Happy holiday greetings from Farmhouse Quilts!

 Hello and happy holidays to you!

Are you all ready for the holidays?  I still need to wrap and would like to do a little baking, but other than that I have no pressing matters. It certainly helps that I am not making handmade presents for all our kids anymore each Christmas! That seemed like a great idea at the time, but coming up with a brilliant idea AND executing it was often stressful. So no more. And you know, our kids never even mentioned it so I think they don't even realize I have stopped ;). 

So I have been working on some fun project just because...and not all of them quilting related!

In the summer I picked up an antique door. I planned on using it in my garden somewhere, but that plan never materialized, but then came up with a brilliant plan for it. Luckily I have a very clever, handy, and patient hubby, who is (mostly) always willing to listen to my ( sometimes crazy) ideas! You see, we had a stocking hanger that we bought years and years ago that really was getting very crowded with not only the stockings for our own family members, but also those of girlfriends. Not to mention the fact that it was hung by a wire, which meant that as soon as one stocking had something heavy in it, the entire thing would start being lop-sided! 

So, I suggested that we use the antique door as the base for a new stocking spot and here is the end result: 

( no worries, the last knob is now in use, after locating the missing stocking, which was at our son's apartment ;) )

This door is HEAVY and we had some fun hanging it, but I love it so much with its "antique-y" knobs ( found at Hobby Lobby) that I might just leave it up all year round and hang other seasonal items or small quilts from it, especially because the greenery at the top is removable. 

On a more quilt-related theme, I decided we needed another Christmas pillow so I pulled out my Christmassy quilt books and settled on this cute little reindeer designed by Gail Pan ( see her book here- click and please note this is an affiliate link-see my disclosure in the sidebar)

I have a sneaky suspicion he might not make it in time for this Christmas, but there is always next year ;).

I did finish the top for the tree quilt that I shared in my previous post. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to tackle all those different sized blocks ( 19 of them in total!) but just started sewing and piecing trees and filler pieces and I like how it turned out ( although it is quite a bit longer than I anticipated!) 

This one will not be done for this year's Christmas either, but the top looks pretty just hanging there so I am happy.

One final project that I WILL ( oh yes, you can all hold me accountable now!) finish in time for this year is this quilt that I started a few years back. It was a free pattern by Jedi Craft Girl ( you can find it here~click) and I adore the scrappiness of it! It is so close to being done. Just 2 more corners to go around with the binding, and then it can be a great cuddly quilt to throw over the sofa! 

Well, that is about all from the farmhouse. I will leave you with a few more Christmassy photos.....

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or just simply Happy Holidays! See you in 2023!

 Monique

P.s. If you happened upon this blog and would like to receive it in your email inbox, please contact me and I will get you added!

December at Farmhouse Quilts

 Hello friends and  happy December! ( Hello, where did November go so fast??).

Every year I tell myself that I'm going to start decorating for Christmas in November, and then BOOM, November is over in a flash, and here it is December and I haven't done much decorating at all....does that happen to you too? Well, I am trying my best to catch up now, so be prepared for lots of photos these next few weeks.

I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas! It is such a sweet, cozy season, and I wouldn't mind at all if it would last until March! 

We have a TON of Christmas decorations ( too many according to my silly husband), and I *might* just add a few more each year. This morning I went to a Christmas craft/antique sale in a historic mansion here in town....what a wonderful way to spend some time, just wandering from floor to floor looking at all the offerings, and enjoying the ambience. Practically as soon as I walked in the door I stumbled upon this beautiful wood sled! 

Yes, it is now in our window, decorated with twinkly lights and some of my Jim Shore Santas. I can't tell you how many of the volunteers working at that sale today commented that they had seen that sled and I think each of them was thinking of taking it home at the end of the day! 

I also picked up this little blue basket with greenery and a cardinal. I think it was the blue in the basket that got me~ a little unexpected, and that is why it drew me in. So this morning has been spent finding the perfect spot for these items! 

 

What I enjoy so much about decorating each year is that I try and change it up...it is fun to come up with new combinations of decorations, although some items simply must go in a certain spot, because it might be the only place where they fit or are safe from a very curious puppy dog!

Although there hasn't been too much happening in my quilt room, I do try and handstitch some every night....right now I am handstitching this quilt with my favorite Sulky petites thread! It is almost done and I have been trying to come up with a good place to display it. 

