Now Is The Time To Make A Christmas Quilt

One lesson I've learned in life is to never try making a Christmas project during Christmas time:  you must always plan ahead.  When I used to send handmade Christmas Cards out, I would make a few Christmas Cards every month all year long so I wasn't overwhelmed during the busy Christmas season.  The same goes for a many other Christmas Crafts and even Christmas baking.  I know women who always bake two loaves of banana or zucchini bread at a time all year long, and then freeze one to give away as Christmas gifts.  

Fall is the ideal time for most people to start Christmas Crafts.  That is why you see Hobby Lobby and all the other craft stores put out their Christmas merchandise after the 4th of July:  to give time for the crafters to make their Christmas merchandise.  But for me, fall is not a good time as I am a gardener and fall is one of my busiest times of the year.  In the fall I'm cutting plants down, cleaning up the garden beds and getting them ready for winter, and most importantly I am preserving all my garden produce for the long winter ahead.

As soon as fall is over, the Christmas season arrives and I'm busy cleaning, decorating, and preparing for the little rugrats to arrive who spend a week with us every season (plus Thanksgiving too!).  Then when they leave, the clean up begins again:  all the decor comes down, all the beds are stripped, the blankets and sheets are washed, and the house is cleaned.  And finally, the quiet of winter arrives.  I now have three or four months with absolutely nothing to do.  In past years, I've always had a home renovation project to complete, but now I can officially say the home is complete.  Yay!  Oh, there are always little things to do like repaint the bathroom ceiling (done 😀) and re-stain the sunroom window sills (not done 😞) but the big interior home renovations are done.  

I also like to add a clean up and/or organizing project to my winter list; which doesn't always get done.  I try to deep clean my kitchen by wiping down all the white cabinets with bleach and cleaning out all the drawers, and everything else that needs to be done in a kitchen.  But it takes a long time to work my way around the entire kitchen, and this year I didn't make it that far.  I usually get sick every winter which knocks me off my feet for a week or more and this year I added a head injury to the list when I stood up and knocked my head on an open cabinet and practically bled to death 😒.  Ah, there is always something that keeps me from my most well laid plans.  Hopefully I can get back to cleaning the kitchen before spring arrives.  In the meantime, guess what?  I decided to clean out my craft room!  Yea, like I didn't have enough to do.  I've been thinking about it for years, and I thought "I'm not getting any younger and I would hate to have my kiddos get stuck cleaning the mess, so I better get at it."  We've lived in the same house for over thirty years, and I've been crafting most of  my life, so it's a big project.  So far, I've only made it about half way around the room, and I have filled a truck with craft donations.  I thought of selling it, but that is so much darn work and heck, if I can donate it and bless someone else with it, that's a win-win for everyone.  

So, all that to say, "NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS QUILT" 😁. Like I don't have enough to do this winter, right?  But yes, now is the time to make a Christmas Quilt because as a gardener I can't quilt in the spring, summer, or fall, and I certainly can't quilt during the busy holiday season, so if I want a pretty Christmas quilt to lay out at Christmas time, I have to make it during the winter, my "slowest" time of the year. 😉

Every quilt has a story, and the story of this quilt began with a picture I saw on Pinterest.  I sent the Pin to my good friend who is also a quilter and said "Isn't this pretty?" and she replied "It is! Lets each make one!"  I really wasn't planning on quilting this winter, but I loved the idea of quilting with a friend, so I agreed.

Now, because I was in the process of cleaning out my craft room and saw how much unused fabric I had, I did not want to buy anymore fabric.  I wanted to use what I had, and because of that my quilt didn't come out as pretty as the one on Pinterest which had perfect coordinating fabrics.  I like the Pinterest quilt so much better, but I also like my version, and I can proudly say I didn't spend a single dime on this quilt and used my own stash...which is really how quilting all began isn't it?  People needed blankets for warmth so they sewed bits and pieces of old clothing and fabric together to create a quilt.  Many years later, this practical life hack became an art form.

