Here's the next gorgeous block - "The Tree". This pattern is "Christmas Fun" by Lynette Anderson Designs, and I bought the pattern and the set of hand painted wooden buttons from Patchwork Chicks here in the UK. I'm really enjoying stitching this festive project! Weaveline (a soft woven interfacing) was fused to the background fabric first of all, and the design was traced using a Micron Pigma pen and a lightbox. The stitchery was all done by hand, using DMC threads and very simple stitches - backstitch, cross stitch, satin stitch and colonial knots. The applique has been completed using the applique paper and glue stick method with Apliquick tools. I use a few spots of Roxanne's basting glue to hold the applique shapes in place instead of applique pins, and hand stitch the applique shapes to the background fabric with Aurifil 80wt thread. The angel hand painted wooden button will be stitched into place once the quilt has been completed.

I'm a real Bernina Babe, and I absolutely LOVE my Bernina Activa 230PE (I've had her since 2006 and she is as good as the day I bought her thanks to a bit of TLC from me and lots of TLC from Mr Tim at Felixstowe Sewing School) but I've always yearned a bigger sewing machine. So after weeks of deliberating and researching, I've bought this beauty from Tysew. It's the Bernina 550QE and it will be delivered on Tuesday. I am quite giddy with excitement! I couldn't believe it when Mr F asked me if I was going to sell my 230PE - well, I had to give him one of "those" looks - what a stupid man!
*Just to let you know Tysew was recommended by a lady at a sewing group I go to, and I must say their website is fantastic and they were really helpful over the phone on Saturday. If you're looking for a new machine I'd definitely recommend them!

As you know, my absolute favourite threads for machine piecing and machine quilting are Aurifil - and they're now available at my friend Lynne's shop, Craft Den in Sheffield. The 1300 spools of 50wt thread are on introductory offer at £8.25 each or 10 spools for £78 - ohhhh how I wish this gorgeous display of threads was going to be in my new sewing studio when it's completed! I'd be in thread heaven :)

Here's block 3 "The Pudding" - this pattern is "Christmas Fun" by Lynette Anderson Designs. I've used a selection of festive fabrics designed by Lynette for this project. Once the fabrics had been picked out, weaveline (a soft fusible lightweight interfacing) was fused to the back of the background fabric then traced the stitchery design with the use of a Micron Pigma pen and a light box. The applique design was stitched into place with Aurifil 80wt thread (I used a neutral colour for this, Dove Grey) and used a few spots of Roxanne's basting glue to hold it in place so I didn't need to use pesky pins! The stitchery was all done by hand, using DMC threads and very simple stitches - backstitch, cross stitch, satin stitch and colonial knots. Aurifil 50wt thread and a Superior Titanium Microtex size 60 needle was used for the machine piecing. The cute Christmas hat button that is perched on top of the bear's head will be stitched into place once the quilt has been completed. I'd originally bought this pattern online from Patchwork Chicks, here in the UK together with the set of hand painted wooden buttons. The pattern is also available from Cross Patch, with the option of being supplied as a kit. 

Here's block 2 "Mr Snowman" - this pattern is Christmas Fun by Lynette Anderson Designs. This was bought online at the end of December from Patchwork Chicks, and I've used a selection of festive fabrics from an assortment of Lynette's collections for this project. The applique design was stitched into place with Aurifil 80wt thread (I used a neutral colour for this, Dove Grey) and used a few spots of Roxanne's basting glue to hold it in place so I didn't need to use pesky pins! The stitchery was all done by hand, using DMC threads and very simple stitches - backstitch, cross stitch, satin stitch and colonial knots. There are 4 small appliqued heart blocks for this quilt - 2 for for this block and 2 that will be added to block 3...