Lyn Briggs Designs

Every year, I always seem to run out of time to make the Christmas gifts or decorations I would like to make. As I was packing away all my Christmas ‘stuff’ for another year, I decided for this year, 2026, I would try something different. Instead of frantically trying to make all the Christmas things in November and December, I’m going to aim to make something Christmassy each month. It could be decorations or gifts that can be knitted, crocheted, quilted or stitched – whatever catches my fancy. The aim being to have a pile of things already finished by the time Christmas comes around.

I’m calling it Twelve Months of Christmas.

Scrappy Christmas Quilt…

The first project was inspired by a rather large tote bag containing too many Christmas fabrics that have been accumulated over the past couple of years. Instead of returning them back to the cupboard, I decided to make a Christmas quilt; something I’ve planned to do for a couple of years but never got around to it. Now is the time! My aim is to use as much of the fabric as possible, so that I can start afresh when Christmas comes around again and purchase new fabrics.

Quilt will be a sofa throw and hopefully there is enough fabric to make a 40” x 48” quilt. I’ve chosen one of my favourite patchwork blocks, The Economy Block, and I’m using the instructions on Amy Smart’s Diary of a Quilter Blog to make an 8” block.

I started by cutting out all the pieces of fabric needed to make thirty blocks and have enough fabric left to add a pieced border as well. Let the sewing begin!

Blocks in Progress

I’ve now completed the first part of the block and like the variety of colour combinations that are appearing.

Now to do it all again with the next round of fabrics.

Will keep you updated with my progress.

Live a Big Life…

When life’s challenges are overwhelming or someone/something has hurt me, my natural response is to withdraw.  Instead of dusting myself off and getting back out there, I close the world out. It’s like going to bed and pulling the covers over my head with no intention of showing my face again. The result is my life gets smaller as I’m allowing fear to get the upper hand when God didn’t give me a spirit of fear (2Ti 1:7). He doesn’t want me to live a small life but wants me to step out in faith with Him. As I do step out, He heals the hurts and works in that situation for my good. (Rom 8:28)

Jesus came so that we “…may have life, and have it to the full.” (Jn 10:10) and I can’t do that when I’m hiding in bed! He encourages us to follow Him; to step out and let our light shine (Mt5:16) and He gives us everything we need to do just that.

Don’t hold back – live a big life.

Until next time

Lyn