I have loved ‘ticker tape’ projects since I first saw them on Crazy Mom Quilts, some years back. They are so cute and a really fun way to use up bits and pieces of fabric. Fast forward to a couple of days ago when I saw the cutest ticker tape tree over at Devoted Quilter’s site. Leanne created this 12″ block for Quilt Mania. I thought, “ok, I am going to do this. ” I have loved these little scrappy projects for a long time and I decided to set aside the jillion other things I needed to do and make this fun mini. (Thank you Leanne!!)
I have to say, I am especially excited that this quilt turned out because I made it on a ‘post-migraine day’. Normally, I never make anything the day after a migraine. If you have never had one, a migraine leaves a person with scrambled eggs for brains. The day following one, I don’t think clearly, feel very foggy and definitely do not drive anywhere. So when I decided to make this, I figured it was low risk. Using scraps, it wasn’t a huge deal if it ended up in the trash. Fortunately Leanne’s instructions were really helpful. I did get all turned upside down when I was trying to stitch the tree shape (using two rectangles of the cream fabric and a square of dark green for the tree. I kept flipping the rectangles around and could not see my way through it. I finally texted my friend, Sophia, and she was going to talk me through it. But suddenly the lightbulb flipped on and I got it. Seriously, it is very frustrating to know I ‘should’ know how to do something and have this muddled brain that just can’t get there.
Anyhow….. I did get there. Once the little tree was constructed, I put the borders on. The red plaid was a scrap from a big bag of fabric scraps my sister gave me a while ago. It was perfect for framing the little tree.
Then came the fun part – cutting up scraps and decorating the tree. Leanne had made hers with various shades of green but I decided to make mine festive with various holiday fabrics. Once I had an arrangement I liked, I used a fabric glue stick to place the pieces.
I used a tight zig-zag to applique the pieces to the tree. This is more than adequate since it will hang on a wall during the holidays and shouldn’t require laundering.
I had fun using a micro stipple on the background. Nothing like a mini quilt to give that satisfying feeling of a finish, right?
See that little snowflake at the top of the tree? Love it! Also, the green heart in the center just adds a little sparkle to my tree.
The backing was a bit of a holiday print I had in my drawer full of Christmas fabrics.
Overall, this was just a very fun project that I enjoyed making. It has been such a long time since I played around like this. Be sure to give it a try. The directions are available here. I am looking forward to hanging this in the entryway during the holidays! Thanks again Leanne – writing tutorials takes a bit of time and I am so appreciative to you for putting this one together.
Linking to Whoop Whoop, Brag About Your Beauties, Finished or Not Fridays.
This is adorable, so crisp and cheerful! Thanks for showing us.🙂
Hi Christine – thanks so much. I know you relate to the feeling of success post-migraine. A small win, but still made me happy. Hope you are doing well and staying (somewhat) headache free.
Absolutely adorable idea!!
Thank you – tho the idea was all Leanne’s. It was a fun make though. I have several little Christmas minis that I enjoy during the holiday season.
Oh, and I wanted to mention that I really miss Crazy Mom Quilts blog posts. I know that retiring from her business was good for her, but I do miss Amanda Jean’s voice!
Right? When I was looking for the link to her ticker tape projects, I felt so ‘at home’. I LOVE her blog and hope she never takes it down. There is so much inspiration there and a billion wonderful projects. She is really talented.
It turned out so cute! Love the little snowflake at the top and all the other fun Christmas fabrics. So good that you were able to do some fun sewing post-migraine too, and it worked! I might have to give this a try; it sure looks like fun!
Hey Wendy – thank you. Put it on your list. It is a fun one. Would also be a fun mini to give as a gift. 🙂
Oh Bernie this is little tree is adorable! I may need to give it a go…
What an adorable tree. I might have to do one, or just put it on the list.
Sophia is a joy, so glad she’s there for us.
Also migranes are awful, I got them when I was young but grew out of it. Now just a headache if I take on
too much.
Take care
Wowie Bernie, the beautiful projects you finish keep amazing me, BUT especially with a “muddled brain”!!?? I love all the special touches too on this one. ❤
I love your little quilt! And I love small projects for all the same reasons you indicated.
Using scraps and quick to finish!
Love this little quilt! Great job!
What a super fun project and finish, Bernie! It was great to see you jumped right on making it as soon as Leanne shared her tutorial. And I definitely know that being able to put it all together the day after a migraine is very impressive.
Thank you Yvonne. It was a fun project once I got out of the weeds and remembered how to make that triangular shape. It is funny when my brain is clear to look back and wonder how I didn’t get it. Weird….
It’s really adorable. Nicely done.
Very cute and what a great way to use up those small Christmas scraps. Sometimes we need to get some quick sewing satisfaction.
For sure – these would be fun holiday gifts and a great way to use up the bits and pieces. 🙂
What a cute little project. I was looking for a little something to make as gifts and this is perfect.
Great finish! I love this and it is surely tempting me!
Kathleen, I am fairly sure you have 3,169 projects going on. Lots of temptation there! I don’t know how you get so much done. Have a great weekend. 🙂
This is an adorable little tree. Hope you’re feeling better.
Thanks Anja – I appreciate the note. I am doing better. 🙂
Oh so cute, Bernie, and I am impressed that you made this on a recovery day because even though it seems easy, there really are a lot of steps there. Your fabric selection is delightful with that plaid border, the yellow stars around the tree, and the variety in the little scraps. And you know how I feel about little stipples on mini quilts. Perfect squirrel project for sure!
Thank you – what is it about a Christmas plaid? Of course it should be used for a little girl’s holiday dress or a boy’s necktie but I really love them. I am traditional at heart. 🙂
What a cute tree! I love the look of those ticker tape projects, but I’ve never done one. I especially like that little heart and also love the background with the gold stars.
Thanks Linda. I don’t know that I would do this sort of ticker tape thing for a quilt needing to be washed a lot but for this it is just fine. Have a great weekend!!
Just catching up on the week! What a darling little project, and I completely understand the “scrambled eggs” thing. It does not seem to have affected how cute this turned out, though. How fun that you had a drawer with enough Christmas scraps for this. Yay for being thrifty and saving all those little pieces! Have a lovely and restful weekend.
I am not exactly sure why but I have soooo many Christmas scraps. I know my sister gave me quite a few and I have gotten some from thrift shops but let’s be clear – this project didn’t make a dent in that drawer!! But I do love it – such a cute little quilt. 🙂
Very Very cute!! and I am glad your migraine is over – those are just No fun at all!
This is just adorable Bernie! What a fun and satisfying make. I’ll have to check out Leanne’s tute. Thanks for linking up this oh-so-typical DrEAMi! Playing is good for our soul.