Sunday, December 22, 2013

Broken Sugar Bowl Quilt Block and Making Aunt Gerda's Apple Strudel


Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     


Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the book, it's a Bergstrom family tradition to make Aunt Gerda's Apple Strudel every Christmas.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to represent this tradition, here are some free block patterns: 

Apple Quilt Block
 
Apple Core Quilt Block

Broken Sugar Bowl Quilt Block shown above

And if you'd like to make Aunt Gerda's Apple Strudel, here's the recipe!

Aunt Gerda’s Apple Strudel
3 large assorted apples, like Macintosh and Golden Delicious, peeled, cored,    and thinly sliced (about 3 heaping cups)
½ cup raisins
¼ cup plain toasted breadcrumbs
¼ cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
5 large sheets phyllo dough (14 x 18 inches)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

1.  Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.  Lightly butter a baking sheet.

2.  Place the apples, raisins, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice in a medium bowl and toss to coat evenly. 

3.  Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough and brush with butter.  Top with a second sheet of phyllo dough and brush with butter.  Repeat with the remaining phyllo and butter, creating a stack of five sheets of phyllo and ending with butter.  (You will have a little bit of butter remaining.)

4.  Arrange the apples in a strip about one-third up from the bottom, leaving about 2 inches on either end.  Lift the bottom of the phyllo over the top of the apples.  Fold in the sides, and continue to roll up the apples tightly.

5.  Place the strudel, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet.  Brush the top with the remaining butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.  Cool to room temperature.  Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar before serving.  Serves 8 to 10.

If you can only find small sheets of phyllo (9 x 14 inches), simply divide the apples and make two small strudels, each using five sheets of phyllo.    

From The Quilter’s Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini
 
Is there a recipe that your family always makes every Christmas?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.
The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
 
You might enjoy reading my previous blog post Shooting Star Quilt Block and a Song for Sunday.

Shooting Star Quilt Block and a Song for Sunday

 
 
Go Tell It on the Mountain
 
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
 
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
 
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth.
 
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
 
- an African American spiritual compiled by John Wesley Work, Jr. dating back to at least 1865
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Colorado Beauty Quilt Block.


Friday, December 20, 2013

Colorado Beauty Quilt Block and The Simple Woman's Daybook


Simple Woman's Daybook for December 20, 2013

Outside my window . . . there is frost on every tree, shrub, and plant.  The sky is completely white.  It's beautiful!

I am thankful . . . that this is the first Christmas I get to celebrate as a grandma.  So exciting!

In the kitchen . . . I'm making chili ahead of time in preparation for our traditional Christmas Eve supper. 

I am hearing . . . wonderful Christmas carols on Pandora.

I am creating . . . a home that's ready for a 7 month old - with high chair, Pack 'n Play, baby tub, toys, plenty of board books, and stuffed animals.   

I am going . . . to do a bit more shopping tomorrow for groceries and stocking stuffers.
 
I am reading . . . The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini for the Quilters' Book Club and The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan for my Raspberry Mountain Readers Book Club.  Just for fun, I'm reading the middle grade novel Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Jennifer Choldenko.  I had previously read her Al Capone Does My Shirts (a Newbery Honor book), and this book is the second in the series.
I am hoping . . . for good travel weather.
 
I am looking forward to . . . having my family here!
 
I am learning . . . how to prepare a home for a grandchild!
Around the house . . . the Christmas tree and decorations are up, and the house feels very festive.
 
I am pondering . . . my menus for the upcoming week.
 
One of my favorite things . . . is the Christmas season and getting to spend it with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .  cooking, baking, cleaning, last-minute shopping, celebrating the 4th Sunday in Advent, a potluck at church after the service, and FAMILY! 
 
