QuiltNut Creations: 12/01/2010

I know we say it every year, but where did this year go? Didn't we just celebrate July 1st/4th? And now we have ONE day left in 2010?

It was a great year and 2011 is shaping up to be a fun one; lots of exciting things planned as a family. Can't wait!

I have a few customer quilts I didn't get to show before I went on holidays(and I'm off until January 10th so it will be a while before I have a few more to show) so sit back and enjoy!

Pieced by Marie.

Quilted with Bountiful Feathers.

I love the polka dot backing.

Also by Marie, this cute tablemat.

Pieced by Donna

Quilted with Quirky.

Now I need to be honest about this Thangles quilt. The pattern that Anne chose, is not one of my favorites. And I still don't like it but it really really worked on this quilt.

Quilted with Novaya Zhizn.

The pattern shows up beautifully in the open blocks.

Pieced by Samantha

Quilted with Flowing Feathers.

Pieced by Sherri,

Quilted with Holly Berries.

Loved the fabrics in this one; fabulous choices.

Lastly, the biggest quilt I've every done. 121inches square.

Shelia made it for her parents for Christmas. Love how the thread showed up on all the white.
Quilted with Daisies and Loops.

Tomorrow I'll show the quiltie Christmas stuffs I made this year.

wordless wednesday

holidays continued

shopping

baking

recipe here

recipe here

holidays

Quilting

sight-seeing

from our home to yours

Merry Christmas.

all regular blogging will resume next week

wordless wednesday

please hold

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties.

another Christmas card

I find that this card didn't turn out the way I had hoped; it was cuter in the idea I had in my head.

I really really REALLY love this patterned paper and it's such a great stamp. And I got the last few cards mailed out today. Now those are finally, officially DONE!

all year round santa #2

I got the binding on my All Year Round Santa quilt finished on the weekend(the other one went to Sarah at our Christmas Brunch).

Mine has a different border than Sarah's. On her's I went with a green check, mine has green stars.

quilted with Shooting Stars
Quilt pattern from the 2007 Holiday edition of Quilter Magazine, called Quilting For Christmas

Now to spend the afternoon finishing up a gift than it's sugar cookie time!

quilt monday

I made three of these this year for some of our teachers; they are such a fun quick gift to make!

Oops, had so much fun enjoying our first day of Christmas vacation that I forgot to blog. Well, I didn't actually forget, I just kept getting distracted by my sewing room.

Speaking of distractions, I finished(well, they are ready for quilting) two Christmas quilties and have another gift so close to being finished. I have one more thing to finish up and than I'm going to (hopefully) whip up a super quilt pillow. I still need to sneak in some more baking, it keeps getting eaten!

And because each time I post a quilt from this book, I get emails asking what the book is called, here's the details! Special Occasion Wall Hangings by Julie Bohringer. Go buy one! You won't regret it.

17

Happy Anniversary Jim!

snack saturday

Gingerbread Cheesecake

18 Peek Freans Ginger Crisps, crushed (about 1-1/4 cups)
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 pkg. (250 g each) Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3 eggs
4 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream

HEAT oven to 350°F.

MIX crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add molasses, vanilla and spices; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until centre is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.

MICROWAVE chocolate and whipping cream in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min; stir. Microwave 30 sec to 1 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring every 30 sec. Pour over cheesecake.

card friday

changes

Today I was going to be home alone. Jim was off on a two day business trip and school doesn't end until tomorrow. I had plans of getting my hair done and a quick mini-pedi than spending the afternoon quilting to my hearts content.

Instead, at 2am this morning, M got sick. And was sick. And sick. And sick. Every 8 minutes for 2 hours(I didn't mean to time it lol) Jim headed off on his trip at 5:30am(I think he only ended up with about 2 hours of sleep). M was sick a few more times, I got his brothers off to school and M got sick just as we drove back in the driveway again(yes, I had gone prepared for that).

Once home, he settled in with a movie and I cancelled my appointments for the day than grabbed some more sleep. Thankfully, he wasn't sick again(I can deal with a lot as a parent, throwing up isn't one of them!) but I figured we were mostly housebound.

So I scrubbed the ENTIRE house from top to bottom; cleaned bathrooms, dusted, vacuumed and mopped. Got all the laundry done; and more importantly even put away.

Later this afternoon, I braved taking M out to the post office and when we returned home, he helped decorate cupcakes. I made 4dz last night for end of the year parties in school tomorrow and at youth group tonight.

I realized something in the midst of this. I really really needed a day to just unwind and not be expected to go anywhere. This time of year is so wonderful but it can get so insanely busy and I am thankful I was able to sit back today and not DO. Even though I accomplished what I did, it was a wonderfully relaxing day.

Now fingers crossed no one else gets this bug!

Fudgey Chocolate Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla

In large bowl, mix flour, cocoa and baking soda.
Melt butter, stir in sugar. Mixture will be thick and grainy. Add buttermilk and vanilla. Gradually add to dry ingredients until just blended. Batter will be lumpy. Pour into prepared muffin tins and bake at 350* for 20-25minutes.

Confetti Squares
1/2 cup butter
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3 cups mini colored marshmallows

Place butter, chips and peanut butter in double broiler. Cook over low heat until melted. Add coconut and marshmallows. Spread in 8inch square pan. Refrigerate to harden.

all year round santa

2007 I saw this quilt in a magazine; it was so cute. In 2008, I found the center panel used to make the quilt. I bought two panels and traced out the appliques. And tossed it all into my UnFinished Obejects bin.

When I drew Sarah's name for our Christmas brunch, I thought of this quilt.

I pieced the quilt Sunday and quilted it Tuesday. Sarah received it yesterday.

Now I need to finish mine.

ladies who lunch christmas brunch

Today was our second annual Ladies Who Lunch Christmas brunch This year, Andrea opened her house to us.

Andrea's home is always decorated so beautifully; I have to share some of my favorites.
Her John Deere tree,

I love these,

And this one,

We had lots of yummy food.

Check out these desserts.

Finally time for our gift exchange.
Andrea had Cindy's name and made her this beautiful Christmas table topper.

I had Sarah's name. She loved her Santa quilt(more on it tomorrow).

Jill had Andrea's name. Jill made Andrea a gorgeous scrapbook to put all Andrea's Christmas traditions in. I think Jill should make a few more for next year ;)

Sarah had Jill's name and made her these beautiful placemats. Love the paisley fabric!

Cindy had my name and she made me these fabulous fingerless gloves. Aren't they fantastic?

As usual, we all got spoiled. These women have made a big impact in my life; they all mean so much to me. Thanx again my friends for such a wonderful day.

wordless wednesday

thank you

Hamels. Another year has come(and almost gone!) of longarming some of their store samples; I truly love getting to see some of the new kits and projects they get ready. It's almost like Christmas!

Here are the last few quilts of this year from them.

Snow Days quilted with Flirtatious.