Christmas in July Then & Now Blog Hop
Welcome to my stop for the Christmas in July Then & Now Blog Hop, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt (thanks, Carol!). This is the last day of the Hop, and I’m delighted to be sharing two little Christmas projects that I’ve enjoyed making. I hope you’ll also visit the other blogs scheduled for today – the links are at the end of this post.
I’m going to do a little different take on the Christmas Then, and tell you just a bit about my Christmas memories.
Growing up, my home was filled with Scandanavian figurines, especially at Christmas. My mother was Swedish, and loved her Swedish heritage. Hardly a Christmas went by that there wasn’t something from a Swedish shop for mom on Christmas Eve. Dala horses were one of her favorites, for no other reason other than they were Swedish and they were pretty. These four were on display throughout the year, as they are now here in my home. If you want more history on the dala horse, you can read about it here.
So why am I sharing this? Well, a little bit more about that in a minute.
The quilt used as a backdrop for those horses is one of the projects I made for the Christmas Now part of this Hop. Actually, it’s a UFO that finally got finished, thanks to this Hop!
A few years ago, Moda put out a series of quilt kits in tins called Frivols. This quilt is Frivols #10 – The Cookie Exchange. The fabric is The Cookie Exchange by Sweetwater Fabrics. I’ve had the block units done, but couldn’t settle on a final layout. This blog hop was just what I needed to just get it done!
Typically I lean toward the traditional Christmas colors of red and green, so this move to a bit more modern look was a fun change for me.
I quickly put the top together and then quilted it with a simple grid. All of the fabrics are from the Sweetwater fabric line (which is a bit difficult to find now). The finished quilt measures about 30″ square.
So, back to the Dala horse, which is the real reason why I wanted to finish my Frivols quilt. It would provide the perfect backdrop for this little cutie.
Since my mom is no longer with us to celebrate Christmas, my sister-in-law Nita and I still find ways to remember her and her Swedish heritage. Last year, Nita gave me this dala horse pattern along with the fabric for the horse body.
The pattern is called Dala Horse by Rosalie Dekker Designs. Nita has ordered more of these patterns and will have them soon. If you are interested, you can contact Nita here.
I had some left over Stacy Iest Hsu fabric that was perfect for the saddle and straps.
My daughter has laid claim to this little horse, so I added the green buttons, which come from her paternal great grandmother’s button box. The little horse finishes at 18 inches tall, and was a simple, quick project.
And there you have it, my little take on the Christmas in July Then and Now Blog Hop. I hope you enjoyed my little chat about these projects!
Here are the links to the rest of the blogs for the final day of this Hop. Grab another cup of coffee or tea and go visit each one!
- Just Let Me Quilt
- Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life – That’s Me!
- Den Syende Himmel
- Quilt Fabrication
- Sew Many Yarns
- Just Sew Quilter
- Shirley C.
- Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Thank you for stopping by my little corner of blogland. I’d be delighted if you’d leave a comment and tell me if you had a Christmas tradition from years past that you still keep.
Happy sewing, all!
Wendy
I Like Thursday #42
46 Comments
marissthequilter
What an innovative and lovely Christmas creation. Just love the horse and how its saddle and tackle match the Christmas quilt.
Elizabeth Coughlin
Your quilt and horse are both really lovely!
Cindy Pieters
I tooo like the more traditional Christmas colours, but I really like the modern look of your little quilt. The horse is adorable.
Carol Kussart
Your quilt is cute and I like the way you arranged it–and it reminds me that I have a Frivols can with a Christmas project in it that I should work on… I really like the horse you made too. My granddaughters would like that! Thanks for sharing.
Riceford Streams
The quilt and Dala horse are so cute! I remember that Sweetwater fabric line — it sold out in a flash. Your Frivols version is really cute.
Eileen
He is adorable! I like all your fabric choices.
Vicki in MN
I think it is wonderful that you have carried over your Mom’s traditions in decorating and now Molly too! Will she be getting the cute quilt also to go with her horse?
Rebecca
I love that you continue to incorporate your mom’s heritage into your Christmas celebrations. I feel like so many families (my own included) are losing their traditions.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy I had that same frivol, but of course did it different!!! I love those little horses and using those buttons is beautiful! Wish I knew where my Mom’s button jar was now?
karenfae
I had that fabric too and I have it scattered in quite a few scrap quilts – i don’t think I made one quilt pattern that came from those kits!
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
I love that one, Wendy,! So glad you finished and shared it! I’ve really started to like the addition of lighter colors, and even turquoise or blue, in Christmas fabrics and projects. Your Dala horse is amazing! Was it hard to make? Merry Christmas in July!
catpatches
I’d never heard of the dala horse until I made a quilt block for the Moda Christmas blocks last year. I’d seen them around, but I didn’t know they were a “thing.”
Susan
Great looking quilt! I’m usually red and green for Christmas, but do agree that the red with mint is a beautiful, modern combo.
Quilting is in my Blood
I really like your modern Christmas quilt. I’ve been using turquoise and lighter greens in my Christmas projects in recent years, and I do like the modern look. But your Dala Horse is the show stopper! Oh my goodness, it is so unbelievably wonderful! Have a great day, Mary.
sewswift
Your fabric horses are really beautiful and what a treasure to add a button from your great grandmother’s box to it. The non traditional Christmas colors are perfect in the quilt and Dala’s…love them all! I grew up with Norwegian traditions and I think it’s a wonderful way to pass on our heritage. After taking the DNA test, I’ve learned I have some Swedish in me, too, so I think I better add some Dala horses to my Christmas list. Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your then and now with us! xo
Denise
Great story. Your Dala Horse is adorable.
