Day 12

La la la la.... :::cough::: :::errrreeerrrr::: 

La la la la... mi mi mi meeeee...

On the twelfth day of Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designer blog hopping,

Gudrun sent to you...

Twelve quilt designers a-blogging,

Eleven readers still a-reading,

Ten fingers a-flying (across the keyboards)... at least twelve sets of them,

Nine ladies a-dancing...wait!  There are twelve of us!  Which of us isn't a... uhmm, never mind.  Don't want to know.

Eight bazillion comments a-posting,

Seven gazillion Christmas stories a-remembering,

Six Minnesota girls a-quilting,

Five Golden puppies... Santa?  Are you listening?  Hello?  Anybody there?

Four weeks until Christmas... so get busy with those projects!

Three winners to a-nnounce,

Two Terry's and two Kari's... different spellings and different states, but I'm getting to the end and it was all I could think of.

And a Rosie on a couch sleeping!

It's Day 12 and I've got mixed feelings. 

I'm happy that I don't have to think about Christmas for another month but I'm sad because I'm going to miss reading everybody else's stories.  I'm happy that I don't have to steal borrow any more Christmas pictures but I've been enjoying the catalogs, magazines and books I've scoured for those pilfered pictures.  Mostly, I'm going to miss reading all the funny, sweet, clever and really, really nice comments that you've left all over blogland. 

::: sniff sniff :::  ::: big hug :::

The best part of today being Day 12 is that it's finally Linda's day! 

I know... I've been waiting too.   Linda Lum DeBono - who I've actually met! - has written a jillion books filled with lots of wonderful, whimsical things to make.  We met in Des Moines at an American Patchwork thing a few years ago.  She's as funny, creative, energetic and nice as she is prolific... which makes her rather annoying now that I think of it.  Just kidding - she's really quite terrific.  And I'm sure her project is extremely terrific so make sure you take a look-see -- and don't forget to leave a comment!  You could win a prize!

Speaking of prizes... I have one of those.  I think I might have more than one.  But more on that in a moment.

The topic du jour is a craft or something you still make every year, or something you made as a child. 

I love making things at Christmas time.  From crafty decorations to Christmas gifts, I am always finding things in Christmas magazines in books that I absolutely, positively have to make.  This year!  Right away!  Okay, next year.  I've saved stacks and stacks of pages from magazines with pictures and instructions.  I'm still going to make all of them... just as I am going to make the 7,358 cookie recipes I've saved over the years for Christmas cookie exchanges. 

The thing for me is that I make something different every year.  Even when I'm making the same thing - like a tree or wreath - they're always different.  The only thing they all have in common is that it would have been less expensive to buy one ready-made than buy all the supplies I needed to make one.  Over the years, I've made several of these ~ following Martha's instructions, of course.  (This is her picture from the book I used to make mine.)

And I also made a few of these though mine had red bows.

(Also from Martha's book.)

About ten years ago, I made some little log-cabin houses using pretzels, oyster crackers and mini shredded wheat cereal.  The houses ~ I made eight of them ~ were about 4" high, and the base was about 3" x 4".  I would show you a picture of them but with everything from my sewing room stored in the garage, I have no chance of getting to them.  When I find them, I promise to take a picture for you.  They were from one of those Oxmoor House/Leisure Arts Christmas books of years past.  By the time I was finished, I think each house cost $47.32 to make.  

This year's project is going to be candy trees...

This was in a Christmas issue of Mary Englebreit's Home Companion magazine from a few years ago and when I ran across the pages I'd saved a few months ago while cleaning out my desk, I put them aside as this year's project.  It is entirely coincidental that there is a terrific new retro candy shop in downtown Phoenix.  I've already gotten the styrofoam cones and I've got my hot glue gun ready.  Now I just need to go candy shopping... like that won't be dangerous.  And fun.  But still dangerous.  I'll let you know if I need reinforcements.  Or rescuing. 

And yes, I'll let you know how the trees turn out.

I wonder if Terry, Terri, Gudrun, Kari, Pam, Pat, Sandy, Sherri, Roseanne or Heather have made anything like this?  I'll have to go see if they have, I might be able to pick up a few tips!

Now... about that prize. 

Or should I say prizes... as in more than one.  A-three of them, to be exact. 

It's Christmas and I like presents!  I hope this will be an early Christmas for these three randomly chosen ladies!  (Chosen with that random generator thing... a little impersonal but it works.)  If you'll leave a comment here, I'll e-mail you to get your mailing address.

Kathleen B -- posted on Wednesday at 5:24 am

Jeanette in Placerville -- posted on Wednesday at 8:29 am

Karen M -- posted on Wednesday at 5:22 pm

That takes care of my prize.

