Christmas Brings Out the Worst in My Kids

Ever since we put up our Christmas tree over a week ago, it's been the center of controversy. Silly me, thinking no one would notice that some kids have more presents than others. But no, 1 hour after the presents went out, they all wanted to know why Kylee has more than Bailey. Before I knew it I was giving a lecture to three kids, 11 and under, attempting to explain that one $40 present is equal to 2 $20 presents.

A few days later, Kylee tattled on Bailey, who had been carefully ripping tiny holes in select presents to find out what was inside.

Then today, Bailey and Will spilled the beans and told Kylee what they had gotten her.

To top it all off, after I scolded Bailey and Will for telling, I asked "You didn't tell each other what you got, did you?"

"No Mom," says Will, "Bailey and Kylee just told me that you forgot you had a son and you bought 3 girl presents."

Wow, only my kids......
Assuming we survive the 2 remaining days before all controversy is settled, I'm considering not putting presents or a tree up until Christmas Eve next year.

It was inevitable.....

My dining room has officially turned back into a sudo-quilting studio.
I tried, I really did, but I just can't leave my sewing stuff at the shop. I only have time to sew in the evenings now, and it's cold at the shop. And I'm poor and can't afford to turn the heat up high enough to match the cozy wood stove burning away in my living room. So, today I broke down and hauled just enough supplies home to piece my Lackadaisical quilt.
And it's already paying off! My first flower is nearly finished!
This quilt is super fast to put together, right up my alley these days. Hopefully there will be a finished picture to post soon! I'll also be posting an updated pricing list for the kit tomorrow that includes the entire quilt top! Happy quilting!

Best Ever Sugar Cookies

If you love a soft and sweet sugar cookie, I have the perfect recipe. This recipe came from my grandma, and I don't know where she got it. All I know is that I don't bake, but every year around the holidays I end up making these cookies. They are too good, my second batch in as many weeks is chilling in the fridge right now! Here's the recipe for your eating pleasure:

1 1/2 Cups of butter
3 Cups of sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
6 Cups of flour
1 Cup of sour cream
3 eggs

Combine all of this and mix well. A kitchenaid type mixer is a must, as this dough is super thick and sticky. Once mixed, chill well in the refridgerator. If your dough isn't cold enough, it will be impossible to roll and cut the cookies.

Once dough is chilled, roll and cut into desired shapes. A pastry sheet is best, and it will take a lot of flour to prevent the dough from sticking! PAM sprayed on the cookie cutter also helps.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes. (I have larger cookie cutters that take a little more than 10 minutes to cook completely.)

Let the cookies cool, and then frost them with this frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese
3 Cups of powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. milk
1/4 Cup of butter

Happy Eating!

It's Not Too Late to Make Your Table Merry!

For a festive holiday table, all you need is a couple yards of fabric and a super fast tablerunner! Here is one of the fastest and easiest ideas for holiday table decor, so easy you still have time to finish it before the holiday!



The fabric featured is from Sandy Gervais's Moda line, Merry and Bright. All you need to do is cut a square piece of the extra wide fabric, hem or serge it, and your tablecloth is done! Next, use the Merry and Bright panel to quilt up a tablerunner with all the appeal of applique and none of the work! Hem/serge up some coordinating fabric napkins, layer the pieces on your table, and you're done! A simple centerpiece finishes the ensemble. Mine usually holds round ornaments, but this year they're mysteriously MIA and I'm not about to go crawling around under the house in single digit weather to find them!

Yee Haw!

The Cowboys and Indians fabric arrived today! This is such a great fabric line, as it has both boys and girls in the focal fabric, yet could easily be an adult quilt by leaving out that one fabric. It's done in 1950's style and is just fantastic!

Tomorrow's project will be fixing up the display my mom and I have been planning to go along with it. We've already collected a saddle, and my mom has plans to build a fence for the fabric. Pictures to follow as soon as possible!

Hopefully my super helper comes home from Hawaii soon (you know who you are) to whip me up some sample quilts! Remember Boot Scootin' and Stampede? These quilts were attracting all sorts of attention at Quilt Market, so I can't wait to have my own versions!

Apron Trends

Aprons grew hugely in popularity this year, and with their popularity the number of great apron patterns grew too! January is going to be apron month at Moda University, so to get you ready here are some of the aprons on display in the store. You'll find all these patterns under the Bags and Wearables pattern category.

Those Crazy Kids

No, this is not a post about my family. It's to announce to arrival of the newest Buggy Barn book, "Those Crazy Kids!" I ordered this book at Fall Market, and it just arrived today, hot off the press! The quilt on the cover was featured in The Buggy Barn booth, and it was so darn cute it stopped my mom and I in our tracks. I know at least 2 little boys who will be thrilled with this quilt! The fabrics are from a line by The Buggy Barn, "Ron's World," which is due any day now.
The rest of the book isn't so bad either. Flowers, purses, kites, and sail boats are some of the great things you'll find featured in the 7 quilts. Even a coordinating crib sheet and bumper pad featuring the trucks!
You can find this book in the "New Additions" catagory of the online catalog.