
This will definitely be a keeper in our family to come.
Each flower is embroidered with each of our family members' initial: J.A.Q.S.

A closeup of the initials. One for each one of us :). Haha does that mean no more kids :P???
The edge is framed with strips from the Moda 12 Days of Christmas Charm pack - each square cut in half (5" x 2.5") and sewn along each side of the pillow. As a batter of fact, all the color fabric, excluding the back, is from the Moda 12 Days of Christmas Charm pack.

A top view of the pillow frame.
The whole pillow top, minus the appliques are quilted with swirls to match the swirls of the frame Moda fabric:

The back of the quilt is kept simple by a single fabric from Bryant Park:

The appliques are raw-edged hand sewn own using blanket stitches.
Here is a closeup of the family tree trunk:

I decided not to use webbing on the tree trunk so it started to fray it a little around the corners - nothing to worry about but just enough to create a very nice rustic look to the tree trunk.
A closeup of a flower:

One larger circle and one smaller one make up this simple 'flower'.
I hope this pillow inspires you to start your next Holiday tradition or at least a fun little addition to your holiday decor. I know I had a lot of fun making it and it will be a treasured piece in our household for a very long time.

Thanks for visiting the 12 Weeks of Christmas - Week 2 :). Can't wait till the next project!
BTW - I am will also be creating a tutorial for this project. Stay tuned :).


My BIL is getting married this spring - blending two families - this will be perfect for them! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!!!!!! Thanks so much for linking it up to gettin' crafty on hump day :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful heirloom!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and how special for your family. THanks for linking to We're Organized Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely design. I like that there's not just red and green.
ReplyDeleteI really like your pillow and am excited that a tutorial is coming! I have kept initial pillows that my grandma made. So fun to think I could do the same!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous, Q! I want one for my family... your pillow gives me an idea. I have only been making personalized stuff for baby only, now I have to think of a project that includes baby's parents too! :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute. I love the swirled quilting.
ReplyDeletei love this...it looks so great!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun pillow and surely to be a family heirloom!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I love it. You are very creative and I think this will be a great thing to pass down through your family.
ReplyDeleteGreat pillow! Love the quilting swirls and love the blanket stitch.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and can't wait to read more but I love this idea! I think I am going to have to do this :)
ReplyDeleteCome link up sometime to Handmade Tuesdays! It is a new linky I started with a tutorial :) www.ladybug-blessings.com
What an amazing pillow! I love how you added the initials. And, your machine quilting is incredible! What a beautiful thing to treasure for years and years to come. I am new to amylouwho's site and her "Sew & Tell Fridays" and I'm so glad that I found her site and your's as well! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this pillow, including the squiggly machine stitching. Very cute, start to finish!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty--love the colors. Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 linky party.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I love the family tree idea, so fun!
ReplyDeleteA lovely idea for a christmas tradition. Love the fabrics used especially the colour combo!
ReplyDeleteThat is very cute! I love all your fabric combinations.
ReplyDeleteStarting on Tuesday I am hosting a "Have a Handmade Christmas" carnival and I would love to have you come and join and link up some of your projects.
Here is the post that tells about it: http://proverbs31living.blogspot.com/2010/10/have-handmade-christmas-carnival-coming.html
How cute! I think it turned out great. I was working on a little applique this week too. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.skooksplayground.com/2010/10/little-tree-blankie-tags-too.html
It turned out great! Very sweet indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently doing pillows for our living room and this may just be the next project! Thanks for the inspiration!
love your pattern and color choices. Very Pottery Barn. :)
ReplyDeletePam
I love all the fabrics and colors you used!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this pillow! It's beautiful and so personal.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow is gorgeous. Beautiful quilting. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors in those fabrics, and you did an absolutely great job with the quilting! A family memento to treasure for sure!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Such a great way to create a "family tree"!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! So original. I'm sure this will be a family treasure for years to come!
ReplyDeleteJennifer :)
I adore this and fully want one of my own! What a beautiful pillow. So impressive!
ReplyDeleteLove this pillow!! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Idea! I may have to do something similar!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! Great quilting, applique, embroidery ... it's got it all! : )
ReplyDeleteLove! Love! Love!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful keepsake! Your family is so blessed!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love it! I saw your project at Sew Cute Tuesday! Awesome!
ReplyDeletecarla louise
www.ohsewaddicted.com
Wow! It looks like a ton of work went into that pillow and it looks wonderful!
ReplyDeletewww.laforcebewithyou.com
What a masterpiece! Amazing! Love it!! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to join me at my linky party "Gifts From the Heart" I am hosting on the 20th of each month. Plus this month I am having a give away. Hope you will join me. Have a blessed day.
www.strictly-homemade.blogspot.com
beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSO cute! I love things like this too, and I LOVE initials. :) Thanks so much for sharing, see you next week!
ReplyDeleteI love this!! I will be featuring this tomorrow (Friday) on my blog! Please stop by and grab a Feature Button.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up to my Gifts from the Heart Linky Party. I am so glad you joined me and hope you will join me next month on the 20th!!
lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteI have included it in my Gifts To Sew For Christmas round up
http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2010/10/lots-of-gifts-to-sew.html
thanks
jo