Silent Sunday

Happiness Is A Warm Blanket!

After seeing the zebra blanket that I made for Miss One's birthday, the rest of the grandkids wanted new snugly blankets too, so I've been busy crocheting edgings on four fleece blankets to give to the little ones!  Not only did I get them all done in time for Christmas, but I got them done just in time for winter's arrival.  We have pretty much had a week of snow, wind and bitter cold temperatures with more to come...perfect weather for staying wrapped up in a warm blanket!

For more information on how to make fleece blankets like these click HERE.

December Makes 10!

Here are December's star blocks for the Scrappy Star Sew Along at Terry's Treasures!  Just two more blocks to go! 

Merry Christmas!

Wishes come and wishes go every Christmas time 'tis so, none more tender, none more true, that this wish of mine to you; sent in all regard to say- joyous be your Christmas Day!

Silent Night

Silent Sunday

Find the recipe HERE.

Christmas Time Is Here

Another Ruffle Scarf

I have knit more than a few ruffle scarves over the past year, but this is the first one that I have knit using Rozetti Flora yarn.  This is by far the simplest to use ruffle yarn that I have ever worked with.  It unravels easily and there's no certain hole to knit into...just measure one and a half inches and make your stitch!  This particular color (rust) has a fine metallic thread running through it that adds a nice shimmer to the super soft fabric. It's going to make a great scarf!

Silence And Support

 Please visit www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org to make a donation.  

Thank you.

Christmas Spritz Cookies

These Christmas Spritz Cookies are definitely not on my new low-fat/low-cholesterol diet, but it just wouldn't be Christmas without them!  Thankfully the grandkids will be around to eat them, so I won't be tempted to eat the whole batch myself!

Christmas Spritz Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Stir in the egg yolk, almond and vanilla extracts.  Gradually blend in the flour and salt.  Fill a cookie press with dough and shoot cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet.  If you like, sprinkle with colored sugar at this time.  Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Silent Sunday

Vintage quilt at the Packwood House Museum

Pint Sized Pines

Aren't these knit pine trees from Simply Notable just the cutest little things?  Almost cute enough to start drinking wine just for the corks!  Maybe I'll have to see if some of my wine drinking friends will save a few corks for me, so I can make some of these trees for next Christmas!  You can find the free pattern at www.simplynotable.com.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Mini Amish Quilt

I put this mini Amish quilt together as a practice piece so a friend could teach me how to hand quilt without a hoop.  It took me twice as long as it should have to finish, because I ripped out all the quilting that I did first and started over. However, I'm much happier with what I have shown here than I was with my first attempt.  I don't know that I will ever be a hand quilter, but I do like the hoopless quilting method, especially for quilts like this that are too small for a hoop!

Silent Sunday

Vintage quilts at the Packwood House Museum

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the hand-knit hedgehog with matching nap mat is...

2. Needled Mom said...

I love the sweet little hedgehog and her cozy quilt.

Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who visited Hanging On by a Needle and Thread and took the time to comment during the Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day.  I truly enjoyed reading each and every one of your comments!  If you didn't win and had your heart set on having a hand-knit of your very own, visit Half Pint Knits...new items are added frequently!

Christmas Mug Rugs

I thought the little quilt that I made for Miss Holly turned out so cute that I would make a couple more to use as mug rugs.  Just 12 - 2 1/2" squares stitched together and quilted with a simple grid and I had them done with plenty of time to be able to use them this holiday season!

If you would like a chance to win a mug rug like these and a cute little hedgehog friend too leave a comment on the Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day! post below, but hurry, the giveaway closes at 8:00 pm EST tonight!

December?

We have had record high temperatures here in northern Pennsylvania the last couple of days making it feel much more like early fall instead of early winter!  Perfect weather for photographing this floral charity quilt outside on the lawn.  This was another group effort quilt that was pieced by one friend, quilted by another and bound by me.  It will be delivered to a local hospice very soon...just in time for the return our typical December weather!

Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day!

Meet Miss Holly, an adorable little hedgehog from Half Pint Knits!  Miss Holly is a well mannered hedgehog and would never dream of poking anyone with her quills, but her eyes and nose may not be suitable for very young children.  Miss Holly loves winter, but she is easily chilled, so she is all bundled up in her favorite red wool scarf!  She also comes with a cozy quilt, which could also serve as a mug rug, but watch Miss Holly around your hot cocoa...she's been known to take more than just a sip while no one is looking!   Would you like to give Miss Holly a home?  Just leave a comment below telling me how you keep warm when the weather is cold.

The giveaway will close Friday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. EST.  The winner will be drawn by Random Number Generator and announced on Saturday, December 8th .  The winner will be notified by email, so if you are a no-reply blogger make sure that you leave your e-mail address with your comment.

Visit Half Pint Knits Etsy Shop to find more hand-knit items for children of all ages!

Don't forget to check out all of the other fantastic giveaways this week at Sew, Mama, Sew!

Silent Sunday

Vintage quilt at the Packwood House Museum