Don't ask God to make your life easier, ask Him to make you a stronger person.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A little bit of this, a little bit of that . . . . .

Thanks to all of you that participated in the Christmas Quilt Long last weekend.   I really had a good time and hope you did too.  I was a little overwhelmed by the number of emails.  I'm sorry if I didn't get to respond to each of you but know that I read each and everyone.


Not much personal quilting going on this week.  I'm getting ready for yet another show.  This one is the One Stop Shop Hop in Lancaster, South Carolina.  The guilds in Lancaster County are putting this on for the 5th year in a row.  It is held in the Bradley Building on the University of South Carolina - Lancaster campus.

Held for one day only - this Saturday (the 19th) - from 9 am  until 4 pm.  If you are google mapping or mapquesting or GPSing (don't you love the new terms?!), the address is 509 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, SC.  

I'm pretty sure there will be 28 vendors there this year.



The two patterns that I wrote are now available on the website.

Took me long enough, huh?  I hope to be adding more stuff soon.

I did add a place on the front page for you to sign up for my new email newsletter.  Go here to sign up and you will be put on the mailing list.  Hopefully I will be able to send out a monthly newsletter.  No more than that!  I don't think I could keep up!


Blessings, Cathi
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Sunday, February 13, 2011

And we have a winner . . . . .

We had several people get all the right answers but I got someone who lives in this house to pick the winner for me.  I won't mention names so no one will hold it against them in the future!

First the real answers

  1. Christmas cards began as a tradition in what country?
a.    United Kingdom  -  explanation here
 
  1. What place is known as the Christmas Pickle capital of the world?
b.    Berrien Springs, Michigan - explanation here

  1. What was the name of the goddess who turned mistletoe from poison to good fortune?  
d.    Frigga - explanation here

  1. What does it mean when one says "Wassail!"?
c.    Good Health to You! - explanation here

  1. Santa's use of reindeer originated from tales of ancient Norse mythology and the God Thor, who use to pull his chariot through the sky with what kind of animals?
d.    Goats - explanation here

  1. When and where is the earliest known Christmas tree in recorded history?
d.    16th Century, Germany - explanation here

  1. A Christmas wreath is symbolic of what?
d.    All of the Above - explanation here

  1. December the 25th is not the birthday of Christ. What time of the year do historians agree that Jesus was born?
b.    Spring - explanation here

  1. The word 'carol' means what?
d.    A dance of celebration - explanation here 

  1. How old is the tradition of the Candy Cane?
d.    More than 230 years - explanation here
 I got the quiz from the website Christmasology.  I took the quiz a few years ago but have lost my results since then on one of the many computers I have had in the past.  So while there may be arguments for other answers, these are the answers they gave me.
And now for the winner .......

Joanna from Needle, Thread, Happiness

Congratulations, Joanna, and thanks to all that played with us yesterday.
 Blessings, Cathi

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I'm pooped . . . . .

While I might not have done as much sewing as I should have,  I have enjoyed my day with you.
And I hope you have done the same.

Remember to go and check all the other Christmas crazies by checking out Mr. Linky on my CQAL tab located at the top of this page.  

If you have not received the email yet with the attached Block 1 of the Scatty Christmas Stars quilt, please be patient with us.  Due to time zones and sometimes sketchy internet access, it may take a little time.  Remember you will have a whole month to make two little ole' blocks.  That is, you will be making two blocks from the same pattern.  

Next month, Sue will be hosting the Christmas Quilt Along (CQAL).  We will have Block 2 ready to send out then.  Before you know it, all 6 of the block patterns will be put together and ready to be put in a quilt top! A total of 12 blocks!





I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of the contest and hopefully a picture of what I accomplished today!


Blessings, Cathi

My Favorite Christmas movies . . . . .

Every year, Dear Hubby and I buy a new Christmas movie.  We take turns each year picking it out.  But we realized this past year that at this rate we will never be able to get them all.  Do we really need ALL of them?  YEA, we do.  This past year, we both picked one out. 

My favorite contemporary movie is


Dear Hubby doesn't really like it because he says that no mother would really act that way when they find out their only child is coming home for Christmas.  Being a mother, I disagree!

His favorite contemporary is

Sheeesshh -   Typical guy

But we both agree on our favorite classical movie



Does your family have a favorite?

If you have just joined us, please visit the Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab just under my header to see what today is all about.

Blessings, Cathi

Contest break . . . . .

Break time!
This is part of a Christmas quiz that I gave to my family during Christmas 2009.  How many do you know?  Email your answers to me by 3:00 EST on Sunday afternoon.  I will announce the winner by 4:00 and have a surprise gift winging it's way to the winner's house by Monday afternoon!

