Football Quilt - a Gift for my Little Guy

This may be the last finish of the year.  I'm working on several projects, but gifts have to be finished first.  This one is for my son, the Tennessee Titans football fan.

Tennessee Titans Football Quilt and Pillow.

 

 

The original pattern for this one is here.  I added the borders to make this quilt a little larger for lounging around and watching football on television on Sunday afternoons. 

 

My babies sporting their football gear.  Not so little any more.

 

 

This is a picture of my daughter and son in Nashville when the Kansas City Chiefs played the Titans this fall.  She's the Chiefs fan and he is the Titans fan. (I can't help my son's one flaw...lol) 

Go Chiefs!!

 

 

The quilt is 54" x 74" and is made with Kona (coffee and white) and Tennessee Titans fabric.

 

 

The pillow is 16" x 18" and was made from the stadium cushion pattern only stuffed with fiber fill instead of filled with a foam cushion.  (The stadium cushion tutorial is coming).

 

I'm writing this post in hopes my son is too busy to read his mom's blog because this one is a gift to him.  After staying with him, I decided he needs a few more quilts...

 

 

Hope your last weekend before Christmas is wonderful,

 



 



German Chocolate Bars

I just love reading December magazines.  All the decorating, crafts, and recipes are such fun to explore.  This recipe was inspired by a recipe I found in the December issue of Family Circle Magazine.  The grocery stores here didn't have the cookies that the original recipe required, but I found a great alternative.  Enjoy. (I am)

German Chocolate Bars

German Chocolate Bars

 

1  14.4 oz box chocolate graham crackers

3/4 unsalted butter, melted

1  14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1  12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees and line  a 9 x 13 pan with foil.  Spray the foil with non stick spray.

 

Crush graham cracker in a food processor until fine crumbs. 

 

Mix melted butter with cracker crumbs and press into prepared pan.  Press until firm.  I used the bottom of a measuring cup to really press the crumbs in the pan.

 

Pour sweetened condensed milk over crust.  Spread evenly.

 

Cover milk with chocolate chips.  Next cover with coconut and then cover with nuts.

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Cool then refrigerate for 2 hours.

 

Remove from the pan by lifting the foil.  Cut into bars.

 

 

 

Rich and delicious.



I have been sewing, but I can't share yet.  I'm not sure if my kids read my blog or not.  Sometimes I think they do and I can't risk them seeing.  winking...

If you've been waiting for the stadium cushion tutorial, it is coming soon.  I have a very special one made for a friend.

Here's to a very big, busy week. (everyone needs their hair cut and colored for Christmas)

Now to set up a tree.....

Giving of the Green

Let's start the weekend right by announcing the winner of the green!!  Green fabric, of course.  Thank you to everyone who participated in my little giveaway here in the sticks.

 

 

I just love Sew Mama Sew giveaway week.  So many lovely comments from new and old friends.  It was a great week of a full mail box everyday.   Green really is a popular color and there were some really great reasons to love green that I had never thought of.

 

 

Ok, let's announce the winner!

  

  Lynne said...

I'm not sure what draws me to green, but I find myself surrounded by it all the time. I'm in my bedroom that is covered in an old quilt with lots of green, an antique chair reupholstered in green by my husband, walls painted a deep sage green, pillows I made in green, sheets of green. a photo tack board covered in green fabric and green ribbons, a handbag I made of green barkcloth..... gee, I really do like green!! Wow, I just never looked around and thought about it before.

 

Congratulations, Lynn.  You really do like green!  Sending you an email.

 

 

  I am amazed by all the Holiday goodies being created in blog land.  There is so much inspiration.  I, myself, have not even decorated my house for Christmas, yet.  It seems everyone I talk to is a bit behind this year.  This post at Martingale has some great ideas for gifts to make in a day for us last minute people. 

 

Happy Weekend,

 

 



 

Snowball Cookies

Carol over at Just Let Me Quilt is having a virtual cookie exchange.

Here in the Sticks, it's not Christmas time without a few certain recipes. 

 

These cookies are very common, but oh so good.

I have seen them made with almonds and walnuts, but we prefer pecans.

 

 

These cookies have many names.  We call them:

 

 

Snowball Cookies

Ingredients

 

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

2 cups powdered sugar (divided)

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups sifted flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

 

Preheat oven 325 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

 

Beat butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and salt until smooth.  Slowly add sifted flour and stir until mixed well.

 

 

Add finely chopped pecans. I chopped these in my food processor and mixed them in by hand.

 

 

 

Roll 1 tablespoon size of dough into balls and place onto parchment covered cookie sheet.

 

 

 

Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes until top of cookies feel set.

While cookies are baking, sift the rest of powdered sugar into a large bowl.

 

 

 

When cookies are done, take out of oven and roll a few cookies at a time in powdered sugar and place on wire rack to cool completely.

 

 

After the cookies are completely cool, I like to take the remaining powdered sugar and dust the cookies one more time.