There's still the Grand Prize and the Runner-Up prizes.  You still have time to post a comment on all twelve of the blogs if you haven't already done so.  As long as you have left one comment on each blog sometime during the twelve days, you're good to go.  If you think you might have forgotten someone, don't worry!  As long as you leave a comment by Midnight on Sunday, November 22nd, you're entered to win!  On Monday, Gudrun will select the winners ~ randomly, of course ~ and the rest of us will verify that they've posted on our blogs.  The winners will be announced on Tuesday. 

Which blogs?  All of them. 

Where can I find the links?  Here.

Gundrun Erla ~ Gudrun's World

Sandy Gervais ~ Pieces of My Heart

Terry Atkinson ~ Terry Atkinson Designs

Pat Sloan ~ Pat Sloan's World

Heather Mulder Peterson ~ Anka's Treasures

Pam Viera McGinnis ~ PamKittyMorning's World

Kari Carr ~ New Leaf Stitches

Terri Dagenkolb ~ Whimsicals

Sherri Falls ~ This & That Patterns

Moi... uhmmm... you're already here

Roseann Kermes ~ Rosebuds Cottage

Linda Lum DeBono ~ Linda Lum DeBono's World

I think that's it for today.  Thank you again for hopping along with us... with me! 

I'm so glad we had this time together,
Just to have a laugh, or sing a song.
Seems we just get started and before you Know it
Comes the time we have to say, "So long".

What's with all the singing?  You know... I think the 12 days are ending just in time.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[nicolette]

Thanks for all the wonderful posts! It was big fun to hop the blogs!

[Vickie E]

So fun to read your blog and I am excited that you are going to be in the Pin topper of the month club with Gigi!!

[Linda Lum DeBono]

I have the same mixed feelings too! I've really enjoyed reading your posts! They're funny and your personality shines through! xo, Linda

[Edie Gottschall]

Ms. Carrie how did you manage to get all this done and still travel and attend B&B!!!! You are truly amazing, and I feel so blessed to have been at your table at B&B. Thank you so much for sharing your humor, knowledge, and patience with us. By the way, do I have something of yours . . . I found it in my basket when unpacking -- a package of freezer paper. I'll return it to you when I send the recipes and article I mentioned. Take a little nap now to recover from all your blogging. Hugs to you and Ms. Rosie.

[Sue]

I am putting my order in for the candy tree in the glass candle order. Pleeeeeease.

TS

[Kathleen B]

Kathleen B at 5:24 am...that's me! I would LOVE a prize! So you did PICK ME, PICK ME. Thank you, THANK YOU!

[Nancyz]

Thanks for all the great reads. This was a fun blog. I couldn't wait to read them.

[Mary Flynn]

I would love to see you all do this sort of thing again for another holiday....it has been fun and now we have many wonderful ideas, crafts and food to make from you all! Thank you! Oh and congrats to your winners!!!

[lovetostitch]

The blog hop may be coming to an end, but you cant get rid of me that easy - haha!! I love following your blog and getting my smile on, and usually a chuckle or two. It's been great fun!! Why is it, we tear so many recipes out of the magazines, and have the best intentions on making them....?? I think I start to dwell on the calories...ugh!! But then I also tear out plenty of picture of projects and actually do make them or something similar - some times I use the pictures just as inspiration and end up doing a little different.......
Thanks again, sooo sooo much for all the fun, the last couple of weeks!! Hugs!!

[Kathy J]

Thanks, Carrie, for all the effort you put into your posts, especially these past 12 days. You have to have read a least a bazillion comments over that time but after seeing your Christmas quilts yesterday, I commented that I became 'obsessed' with Zuzu's Petals as soon as I saw it. After some detective work, my persistence paid off and I was able to locate and order 'Miss Rosie's Autumn Quilts,' and that made my day! The blog hop has been great fun. I really enjoyed 'meeting' new designers/quilters, their families, and seeing their varied talents and creativity. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving (early) to you, your mom, and Miss Rosie.

[Dianne]

Those trees look like so much fun! My kids would love that project too!

[Linda H]

Great to have gotten to know you. Bye

[Busy Little Quilter]

I have enjoyed the blog hop so much. I, along with many others (I'm sure) will be experiencing Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designer Blog Hop withdrawl symptoms.

Thanks for all the fun. I've had a great time reading about your Christmas memories.

[Jewel]

Thanks so much for the hop. I will miss you all tomorrow!

[Jocelyn]

It sure has been a lot of fun. I'm going to miss my morning visits with all of you gals. Happy Thanksgiving :-)

[Marianne]

Thanks for the blog hop, it was great fun! Hugs to Rosie!

