From Grandma with Love.........A Christmas Quilt

So is it too late to share something from Christmas?  Well, maybe so, but better late than never!

My mom and Allen (aka Pepo) flew in from Texas to celebrate an early Christmas with us the weekend prior to the actual date.  We had such a lovely visit, though it's always shorter than I would like, but it certainly makes me appreciate the time I get with my mom and Pepo all the more!

Mom made this gorgeous, twin-sized Christmas quilt as a gift for us this year.  I can't even express how much I love it.  It's big and cozy and can cover up our entire family snuggling on the couch.

Last year I had given mom, The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman, so the pattern she used for our quilt was 'Small Plates' from this book.  The front is basically done using 'Flurry' charm squares (5" precut squares), 'Flurry' jelly roll strips, Moda white solid squares and cut 2 1/2" strips.  She also cut some additional pieces from yardage she had on hand.  This is a wonderful quilting book that ranges from beginners up to intermediate quilters.  If you are looking for a new quilting book to add to your collection, I can't recommend this one enough.

Now for the backing, Mom had to do a little creative improvising due to the amount of fabric yardage she was able to purchase.  So, she came up with this (see picture below) backing that I almost love as much as the front!

Pepo helped Grandma Jane sandwich the quilt, so he got a little credit on this one.  Mom includes a label on each one of her quilted creations. These items will be passed down for generations to come, so I love that she dates each quilt.

I don't know if you remember, but Grandma Jane made the kids Christmas outfits from the same line of fabric (click here to read more) ~ Kate Spain's 'Flurry'.  Even though the kids will eventually outgrow their Christmas outfits, we will have the Christmas Quilt to remember Christmas 2011.

This quilt will be pulled out each and every Christmas and will be treasured always and forever.  There is something so comforting about snuggling up in a handmade work of art made by someone you love.  It really feels like my mom is here hugging me even when she's miles and miles away.

On another note:  Grandma Jane has agreed to guest blog this year with some quilting tutorials for everyone.  I hope you all will welcome her with open arms when she makes her first appearance on the blog.  SO excited that she's agreed to share her talents!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Thank you for making blogging such a joyful and fulfilling experience for me.  I appreciate each and every one of you that stop by The Cottage Home.  There are so many things to be thankful for this year.  

We have truly been blessed and my heart is filled with joy.

Love to you all,

Lindsay

We've Been Busy at The Cottage Home ~ Christmas Trees and Santa

This last month seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye.  We've been so busy trying to fit in all our Christmas festivities as I'm sure you have as well.  This is a non-sewing, non-crafting, non-cooking related post, but I thought you might like to know what we've been up to.

Matilda and The Cottage Papa

The day after Thanksgiving we headed to our favorite local tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree.  My husband and I both grew up with fresh Christmas trees and to tell you the truth, there is nothing like the smell of a 'real' Christmas tree.  We've been going to this farm since before we had kids and after seven years, I guess we can call it a tradition.

Savannah and (soon-to-be) Uncle Bryan

My sister-in-law and (soon to be) brother-in-law came with us this year on the great tree hunt.  We like this farm because it is very down to earth.  There aren't a whole lot of bells and whistles (some farms around us have rides, attractions, horse drawn carriages), but you get the great feeling of the country life. This tree farm has been struggling the last few years because of a draught several years back.  So even though the pickings are a little slim, we like to support them during this tough time.

Savannah Rose

Savannah didn't care much for the sound the saw made when cutting down the tree, so she hung back a little bit and took it all in from a far.

Aunt Abby and The Cottage Papa

That's our tree in the picture above or also known as the Christmas 'bush'.  Once we got it inside our house we realized just how round it really is, but it suites us ~ it's got character.

Aunt Abby and Savannah

The day after Thanksgiving they had some pioneer living demonstrations and Savannah got to hand-dip a candle with some help from her Aunt Abby.

Matilda Jane

One of the favorite parts of our annual tree hunting adventure is getting nice and cozy with a cup of hot chocolate in the little warming house.  That hot chocolate hits the spot after the cold, hard work of finding our perfect tree.

After we came home and set up our tree, we decorated it.  This little guy (pictured above) was just a sweet, sweet angel throughout all our Christmas activity.  We listened to Christmas music, decorated the tree and I made my favorite homemade chex mix (which is a MUST when decorating the tree).

