Quick Gift Ideas-Week 4

Snow is on the way for Maine tonight, so enjoy the time inside by working on your gift projects. Here are some more ideas to peruse....

Smittens are sweater mittens! Thanks to therenegadeseamstress.com for the patterns and tutorial. Check out your local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores for your materials.

TUTORIAL


What better hostess gift than a casserole AND a casserole carrier! This pattern is thanks to Little Bit Funky.

 PATTERN

Here is another pattern option from sew4home:

 
PATTERN

Have a walker on your gift list? Why not make them a water bottle carrier? Thanks to ilovefabric for the pattern.

 

PATTERN 

This gift idea is PERFECT for anyone on your gift list. These pocket warmers are made with charm squares (5") and flannel. And don't forget to make a bunch for your family and friends! Note: These can also be put in the freezer for use as a cold pack.

 TUTORIAL


This tablet stand is outstanding! I made one and used a couple of stacked yo-yos instead of the fabric flower. Thanks to Sewn Up for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL


 Enough sewing...let's get cooking! This easy ranch snack mix is something you can make with the kids. Thanks to lifewiththecrustoff for the recipe.

 RECIPE

 Here is another recipe your might want to try for a sweet and salty treat. Thanks to knoxvillecitymomsblog for the recipe.

RECIPE

Now for some sweet treats!

 These Chubby Hubby Clusters are so yummy and use the microwave to make the recipe easy and quick to make. Thanks to sixsisterstuff for the recipe.

RECIPE


How about a recipe for an old-time favorite candy bar? Make your own copycat Milky Way bars.

 RECIPE

This recipe for copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf will fill your home with the smell of the holidays! Thank you to the Country Cook for sharing this recipe.

RECIPE

Last, but not least, here is a recipe for a savory meal that is a real time saver as you can make the meatballs in advance. This is a copycat recipe for the world famous Ikea Swedish Meatballs from the Damn Delicious blog.

 RECIPE

Quick Gift Ideas-Week 3

 It's all about the fleece! Here are more super fat ideas using those fleece scraps. Thanks to Orangebettie.com for the pattern.

TUTORIAL

PATTERN


Need a bit more protection for the Maine winters? Try out this fleece balaclava. The link on Wedding Dress Blue not only gives you the tutorial, but three pattern sizes for children, women and men.

TUTORIAL


Hate to wear hats but need head protection? This fleece head scarf allows for warmth, but no "hat head." Thanks to Just Tutorials for the pattern.

TUTORIAL


PATTERN


This has got to be the neatest gift idea I have seen in years and what a great gift idea for family and friends. Thanks to Lovethispic.com for this link.

TUTORIAL

Since we are talking candles, here are a few more DIY ideas to ponder...

Lavender Candles from town-and-country living.com

 TUTORIAL


Coffee Candle by Lemons, Lavender and Laundry.

 TUTORIAL

Shopping at the flea market or yard sales? Pick up some cup and saucer sets and make candles. Using the links above, you can get the gist of making candles using all kinds of containers.

 Another use for those cups and saucers is this novel bird feeder by Life, Creatively Organized.

TUTORIAL

Speaking of tea, why not make this Tea Tree for your favorite tea teetotaler. Thanks to Stunning Collection for this tute.

TUTORIAL

Another while I love tea, this chocolate tree is the bomb! Thanks to The Twinery for the tutorial.

 TUTORIAL


How about a couple of recipes? The first one is for Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels by Kitchen Genius.

RECIPE


How about some caramel and chocolate dipped pretzel rods from Taste Better From Scratch.

TUTORIAL

Quick Gift Ideas-Week 2

Our first idea is so easy I can even do it! :) Talk about a super cute and quick gift idea! 

Snack food is always a welcome gift and nice to have around for those unexpected guests you have around the holidays.

Super easy to make your own unique mixtures. You could even make layers if you wish. Doll up the tops with a pinking shear circle and a bow. This photo is from hoosierhomemade.com

During the winter, we all complain about cold feet. How many a warm and toasty pair of fleece slippers? What a fantastic way to use up those fleece scraps! Pattern is from prettyprudent.com

Below is the link for the pattern and flower

FLEECE SLIPPER TUTORIAL

SLIPPER PATTERN

FLOWER PATTERN


I posted this idea last year, but it warrants repeating. Perfect for your teen's car. Add some tissues packets, gum and handing air fresheners to the pockets for a added treat. This car diddy bag is from sewcanshe.com

CAR DIDDY BAG TUTORIAL


Don't forget your holiday baking! I have two old fashion cookie recipes with a new twist. The first one is Soft Gingerbread Drop cookies with cream cheese frosting. Nothing says the holidays are here than the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread cookies! Thanks to Impeckable Eats for sharing.