[Gale Lavers]

I am sad to know today is the last day for blog hop, however we can still follow your blog and enjoy your wit. Love the candy trees and since I have a sweet tooth I would never get a whole tree covered. Thanks for being part of this and may you have a wonderful christmas and maybe even get that CAR :^))))

[Robyn]

This has been a lot of fun. I appreciate you ladies doing this and the thought and time that went into it. It's wonderful for those of us that can't do a driving shop hop because of time or just whatever reason. Thank you.

[Ruby]

Thank you so much for being part of the Blog Hop!
I have really enjoyed your sense of humor in all your posts!!!

[Cindy C.]

You have simply made me :-)

What a character you are - a fun, joyful, spirited character that I feel I know a little better, enjoying every one of the 12 days reading your fun blog.

Still :-)ing.

[TheaM]

LOL - 12 Days of Christmas was my daughter's FAV song - I've sung that one til I was hoarse! Thanks for the chuckles - Happy Holidays to all and to all some much needed rest!

[Sequana]

Oh, whose TV show ended like that? Perry Como? Dean Martin? Help me out here. *S*

What great fun this has been! Gonna miss beginning my day like this.

Happy Holidays to you ALL!

[Carol Sc]

I don't know if I am happy or sad that this is ending --- I've really enjoyed reading the blogs and will continue to check them. It's a little scary to know there are others, who have piles of project instructions that they are going to make "someday". I sometimes (often)question my sanity, as I am spending $'s on supplies that I will probably use once!

[Candace]

I like the singing! 'Tis the season. :)

[Margi Borck]

It has been great fun getting to know all of you and those who posted as well! It's going to be so sad to not hear the stories any longer! I hope you all do another blog hop.

[Jayne Honnold]

Thanks for all the fun, Carrie. I had a blast following all you girls on the blog hop!

[Sandy]

Thank you for sharing all of your traditions and memories with us hoppers! It was a hoot reading them.

[marta]

Gracias por cada Uno de estos doce días, historias lindas, fantasticos proyectos, excelentes diseñadoras.

[Sharon]

This has been fun, thanks for all the great stories and patterns.

[Charmaine]

This blog hop has been so much fun. I will be visiting your blog to keep up with your projects.
Thanks!

[Mary-Kay]

Your 12 days of Christmas was really cute.

[Wendy]

Thanks for such a great week!

[Joyce]

I really enjoyed the 12 days and your singing Carol Burnett's song at the end! Did you pull on your ear like she used to do when you finished singing it! I guess you have to be of a "certain age" to remember that!
Happy Thanksgiving, Carrie, and I look forward to more of your posts.
~Joyce in MI

[Karen M]

I'm soooo excited! I'm Karen M at 5:22p.m. What a great B-day treat. I can't thank you enough. I just love your patterns and Rosie too. I have a new labradoodle named Lucy that my husband and I rescued from the pound but she's still in training with my quilts.
Thank you so much for picking me.
Karen M

[arlette]

Dang I'd like to win one of your prizes, oh well, I like to make for christmas crocheted white angels I make them every year, they look so cute on my tree

[Glenda]

Thanks so much for all the ideas and memories. I have really enjoyed this.

[Julie in WA]

Hoo Boy, I could not have those candy trees around my house. My husband and daughter would break the pieces off and eat them, just like they do with the gingerbread house each year.

[Kristi Van Os]

Your so funny - Thanks for sharing with all of us!

[Leslie Schmidt]

I think I'm going to be going through withdrawal tomorrow! I will miss the blog hop, but I will be back to check in on your doings. Thanks for the fun and great memories and the wonderful projects.

[Ruby]

I haven't been able to get here everyday but I'm catching up! It has been wonderful. Loved the stories, the pictures, the patterns. Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[Jill]

Thank you so much for this blog hop. I have enjoyed it so much!

[Brenda]

Carrie, did you really mean to say, "I'm happy that I don't have to think about Christmas for another month"? That gives you precisely five days after that to make your candy trees and othe crafty, nifty things and buy my Christmas present (let me know when you want my list) and decorate and bake those bazillion cookies, and somehow avoid every store, radio station, and magazine for the next month!!!!

[Janet Blackwell-Fidler]

I remember the hard swirly candy ribbons. The tree are lovely.
Thanks for sharing.
Janet

[Cheryl Petty]

Love your patterns. Emma Rose, Radio Flyer, zulu's petals. You have the neatest ideas.

[Kitty]

And you're a poet 2 - loved your 12 Days of Christmas

[Ann in NC]

THanks for all of your hard work during the blog hop! I enjoyed your various fun stories! It was great fun checking out the various blogs and leaving a comment on each blog on "their" day.