 
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Lost and Found Quilt Block and Losing the Christmas Star in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Lost and Found Quilt Block
 
Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     


Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the book, the Christmas star that ALWAYS goes on top of the Bergstrom tree ends up missing.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this event in the book, here are some free patterns to get you started: 

12" Christmas Rising Star Quilt Block

10" Christmas Star Quilt Block shown below

20" Christmas Star Quilt Block

16" Star of Bethlehem Quilt Block


What do you place on top of your Christmas tree?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
 
You might enjoy reading my previous blog post A Colorado Christmas and Welcome to My Cabin Quilt.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Colorado Christmas and Welcome to My Cabin Quilt

 
A Colorado Christmas
Written by my son Drew when he was in 5th grade

        On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a chickadee in a pine tree.
        On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two chipmunks and a chickadee in a pine tree.
        On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.

         On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
 
 
        On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
 
 
        On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
        On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
        On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
 
        On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree. 
 
        On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
 
        On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven raccoons peering, ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
      On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve foxes leaping, eleven raccoons peering, ten bobcats crouching, nine turkeys squawking, eight deer running, seven rabbits hopping, six squirrels scolding, five columbine, four hummingbirds, three black bears, two chipmunks, and a chickadee in a pine tree.
 
All the pictures were taken in our yard!  You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December Tree Trimming Basket Quilt Block.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December Tree Trimming Basket Quilt Block

 
This December Tree Trimming Basket block is part of my Wooly Basket Calendar Quilt.  The pattern is from the Starry Pines Pattern Company: http://starrypinespatterncompany.com/spindex2.html

I used wool for the hand-appliqued basket, cotton flannel for the background fabric, and black perle cotton for the embroidery. 
 
 
 
Merry Christmas
I saw on the snow
when I tried my skis
the track of a mouse
beside some trees.

Before he tunneled
to reach his house
he wrote “Merry Christmas”
in white, in mouse.

by Aileen Fisher

 
Christmas
My goodness, my goodness,
It’s Christmas again
The bells are all ringing.
I do not know when
I’ve been so excited.
The tree is all fixed,
The candles are lighted,
The pudding is mixed.
The wreath’s on the door
And the carols are sung,
The presents are wrapped
And the holly is hung.
The turkey is sitting
All safe in its pan,
And I am behaving
As calm as I can.
 
by Marchette Chute
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Tree Quilt Block

Christmas Tree Quilt Block and the Newlyweds Choosing the Tree in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini


Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     


Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

In the book, the Bergstrom family has a tradition of the newlyweds choosing the Christmas tree.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this tradition, here are some wonderful, free patterns for you to check out:

Christmas Tree Quilt Block shown above

Christmas Tree and Presents Quilt Block

Southern Pine Quilt Block

Striped Tree Quilt Block Pattern

Super Easy Paper-Pieced Tree in 4 Sizes
 
The Little Cedar Tree Quilt Block
 
Tree Quilt Block Pattern




 In my family, it was tradition for my husband and boys to go into the woods on our property and cut down our Christmas tree each year.  I would have cocoa waiting for them on their return.  Some of the trees looked slightly "Charlie Brownish," so my husband would drill holes into the tree trunk and insert extra limbs.  My husband now buys a tree at a local lot.  We always get a REAL tree as tall as possible.  This year, it's a beautiful Noble Fir.   
 
What kind of Christmas tree do you have - an artificial one or a real one?  Do you buy a tree off the lot or cut one down?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
 
You might enjoy reading my previous blog post Making the Christmas Quilt in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Making the Christmas Quilt in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Variable Star Quilt Block
Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     


Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It's a quick, fun read.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

One of the main events in the book is making the Christmas quilt that Great-Aunt Lucinda began and Claudia and Sylvia continued.  If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this event in the book, here are some free patterns for you to check out:
 


 
This reminds me of the wonderful picture book, The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy, pictures by Jerry Pinkney.  It's about another quilt created by more than one generation of a family.  Here's a video reading of the book. 
 
 
Have you ever worked together with other family members to create a quilt?  Inquiring minds want to know!   Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December Redwork Birdie Stitches.

December Redwork Birdie Stitches

 
This block is part of the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month by Little Miss Shabby available free online here.  When I saw it, I knew it was the perfect project for me.  Instead of using several colors of embroidery thread, I chose to use just No. 8 perle cotton in red.  I have done redwork on a single layer of fabric, and the knots show through from the back. I've tried backing the fabric with very lightweight iron-on interfacing, but the interfacing wrinkled. This time I used a double layer of the Kona cotton. I ironed the layers together and used an embroidery hoop. I didn't baste the two layers together, but it has not been a problem. I've been very pleased with the results.
 
