Wednesday, November 12, 2014

T'was the Night - Day Three

www.sewwequilt.com
Oh happy day!  It's my turn on this wonderful blog hop, and I couldn't have been much more excited about participating in this one.  Not only do I love making small and quick projects, but I got to give one of them to a fellow quilter/blogger!  I just love giving homemade gifts.  Thank you very much to Marlene and Madame Samm for organizing this hop, I'm having such a wonderful time.  And thank you so much to all the others participating in the hop, I am loving seeing all the great ideas everyone has!  Be sure to hop over to my fellow ladies of the day, you can find the links at the end of this post.
 
First off, I wish to share with you what I received from Jill at Apple Avenue Quilts.  I was so excited to see what she made for me!
 
What a beautiful wrapping idea!  (sorry, I'm new to the idea of the use of ribbon.  So every time I see something wrapped in it I get all excited :)  )


I admire people with knitting skills, this is a beautiful washcloth Jill.

Buttons, yay!

And a couple great potholders, and perfect timing, I just had to retire a bunch because they were beyond saving.  I think you can't have enough of these, especially if you entertain ever.
Remember to go to Moose Stash Quilting next to see what I made for Joan!
 
And here are some ideas I found only took me a couple hours to make:

The Mortimer moose wall-hanging I made last year, you get the idea, small (it's only 17"x17"), simple patchwork, and simple applique.  Ta-da!  Stinkin' cute wall-hanging.  Then a patchwork pillow sham, a potholder using fancy fabric and flower shaped quilting, and some decorative stockings.

My great-grandma Pawlik inspired me when making these.  She made a bunch for the ladies in our family about 15 years ago, and we still all put them up for Christmas.  I'm hoping that will happen with my family when I'm a grandma someday!

Here are some more everyday-type gift ideas:
 

A project bag.  I love the size tremendously and got the instructions from Jina.  Not only will it hold all your sewing items you'd need, it is also the perfect size for a cosmetic bag, or to hold snacks on a car trip, or colored pencils and a small drawing pad... so many options!

A plastic bag holder.  My grandma Kathy showed me how to make these on Sunday, thank you grandma!  This one has already been claimed by my sister, which fits, she has a rooster-theme going on in her kitchen. 

And a lap quilt.  So this is the same idea as the self-binding baby blanket from Missouri Star Quilt Co, I just made it as large as I could while maintaining the 10" difference between the small and large piece of fabric.  I also managed to get a layer of batting in there, it took some finagling...

John agreed to model my lap quilt for me, wasn't that nice?
 
While I'm happy with the gifts I created, I believe my favorite last minute gift is the sweetest, and that is homemade candy!  Here's my dad's favorite recipe:
 
 
Chocolate Peanut-Butter Balls
1 C peanut-butter
1 C powdered sugar
1 package chocolate chips
 
Melt chocolate chips using whatever method you prefer.  Double boiler seems to be the most popular.
Prepare a jellyroll pan by laying out a piece of wax paper on it.
Mix PB and sugar together, roll into 1 inch wide balls, and dip into melted chocolate.  Place on jellyroll pan, and when the pan is filled place PB balls into fridge to set.
That's all there is to it!  You could then make a fabric box like Connie talks about in this post, line it with parchment or wax paper and fill it with these yummies for a quick treat too.
 
Here are the other ladies who are showing their gift ideas today:
 
Pampered Pettit - that's me!
 
Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! 
~Brandy



with love to Konnie the cat, we'll miss you this Christmas my furry little sister

71 comments:

Farm Quilter said...

Thank you for all the great gift ideas and the yummy recipe for peanut butter balls!!!

Christine M said...

Thanks for sharing all your lovely projects.

Quilt n Queen said...

Sweet gifts from Jill....love the festive dishcloth. Brady, your quick gift ideas are great and yes the moose is too 'stinkin cute'!! You saved the sweetest gift to share till the end. Your dad's peanut butter balls look sooo delish!!!! Happy Holidays!!

Judy B said...

Love all of your quickie gifts! The plastic bag holder would be very handy. Yummy candy can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!!!!

Nancy said...

Brandy, Such nice quilts from Jill!! I am loving your Post with all these great ideas!! Thank~You and have a Wonderful Holiday!!
Huggs, Nancy

Anita said...

Lovely projects; I especially like those stockings!

Katherine said...

Great assortment of gift ideas, Brandy! Thanks too, for sharing your recipe - nothing like some homemade candy to sweeten a homemade gift even more. :o) Enjoy those lovely gifts from Jill and thanks so much for sharing some gift giving inspiration!

Baa. xxx said...

Great gifts - love the dishcloth! Great projects you shared.

Mary said...

I made Knitted dishcloths a couple years ago. Love the Red white and Green one you got. You had a prettty tree last year. You should make a Tree skirt for it.

Shari said...