RECIPE


The second recipe is always a staple for not only the holidays, but also year-around. While you might have a great sugar cookie recipe passed down from generation to generation, rolled out and crispy thin, this copycat for the moist Lofthouse cookie is going elevate your taste buds. For fun, try changing up the extract flavors for an added kick. This recipe is courtesy of wholefully.com

RECIPE

Now for a recipe for some comfort food. This Cheese Tortellini Pizza Casserole by Wonky Wonderful will make your tummy VERY happy!

RECIPE

Winners of the 2017 Charity Quilt Block Challenge

Finally got my new computer! My teen-age nephew transferred records from my old laptop to the new one, but my camera will not allow me to upload photos to the new laptop. I will have to have him play with it a bit to get it to work.

Meanwhile, you have waited long enough to find out the three winners!

First, let me say that 198 blocks were collected for Project Linus and 152 blocks for Quilts of Valor (total of 350 blocks!). I have contacted Donna Brookings at QOVF and she is over the moon with our donation! She promises that she will share photos of the completed quilts so I can post them on the blog. I am still awaiting a mailing address for the Project Linus blocks, but hope they will all be in the mail no later than Tuesday.

So, without further adieu, the winner of the $75.00 prize is Lakeside Quilters. The most quilt blocks sent in by a chapter or individual for the $50.00 prize is also Lakeside Quilters! The winner of my favorite quilt block was Cheryl Proctor of Cabin Fever Quilters. She will have a choice of a $15.00 gift card from either Joann or Hobby Lobby.

Thank you again for your participation in this worth-while endeavor!

UPDATE:

Both packages of quilt blocks have been received by Melodie of Project Linus and Donna of QOV.  Your donations will make many cherished quilts!

Thank You From PTQG Raffle Basket

I received a nice note from the winner of the 2017 PTQG Quilter's Walk Raffle basket donated by Area 3:

Dear Quilters,

I would like to thank you for the wonderful basket that I was very fortunate to win on the Quilter's Walk at the Maine Quilt Show this past summer. The fabrics are so gorgeous and the patterns and threads are such a treasure. I'll think of all of you an your very generous donation when I'm stitching this winter.

Thank you,

Sharon Borthwick
So. Farmington

Quick Gift Ideas-Week 1

 Here we go with ideas on fast and fun gift ideas to make for the holidays. If you have one (or two!) you would like to share, please email to me to post on the blog.

Nothing is more popular than making your own grocery shopping bags. Tuck them in your car trunk and save a tree. The best part of making these bags as it is a great Stashbuster and perfect for those larger prints you may not use in your other quilting projects. I find they are just the ticket for bottled and heavier items those plastic and paper bags break through. Make a set of three for a gift that will keep on giving. Also, these are a novel way to wrap other gifts!

 http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-grocery-bag/

You can download the tutorial pattern at the bottom of the page.

Here is another nice gift for the person who has everything. Place these scented pine cones on a nice tray or tin for gift giving. It will fill the house with the lovely scent of cinnamon and are a nice project to get the kids involved in (the cinnamon method #2). Since all the windstorms recently, there seems to be plenty of pine cones to be had.

 http://practicallyfunctional.com/make-cinnamon-scented-pinecones/


For you sweet lovers, this recipe is for you. Thank you to TwoSistersKitchens for link!

http://twosisterskitchens.com/white-chocolate-reindeer-popcorn/

Need to make a TON of small gifts for teachers, service people, neighbors or co-workers (and don't forget your quilting buddies!)? Read on how Ellyn's Place makes Candy Sleighs....

 http://ellynsplace.blogspot.com/2011/12/candy-sleighs.html

Now that you have some projects to get to, there is no time to cook. How about a savory crock pot soup recipe? This is a copycat Olive Garden recipe from Cooking Classy. Add a tossed salad and a crusty bread and you will have a meal that satisfies during the upcoming colder weather.

https://www.cookingclassy.com/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup-copycat-recipe/

BREADSTICKS

Quick Links

For those of you who attended the Oct 18th Area 3 meeting in Poland, the following links were requested to post on the blog:

Strip Twist! is a Bonnie Hunter free pattern you can access by clicking here. This pattern is easy to make, using 2 1/2" strips of fabric. Please note it is much more striking done in lights and darks--save your medium-toned strips for another project.

I personally have made several quilts using this pattern and enjoy the secondary pattern it creates. Here are a few samples of this quilt made scrappy, with a jelly roll and in patriotic prints (great for Quilt of Valor):

And here is how you make the Disappearing Nine-Patch (D9P) block using 5" charm squares:

Next is the easy-to-make 3-D Flying Geese block:

Here is the link from Patchwork Posse:  http://www.patchworkposse.com/3-d-flying-geese-quilt-block/

For those who knit, the new Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn was a hit! Scroll down the page for the complete color line:  http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=276