New Christmas Section in the Shop!

So I decided I'd put some Christmas blankies in my shop this year. I've collected some really cute prints and have always wanted to do this, but put it off until it was too late previous years! They are patchwork on one side, cuddly minky on the other, so they are great snuggling on the couch watching Christmas movies or in the car on the way to Grandma's house! Most are in fun colors, but I made the first one in more traditional ones, although I still think those prints make a lively, fun throw. I used various Moda, Anna Griffin, Riley Blake and Robert Kaufman prints.

I wish I could remember the name of this fabric line, but my chemo brain won't allow that recollection yet! If anyone knows, let me know so I can add it to the listing! I love the soft pinks and minty greens. I combined Jennifer Paganelli, Moda and Michael Miller prints.

This one is from Riley Blake's Alpine Wonderland and it's the girl version with pretty coordinates mostly from Jennifer Paganelli and Sandi Henderson.

This is the boy's version of Alpine Wonderland

And lastly, a gingerbread house print from Michael Miller with coordinates from Jennifer Paganelli, Tanya Whelan and Lizzy House. I love how Lucky Girl prints are right at home with the Christmas theme. Get them in the shop while you can!

A Very Southern California Christmas

Adult Table outside

The spread

With 95 year old grandma & great grandkids

My last minute skirt

I can't complain about the weather we had today in Manhattan Beach at my brother's house with lots of family. It was about 73 degrees, clear and sunny. We had an outside BBQ of tritip and shrimp with incredible sides, cakes for dessert and amazing appetizers. Normally the weather isn't THAT nice for Christmas, but this one was one for the books~ just gorgeous!! I had originally planned on making the Painted Portrait blouse to wear by AMH, but I must have measured myself wrong as it came out way too big~ I'll try to alter it another time! I made this skirt last minute from the Barcelona pattern from Amy Butler using the Clippings fabric from Loulouthi. There is a basic A line with zipper option that took about an hour to make. I skipped the lining and just hemmed it all up, love how it came out and intend to make more. What a beautiful day! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!

 This scripture was read at my church recently and it reminds us that we must celebrate the free gift God has given us in Jesus. The best present we will ever receive! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Presents

Now that Christmas is over and I have taken everything down & cleaned my house- I know its quick, but we set up thanksgiving weekend and the tree is DEAD. Christmas eve I finished gifts for my nieces, pictured above. For Holly, I bought a cupcake bear she has been wanting from http://talkproof.etsy.com/ and I made a mini quilt to match. You can tell by the big smile that she loves it and was totally surprised that I got it for her. That little bear goes everywhere with her!! I can't figure out how to type in between, so there you have it above. Dylan loves nutcrackers and army, so he got the combo from his grandparents. We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too. I am getting ready to make a quilt with Amy Butler's sage greens and pinks and hope to post pics soon.

Dear Santa

http://fatquartershop.com/ is asking what people want for Christmas. You must know by now that all I really want is fabric! How did they know? So, here is my letter I am forwarding to fqs:

Dear Santa,

I would really love any and all fabric from Fat Quarter Shop, however, I am particularly partial to the new line from Patty Young called Flora & Fauna. Here is a link to the listing so you have easy access: http://http//www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=96941218121509694&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=36106&Parent_Ids=

Thanks for thinking about the adults!

Love,

Monique

Cookie Swap

Sorry to not post frequently, but my computer is in the garage, and the garage is not heated, therefore, I avoid it! My son has a computer in the house and I use it during the day, but my pics are on my computer. Whats a blog post w/out pics?? So what have I been up to? I have been sewing like mad to finish up everyones orders that need to be there by Christmas. My daughter turned 12 on December 3, so we had a party for her and my annual Cookie Swap was on Friday night. I look forward to it every year, but especially this one because it gets harder and harder to spend time with your friends now that the kids are older and we don't see each other at school (drop off vs walking home) or at a moms group, etc. Every year there is a different group of people depending on everyone's schedule. This year we had great cookies, as usual- sugar plums (on the red platter), the sprinkled ones next to it were so yummy- a combination of those frosted animal crackers with CRANBERRIES inside!! Also, gingerbread men, frosted lemon, hazelnut coconut, peanut butter chocolate and more. Holly and I each made a recipe- I did peppermint thumbprints and she did peppermint frosted chocolate cookies. They were from the cookie magazine- I believe from Better Homes & Gardens with the cookie sheet pictured on the front. Both winners in my book! Hope you are enjoying the season as well!

Fall

I am definately ready to sew some fall colors! I have been washing and drying my newest purchases. I have figured out that hanging the fabrics on a clothesline gets most of the wrinkles out because ironing IS NOT FUN. At least not for me. I am planning on making some Christmas colored throws to sell, but not sure about fall. If you are reading this blog, I would love your opinion. Do you think people buy seasonal colored throws or just match their decor? My house has fall colors, so I tend to buy more things then because they match what I already have. I have dark red, olive green and wheat colors so Christmas colors look great. What about Christmas throws with non traditional colors- in other words- they would match YOUR decor, but look like Christmas?? I would love to hear from you!