Tuesday 29 December 2020

My Quilting Resolution Blog Hop

   Thank you Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks for hosting this blog hop!  I normally do not make News Year's resolutions, I don't want the stress of not accomplishing them hanging over me all year long. This year, as we all know has not been kind to anyone. So out with the old and in with the new kinder, gentler, I hope year ahead. 

To avoid getting overwhelmed by my resolutions in 2021 my goals are simple, as the best resolutions are stress-free. I aim to not accomplish my goals in one month but over the course of the entire year. 

My resolutions are as follows:

1. I hate, yes I know rather harsh but true none the less, UFO's. I have one hanging over my head, that has been there since my hubby passed away. I resolve to finish it up and list the pattern in my Etsy Shop.

started in March of 2020, the top is finished and it is basted just waiting for the quilting to start

2: Is this panel, I had printed by Spoonflower. The print is a photo taken by my daughter in law, I edited it and had it printed. My goal is to add a few borders round-robin style. Sound like a fun project! Do you have a panel, any panel, and want to play along with me. If so let me know in the comments. When leaving a comment please make sure you are not a no-reply commenter.

sunset on Tyson Lake

Those are two simple relatively easy to accomplish resolutions. 

Want to see what other bloggers have in mind for 2021, here is the list.






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Sunday 20 December 2020

A Little Christmas

 This year is different in so many ways! And yet we will still be giving gifts. Whether by mail or for those that we can thankfully celebrate Christmas with, in person.

We as quilters are creative people, making gifts for our loved ones is something we can and do enjoy from the planning right through to the finish. I haven't done a lot of sewing this year or made many gifts, my sewjo has been sadly lacking.

When we give handmade gifts we give something personal and individual to the person receiving the gift. We are also giving a piece of ourselves every time we make and give a gift. Even if we make two of the same items, each one is unique and made with love. The love we have for each individual person is also unique to that person, and this is what gives each piece special meaning.

A homemade gift for my daughter

I think we give gifts; as a way to celebrate life, love, and friendships. 

I wish each and everyone a happy holiday season this very unusual Christmas season!

Did you make any homemade gifts this year for someone near and dear or perhaps a friend?


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Wednesday 2 December 2020

2020 Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop

 This is day 3 of the Virtual Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop, hosted by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. 


What better time than Christmas to share a sweet treat, even if we can't all be together this year, we can always pop some cookies in the mail and share the joy of giving that makes Christmas so merry! Christmas is definitely going to be different for me. Normally I am a Christmas nut but with the loss of my hubby and not being able to have Christmas with all my children and grandchildren this year I am dreading it.

The cookie recipe I will be sharing this year is Cinnamon Roll Cookies. My grandma made the best cinnamon rolls, you know the ones made with sweet yeast dough. Yum, I do make them but these cookies are so much easier and almost as good. I think you'll enjoy them as much as my family does.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla 
Filling
2 Tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Icing
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

Cookie Dough:
Using a mixer, beat the butter for 1 minute on high speed until creamy. Beat in the sugar until completely creamed and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined.

Making the rolls: 
Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Roll each portion out in a rectangle approximately 9×7 inches to about 1/4″ thickness. 
Kind of a rectangle, but it's all good

Spread 1 tablespoon of melted butter onto each rectangle. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together then sprinkle evenly over each roll.

cinnamon sugar sprinkled on rolled out dough

Working slowly, tightly roll up each rectangle into a 9-inch log. If the dough cracks use your fingers to smooth it out. Some cracks are fine. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill the logs of dough for at least 2 hours. 
Preheat oven to 350°F. 
Remove dough logs from the refrigerator. Cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place slices onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-11 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Icing: 
Mix all of the icing ingredients together. Drizzle over cookies. Cover and store cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze well.

I like to place parchment paper under the cookies before drizzling the icing. I reused the parchment that I used when baking the cookies.

For my Christmas project, I made a  pillow top, in traditional colours.


I kept the quilting simple as I wanted a soft fluffy pillow. You can get the pattern in my Etsy shop.

Take a little time to visit the other blogs and pick up some more recipes for sweet treats.

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