And what a difference a year makes!  The week after we got our tree, we took the kids to visit Santa.  Last year Savannah would not even get close to the man.  This year she ran right up to him, got on his lap and told him exactly what she wanted for Christmas ~ "I want a green dinosaur, a boy baby doll, and a red bouncy ball with a handle".  I love a girl who knows what she wants!  Matilda was fine with the man in the red suit, but she didn't say much.  After we left, Savannah said "Wow, he is definitely nice!"

This past weekend my mom, Grandma Jane, and her husband Allen (aka 'Pepo") came to celebrate an early Christmas.  We had a wonderful time, though our visits are always too short.  What I wouldn't give to live closer to my mama........maybe someday......one can dream, right?  Mom made us the most beautiful Christmas quilt that matches the kids Christmas outfits.  I need to take some good pictures of it, but I can't wait to show you!

This week I'm going to be busy baking with the kids and finishing up my last handmade Christmas gifts.  The current project in the works are 'baby doll kits' I'm making to go with the girl's 'American Girl Bitty Baby Boy' dolls that they are getting.  Savannah and Matilda both really wanted boy babies because of their little brother, so I'm having fun using all of this boy printed fabric to make the accessories for their dolls.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season.  

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

From Grandma with Love.........Christmas Janey Jumpers

So my mom, Grandma Jane, has done it again!  To be totally honest, I don't think I have ever received something my mom has made and not been totally thrilled.  For one, I put a huge value on handmade items and two, she and I have very similar taste.

I was really excited when my mom said that she wanted to make the girls Christmas dresses.  Usually I like to do the kids special occasion outfits, but with having three little ones now, I was more than happy to have someone lighten the load.  Mom said that she wanted to make the dresses from my Janey Jumper sewing pattern ~ how fun is that?

This is View B from the Janey Jumper pattern.  Now I did give the instructions in the pattern in regards to the center panel, ruffles, ect., but mom picked out the fabric and trims totally on her own.  She used Kate Spain's "Flurry" for all the Christmas outfits. 

Matilda's dress is the red one and Savannah's dress is the green one.  I love the red ribbon trim with little white stitching.  I think it's really fun to have my kids coordinate with one another, but not totally match.

When I opened the package from my mom I was excited to see the onesies for Caspian, which were a total surprise.  Mom included a striped zip-up sweater for the little man as well (it just didn't make it into the picture).  She said the Christmas tree onesie was a last minute addition, but I really like it.  Plus the green and red tie onesies can be worn after Christmas as well.

I can't wait to get all the kids dressed up in their Christmas best.  Savannah has a family holiday party at her preschool this week, so I think I'm going to dress all the kids up for the festivities.  I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season as much as we are ~ I just love Christmas!

To view more of the beautiful handmade pieces that have been sent to us from my mom, Grandma Jane, click HERE.

White Christmas

All images Country Living

Simple Holiday Perfection

The best picture-
I don't think I have ever loved black more. Benjie Jones feature in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Classic Christmas, Front landscape

There is a little house by us, that caught my eye while we were at a red light today. I think Aubrey and I are going to attempt to recreate this holiday look for our home. I loved the hanging bows and the white Christmas lights wrapped in them. Isn't it classic?

Sponsored Post: Decorating for the kids

As I previously mentioned, Canadian Tire approached me to be a part of their "Decor Crew" this season. The following post was sponsored by the lovely folks at Canadian Tire. Please read the bottom of the post for the details of this sponsorship.
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In my last post I showed you how I worked the Christmas Balls that Canadian Tire sent me into my Dining Room. Today's post, (my second post out of four) is going to show you kids decor. When I opened the box that had a big red bow from Canadian Tire, I spotted 4 fun things, obviously geared to the Master of the House - our One and a 1/5 year old child, Oscar. Included in the box was [1]Tabletop Snowman [$14.99] [2] Topsy Turvey Christmas Tree [$24.99] [3] Santa/Snowman Stocking and [4] Cup & Saucer to leave something for Santa.

See what was an instant hit, when you click on the "read more"

Read more »

Christmas Card Ideas

This weekend I started working on the Christmas card. One of these years I am going to really be on the ball and get creative....but this is not the year. In fact, I am so not "on the ball", it looks like our Christmas card is also going to serve as Henry's birth announcement. Yes, he was born on August 25th and somehow his announcement has not materialized yet. All that to say, next year (cough, cough) when I do get it together, I am going to use these as inspiration....

Sorry I don't have the links, my Pinterest is freezing at the moment...I will try to update later.