And I started some stockings for our sons' girlfriends, which are needing a little bit of handstitching before being quilted: 

This afternoon I am going to be pulling apart the closet in my quilt room where my WIPs ( Work In Progress) hang out, to find some Christmas quilts that I know I started a few years back and would really like to finish this year! One of those is this quilt designed by Amanda Niederhauser: 

( image via Jedi Craft Girl website)

It is such a fun pattern, and if memory serves me correctly, I am almost done with this one. Here is the link, just in case you need to make it too ;) :http://www.jedicraftgirl.com/2017/07/rustic-pines-a-5-fat-quarter-fun-quilt.html.

Alright, that is all for this week, but I promise to be back soon with more Christmas decorating photos, including lots and LOTS of quilts!

Have a great weekend, and until next time~happy creating!

Monique

Some finished projects, and some new ones....of course!

 Hello friends,  (please click the title of this post to view it in your browser)

Did you know that there are just a mere few weeks left to go until Christmas?? This year has gone both  incredibly SLOWLY and incredibly fast. Are you finding that too?

When my husband pointed out last Wednesday that there was just a month left until Christmas I have to admit that I panicked just a bit ;). But then I got my Christmas presents for mailing out the door and on its merry way and that brought some relief. Now I just need to worry about my own little family and , seeing as we already started shopping for them, it shouldn't take too long to finish up ( although with 4 birthdays in December and January, as well as Christmas, it is not always easy to come up with brilliant gift ideas!)

As part of my Christmas gifting I had to finish this lap quilt: 

The pattern for this came from Fat Quarter Shop and I shared the link a few weeks back. I added the various pets to ( hopefully) make it an extra special gift!

I also finished my bags with those bee embroideries that I had finished way back when: 

I bought a stamp set and a special ink pad and embroidered these with my favorite Sulky threads. They turned out very sweet I think and I hope that the recipients enjoy both the bag and its contents ;). 

After finishing these projects I gave myself permission to start some new ones! I am very excited about this kit that goes with a collage class that will be happening this weekend! I am very interested in collage quilting and am looking forward to learning the technique that this gal uses. 

And finally, I visited my favorite re-use shop this past week ( who am I kidding, I visit that shop pretty much weekly!) and picked up a bunch of goodies ( of course!), including this super sweet, vintage-looking embroidery kit. I just couldn't resist the sweet image and those vintage-looking colors! 

This one will keep me busy for years to come, I think ;).

As for other projects, I have a t-shirt quilt I want to make for our youngest boy for Christmas, but am waiting on my interfacing to arrive. And then I want to put together my 3rd Jelly Roll Twist quilt with the fabrics that I shared in this blog post. And I have an ornament to make and send this coming week because I decided at the last minute to hold an ornament swap in my Facebook group! Busy, busy, busy, but oh so much fun! I do so enjoy this time of year :)

I hope you are enjoying yourself, crafting, creating, and just enjoying the season.

Until next time~happy creating!

Monique

Little bits of this and that...and a winner!

 Hello friends, (to read this blog post in your browser, please click on the title)

This week I have a variety of projects to share with you. As you know, I have kicked my Christmas crafting into high gear because we need to send our presents across the border and that sometimes can take a little longer than expected. It is hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's sunny and warm though, so I was perfectly happy when it was rainy, dark, and turning cooler this past week...way more conductive for getting in the Christmas spirit! Dark and stormy days also put me in the mood to bake so our kitchen has been very much in use this week. I really want to share these 2 recipes with you all. The Christmas Cracker Toffee is SO good ( and addictive~ don't say I didn't warn you!), and you could make it to fit any celebration ( I made it for Halloween this year, using halloween candy sprinkles, and it was a big hit). The Cranberry Cake is super easy and disappears in a flash in our home so be prepared to not have that around for long either ;).

Christmas cracker toffee 

( image source)

Ingredients:

• enough graham crackers to fill a jelly-roll pan ( or use 50 saltines)
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 – 1 cup of toppings ( nuts, M&M’s, Heath bits, candy bits, whatever you like!)

1. Line a jelly roll pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
2. Lay crackers out on foil, filling in all spaces as much as possible.
3. In pan, melt butter and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over crackers and spread out evenly.
4. Place pan in 325* F oven for 5-6 minutes.
5. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle 2 cups of choc.chips over top. Let melt for a bit and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle with your chosen topping.
7. Place in freezer for 30 minutes at least.
8. Remove, break into chunks, and store in fridge ( will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks, but it won’t last that long!)

