CHRISTMAS SEWING

I didn't get all my Christmas in July projects completed...

but I put a great dent in them.

I make Christmas things...not because I need them,

but because I love Christmas and sewing them!

I got the Economy Blocks for this top done.

And in July I did finish the top.
I need to make the back...maybe a flannel sheet.
It will be for my hubby!

Next up was a Vintage Truck/Christmas Tree project.
I had lots of  fabric to choose from and
the modern take on this pattern had to happen.

I decided I didn't like the trees in 

the back of the truck or the trees..

Sew I drew my own tree design and round wheels.

They will be appliqued down with stitching.

A wall hanging size and it will be perfect

for my dining room which has this truck theme

at Christmas time.

Backing is made...its ready to quilt.

I had hoarded a lot of Cotton and Steel Christmas prints.
Garland and Tinsel lines.  I got this book last year and the pattern on the front 
called Snowball Games seemed perfect. 

First I made a table topper and a table runner.
Cause I was gonna use them in my guest bedroom.

Table Topper


Table Runner


Well..I changed my mind.
 I decided a friend of mine would like this
as a quilt and it will be her Christmas gift.
Sew I took things apart and made this top.

Backing is done and its ready to be quilted.
Binding will be the fun pink/purple/blue fabric
 in the backing.

I started these Modern Christmas tree blocks last year.

I did get a lot of blocks done and have some

white GRUNGE on standby for the top design.

Here are my blocks on the design wall.

Not sure I want to go this way with it.

The layout will come...when I have time to 

figure it all out.

I never got to this beauty.
WHITE CHRISTMAS fabrics by Zen Chic

Mainly because I can't decide which Zen Chic pattern 
to use.  Perhaps I will combine both and make my own version.

Well that's a project for next year.

All in all...I am way ahead of the Christmas Sewing.
I am organizing a Holiday Sew In on Nov 2
for  the Columbus Modern Quilters.
Maybe a few of these will be ready to bind!

Have you started on your Holiday Sewing?

VIRTUAL COOKIE DIVA!

The Virtual Cookie Exchange organized by
Carol at Just Let Me Quilt begins today!
I happen to be the first of many bloggers who will share
their holiday recipes, traditions and fun!

I have been a COOKIE DIVA since 2000



 I hosted Christmas Cookie Exchange Parties
with my girlfriends for 10 years.
This is a pic from the last year...when
I presented each sweet friend with her own 
"Cookie Diva Apron"

My party was not your typical cookie exchange!
I prepared and served a complete meal,
made each guest a "handmade" party favor,
made Cookie Recipe Books (using their recipes) for all
AND I decked my halls with as many as 17 Christmas trees.

COOKIE DIVAS had to bring 6 dozen, of 1 cookie
(no duplicates...they had to call asap with recipe)
NO store bought, NO no-bakes, HOMEMADE!



Dress in the party theme...different FUN theme each year!
Girls dressed in everything from Santa's Suites,
to this Christmas Mouse



I had wonderful prizes every year for best dressed, best cookie, etc.
Sew many wonderful memories with my friends.


The "Vintage Apron Theme" was one of my favorite parties.
I asked each girl to wear the apron and then gift it to me.
They each signed a muslin square 
with their name and the year we met.

I wouldn't tell them why!!!
I made this Memory Quilt with Friendship Stars
using those aprons and signed squares

Block close up 

FMQ on a longarm by Shirley Haller.

Here's the label

Of course, because of these parties the girls
crowned me "The Cookie Queen"
 I have a special "cookie baking" apron...

I have many cookie recipes to share with you today

They are on my Sweet Celebrations tab...

For quick access click here  !

But THIS cookie is a favorite!

November 27

Kwilty Pleasures (me)

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Songbird Designs

Creative Latitude

Ms P Designs USA

Gray Barn Designs

Alycia Quilts

Happy Cottage Quilter

Sew Many Yarns

Get the entire 3-day lineup here at

Just Let me Quilt 

And as you read this I am on my way to see to see 
The Biltmore Estate decorated for Christmas. 
See Asheville, NC holiday lights
and stock up on my Biltmore Wine! 
Our 19th Anniversary is Dec 4 but this is our celebration.

I will respond to your comments as soon as I can...
Please tell me what your favorite Christmas Cookie is...

READY.SET.BAKE

Hey, its me...the Cookie Diva!