Yum, yum...thanks for the chocolate recipe! Love your new potholders...and all the little add-ins. And thanks for the many little gift ideas. I just love Mortimer Moose! Fun, fun, fun!

charlotte said...

Sew many wonderful ideas. You are one creative gal. Love the gifts you got from Jill too.

Sparky said...

Hello Brandy, what wonderful gift ideas...your pillow, your boots, your bags..well everything and very festive indeed...so glad you played along with us..you certainly got the memo and filled us with lots of delightful ideas.

Unknown said...

Wow you did some wonderful gifts and well I know I will be trying this recipe for our christmas. Thanks so much and have a lovely Christmas

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

The gifts you received are so nice and thanks for all the great ideas, and the recipe!

Dorian said...

Great gifts you received, bright and cheerful! And great ideas, thanks for the yummy recipe!

Jeanie said...

Beautiful gifts from Jill! Love the bright fabrics she chose for the pot holders. Love your other ideas. Sorry about sweet Konnie.... I'm in the same situation this year but have my delightful memories to warm my heart. Take care.

Thearica said...

Your hotpads and dishcloth are such sweet gifts. I know you will enjoy using them through the holidays.

Love the projects you have shown for the hop... Loving those jingle bell stockings! Great job!

Vickie said...

You got some cool things in the mail ! Don't you just love that kind of mail !! Thanks for the link to the bags ! I have some friends who would like one of those !

Kwilt Krazy said...

Awesome gifts you received. Thanks sew much for all of the ideas that you shared. I love those stockings and I want to eat those chocolate balls right now LOL. Sorry to hear about your sweet kitty :( We lost our Henry cat earlier this year too whaaaaaa :(

tink's mom said...

The gifts you received are wonderful. I love the ideas you are sharing. The pillow is adorabe and the fancy stockings are terrific. Thanks also for that wonderful candy recipe.

Calicojoan said...

What wonderful gifts you received from Jill. I have just downloaded the pattern for the knitted dishcloth and can't wait to start it. You have some fabulous quick gift ideas. Needless to say Moritmer Moose has stolen my heart! LOL! Just about the time I think that there can't be anything more delicious than the treat you sent me...you do Choco Peanut Butter balls!!!! YUMMMMY! I'm definately gonna have to keep an eye on your recipies! (and my waist line) tee hee

Michelle said...

Such cute gifts. Love the moose and those stockings. I have a pastern for some like them. I really need to make them.

krislovesfabric said...

You received some great gifts :) Love that project bag and I may have to try that recipe!

Carol Swift said...

Can't have enough potholders and the ones you received are just perfect! Buttons, too...sweet! You showed some great ideas for gifts...thank you!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Brandy I'm going to the sewing room to day to make pot holders too - just yesterday I got one out of the drawer and said, "yuck!". That's how I knew it was time! :) I love your stockings and that zippered bag....both are just such great ideas. But I really want to make a Mortimer pillow...any idea where you found that pattern? blessings, marlene

BarbCarol said...

Oooo, chocolates. Hope I can adapt the recipe using Stevia for my diabetic husband....otherwise they are all mine : ) Alright, you have convinced me that it is time to make new potholders and my little see through sewing bag died during a class this week. I will just make extras for gifts, too. Thanks for the push.

Mary Ann said...

Love your gifts. They are so cute and were so beautifully wrapped. I would've been excited too. :) Love your pillow sham. Just love it. And the other projects are darling too. Thank you so much for all the inspiration. Enjoy your holidays.

Wendy said...

Brandy! What a treat it is you shared with us today!! Love the peak into your Christmas decor and treats you share!! Thank you so much for sharing and I wish you all that is merry and bright this holiday season!

Needled Mom said...

The gifts you received are lovely and I really like all of the things you have created too. Those stockings are adorable. My mom used to make those peanut butter balls and they are soooo yummy.

Linda said...

Wow! All your projects are wonderful for gifts! Great job!

thequiltedcat said...

A great group of gifts today! Love that moose wall hanging.

allthingzsewn said...

Jill made some wonderful gifts for you and your projects are so cut too. Thanks for the recipe they look delicious. Sorry about Konnie, I lost my Mally after 22 yrs of her trying to sleep on my head at night. Never thinking that would be when I would miss her most. They get in our hearts don't they.
Blessings
Tonia

Gmama Jane said...

Your gift project selection is great for inspiration!! I'm going to copy your Peanut Butter Balls recipe!! Yum.
Gmama Jane

ChitterChatterDesigns said...

Love your gift... so cute. I love handmade cloths, and Christmas to boot! You have such a great collection of quick gifts. Thank you for all the great ideas. That pillow....just must have one of those! Adorable. I tried to make one of those self binding baby blankets.... I just can't figure that out. I feel that is the most impossible pattern, and every time I see one I think to myself...now she is smart, much smarter than me. Why is this blanket so confusing to me? Wishing I could be more like you, ~Cori

Cindy said...