Janis Barnett
I really like your Christmas quilt. Using the more modern color scheme makes it look like you could enjoy it right into January and February. I enjoyed your story of the Dala horses too, and your little homemade one is very sweet.
Mary Ann
This was a lovely Christmas tale to read. Thanks for sharing with us. Unfortunately my family doesn’t really have a tradition like this but we have love and that is enough. 🙂
Kathleen McCormick
My mother treasured her old glass ornaments. She gave some to each of us and I put them out each year, to remember – not on a tree because of the dog. I love the projects and the dala horses! I do have some scraps of those fabrics that Nita sent if you want them to make more….
Sherry
Thank you for sharing your projects and inspiration. I have a couple of Frivols tins that have fun project I should get done. Maybe they will be a gift for someone at Christmas.
Nancy Bekedam
Wow!!! Love it all!! The Sweetwater fabric–yes! The bento box quilt–yes!!! And the Dala horse–super yes!!!
Charlene
Beautiful quilt, and perfect for your lovely red Dala horse. I love the colors you chose. I think red and aqua are wonderful Christmas colors. Thank you for sharing your Christmas story and inspiration..
Carla
What a beautiful post of memories and new projects. Your horse is so special and I love the importance of the buttons too.
Zenia Rene
Thanks for sharing. The figurines and stuffed Dala horse are my faves. I think I have this pattern in a magazine on my shelf! I’ll be checking this evening!
quiltinggail
Congratulations on finishing this cute little quilt! It’s perfect with the Dala horse! 🙂
Mari
These are darling, Wendy. I tend towards blue, white, and silver for Christmas, but I understand how the mix of colors could make things a little mind bending. The results are terrific! The homage to your mom is very sweet, too.
Anita
Your Dala horse is gorgeous! I love the colors you chose.
Karrin Hurd
Your Dala horse and quilts are beautiful! Love them!
Colette
Yay for the finish of the old project. Love the Dala horse, and what sweet memories
Patti
I love the colors and finish of the last quilt and horse. So cute! Thanks for sharing memories and meanings of Christmas for you. One tradition we have is to hang ornaments, several are handmade, from both sides of the family on the Christmas tree.
Karen Moore
Thank you for sharing your childhood memories. Nice job on the UFO and the horses.
Lj Meyers
The Dala horses are wonderful – so Swedish! The quilt looks perfect behind them. Thanks for sharing your projects and the story, too.
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! I love this little tale you have woven for us, especially hearing about the dala horse. What a sweet way to remember your mom (and the Tomte Santas, too?) and carry on the tradition. Fabulous finish of your quilt, too! Happy Friday! ~smile~ Roseanne
Louise Hornor
Oh, I love your little Dala horse! It reminds me of a stuffed Army mule I had as a child. Something about the smooth cotton in an equine shape is just such a happy memory for me. Your Frivols quilt turned out really sweet, too! 🙂
selina
Your Dala Horse is wonderful and such a terrific keepsake for your daughter. Also congrats on finishing that sweet quilt. I love reading the history behind what and why people make what they make. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Shirley Clark
You should be proud of yourself for finishing your quilt which is gorgeous! The horse is so cute too! Love the fabrics.
Mary Anne
I have seen similar horses but didn’t know what they were called, so thank you for that. Yours is adorable and I can see why it was claimed straightaway! Thank you for having us over for a visit.
mspdesignsusa
Thank you for sharing your quilt and the cute dala horse! I’ve enjoyed my visit today.
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
I love your Dala horses – both then and now!! That is really a cute pattern. I wish that fabric was still around. It’s really cute. I love the word fabric especially! Thanks so much for sharing your projects and heritage with us, Wendy!
Susan
Love the quilt and the horse.
Susan Nixon
That’s such interesting family history, and I’m glad you recorded it for you, and shared it with us! It’s a great quilt, a great horse, and a great heritage to celebrate.
Turid
So fun with those horses. I had visitors yesterday, and didn’t have the time to go through all the blogs. Me and my friend just rushed through, and we commented that the horse was like a Swedish Dala horse. Then I read all about is, and actually found that it really was. What great memories of Christmas. You also made a beautiful quilt to go with the horses.
Carol Andrews
Wendy your sneak peeks were definitely intriguing but the finished projects are beautiful. My family isn’t Swedish but while we lived in Europe when I was a child we travelled to Sweden and my mother picked up a couple of Dala horses for her china cabinet souvenir collection. I had forgotten about them until I saw your pictures. One day I might have to tell the story of what happened to the ornaments. 😉. That Christmas Quilt is beautiful as well and I’m sure your daughter loves her Sweet Dala Horse. Thank you for sharing the photos and stories.
thedarlingdogwood
Love your dala horse! What a great way to keep your mother’s memory with you at Christmas!
Theresa
The quilt and horses are pretty. Love them.
Linda
What a welcome and cheery post. That quilt is so cute, and the horse is outstanding! I love any Sweetwater line, and I’ve grown fond of the addition of aqua to Christmas colors. Your sister has some really beautiful quilting furniture on her website.