My Turn To Teach Today...

I'm the teacher for this month's craft project with my girlfriends in Portage. This is my sample piece. I love doing these because the end result is a lot of bang for the buck.

Using a few simple components and your imagination, the final piece can be mounted to the top of a wooden (or cigar) box, sit on an easel or in a frame, or become part of a multi-piece display. 

I've been thinking about doing this as a video class online, but I'm wondering if there would be any interest. Class fee would be nominal, and I could either charge a kit fee (to mail) or people could gather their own supplies from a class list.

Leave a comment below if you'd be interested in taking a class after the holidays. I have to get on the road, now though. I don't want to be late today. It's going to be fun spending part of my Birthday with friends I love so much! See you tomorrow.

Images From December Sewcial Sisters...

Sewcial Sisters - Terry's Christmas Cushion Project

I'm sharing pictures today from our December Sewcial Sisters day at The Gathering. It was a perfect day for a drive, and the sun shone on Primitive Gatherings' retreat house all day. 

As you look through these photos, I'd like to also draw your attention to all the gorgeous red and white quilts that surrounded us as we visited and stitched on our respective projects. These are all part of the Red & White Quilt Show now in progress. I think Lisa said there were about 140 entries, and they're all so impressive!

Sewcial Sisters - Maryann's Wall Hanging

Sewcial Sisters - Lori's Table Mat

Sewcial Sisters - Kay's Candle Mat

Sewcial Sisters - Kathy D. Sharing Gift From Jody

Sewcial Sisters - Judy's Mini Wall Hanging

Sewcial Sisters - Jean's Christmas Quilt 1

Sewcial Sisters - Jean's Christmas Quilt 2

Sewcial Sisters - My Needlework in Progress

I shared the baby kimono during our Show & Tell. This is what I worked on while we chatted all day. I was inspired by the work of another artist on Instagram. I'm going to turn this into an ornament for a friend.

We all brought treats that we shared (before and after lunch), so each of us went home with a nice assortment of cookies, fudge, and other confectionaries. All my cookies were either eaten or went home with the ladies. 

The ladies all asked for my recipe, so I pointed everyone to the original source. In case you're interested, click HERE for the cookies. THIS is her frosting recipe, which I use every time - unless I make royal icing. They're both delicious and fool-proof wonderful cutout cookies, and they're the only recipe I've used since moving back to Wisconsin seven years ago.

I've got errands this morning, and then I'll be home working on my class project for tomorrow in Portage. I'll give you a sneak peek tomorrow, so you can see what we'll be working on. See you tomorrow!

Sweet Treats...

 

 

I've got two get-togethers this week. I'm going to Larsen today for a day of stitching with the Sewcial Sisters. It's kind of our Christmas party, so I wanted to make some treats to take along. I'm also going to Portage this weekend, so I'll take a treat with me (it's my Birthday on Saturday!).

 

First, I went to my Toll House cookbook. I love this book. It's constructed like "baby's first book", with heavy carboard, laminated pages that can't be bent or soiled. That's all bonus to the great recipes that are found inside. Take this one...

 

I used milk chocolate chips, sprinkled sparingly on the top because I wanted more pecan pie flavor than chocolate. To me, it was just the right amount, and Handsome thought they were really good, too. These are going to Portage with me this weekend.

 

I decided on cutout cookies for tomorrow. I did Wisconsin cookies and when I decorated them, I put a special snowflake in the approximate location of Larsen. Because Primitive Gatherings specializes in wools, the sheep were appropriate, too. Of course, there had to be a few black sheep!

 

 

Someone (who could remain nameless, because you know who I mean) took the last piece of pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving. That's absolutely promoted here. I always leave the last cookie, candy, piece of cake or pie for him. He washed the pie plate, too. (He's been an equal and participating partner for nearly forty years.) 

I came downstairs the next morning to find this on the kitchen island. I laughed out loud. For a guy who says he doesn't have a sweet tooth, he sure does love the treats I make. So, I'll likely make another pie and save the other treats for when we have guests. (I'm not optimistic that that plan will hold.) 

So, I'm away today, but I'm going to make more holiday treats. I want to make them as gifts for a number of people and families for Christmas, so I'm going to make a list and work to it starting after Saturday.

Do you bake for the holidays? Do you share your creations? I'd love to know what your favorites are. 

I'd better get on the road if I don't want to be late. I'll take photos today so I can share them with you again. I love seeing what the ladies have created, and I love showing them to you, too! I'll see you again tomorrow! Gotta run!

 

Oh, Oh!!! One more thing...