Oooo....homemade candy....yummmmmm! :)
The gifts you received are great. I was just commenting to Jill how much I like knitted dishcloths!
You were busy making lots of wonderful gifts. I've made those self binding baby blankets and love them. Never thought I've trying one with batting.

Jane's Quilting said...

Everything is lovely. I especially like those stockings. I bet you can get really creative with those.

sew.darn.quilt said...

Lovely gifts all around! I love the stockings, too cute! Thank you for the recipe. This year I want to make so sweets but I really don't want to pay the price and these look so yummy :D

Mary Ann said...

The project bag is a great idea

Patty said...

what wonderful gifts and ideas. I am going to have to try that recipe!

Joyce Carter said...

Wow! What beautiful projects you have made. I just love the stockings. And thank you for the candy recipe. My grandson will love these.

Quilting Tangent said...

Cute projects, Merry Christmas.

JuliaP said...

Wow, your ideas are wonderful! Love the moose quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Deonn said...

Hi, Brandy, what a great little stack of Christmas goodies from Jill! And a ton of great ideas for us - Love the jingle elf stockings - and the light lap blanket - great idea to make it bigger for a big person! Thanks for sharing the recipe too. And such a sweet picture of your kitty. Enjoy the season!

Amy said...

Brandy, I love the moose wall hanging. I agree he is too stinking cute. You made so many cute project and gave me several more great ideas. The elf shoes are adorable! Jill sent you some beautiful gifts. Hope you have a Joyous Holiday Season!!

gpc said...

You've been busy! What great projects. :)

Leanne Parsons said...

I love the moose quilt - too cute! And I loooooove peanut butter balls!

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Very fun projects. Thnx for sharing.

Lovelli Quilts said...

Your moose is just darling and those candies look downright 'edible'. Thank you for the recipe.

Scrapatches said...

Great gifts from Jill and great ideas from you. I can almost taste that peanut butter and chocolate ... mmmmmm! Thanks for sharing in the hop ... :) Pat

Scrapatches said...

So sorry to see you will be missing your pretty kitty under your tree this year ... {{{{{hugs}}}}}

CeLynn said...

Very pretty pot holders and dish cloth you received. Love the see through zip pouch,and the moose pillow is way to cute!

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

Your Christmas goodies are all so cute....the project bag - wowee - LOVE, kudos to you for actually making a bag holder (if I made one every time I thought about it, I would have a kazillion...I have "0"..ha)

Lori said...

what wonderful gift ideas all, thanks for sharing.
I love your pillows and the pot holders

Margie said...

Great gifts, and that project bag is now on my list!!!

apple blossom said...

beautiful work on you projects. I love the moose hanging. I have a friend that would love that. thanks for sharing.

Mary said...

Great ideas for gifts. Love the ones you received too. Happy Holidays.

LJ said...

Sweet ideas - the elf stockings are adorable. Love the little project bag. The gifts you received will make your holidays merry - they are wonderful - the loved the Christmasy colored dishcloth.

sandra said...

Beautiful gifts that you received and likewise I enjoyed all your gifts and ideas. What a neat blog hop.

evelyn said...

So many ideas, thank you. I love Mortimer Moose! Great gifts you received-really cute buttons. Have a Merry Christmas

Marcy said...

I'm lovin that project bag. Too cool. I'll be putting that on my list for Santa.

Leah said...

I am lovin those stockings! Everything is fabulous as well as the gifts you received. I love the dishcloth!

Carla said...

Jill sent you a sweet little package. I love those dishcloths more than any others. Your gift ideas are fabulous. That project bag is awesome!! It's so nice to be able to see what is inside. Your stockings are such a sweet surprise and I may need to make some like that.

Corrie said...

Yum, those chocolates look great. Thanks for the quick gift ideas. Those would all be good ones to make for friends.

Jennifer said...

You can never go wrong with chocolate, can you?! YUM!! I have heard of the "self binding" blanket from the Missouri Star Company, but I've never tried it. It looks quick and easy, so I think I just may do that this year! Merry Christmas, Brandy!

Rommy van Houten said...

Wow what a nice project and gifts. They are Fantastic .I Like the lovely Moorse. He is really cut.

Bobbie said...

Yummy now I need some chocolate :)
all your projects are great! the moose is sweet and the project bag- I love!
so sorry your kitty won't be with you this year, she looks like a sweetheart.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Love your projects but your candy looks fabulous!

Catherine said...

Your projects are really cute. Yummy candy!. The presents you received are fantastic.

Michele said...

That is a lot of great quick ideas. I especially love the pillow and need to make a few of those myself.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Lovely gifts you got and those you are sharing with us are wonderful too, Thanks!

the girlfriend gap said...

Thank you so much for the link for the zipper bag. I have been wanting to make some bags like this. You have bee a good little elf :) Thanks for sharing your goodies. Yum- Yum on the PB balls. Janita