Kaaren, I think this is my favorite too! What an absolutely DARLING little quilt, thank you so so much!!!

Anne said...

Thank you so much, Kaaren! I can't wait to get started on this wonderful project. Yours is beautiful!

Shari said...

I'm really enjoying your lovely Christmas decorations. Your house is so warm and inviting - very joyful. I hope you have a very special Christmas season with wonderful gatherings of friends and family.

Thank you too, for the special stitchery wall hanging. I love your santa - a little more accurate to the legend instead of the coca-cola version we so often get.

Sandy said...

I can't believe you made that up for our December FFF!! This is such a large freebie....thanks so very much, Kaaren! When you said look a little closer I was zooming in on the little pillow or stockings on the little table. It is gorgeous and maybe it will be hanging in my house next Christmas time. Ollie and Frankie are the sweetest buddies! May the New Year bring you healthy, happy times.

Ramona said...

Kaaren, thank you do much for the beautiful FFF. I just love it and plan on making it after the Holidays for next year. Hope everything is going ok for you. Have a blessed holiday season.

Stephanie D said...

Omigosh, this is beautiful! What a lovely gift, Kaaren! I won't have time before Christmas, but this is on the top of my priority list for next year's quilts!

Cathy said...

Kaaren, it's gorgeous and an awesome freebie! Wow! Thank you! Thank you! I just love it!

Cathy ♥

Nancy in IN said...

Thank you for the FFF. It is just what I want to do after Christmas for next year. My grands will love. Thank you. Ollie is so cute.

Kris said...

Oh, wow, Kaaren - this is a wonderful gift for all of us!! I love this wallhanging!! Thank you soooooooo much for the pattern!! Your sitting room is so great looking!! Would you come to Logan and decorate my home?? Of course it would have to be an FFF!! :-)

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot for this gift. I always read with a great pleasure your blog (you english is easy to understand for me). Take care and have a nice week-end! Hugs from France.

Elena said...

Thank you!Muchas gracias!!!
Feliz navidad !!!
Hugs from Barcelona

luverlie said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You are more than generous. While it won't be finished in time for this Christmas, you better believe it will have a place of honor next year.
Thank you so much for sharing your great talents with us. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours and I hope the New Year brings you great joy!

hennies.pennies said...

This little quilt is wonderful! How generous of you to give us such a gift. You are one very talented lady! I am moving this one to the top of my 'To Do' projects... a little late to complete for this year but it will take center stage next year!! Be especially blessed, Kathy

Diane H said...

Thanks very much for this wonderful gift, Kaaren. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Christmas blessings to your house from mine.

Jane said...

Kaaren this is great!!!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I have it printed off already!!!!!! LOVE it!!!

Ruth K said...

Mi Godness! This is a true Christmas present. Thank you very much Kaaren pretty much every thing you show is kind of on my "to do one day..." list. Hugs and merry Christmas to you and Mr. P quilt. Just in case I don't get to do another comment before the big day arrives.

Ruth K said...

Mi Godness! This is a true Christmas present. Thank you very much Kaaren pretty much every thing you show is kind of on my "to do one day..." list. Hugs and merry Christmas to you and Mr. P quilt. Just in case I don't get to do another comment before the big day arrives.

SueB said...

That is an awesome FFF. Then at the end with Ollie and Frankie just waiting for the Santa. Love your place.

SueB said...

That is an awesome FFF. Then at the end with Ollie and Frankie just waiting for the Santa. Love your place.

Pam in IL said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful FFF! I won't get mine done for this Christmas, but I'll for sure have it done for next year.

Love how Ollie is using Frankie for a pillow!

Prayers to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season.

Jeanne said...

Thanks so much, Kaaren! It's wonderful!

sbsudbury said...

Thanks for this early Christmas Present...I love this pattern.

Janet said...

What a wonderful Freebie. You did a great job. It was such a great surprise. Hope to have this done for next year.
As always I look forward to your next blog.
Take care and enjoy your decorations,
Ollie, Frankie and everyone in your life.
Janet

quiltgrammy said...

Wow, Kaaren this is sooo generous of you. I have really enjoyed looking at how you've decorated your home for Christmas. And the updates and pictures of Ollie and Frankie are just too cute. Thank you so very much for the wonderful pattern. Hope you and Mr.P.Q. have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Christine said...

What a beautiful christmas quilt!!!! Thank you so much fr sharig your wondeful talents with us!! I hope to do this for next Christmas!
Christine

Fleurette said...

Wow.. your quilt is so beautiful!!!
I love it! Thank you very much for the pattern.

shenry3 said...

What a beautiful quilt. I can't wait to make this for next year. I have the perfect spot for this. Thank you so much.

Phyllis in Minnesota said...

Thanks sooo much for sharing your talent and pattern with the quilting world. I can't wait to start the process and will think of your generosity while enjoying the process of making a thing of beauty. You are a gem!!

Angie said...

W.O.W. Kaaren, this is absolutely FABULOUS!!! You really do spoil us, you know. :) Thank you so very much for sharing this with us. I adore your two furbabies and their love for each other. Happy Holidays.

Maureen said...

Thank you Kaaren! You are so generous. Have a wonderful Christmas and remember to do yourself as well as others. Those pets sure keep you entertained, don't they.

robin said...

Wow! Such a generous giveaway. Thank you! MAYBE I will be able to complete this project before next Christmas! haha

Kathy H said...

Thank you Kaaren, for the beautiful pattern. I just love it . i will try and make it for next Christmas. It will be such a CHristmas treasure. Merry CHristmas to you.

Loveday's Day said...

Thank you so much. You have some much talent :) I love reading your blog.

PJ said...

Thank you Kaaren. It is a lovely wall hanging. You are so kind to share your wonderful designs.

Merilyn said...

Yes, that quilt is certainly a wonderful piece of work! Loved seeing the close-ups, you both did a great job with it.
I love the photo of Ollie and Frankie, those two really are the best of mates, which is just so lovely to see!!!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Season, and all the very best for 2013!!!

Carole Y. said...

Thanks Kaaren for this lovely gift to us for Christmas.

Best wishes for the coming festive season,

Carole Y.

Heather said...

Thankyou very much for sharing this beautifull design i LOVE it. I hope you and your family have a blessed christmas, and a happy healthy new year. Best wishes

Pat from Florida said...

I so love this pattern and would love to make it for my daughter, Christmas 2013. However, when I go to print it the line drawings are washed out -- very faint, or invisible. Can you help? Thanks so much for this lovely pattern.

Denise :) said...

What a darling, darling little piece this is -- I can certainly see why it might be your favorite of your FFF offerings ... I think it might be mine, as well!! So happy to hear that you've had happy, productive days in your sewing room! Thanks for sharing, Kaaren!! :)