The Christmas Traditions Quiz

  1. Christmas cards began as a tradition in what country?
a.    United Kingdom
b.    United States
c.    France
d.    Australia 

  1. What place is known as the Christmas Pickle capital of the world?
a.    Napa, California
b.    Berrien Springs, Michigan
c.    Trenton, New Jersey
d.    Paradise, Pennsylvania 

  1. What was the name of the goddess who turned mistletoe from poison to good fortune?  
a.    Balder
b.    Loki
c.    Hannah
d.    Frigga 

  1. What does it mean when one says "Wassail!"?
a.    Merry Christmas!
b.    Good Luck!
c.    Good Health to You!
d.    God Bless You!  

  1. Santa's use of reindeer originated from tales of ancient Norse mythology and the God Thor, who use to pull his chariot through the sky with what kind of animals?
a.    Horses
b.    Reindeer
c.    Unicorns
d.    Goats 

  1. When and where is the earliest known Christmas tree in recorded history?
a.    1841, London
b.    1834, Pennsylvania
c.    17th Century, Austria
d.    16th Century, Germany 

  1. A Christmas wreath is symbolic of what?
a.    Victory
b.    Christmas Celebration
c.    Eternal Circle of Life
d.    All of the Above 

  1. December the 25th is not the birthday of Christ. What time of the year do historians agree that Jesus was born?
a.    Winter
b.    Spring
c.    Summer
d.    Fall 

  1. The word 'carol' means what?
a.    A wish of good cheer
b.    A greeting of peace
c.    A prayer of Thanksgiving
d.    A dance of celebration 

  1. How old is the tradition of the Candy Cane?
a.    Less than 100 years
b.    About 165 years
c.    No more than 210 years
d.    More than 230 years  

If you have just joined us, please visit the Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab just under my header to see what today is all about. 

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilts Past . . . . .

While I am trying to get some new Christmas quilts finished, I thought I would show you my finished Christmas quilts.  
Yes, I have finished some!!


I need a new picture of this one, it has binding now!
Not really a quilt but it is layers of something!
I don't have a picture of just this quilt but you get the idea!

How many Christmas quilts do you have?  Are there special red and green quilts that you put out just at Christmas?

If you have just joined us, please visit the Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab just under my header to see what today is all about.

Blessings, Cathi

Time for a visit . . . . .

It's lunchtime here.  For some, you are starting dinner and in Australia . . . . well, I'm not sure but I think it's tomorrow and you are all in bed.  Maybe you are dreaming of sugarplums.  I know a little too far fetched, even for me!!



If you are awake, why not hop on over to Mr. Linky on my CQAL tab and do a little visiting?

 Blessings, Cathi

My favorite Christmas cookies . . . . .

I am NOT a chocoholic.  Really, I'm not.  But Dear Hubby is.  So much so that sometimes I think he needs counseling!
But one of my favorite Christmas cookies are these little Cherry Chocolate Kisses.





Just the right amount of chocolate and a hint of cherries.  Sorry I don't know the metric conversion but you really can't mess these up!


CHERRY CHOCOLATE  KISSES

1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry liquid
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup maraschino cherries (chopped) I prefer mine chopped quite fine, so I run them through my small food processor
granulated sugar
48 Hershey's chocolate kisses

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Beat butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and salt; beat till combined. Beat in cherry liquid and almond extract till combined. Beat in flour until thoroughly mixed and then add cherries; mix well.

Shape dough into 1" balls and then roll in sugar. Place balls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from oven; press an unwrapped candy kiss on each cookie. Return cookies to oven and bake an additional 2 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned on the bottom. Transfer to wire racks; cool. Makes 48. 

If you have just joined us, please visit the Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab just under my header to see what today is all about. 
 
Blessings, Cathi

Let's get ready to sew . . . . .

Of course, for some of you, you have been sewing for hours. . . . Or haven't started yet. . . . depending on whether you just had your breakfast or you are cleaning up the dinner dishes.   Whatever you are doing, I hope it's something Christmasy and the family isn't laughing too hard when you told them what you are doing!

Me?  I have several projects I need to work on the next few months that I really thought I would finish last year.

Here they are in no particular order . . . .

Remember this one I was so close on and never finished.  I had great plans.  I think this one just needs the sashing and the borders....
 

And this one that said needed applique before I quilted it . . . . . .


And these great stitcheries from Gail Pan that I never did anything with . . . . .


And my Star Trip in Christmas colors that still needs a few more blocks to make it complete . . . . 


