December

December has arrived with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. We are busy shopping for gifts for our loved ones, visiting friends and family, and perhaps trying to finish a special quilt that we have been making for them as their gift. Not only is it the last month of the year, but also the last month featured on my quilt about time.

This month’s birth flowers are – not surprisingly – holly and poinsettias. The poinsettia, which originates in Mexico and Central America where its leaves are used for red dye, is also a symbol of cheer, success and reassurance. Its flowers are actually quite small, but they are surrounded by bunches of scarlet, pink or white leaves that look like its other name, “the Christmas star”.

I used white fabrics for the poinsettias in my quilt and hand embroidered double sets of french knots for the flower centers.

Holly has pointed, waxy, dark green leaves contrasted to vibrant red berries – the perfect color combination for the month which celebrates Christmas. Its meaning is cheer and reflects the high spirits of the season. The only way I could have made my holly this small was using the Apliquick method for turned-edge appliqué. Those holly berries measure less than 3/16″!

Here is December in my quilt about time.

The birthstone for December is the zircon. While red is the most prized color of zircon, and colorless zircon is the closest stone imitating the diamond, it also comes in a unique blue tone perfect for reflecting the chill temperatures of winter. This color – named “starlight blue”- was actually created in the 1920s in Thailand by heating golden-brown or yellow zircon, and is still desired for its beauty and brilliance. Here is how it will look on my quilt at the twelve o’clock position representing the 12th hour of the 12th month.

May you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, filled with the cheer and warmth of being surrounded by loved ones this season!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.