I have nearly finished the redwork portion of this quilt.  I still have the June block to make.  The design for June is very different than the other months (you can see it here) so I'm still up in the air about what I want to do.
 
I have really enjoyed having a little redwork project to work on each month.  This particular block of the month is not overwhelming yet gives me something to do if I'm watching a movie at home or sitting by the fireplace.
 
 
 
 December's Waltz
Winter orchestrates the dance
In chilling winds and biting air.            
Snowflakes whirl and skip and prance,
Waltzing wildly without a care.
Bowing swiftly to their mates.
They turn and glide in perfect time.
Spinning on their magic skates,
Across the frozen fields they climb.
Lilting measures rise and fall
In time with flakes of white,
While all God’s creatures watch the ball,
Bedazzled by the sight.
When gradually the music dies,
There’s not a single sound
As small white dancers from the sky
Take rest upon the ground.
by Ava M. Plover
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post For Unto Us a Child Is Born and a Song for Sunday.  You can check out my redwork and counted cross stitch projects here.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

For Unto Us a Child Is Born and a Song for Sunday

 
Joy to the World
 
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.



 
 
  Sing Laugh clap-your-hands
Shout-for-joy Give-Praise
Applaud exult proclaim
Take-cheer FEAR-NOT
 Be-joyous be-glad celebrate
Delight-in-what-God-has-done
REJOICE IN GREAT ABUNDANCE,
       For the manger holds a lad.
Justice seeks his guidance,
And mercy his command.
Let your heart invite his residence,
And your years his guiding hand.
                                by George R. Pasley (a wonderful pastor and poet and my cousin)

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Stockings for New Family Members

Christmas Stockings for New Family Members

 
I made Christmas stockings for the two newest members of our family:
 
Our grandpuppy Royer, who joined our family in December 2012
 
 
 
 And our very first grandson, who joined the family in May of 2013.
 
 
 
Can you tell which stocking is for which family member?
 
They will be added to the rest of the family's Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle.
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Spool Quilt Block and Characters in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Spool Quilt Block and Characters in The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini


Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book.  I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.     


Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us! 

"Born into a prosperous family in rural central Pennsylvania, Sylvia loves her family estate, Elm Creek Manor, and plans one day to take her place alongside her father in the family horse-breeding business, Bergstrom Thoroughbreds.  Tragedy during World War II and a sister's betrayal drive her from her beloved home and force her to choose a new path.  A gifted quilter, Sylvania graduates with a degree in Art Education from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.  For many years, she teaches in the Sewickley, Pennsylvania area, and she becomes a renowned lecturer at quilt shows and quilt guilds across the country.  Upon her return to Elm Creek Manor after a fifty-year absence, Sylvia and her young apprentice, Sarah McClure, turn the manor into Elm Creek Quilt Camp, a retreat for quilters." from More Elm Creek Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini

If you'd like to make a quilt block to represent main character Sylvia Bergstrom, Elm Creek Quilt Camp owner, here are some block suggestions to get you started:

Pin Cushion, Button Jar, Spool, and Buttons Quilt Blocks

Spool Quilt Block (12")

Spool Quilt Block (6")

Have you ever been on a quilt retreat?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away.  Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Disappearing 9-Patch Tablecloth

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Disappearing Nine-Patch Tablecloth

 
A few years ago, a friend and I each made 
a Christmas Disappearing Nine-Patch tablecloth.
 
I love the old-fashioned look of the fabric line that we chose.
 
 See the wonderful stockings hanging over the fireplace?
 
My Christmas teapot
 
Our Advent wreath, made from greens gathered from trees in our yard
 
Every Christmas, each guest signs their name on the back of the tablecloth. 
I used muslin for the backing.
 
The label my friend made for the back of my tablecloth.
Didn't she do a wonderful job?
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Silent Night Quilt and Christmas CarolYou can get more specific information about how we made our tablecloths here.