Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

I Like Thursday #113 - Twas the Lull Before Christmas

Happy Thursday, friends!  It's an in-between week for me - our kids were home for Christmas this past weekend, and we'll be getting together with extended family this coming weekend.  We had a great time with our kids home - lots of games, good conversation, and good food - my favorite part of every time the four of us are together.  Although no pictures were taken...  here's one from last year - and I had the same view again this year - my kids' cars in the driveway!


After they left to go home, I had fun trying a little DIY project.  Years ago, a friend's mom gave us travel pillows that she had made, and we've used them until they couldn't be used anymore, and now need to be replaced.

After googling "DIY travel neck pillows," I found this pattern/tutorial on Pinterest from a website called sew4home.com.

You print out four copies of the pattern - 



Cut the pieces out and tape them together to make the basic pillow shape - 


And then cut 3 of those pieces out of your fabric to sew together.  They make a sort of 3-D triangle shape.


That shape becomes this pillow, after sewing and stuffing!

Mike picked this plaid minky for his pillow - so soft!  There's enough fabric left to make one for me, too.

I like this fabric basket that was part of my gift from the gift exchange that my quilt group had.

That cardinal fabric is my favorite!

I know just what to keep in this basket!


I like that Book 3 in the Inspector Gamache mystery series by Louise Penny was ready for me to download on my Nook reader the other day.

My book club read one of these books for our discussion last year, and I liked it so much that I decided to go back and read the whole series from the beginning.  These stories take place in small village in Quebec and in Montreal.

And I liked this - in her recent giveaway, Vicki from Vicki's Crafts and Quilting chose me to get one of her patterns, and here's the one I decided on.

Aren't those snowmen cute?  I don't think it will be long before I make them.  
Thank you, Vicki!


Hope you're having a great week, and that the busy holiday season doesn't have you in too much of a frenzy!  I'm wishing you time to enjoy your favorite people and activities! ❤

And don't forget to check out all of the other I Like Thursday posts at Not Afraid of Color.







19 comments:

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Diann! It looks like both of your children have the same car, only different colors? Your little light bulbs lining the walkway look so cute and festive. I have a neck pillow but it's more in the "U" shape and very stuffed. Kind a pain in the neck to carry around. I used to have an inflatable one which I used throughout some travels in Europe, and was much more travel friendly. And that basket from the gift exchange is so cute - I love the cardinal fabric, too. I still haven't gotten to the top of the list for the Louise Penny series at our library. Odd. I'll have to go check that out to see what's up. I hope you enjoy Vicki's pattern - I think that snowman runner is so darn cute. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Happy Thursday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the snowmen table runner is certainly cute. I wish we would be seeing our younger daughter and the grandkids this Christmas but it is not to be - they are lucky though that our grandson got leave and was able to fly home from the army for Xmas. I love your tote bag - it is always nice to have our projects organized into containers of sort

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I have been wanting to make some of those fabric baskets, I like the shape of them. Maybe after the holiday frenzy! Merry Christmas!!

Vicki in MN said...

Thanks for the shout out! Now tell me how you back your photos with the white background square? I noticed right away that those cars look like the same brand. Are the light bulbs by the side walk solar? Wishing you all the best for this holiday season!

LA Paylor said...

so much to like. I want to make both the travel pillow and the basket! Did you get a patter for the basket by the way? Cars in the driveway mean happy times ahead! Have a fun holiday with your peeps!
LeeAnna

chrisknits said...

It's wonderful when kids come home!! I have the Snow Dudes pattern from her shop, it's my planned January table topper project!

piecefulwendy said...

Nothing better than having our kids home for a bit, right?! I love the color of the green car; I've always wanted a car that color. The neck pillows bring back memories of my mom; she always traveled with one of those. I'm actually thinking of re-reading the Penny series, they are so good! I just finished her latest; I hope she keeps the series going. You made a good choice from Vicki's shop! Those snowmen are darling!

BarefootThunder said...

I just love your scrappy sprouts, I smile every time I see them. Odd tho, they are in my email. But not here when I came through the link to comment.
I will have all my kids, and all of their kids here for Christmas. I can't wait for the chaos to begin๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ„
Merry Christmas.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I read this blog last night.....then went to look for the book, then found another....it is ow almost 4:30 the next day. Squirrel big time. Your gift is gorgeous, and the new pattern will be fun. Merry Christmas.

Linda said...

Glad you had fun with your kids. It sounds like the perfect celebration.
Thanks for the neck pillow link. Mine is just gross, and I can't find one I like in the stores, so I'm going to give yours a try.
Our kids will all come the day after Christmas, since they were all here for Christmas Day last year, we have to share with the in-laws. :)
Merry Christmas!

PaintedThread said...

Oh, I like that basket, too! I remember those cars from last year! LOL Love that table runner - have fun making that.

Suzanne said...

The snowman table runner will be great for Winter decorating...thanks for the book recommendation too.

Judy D in WA said...

I have that pillow pattern and want to make one for myself. Maybe I will remember now. :) Cute little basket and I love that you have it in use already. Merry Christmas.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Hmmm, that travel pillow might work as a couch pillow. I noticed the Husband's tilted way back when he fell asleep in front of the TV tonight. I'll make one to see if it may do the trick for him, though do I really want him sleeping on the couch. Thanks for the instructions. Merry Christmas. :-)

Michele McLaughlin said...

Merry Christmas Diann! Love LOVE your projects and that tote is just the sweetest thing ever, love the colors! Have a safe and happy holiday! Hugs! Mickie

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

That gift fabric basket is priceless. How thoughtful. Your WIPS are all so pretty-especially the sprouts. Merry Christmas
mary

Frรฉdรฉrique - Quilting Patchwork Appliquรฉ said...

Fun picture of your kids' cars! Great family time, so precious. Love your neck pillow, looks so soft!

Louise said...

Love that basket with the cardinals on it! Full of wintry cheer :)

MissPat said...

My email link from LeAnna is not working and I forgot to check out the I like Thurs. posts so I'm a little late. I think the Inspector Gamache series is my favorite. You should listen to one on audio. I started listening to them on my commute when I was working. The French Canadian accent of the reader gives the books a whole different flavor. When I read them now I still hear the dialogue in his voice. I just got the notice that my copy of the new one is ready for pickup from the library. Love the basket and the snowmen runner. Enjoy your Christmas even if it will be quieter without your sons.
Pat