Merry July!

Now that the sparklers and the fireworks are gone, it's time to think about what's up next and that would be Christmas in July!

If you can see past the hot weather and break out the Christmas fabric and supplies, July is a great time to get a head start on all things Christmas!

I was wondering the other day when we'd see the first pumpkin spice item hit the shelves and even if we'd see pumpkin spice sparkling water in the form of a pumpkin spice Bubly this year.

I'm not sure if you'll find me partaking in that, but it would be interesting that's for sure!

As far as the Minis and More Parade goes, we are skipping the pumpkins for now and heading straight for Christmas with our next Minis and More theme and we hope you'll join us.

So, before the end of the month if you'd like to participate, send an email with a photograph of your Christmas in July project to either my friend Sherri McConnell at A Quilting Life or to me, and we'll see you in the next Parade.

I'm going to be baking some Christmas cookies and watching the Hallmark Christmas movie marathons in July while I sew! 

You might pick up a few gift or quilt ideas from the Parade to give to friends and family, or to put on your own Christmas list this year.

It will be a fun exchange of holiday themed projects!

Since we're on the subject of giving, that brings me to the theme of today's Parade, which is small gifts.

Any kind of small gift qualifies!

Here's mine! It's a popsicle mini quilt that I just finished up for a friend.

I used the Mini Popsicles Table Runner Pattern from Fig Tree & Co and I just stacked my popsicle blocks to make a mini quilt out of it.  The fabrics I used for the popsicles are mostly from Sweetwater  and the low volume background fabrics are an assortment from my stash.
  

 I did the wavy quilting using rulers, which are now my go to staple for quilting just about anything! 

This adorable patriotic pincushion was made out of the Sweet Liberty Tuffets pattern by Sue!  She's giving it to her friend who lives in Cleveland for her birthday.  Sue is also gifting her the book Stars and Stripes Gathering by Lisa Bonjean, so Sue thought that the pincushion would be the perfect addition the the gift and I have to agree! 

I love this picture of the pincushion gift that Sue made along with some others.  Thanks so much for sharing your creation with us Sue!

There are more small gifts made by our Minis and More participants, so be sure to head over to see Sherri at A Quilting Life for the rest of the scoop!

And we'll see you back here in the beginning of August with a Christmas Parade!