Quilting and cookies! Seriously, what doesn't go better than those two? Carol really knows how to bring out the best of the holidays with them, that's for sure.
This year is very different for this household. There is a wedding coming up next spring, and this girl has finally gotten her act together and really buckled down on this diet thing, so there are
NO cookies around here this year. No candy either. LOL!! Just to keep hubs happy, I will make him, his all time favorite
Chex Mix". There is just so much I can expect him to give up at the holidays.
I really have been good about sticking to the plan, I'm down 38 pounds and honestly, I'm finding it very easy to do. But it is a cookie exchange hop, so I do have cookies to share!
There was "that" little trip to Vegas to visit with my friend Carol last month...
She took me a place named "
Pop Drinks" just for a cookie. I would love to tell you I was kicking and screaming all the way there, but I would be a big ole liar if I did!
Oh my goodness, they are to die for!
I borrowed these photos from their web site.
So many incredible choices, it looks like I am going to have to go back many times to try them all!
(Heads up Carol, you best lock your doors or just move! tee hee hee)
Along with these incredible cookies, they have customizable soft drinks, and popcorn.
Be still my heart!
If you are lucky enough to live in Las Vegas NV, St George UT, or Farmington NM, you need to check them out. There are new ones coming soon in Utah, Idaho and Arizona.
We had a howling good time that weekend, and the best way to commemorate it was to pull out a pattern that has been in my "to-do" pile for a very long time.
Introducing, in Christmas card form...
"Oh Howly Night"
The is a "
Java House" quilt pattern. I absolutely love their whimsical designs.
These sweet guys just warm my heart.
The background was very interesting to piece. The stripes were pieced, and the circular center was an applique. It was kind of mind boggling how they put it together, but the instructions were great and if you follow along, step by step, it comes out beautifully. It was definitely something out of my wheelhouse and a fun little challenge.
As a blogging quilter, I share the good, the bad and the ugly. It's keeps me humble.
LOL!!
So, I must confess...I am on a "use it up" kick, in my sewing room and I found an old bolt of polyester batting that was the perfect width. I spent hours quilting it on my domestic machine and love the dimension it has. But it's polyester batting and nothing I do, will make it lay flat. I should have known better.
So, I think the rest of that bolt is going to have to find a new home or the trash.
Well, it's a big ole poop
(lets call it reindeer poop) for this project, for me!
It's a perfect for a Christmas card photo...
...maybe won't irritate me nearly as much if it's a bed runner.
On the bright side, I use a machine I bought 2 years ago and never really made friends with. We have finally bonded and I love it!
After seeing a pillow at the Garden of Quilts with Carol, I remembered a hop in 2012, when we made pillows from a "Jillily Studio" pattern "Holiday Lane". The free pattern is still available
HERE.
You can find a kit on her website as well.
This pillow now lives with friends up in Alaska.
Oh what a blast to the past and yes, poor Carol has had to deal with me a lot this year!
:-)
Please visit my fellow bloggers today and see what's cooking in their virtual kitchens!
You can find the entire schedule for the hop
HERE.
Wishing you happy holiday season, filled with joy!
til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'
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