Sunday Quilt Inspiration

http://pinterest.com/mary_marcotte/

Today's quilt inspiration is all Christmas and comes from a variety of sources.   Some of my favorite inspiration sources include my guild, quilt shows, Pinterest, blogs I follow and, of course, my own followers.  For me inspiration comes from everywhere.  For example, last night we ate dinner at a Chinese buffet in Carencro, and on the walls were several paintings that spoke quilt very clearly.  

Here's my inspiration for today: another Christmas stocking.  This one is what I call "elf style" because it has a turned up toe.  I'm inspired to add a bell to that toe as soon as I have an opportunity to pick up some jingle bells. 

I stitched this one in turquoise with a silver lame' top because  several entrants in the giveaway requested some shade of blue with silver.  I must admit I've seen quite a few blue/silver ornaments this year and last.

I really enjoyed making this fun little elf stocking.  Making them is much easier than it seems, especially once I had the pattern drawn out. The winner of the giveaway may choose between this blue stocking or the green one below.

Sunday Quilt Inspiration from Pinterest: 

I really like this last one from Pinterest.  I'm hoping to get a chance to make one during our holiday break.  And to wrap it up, here are a couple of my Christmas projects for inspiration.  The first two from this year, the others from Christmas' past.

  

 This stocking is one that I made for the giveaway.  The winner may choose between this one and the blue/silver one above. 

This Santa quilt hangs from our mantle.  I have a matching pair of brass stocking holders that live on the mantle year-round.  I often hang a small quilt in front of the fireplace by running a dowel rod through the pocket and then slipping the ends over the hangers. 

We never have a fire going because of my allergies so there's no danger, and it's a fun way to display some of my smaller quilts.

I picked up the stocking holders several years ago at an after-Christmas sale and paid very little for them.  Because they are brass and do not have a Christmas motif, they work no matter what time of year we're in.  

Hope you're inspired!  Now quickly go to this post about the blog hop party and enter the giveaway.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow to meet the winner.  

Happy Quilting,

Mary

Edited to add:
I just read my own fine print from last Sunday's post about the giveaway.  Apparently I promised the winner would be able to make some color and style choices!  Hmm, I really was in positive mood!  Okay, then, a promise is a promise....the winner gets to choose between the two styles (traditional or elf) and colors.  If you want elf style, you need to pick two colors.  If you'd prefer traditional, I can make the stocking just like the one above (with or without the applique) or I can include the second color cuff.  I don't think I have time for both.  The post also gives you until 10 p.m. on Monday to enter and says I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, so go enter and on Tuesday come back to meet the winner.  Good luck and happy hopping.  Mary