Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Season's Greetings!!!

I hope everyone has a relaxing holiday.  I plan to hang out at home today, eat some yummy prime rib and roasted veggies and watch the Packers game tonight.  May even get some quilting bee blocks finished today.

I was able to finish a few projects before Christmas including...

Stockings for the boys

Pouches for Teachers (although my youngest forgot to give them to his teacher,  sorry Ms. Donels you will get yours on January 3rd)

We made a trip down to Pella and Knoxville yesterday for a little Christmas Eve family fun.

Peace Tree Brewery - Root Beer for the boys (the one with the pretzel floating in it) and some Templeton Imperial Stout for Scott

D showing us how he can polka dance before bed.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

McBroom Family Christmas

Today is the day that Scott's family gets together for Christmas.

I wasn't able to complete the pillow for my MIL so I made a Inset Zipper Pouch by Keyka Lou.  I only had to use the Sally the seam ripper once so I consider that a success for a new pattern.  I really like how it takes advantage of special fabrics for the center panel.  Also, the top was a little too tough for my sewing machine to sew through nicely so I decided to add some hand quilting in a coordinating color.  I was happy with how it turned out and my MIL loved it.

Dinner was scrumptious we had Ham, Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole, Brussel Sprouts, Ceasar Salad and lots of desserts.  When your cooking for 23 people it's nice to have a condensed menu.   What is the etiquette when someone shows up 1 1/2 hour after dinner, you have already cleaned everything up and they and their kids are hungry???  Seriously folks 1:00 means 1:00.  Off my high horse now.

I have some time this afternoon to finish some more Holiday Sewing for teachers and friends.

FYI - yesterday S helped me make a bunch of pillowcases for his and D's room.  His first attempt at using the sewing machine and it went pretty well.

Sew Mama Sew Winner

I hope everyone had a lot of fun with the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway week.   I used Mr. Randon Number Generator and the winner is

SewLindaAnn said...

My favorite Christmas activity besides driving around to look at Christmas lights, is watching a different holiday movie most every night beginning with Thanksgiving. Love the treats and the relaxing time together.

December 15, 2011 7:21 AM  

I really enjoyed listening to everyone's favorite ChristmasActivities!l Happy Holidays to everyone!

Jill

W-I-P Wednesday

I feel pretty good about Christmas presents this year.  1 1/2 weeks to go and I have a few easy presents and projects to go.

Swoon Quilt - wrapped and being mailed tomorrow
Tiffany Diamonds - wrapped
Pillow for Mother-in-law for Christmas - need to start tonight - due Dec. 18th
6 5 pouches for Teacher's gifts - due Dec. 21st
2 Christmas Stockings - fabric cut - due Dec. 24th
2 Travel Pillows - quick project
Star Quilt - probably won't get done for  Christmas
6 4x5 blocks - due January 15th, have my block picked out
Twin Size Quilt for S - blocks still ready to be sewn together

Another Christmas Gift

Please scroll down the page for the giveaway for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway week.  The drawing will be held by a Random Number Generator on Friday evening.

I finished another Christmas gift .  This was the first quilt that I quilted on the Statler Stitcher.  Sort of a practice quilt so I wanted to use a quilt top that was easy enough in case I screwed it up.  I think it turned out well enough to be given as a Christmas gift and I'm going to wrap it up tonight.

Quilt Stats:
Pattern:  Tiffany Diamonds tutorial on Moda Bake Shop
Fabric:  Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket
Size:  46" x 63"  hopefully a nice lap size

I'll be back tomorrow for a Work in Progress Wednesday.

Jill

Giveaway Day

Welcome everyone from the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day.

I've been busy preparing for Christmas.  The house is decorated on the inside and lit up on the outside.  We are definitely the brightest house in the neighborhood (the neighbors must love us).  I started baking Christmas cookies on Sunday, started with a batch of French Butter refrigerator cookies and Chocolate Chip.  Spritz, Whoopie Pies, Chocolate Crinkles, Sugar Cookies and Rosettes will be made in the next few weeks with the kids.

I finished 2 big quilt projects this weekend and have teacher's gifts and a little something to make for some co-workers.  I love giving handmade items for gifts.

My favorite Christmas family activity is driving through Jolly Holiday Lights display.  The kids each get a cup of Hot Chocolate from Starbucks and we take a bag of popcorn with us.  It's a great time just to be together and look at the light display.  It's fun for the family and the money raised from the light display goes to the Make a Wish foundation.  Hopefully we will be able to enjoy on Wednesday night.

The giveaway today is a Pack and Go bag by Sweetwater made from some laminate and stuffed with scraps (including some Heather Ross, Echino and Flea Market Fancy).

To enter the giveaway please leave a comment about your favorite Christmas activity.

For more giveaways visit Sew Mama Sew!

Good Luck!

Jill

Swoon

I think this is my favorite quilt I've finished so far.  Had to take some glamour shots with it before I send it off to its new home.    The first stop was the Jordan House   (built in 1850) which was a stop on the Underground Railroad.  They have an antique sleigh on the porch which I thought would make a good photo.  

Then on the way to the post office in Valley Junction we saw a HUGE Santa that the kids wanted to stop and see so a boys photo was taken then Santa wanted to hold the quilt also.  

Finally Scott decided that he would help hold the quilt by a brick wall to help get it out of my system.

I'm kind of torn about sending this quilt.  I know it will be loved but I really like how it turned out.

Quilt Details

Pattern:  Swoon by Thimble Blossoms

Fabric : Heirloom by Joel Dewberry and Loulouthi by Anna Maria Horner

Size : 92x92 (added a border of Quilters Linen to make it larger)

It is the Season of Giving so it will be shipped next week!

I am going to participate in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day so stay tuned!  

Jill

I'm planning what to giveaway next week for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. 
Anyone have any ideas of what they would like (a tote bag, potholders or pouch are at the top of my list).

Welcome!  I've decided to start a blog after obsessively following other blogs and being encouraged by some friends at the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild.  It may take me a little while to get used to everything so please be patient with me.

I'll show you a few of the projects I have been working on lately.

This is a sneak peek of the back of a quilt that is going to be a Christmas present.  I will show the front shortly because I'm pretty sure that the recipient won't be following my blog.  Hopefully it will be finished by this weekend (just the binding left)

Back of the Swoon Quilt

Long Arm Quilting at the Heart of Quilting in West Des Moines

Doll Bed and Quilt - fits 2 American Girl Dolls

I learned to use the Statler Stitcher last weekend at The Heart of Quilting in West Des Moines.  I have been able to finish 2 quilts so far and hope to finish at least 1 more before Christmas.

To Do List:

Swoon Quilt - just binding left
Circa 1934 Quilt - just binding left
2 Christmas Stockings
Christmas Star Quilt
Pouches for Teacher Christmas gifts - using the Keika Lou Inset Pouch Pattern
Twin Bed quilt for S - blocks are made, can wait until after Christmas

Talk to you soon!

Jill