An Early Celebration

We celebrated Christmas last weekend with the grandkids.

What a blessing to have a houseful of laughter!

(Even if the Packers lost)

When I look at my grown sons and their beautiful families

 I realize how fast the years go by.  

 

My granddaughter LOVED her quilt and flannel pillow cases.
Now if she would just catch the "quilt bug".....

I know what your thinking.....
NOT ANOTHER CHEX MIX
Oh yeah, one like no other......

Bet you can't eat just one handful!

Found this recipe from a "linky party" over at A Blessed Life.
It's going to be a new holiday staple!

Have a safe and loving Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look and smell like Christmas around our house......

Twinkle lights, carols, and baking my family favorites.

(click on the recipes to print)

AND

Cranberry-White Chocolate Chip Cookies

And  .....

On top of all that decorating and baking I managed to get
 a little sewing time in.

My first attempt at a 2 fabric/color binding.

On the printed side of my flannel I attached a solid pink

and on the solid pink side it is printed.

Did that make sense?

I used these instructions but cut my binding strips 1/4" larger

to allow for the bulky flannel. 

It definitely takes a bit longer to prepare the binding

 but I love the effect on the quilt.

This is actually two pieces of flannel quilted and bound for a

Christmas present.

I can't wait to use this technique again.....

give it a try.

Here's a wool and cotton customer quilt I finished this week.

BEAUTIFUL!

The pattern is "Merry Christmas"

by Kathy Campbell of

Heart 2 Heart

Look at all the details!

WOW!

APPLE BUTTER HOUSE "Country Christmas"
was fabulous this year.
Caroline has such creative ideas.
It was magical.
Check it out....

"Apple Butter House 2011 Christmas"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Hope this finds you healthy and happy.

And not toooo stressed this holiday season.

Ready or Not

Be safe.

Tie One On.......

An Apron .....of course!

Help Me Support......

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

Four years ago, I noticed that Thanksgiving was talked about in terms more commonly associated with stress, than joy. I remembered my mother’s absolute love of Thanksgiving, as a day more than anything else of sharing and gratefulness. So I created National Tie One On Day™ as an annual opportunity to return the “give” to Thanksgiving by sharing our good fortune with someone in need of a kind gesture.

 

 

National Tie One On Day™ has nothing to do with purchasing anything special or even driving!

Participation is simple.
On the day before Thanksgiving, November 23rd this year,
pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron,
 tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on…
an apron, of course!
and deliver the wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty… a neighbor, friend or family member in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.

I know it to be true that whether you live in a high rise apartment building or on a quiet block,

no matter which direction you walk out of your own front door,

 someone deserving of a gesture of kindness is close by.

National Tie One On Day™ is a win-win, for the participant and the receiver. By embracing National Tie One On Day™, you will make someone else’s day brighter.

written by EllynAnne Geisel

 National Tie One On website.

 

Leave a comment letting me know that you are participating this year
for a chance to win a vintage apron from my collection.
Which one would you like????

Catching Up......

We had a fabulous time in California.

The weather was perfect on the Central Coast.

Walking on the beach, getting my toes wet in the Pacific.

Heaven.

Spend time with our California boys.

Visited our favorite winery.....

Good friend, Peggy Sue (and baby Mia), joined us for a few days. 

Then we  headed to Las Vegas!

Where the family gathered to celebrate

  Dad's 80th Birthday.

We love ya Dad!

I must admit to buying a couple of CA lottery tickets, crossing my fingers,

wishing and hoping, thinking if I won, I'd just stay.

Dreaming.

Back to reality....

I managed to complete the October Birdie block.

Won't be long and the quilt will be finished.

Love the spiders!

Tried a new recipe

from Taste of Home.

Bite Size Apple Pie

OMG, so easy and delicious!

I did change it up a bit.

I used brown sugar in place of white.

And peeled my Granny Smith apples.

Served warm.....mmm.... with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I'm leaving you with a beautiful California sunset.

MORE LATER!

Be Back Soon!

Did you think I forgot about you?

  

I spend 4 days last week in Milwaukee with the grandbabies. 

Came home for a day, packed my bags, and then off to our Fall Quilt Retreat.

And did I mention I'm leaving next Friday

for a 10 day visit with my family on the West coast?

Oh yeah, life's moving fast.

I was in charge of the "goody bags" and

door prizes.

A little something to get thru the weekend.

This is what I worked on most of the retreat.

I made 6 Fall tablerunners.

 I'm frantic, stitching the bindings,

 need to finish up before I leave. 

Do you use hair clips instead of pins like I do? 

Check out this cute customer Halloween quilt.

It's All About The Boots!

Can't wait to see it "blinged"!

Love the extra large orange rick rack.

And for all you redwork lovers

did you see Debbie from Busy As Can Be

posted 3 new patterns???
Each pattern cute as the next.

Plus she includes a recipe with each one.

I love tracing the pattern with the red Frixon pen.

It makes it so easy to see.

Aren't they growing up FAST?

Hope this finds you happy in your corner of the world.