There was no pattern for this Christmas Quilt on Pinterest, so I just had to eye ball it.  I started by cutting squares of Christmas fabric and then I used my Accuquilt machine to cut out the Christmas Tree.  If you don't have an Accuquilt machine you can just cut three triangle shapes to make your Christmas Tree as shown on the original quilt on Pinterest.  

I then used my Accuquilt machine again to cut a tree shape out of fusible web.  Then I ironed on the tree to the square and zig-zagged around the edges.  I added a button to the top for a star.  This was the part of the quilt that took the longest.  Once all the squares were complete, the rest was a breeze and it came together pretty fast.

Next, I laid out all the squares on my craft desk.  This was the hardest part for me as I was going boogey-eyed trying to decide the best pattern and trying hard not to put two of the same fabrics next to each other.  I couldn't get a perfect layout, no mattered how hard I tried, and eventually gave up.  "No quilt is ever perfect" I said to myself.

Next I sewed each of the squares together in a row.  My friend added a border around each of her squares which looked great.  Ideally, I should have done that too, but I was following the Pinterest quilt plus if I added a border, then I would have had to purchase a backing fabric because the backing fabric I was planning on using was only big enough for a quilt without the lattice border.

Once all the individual rows were sewed, I then sewed all the rows together.

For the border, I once again followed the Pinterest Inspiration Piece, and used different Christmas fabric.  I cut those pieces out in a more narrow rectangle, sewed them together, then sewed them to the quilt.  Ideally, I wish I would have used a solid fabric to create a narrow border between the blocks and the border.  But, if I would have done that, then once again I would have had to purchase a backing fabric as the fabric I already owned wouldn't have been large enough and the whole point of making this quilt was to use up what I already owned.

And now for the hardest part of quilting:  adhering the three pieces (quilt top, batting, and quilt backing) together.  This is always so tricky, and mine did not come out perfect that's for sure but I did my best.  I used a quilt basting spray to attach all three pieces together then I pinned.  But when I turned my quilt over, I had quite a few bumps on the other side. (Do any other quilter's have that problem?  How do you prevent it?  I'd love to hear your tips in the comments below. ). I did my best to remove some of the bumps, but I couldn't smooth them all out. 

I then quilted the three pieces together using the "Stitch in the Ditch" method as I do not own a Long-Arm Quilting Machine and I will never pay someone else to do it for me.  Once again, my "stitch in the ditch" wasn't perfect, the needle kept wanting to slide out of the ditch, but I did my best.  When I finished, I laid the quilt out on a table to cut off all the strings which was quite the job when one of my kitties thought it was a nice soft place to lay. 😁

The last part was to add the quilt binding.  I chose to use a solid white as my binding.

For the backing I chose to use a soft Christmas flannel to make the quilt extra cozy.  I never used flannel on a quilt before.  I really like it as a backing.

At Christmas time, here is how I will display my quilt.  It is just a lap quilt, so I will have it folded at the end of the bed.

Here is how it looks unfolded.  It's too narrow for a queen size bed to be laid out open, but it would fit nicely on a twin.

I could also use it to snuggle with on my chaise lounge.

And here is a photo of my finished quilt.

And in case you're wondering, here is my friend's almost-finished quilt.  Because she did the lattice, hers took a bit longer to finish than mine.  I do love the lattice.  She also did her outer boarder in one piece of Christmas fabric instead of using all different Christmas fabrics like in the Pinterest Inspiration piece.  My friend's quilt is a great example of how you can be inspired by a project on Pinterest, but then you can make changes to make the quilt your own.

I think both quilts turned out great, they are similar, but different.  We had so much fun making these quilts together, we decided to do another one next year!  We're thinking a spring floral quilt as I have lots of flower dies for my Accuquilt machine.

I hope you enjoyed my quilting post and hearing all about how I keep myself busy in the winter.  I am definitely not one of those women who get bored at home and has to work outside the home.  