Cranberry Cake

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup sugar ( I use a little less and add a tsp of vanilla instead)

1 cup flour

1/3 cup melted butter

1 3/4 cup combination of cranberries ( I use frozen), chopped apple, and white chocolate chips.

1) Preheat oven to 350* F and grease a 8x8 pan.

2)Beat eggs until thick; gradually add sugar and vanilla.

3)Stir in flour and melted butter.

4) Fold in cranberries, apples and chocolate chips.

5) Spread evenly in pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Let cool and cut into bars.

About 16 servings.

In between baking I have been finishing up my table runners ( all done!), 

and started quilting my next Jelly Roll twist quilt. 

I am free-motion quilting this one in chunks and then will sew the blocks together, add a backing, and quilt a few more stabilizing lines. Doing it this way makes a project so much less bulky and easier to handle. ( And I always love looking at the back to see what interesting doodles I create ;) )

I also started a 3rd(!!!) Jelly Roll Twist quilt, this one for our home, because I love the pattern and the ease of construction so much! And just look at the great fabric I'm using....drool! 

( click here for a similar look)

And as if I needed to add more projects to my list, I just couldn't resist signing up for a mixed media class through the Maker Beehive. It is just a recorded class that was live in the summer at some point, but I had fun watching it and making this: 

It was super fun and I'm sure I will have to make more in the future!

So, what's next on the agenda? Well,  I might have to make a few of those ornaments I shared in last week's blog post to use as present toppers, and I still need to incorporate all those bee embroideries into gift bags, but then my Christmas "makes" will be pretty much done ( unless I decide to add another project, which has been known to happen.....) 

Okay, and now the moment you've all been waiting for....Thank you for leaving your comments about what Christmas projects you are working on! I enjoyed reading them. I randomly picked a winner from all of you who commented and will be sending this book to

..............drumroll please......Roseanne! Please send me your mailing details via email ( contact info can be found on right hand side of this blog post) and I will get it out to you ASAP. 

Until next time~happy creating!

Monique

Quilt soup

 Hello friends, 

This week's blog post is a huge collection of seemingly unrelated projects, very much like the homemade veggie soup I like to make where I just throw in whatever is available in the fridge and cupboard, so the title of QUILT SOUP seemed appropriate somehow ;). 

( This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy)

Speaking of soup, I shared the recipe for this no-knead bread over in my facebook group a few weeks back and it is so easy and goes so well with homemade soup that I wanted to share it here too. It does require a Dutch Oven, which we didn't have, so I went and bought one just to make this bread ( I am serious about my bread!). Luckily it is also a great container for making soup in, so win-win. 

Like I said, I have been working on a wide variety of projects these last few weeks. I picked up an old pattern by Cottage Creek Quilts called Be Thankful and put that together one day. It needs embroidering, but then the rest will be done by free-motion on the sewing machine. It should be done in plenty of time before Thanksgiving so we can enjoy it for a few weeks. 

I have also been embroidering the words on this quilt that I found in a FB group. I made the Santa beards out of some fluffy material and I like the way it makes them more 3D! I still have a  lot of hand quilting to do on this one, but luckily I have time. 

I picked up a partial Christmas themed jelly roll at my local re-use store and thought it would make a great table runner, using the free Jelly Roll Twist pattern from Fat Quarter Shop! I can see way more of these quilts in my future because the pattern is simple and easy but, depending on the fabric choice, you will get a completely different look! 

And finally, I wanted to share a great accomplishment of mine: I finally conquered my fear of zippers! I am forever sharing cute fabrics in my facebook group that contain zippers but had never yet attempted any of them because of those dreaded zippers. Some people in my group were really starting to pick on me about this ( but all in a good-natured, friendly way, because that's the way we roll in my group ;) ), so I finally bit the bullet and followed this great zipper pouch tutorial by Nadra of Ellis&Higgs.

The tutorial is so clear and I made all these zipper pouches in about 2 days: 

I had so much fun making these, but then ran out of zippers and had to stop. However, a quick trip to my local re-use store gave me loads more zippers and I am good to go for another batch! 

Guess what everyone is receiving for Christmas this year?? Hahahaha! 

So there you have my version of Quilt Soup. I hope you enjoyed it!

Until next time~happy creating!

Monique