Kathy has me back in the kitchen

and good grief, she is making me wear this 

GHASTLIES Christmas Apron!

Can you believe that?

She has me bake hundreds of cookies, every year!

Not for her, but for her family.

I told her she may want to include toothbrushes

in their cookie tins!

These cookies freeze nicely for up to 3 months

in her cute little freezer.  Safely tucked away

safe from her hubby...he seldom goes in the basement! 

You can find all the Cookie Diva recipes

on the tab above called "Sweet Celebrations"

or click here!

But for now...

you gotta try these NEW Recipes that will

certainly feed that sweet tooth, we know you have!

Kathy does not like it when I exclude

 nuts, peanut butter or other ingredients that could cause

allergic reactions to cookie monsters!

AND nothing is Gluten Free....

Just Sayin!

APRONS, COOKIES, FRIENDS

There are many "Cookie Divas" this time of year

baking tons of cookies for the holidays. 
BUT due past history of the number of cookies that I have baked
and have passed thru my house via cookie swaps...
I have become know to family and friends as the...

On the subject of Aprons...
I joined an IG "HOLIDAY APRON" swap 
 My partner was @mrspickles and she luvs half-aprons 
with a vintage feel.  We were asked to o include a recipe.
I found  a Holiday recipe book from 1950!

Ya can't beat that with a rolling pin!

Threw in a few little extras, cause its fun!

The apron I received was made by @theruffledchick

Her IG feed shows lots of half aprons all ruffled up.

I am happy she read my request for a full apron

At 65 and a cookie dough waist..ruffles would NOT be cool.

She did a great job using my fav Scarlet and Gray colors.

This apron can be worn all year long!

She also sent a couple great cookie recipes

and some fun extras including hand made cards..

which I love!

One of my favorite holiday aprons is quite Ghastlie!

You know I had to make this one!

On the subject of cookies and friends...

For 10 years I hosted a Cookie Exchange with my girlfriends.

This was my "gift" to them...sharing time, cooked them a meal

and each Cooke Diva brought 6 dozen of one kind of cookie

for the cookie swap!

In 2009, the last year, I gifted each baker her own

"Cookie Diva" apron!

(embroidered design by Joan Keltner)

Some besties not pictured who have moved away

also received an apron!

Connie, Patty, Cindy
Mary Jo, Dora, Kim
Daisy, Val, Betty

Kathy, Debby, Ginny
Joey, Dianne, Char, Chris
Susie, Joan, Pam

To wrap up 10 years of cookie fun with my besties, 

I asked them to bring me a vintage cotton apron
 as a hostess gift, then sign their name and the year
they met me on a square muslin.
Using a "Friendship Star" block I made a memory quilt.

"Apron Strings and Cookies"

 Melissa (Ingmire) Durrett is my niece "Misty"
and we met when she was born.

Shirley (Bolton) Haller my neighbor and best friend

since 3rd grade / 1960

56 years later we are still besties, no longer neighbors

but we visit often as we can!

I also luv that she quilted this for me.

If you want some great cookie recipes

Be sure to check out the tab above

"Sweet Celebrations"

All that being said...its time to

grab your favorite apron, rolling pin and

GET BAKING!

WHAT DO GHASTLIES & COOKIES HAVE IN COMMON?

ME!!!

I know fall is just setting in but my mind is 
on  a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party! 

It has been 5 years since I have hosted a cookie party. 

But the peer pressure was on...   

I have sew many wonderful friends...like these

how can I say no!

  

At the last Cookie Party they all received a

"Cookie Diva" apron-check them out!

 I decided to make myself a new apron 
for this cookie party!

It's just GHASTLIE!!!

I have the Ghastlie Christmas fabric 
in the other colors as well.

Plus ordered 2 more yards of the red!

Sew I'll figure out other fun projects to make!

I am already sewing gifts for those attending.
 Here's a sneak peak!

Some of them follow this blog
so shhhhh...I'm keeping it a secret!

My mind is spinning with ideas for doorprizes

and decorating and trees...lots of theme trees!

That being said...all projects around this party

are from my Christmas Fabric stash.

If you are looking for great holiday recipes...

Click here for my "Sweet Celebrations" yumminess !

Sew tell me...have your started your Holiday sewing?

OR at least made a naughty / nice list?

I hope I'm on your list!  HO HO HO!