 

 

 

This recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies.  Store in an airtight container.

 

Christmas Party Perfect.

 

 

Here is the recipient of the Christmas Apron.  She loves it.  In fact I will be making a few more of these.

 



 

 

I better get to sewing,

 

 

 

 

Note:  Somewhere on the web I saw suggestions of flavoring these cookies with rum,  Kahlua, or other spirits.  I may need to try that.

 

 

 



Not your Grandma's Apron

This weekend is party time here in the sticks.   We have 2 parties to attend.  One is a Christmas party with the girls I work with. 

 

Tradition has it that we have a white elephant gift exchange at the party.  I have received hair scrunchies, one size fits all popcorn shirts, VHS tapes (not g, pg or r), and a tangled ball of Christmas lights, to name a few of the gifts over the years.  Being the overachiever that I am, I turned a little fabric into my gift for this year's exchange.

 

Christmas Apron

Now, if you have ever had a white elephant gift exchange, you know, this would be a pretty sweet gift.

 

 

But, that just would not do.  Did I mention that this apron is reversible?   Some days you feel like a good girl and some days...well.  lol  Thanks to my friend Joan over at MooseStash Quilting (I won the fabric for the back in her giveaway) this apron is a conversation starter, for sure.

 

Reversible Christmas Apron

 

I think my co-workers will love it.  Oooh, la, la. I've been wanting to make something for my girlfriends at work and when this fabric arrived it was just the ticket.  There wasn't enough of this fabric to make 18 mug rugs, so I will just watch them fight over this one item..  I wonder if the winner will wear it in the salon??! 

 

By the way, I know I called this post, "Not your Grandma's Apron," but I know a few grandmothers who would wear this in a heartbeat.  One of mine included..lol

Let's Party,

Don't let the Door Stop You Blog Hop Sign Up - you should see mine....

I am cheering another blog hop.  I think Madame Samm thinks I need a door stop intervention.  Scroll down and you will see why...

 

This blog hop will be going on the same time as She who Sews blog hop ( below)…..one day She who Sews, next day DOOR STOP and DRAFT Stoppers….

I will be cheering this one too…NEVER EVER has Madame Samm had 2 simultaneously, so if nothing else it will be one colourful hop… You will have 2 different days to show your gems….as each day we will be showcasing a different hop…Sounds confusing, but really Madame Samm and I have it all together…
(She knows how to break a newbie in)

Those who have signed up for She Who Sews, if you also want to make a door stopper, you must sign up again. That will take up 2 spots. We also have been listening to you all, and we are keeping our numbers down so everyone can enjoy the VIEW.

 

 

How to REGISTER for Don't let the Door Stop You Blog Hop…

IN the subject line

 

CARLA, PLEASE DON'T STOP ME….

send the following info to

 

gochefs@hotmail.com

 

your name

 

email

your blog if you have one

we can take 5 ( who do not have blogs)

we will host for you..

your url of your blog

 

 

Madame Samm has inspiration here, but I have used this door stop for years and you are welcome to try it out.  lol

 

 

Nailed it!

I seriously need a new door stop and can't wait to get started.

 

We will be hopping back and forth and sideways, but it will be fun.  Join us.

 

Cabin Coolaid, Fat Quarter Shop

Cabin Coolaid quilt and pillow

 

 

 

I really wanted to try the Fat Quarter Shop's FREE Shortcut Quilts pattern, Layer Cake Lemonade which was released last week. (Speaking of the Fat Quarter Shop, the giveaway winner is announced  below). The top was a finish last week and today I present Cabin Coolaid as a finish with a pillow made from the scraps. I just happened to have two short stacks of Riley Blake, Elk Ridge fabric in my stash and it was just enough to make another manly project for MOvember. This is the last brown project I'm starting for awhile, by the way. 

 

 

This quilt is perfect for my "man cave" of a house (cabin) where nothing famine fits in.  My hubby loves this rustic style quilt, of course. 

 

 

There aren't a lot of scraps from the construction of the quilt, but there was enough to make a 16" cushion cover with a little leftover fabric from the Football Stadium quilt.  I quilted the pillow and quilt with leaves and vines with free motion on my domestic with thread I recieved from my friend Jen over at Glinda Quilts.

 

 

Thank you, my friend.  I really liked this thread and it was perfect for these projects.

 

 

 

 

The quilt is 48" x 61" and is perfect for cuddling up in front of the fireplace in a cabin during the winter.

 

There is a big sale at the Fat Quarter Shop for black Friday, 25% off site wide.

 

It's time to announce the winner of the Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate!  The Quilting Gallery organized a hop to say thank you for all the wonderful blog readers across the globe and the Fat Quarter Shop sponsored a giveaway here at Creatin' in the Sticks.The winner will receive a $20.00 gift card.  The winner is.....

 

Cherry

 

I will email you, congratulations!

Thank you Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring this giveaway!