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

How To Have A Romantic Weekend Not Too Far From Home

This is the time of year when many couples jump on a plane and fly to someplace warm and exotic, but not everyone can do that for many reasons such as financial, work, family obligations, etc.  But with a little clever planning, you can enjoy your own winter getaway without going too far from home or for too long of a time.

I have lived in the same area for over thirty years and every time I think I have seen it all, I discover something new that I never knew was there!  My husband found out about Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center  from a magazine put out by our electrical cooperative.  But I have also discovered new places to visit by just following Facebook pages and local event calendars.  Once you start searching for events on FB your algorithm will know what you're interested in and starting flooding your feed with places and events to follow and visit.  That is how I discovered the Eagle River Cranberry Festival.

Unlike a lot of couples who say "We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day" (party poopers you all are)  my husband and I LOVE Valentine's Day.  It is one of our most favorite holidays of the year and we take the time  to plan something together.  It could be as simple as dinner and a movie or a weekend getaway.  This year we decided to do a weekend getaway as there has been a lot of stress in our lives lately and thought a relaxing weekend away would be a great stress reliever.  When hubby discovered that Norskedalen was doing a Candlelight Hike we thought that sounded absolutely perfect.

The drive to Norskedalen was beautiful, but absolutely terrifying to drive in the winter.  It's located in a valley, but GPS took us up some high hills and death-defying curves on snow drift covered rural roads.  All I kept thinking was "How in the World are we gonna get out of here in the dark?"  Thankfully, I talked to two locals at the site once we arrived, and they instructed us a much safer way to get home.  GPS can be a wonderful tool, but sometimes they take you on a much more dangerous route just to get you there quicker.

Norskedalen is a nature and heritage center dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the natural environment and heritage of the area surrounding Coon Valley in Southwest Wisconsin.  I don't want to share too much about the place now because we plan to go back in the summer to tour the old homestead and hike their trails, so I will do another post then.  Today's post will focus on the Candlelight Hike.

The Candlelight Hike took place on the Troll Trail and the Ophus Farm Trail so we got to see the outside of all the farm buildings and houses plus a bit of the landscape.

They did a very nice job lighting the trail up so it was impossible to get lost in the dark.  This was our second candlelight hike my husband and I went on.  I absolutely love them.  They are so romantic.  There is nothing more peaceful and beautiful than walking in the woods on a cold winter night with someone you love. 

The old farmhouse looked so pretty all lit up.

There was quite a bit of snow on the ground which made hiking difficult at times, but I had my poles with me to help.  Lots of people had snowshoes, but we don't own any.

They had some fun large fires burning for extra ambiance and warmth.

After our hike, we went back to our hotel for the evening.  The people that I met that evening were right:  the route they recommended was not hilly or scary at all.

We stayed at The Luxury Charmont Hotel in La Crosse.  Normally, this hotel would be in an uncomfortable price range for me, but in the winter you can often find great hotel deals on places that are usually very pricey.  

Fun fact:  In 2024 and 2025 the hotel earned a prestige Michelin Key for exceptional, high-quality, and unique guest experience.

The hotel used to be an old chocolate factory.  In fact, they give you two free chocolates when you check in and they were the best chocolates I ever had in my life.  The hotel still has all it's original floors and brick walls.

We absolutely LOVED our room!  It was so romantic!  My favorite spaces are always when they blend the new with the old;  a mix of modern and antiques.  

The bathroom was to die for!  I've never stayed in a place where there double sinks before and just look at the size of that shower! You could fit a family of six in that shower! 😄

The attention to detail in the room was spectacular.  I loved the old beams, the hardware, and all the electrical fixtures.

In addition to two free chocolates, you also get free valet service, a ten dollar token good at the bar, restaurant, or coffee shop, and two tokens for two free coffees at the coffee bar.  I really appreciated all the freebies and thought the tokens were a great idea because they encourage guests to eat at the hotel instead of going elsewhere.  

We chose to use our ten dollar token and eat breakfast at the hotel.  The restaurant was gorgeous with beautiful views of the Mississippi River.  We had so much fun looking out the restaurants large windows and watching all the eagles hunt for breakfast.

