Sunday, December 27, 2015

The winner!

Hi!

I hope you've all had a great Christmas!

I had a great time with my favorite people, and the food was wonderful.

I used random.org to choose the winner of the fat quarter assortment from my post for the Holiday Happenings post with Quilt Shop Gal's #NightsbeforeChristmas post.

Random picked #32, and Pat from Texas won!  She's excited to have a surprise Christmas present.

I did have a few new followers on my Facebook page, but I didn't hit 350 yet (as of now, it's 340!  So close!)

Keep an eye on my blog posts coming up, though, because I'll be involved in #IslandBatik's next blog hop (and sharing more about the newest collection) and a book review hop.

And, just because I think I need to share a photo, here's one of my latest quilts, available in my shop, an adorable baby size.  I'll be making 2 more soon.  2 of my nieces are expecting.  One is due any day now!  Exciting stuff coming!


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Holiday Happenings!

I'm linking up with QuiltShopGal's Linky Party! #NightsBeforeChristmas!  And #Creativegoodness.

Here are some things I've done lately to get ready for Christmas!

nights before chistmas party

I've used an older charm pack, Royal Holiday, from Moda, and Little Charmers II by Anka's Treasures, and a gold metallic print fabric from Timeless Treasures.



This is a great pattern for charm squares.  I planned the layout to make sure the gold smaller squares created the alternating design.  Anka's Treasures has lots of patterns for charm squares.  I like them, especially if the packs are older and you didn't think to buy coordinating yardage for borders and binding.  You can always find something that works for binding, though.  This is a Benartex metallic pindot that matched the colors in the squares, and had a little touch of gold to pick up the gold print fabric. And yes, I mix brands. I'm using my stash!

I also made this runner featuring Island Batik fabrics.  


I had seen similar runners made by friends, and then saw a share on Olfa's Facebook page for this free pattern.  I do have enough triangles left for a smaller piece.  I need to play with layouts to decide how to make it.  I used 4 fabrics, and quilted it with Superior Metallic in Light Gold.  My suggestion is to press the strips in alternate directions, so more of the seams lock.  I'll play with some tips for the next one I do.  I used the 60* Ruler from Quilt In A Day.  Any ruler about that size would work, though.  I've seen some really pretty runners using the same shape ruler, and you can play with the layout to make different looks.

Next on my list is baking!  I love the old Spritz cookie recipe, and my cookie press, for holiday cookies.  I double the batch, and leave 1/2 without color, and the other half colored green.  I bake the plain ones first, then mix in the green food coloring to the remainder.  I use a round or flower shape for the plain, then melt about 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave and mix until smooth (my microwave takes between 2 and 3 minutes.  Just make sure the bowl you use is dry.).  Dip 1/2 of the top side of the cooled cookie in the melted chocolate and then some colored sprinkles (in another bowl) and let them cool.  For the green dough, I use the tree shaped die and just add some colored sugar, or snowflakes or sprinkles on the top.  It's the perfect buttery flavor cookie with great texture and looks elegant for parties.  You'll be asked if you purchased them from a bakery.



Finally, I'd like to give away some Island Batik fabric.  You can win an assortment of 4 Fat Quarter pieces.  Leave a comment for one chance.  Sign up for emails of my blog post (up on the right hand side), and let me know if you do, for another chance, and "LIKE" my Facebook page, with a 3rd comment, for 3 chances.   I'll pick the winner on December 26, but prize will be shipped in January.  I'm not sure which fabrics I'll choose yet, so we'll all be surprised.  I have some more from the collection in the black and gold runner, but may decide to send some of the newest collection called Sea Salt Sandy, which won't be in stores until January.  Or something else!  This is going to be fun!  (International followers, if you wouldn't mind chipping in towards the extra shipping fee, I'm glad to include you.).  If Facebook goes over 350 followers, I'll choose a second winner from these comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I do hope you'll visit QuiltShopGal's party and see what the others are sharing.  It's a great way to spend #NightsBeforeChristmas!

I'm off to make a cheesecake, and some bread dough for Sausage Bread, and work on a quilt using Island Batik for my son.  He needs a new lap quilt.  Enjoy the 8 days until Christmas!

Maryellen