 

 Happy Black Friday,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linking up with Amanda Jean over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

 



She Who Sews - Fabric Location

  Thearica  over at Pig Tales and Quilts just let me know she has a bolt of panels in her shop that just arrived.   We still have a few openings in the hop.   

JOIN US, create something with this collection

that reflects SEWING ROOM NEEDS!

Love to see what you will make, design, quilt~


How to REGISTER…

IN the subject line

YES, I CAN SEW

please send the following info to

gochefs@hotmail.com

your name and email 

your blog if you have one 

 

your url of your blog

 

 

 

Guidelines..

1. If you sign up, follow through.  We give you plenty of time

to get fabric, sew, quilt and get your post ready.

( YOU should know within a month if you cannot make it)

YOU do not want to be on the LIST!

2. BE a cheerleader for all those on the hop…they pour

so much of themselves for YOU!

3. Please turn off word verification on your day!

4. Please place all of those in the hop on your day,

this way we can find them as easily as we found you..

don't forget to include YOU too….

5. YOU must make at least one project with any of her collection

and you can show other projects for your sewing room too! 

( choose any of her fabric to showcase…a little or a lot

depends on your project) 

6. PLACE Button on your blog once you sign UP.

This will allow all of your friends to find you on your day…

 

 

Need more information?  Go to SEW WE QUILT and find out more about this hop and lots of others you may want to join.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

 

 

 

Think Sewing Room - Blog Hop with Handmaids from Quilting Treasures - Sign up Starts Today.

Have you been searching for that perfect collection that would

suit your sewing room needs?

THINK: ironing board cover, sewing machine cover, stash tote, pin

cushions, pressing pads, coffee sleeve, sewing bags, heck even a new valence or curtains

for your sewing studio, station, room…

Welllll Madame Samm was thinking of all those things as soon as she saw this collection called

HANDMAIDS . YOU can view the whole collection here.

Click on logo below !

and HERE for all the stores that may carry HANDMAIDS,

call them ask them if they are carrying this collection!

…Just put your state in, and it will drop down all the

Quilt Shops!

UPDATE:  Our friend over at Pig Tales and Quilts has some of the SHE WHO SEWS fabric IN STOCK!

Photo courtesy of Madame Samm



Janet's collection is whimsical, bright, bold and fullllll of personality.

So if this collection speaks to you like it did us….

It is very detailed and has a lot of possibilities…

 

 

 

Then JOIN US, create something with this collection

that reflects SEWING ROOM NEEDS!

Love to see what you will make, design, quilt~

I am full of excitement!

 Upon seeing this collection by Quilting Treasures…

I shouted PICK ME PICK ME..

so Madame Samm DID!

I am the NEWEST Cheerleader!

How to REGISTER…

UPDATE:  This one is FULL!!
 

IN the subject line

YES, I CAN SEW

please send the following info to

gochefs@hotmail.com

your name and email

your blog if you have one

we can take 5 ( who do not have blogs)

we will host for you..

your url of your blog

Guidelines..

1. If you sign up, follow through. We give you plenty of time

to get fabric, sew, quilt and get your post ready.

( YOU should know within a month if you cannot make it)

YOU do not want to be on the LIST!

2. BE a cheerleader for all those on the hop…they pour

so much of themselves for YOU!

3. Please turn off word verification on your day!

4. Please place all of those in the hop on your day,

this way we can find them as easily as we found you..

don't forget to include YOU too….

5. YOU must make at least one project with any of her collection

and you can show other projects for your sewing room too!

( choose any of her fabric to showcase…a little or a lot

depends on your project)

6. PLACE Button on your blog once you sign UP.

This will allow all of your friends to find you on your day…

I will cheer for you, always!

Taking the MO out of November

Today I have a quilt top finish to share.  I really wanted to try the Fat Quarter Shop's  FREE Shortcut Quilts pattern, Layer Cake Lemonade which was released this week.  I just happened to have two short stacks of Riley Blake, Elk Ridge fabric in my stash and it was just enough to make another manly project for MOvember.  It was fast and easy.



Cabin Coolaid

This quit will be perfect to curl up with here at the cabin.  The winter chill is here and I'm going to need something to stay warm.  This quilt, Cabin Coolaid, will make this couch look a little lot better.

Don't forget about the Fat Quarter shop Gift Certificate Giveaway.  Sign up ends November 28th

I'm ready to lose the "MO" in Movember and do something girly.  I love my guys, but I'm ready for bright and happy.

Sneak peak, no, not really--hehe

Time to start on a super girly gift for my pink loving friend, Jen over at Glinda Quilts.  Even though I'm starting, dear friend, it probably means you will be receiving this same time next year...lol

And... tomorrow is the sign up for a new blog hop for January/February and I will be cheering everyone on!  Check out the details over at Sew we Quilt and sign up to make your sewing room projects and show them off.

 

I even have my own cheerleader, now.  Isn't she a beauty? 

I can't wait to hear from everyone when you sign up to hop,

 

Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts - you have to check out Scrap Vortex.

And Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.