Whenever I eat out, I like to order something I usually wouldn't make for myself at home.  I decided to try Stuffed French Toast and it did not disappoint.  The restaurant is farm-to-table style so their brioche was homemade and stuffed with cream cheese served with Amish maple syrup.  The fruit topping is always seasonal and on the day I was there it was Pomegranate.  It was so delicious, but very sweet and rich for me so I was unable to finish it.  Hubby finished it for me and he said it tasted like cheesecake 😀.

After breakfast I used my coffee token to get a second coffee to take on the road.  

The coffee shop was so beautiful.  I loved the big arched windows.

 It was a wonderful weekend and we came home so happy and relaxed.  It is so important to take the time regularly to reconnect with your loved ones.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

For more ideas on Candlelight Hikes see this post:

A Candlelight Walk in Interstate Park

Outerwear for all Seasons with Ageless Style

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages.   Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme.  This month's theme is "Outerwear" and was picked by Me!

This month it was my turn in our Ageless Style group and I chose "Outerwear".  All the ladies in our group are from all over the United States and Canada, so we experience many different types of weather and thus should have many different types of outerwear to show you.

I have gone through many different coats in my lifetime.  Some I have had for decades, and others I didn't keep long, but here are some of my favorites.

  

WINTER

You can't survive the winter in Wisconsin without a parka.  A couple of years ago I purchased this white parka and boy is it a head turner!  Everywhere I go someone comments on it.  I usually wear it when I have a lot of dark colors on already because all my other parkas are black, so rather than look like a column of black, the white parka provides a nice contrast.  Now you might wonder if it stays clean and my answer is "yes and no".  The collar always gets my make up on it (unless I wear a scarf) so I always have to spot wash the collar after every use.  Other than that, yes, it does stay remarkably white.  It is machine washable, I just have to remove the collar and belt.

This long parka is down-filled and I usually save it for the coldest weather or occasions, like hiking in the snow!  

My last winter coat is the classic red pea coat.  Honestly, I hardly ever wear it because it's just not warm enough for a Wisconsin winter and when it is warm enough, a lighter jacket is more suitable.  However, I hang on to it because it is super cute and it's nice to have on hand to create a special look.  

SPRING

I probably have more spring jackets than any other type because our springs in Wisconsin can be on the chilly side.   My favorite spring jackets are usually white like this white faux-leather jacket pictured above.  I love white jackets in spring because they go with any other color, especially the pastels I normally wear this time of year.

Denim jackets are the perfect spring add on to keep the chill at bay.  I have both a classic blue denim jacket (pictured above) and a white denim jacket (pictured below).  Denim goes with just about anything, and it's such an easy way to dress-down a outfit if it's a little too fancy for your occasion.

And lastly is the classic trench.  This should be a must-have coat in every woman's closet.  Mine doesn't get much wear as I feel it is too dressy looking for my lifestyle, but I will never get rid of it because it never goes out-of-style and I will never know when I need it.

FALL

For the fall, I like to wear darker or earth-toned jackets.  Pictured above is a brown faux leather jacket.

This camel colored jacket is a great transitional piece because it's lightweight for those hotter fall days, yet the color and style scream fall.

And finally, don't be afraid to use heavy shirts as jackets.  I purchased this thick weight brown denim shirt last year, but I've never worn it as a shirt, but as a jacket!  It's too thick for me to wear as a shirt.  I just sized up to a Large so it's big and baggy to wear over anything.

I didn't list any summer jackets because "Who wears a jacket in summer?" 😁. I usually just keep a kimono, scarf, or lightweight cardigan in my purse/car for those chilly air-conditioned buildings.

What are some of your favorite coats and jackets?  Do you have a huge collection or just a couple of tried-and-true pieces?  I'd love to hear from you.

And now be sure to check out what type of outerwear the other ladies in the group are wearing and link up with us as well.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Joanne ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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