And finally this cute little snowman that I won from Carol's blog last fall that is still waiting to be made into a giftie to someone special for LAST Christmas.


So as you see, I didn't follow my own advice and work on these Christmas quilt/gifts all during the year.

But this year is different!

If you have just joined us, please visit the Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab just under my header to see what today is all about.

Blessings, Cathi

Welcome to Christmas .....Quilt Along . . . . .

Welcome to the first Christmas Quilt Along (CQAL) of 2011 !

For those of you that are rolling your eyes and thinking, "I'm not ready yet!", it might be better if you quietly sneak out the back door because today it is all about Christmas prep quilting.  But it's okay to say HI first.

Speaking from experience and being a long time member of the Christmas forum, just spending one day a month getting ready for Christmas will save you so much aggravation and stress sometime around the second week of December.  You probably WON'T be putting binding on your last quilt at midnight on Christmas Eve.

For starters, go over to my Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab at the top of this page, sign up on Mr. Linky, and put on a cup of hot cocoa!  A copy of this month's block will be emailed to you shortly.

Take breaks during the day to post what you have done so far.  Visit some of the others that are participating.  Remember, you don't have to play along all day and we still have that "different time zone issue".

Merry Christmas!
Cathi

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Have you ordered your subscription? . . . . .

There is a new magazine coming out in April for all you quilters that love the prim style.  You know who you are!  It's called Primitive Quilts & Projects.  You can visit their website here.


They have a wonderful selection of prim quilt designers that will be featured.  
Cheri Payne - Quilts by Cheri
Dawn Heese - Linen Closet Quilts
Jan Patek - Jan Patek Quilts
Janet Nesbitt - Buggy Barn
Jeni Gaston – Woolen Willow
Kathy Schmitz
Lynda Hall - Primitive Pieces
Lisa Bongean – Primitive Gatherings
Lori Brechlin - Not Forgotten Farm
Maggie Bonanomi
Renee Plains - Liberty Star
Rita Briner - Quilter's Station
Tonya Robey - Mad Hen Primitives
Cherie Ralston - Kansas City Star Quilts
Gloria Parsons - Olde Green Cupboard
Heather Lynn - Mohair Bears and Friends
Bonnie Blue Quilts

There will be 4 issues a year with up to 15 projects in each magazine, articles, how-to's, etc.
I've already ordered my subscription, how about you?

Blessings, Cathi

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

It's almost time! . . . . .

for the first Christmas Quilt Along of the year! 

This Saturday, February 12th, I will be hosting the Quilt Along. Come visit my blog anytime on Saturday, sign up on Mr. Linky on my Christmas Quilt Along page (see the tab just under my header), and receive the first block pattern free! 

Here is a sneak peek of the first block.


The pattern that Sue and I designed uses blue for the background.  I decided to go a little more prim/country.  I am sure whatever colors you use will turn out great!

Sue should have her teaser block up any minute now and I am sure she used blue. Go take a peek here.

Remember, you don't have to be here all day . . . .whatever time zone you are in LOL . . . just work on something Christmasy . . . either for someone, a decoration, new stockings for the mantle, or whatever.  Throw in a Christmas movie, put on a Bing Crosby CD, have some hot chocolate and sew along with us whether for 10 minutes or for 10 hours.

It's sure to be lots of fun!

Blessings, Cathi
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Friday, February 4, 2011

Soot and Ashes - revisited . . . . .

I didn't realize it has been a week since my last post.  I've been busy....or not busy.....recuperating from the fantastic show last weekend in Statesville.  Thanks to all my bloggy friends and bloggy lurkers who came by the booth and introduced yourself to me.  You know who you are!  Forgot how much paperwork it takes to run a business, too!


I am getting better at scheduling myself and even fit in some personal quilting this past week.  Remember Cheri's Soot & Ashes freebie last fall?  I made mine with black, cream and changed the centers to red.  She told us that there would be 15 blocks with some applique but we didn't know what the final product would look like.

This is what immediately came to mind . . . .


A 4 x 4 layout instead of Cheri's 3 x 5 layout.  When I saw Cheri's, I just decided to keep mine the same way I pictured it in the beginning.


I had started to do some needleturn applique but quickly frustrated myself and switched to wool.  I'll embroider some words on the bottom  when I think of something catchy. 

Libby mentioned that maybe I should change the name to Soot and Embers since I added the red centers.  I think I like that idea.  So there it is.  A new quilt top!

Cold and rainy today.  A good day to stay in and do some handwork.  Stay warm!

Blessings, Cathi
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