It's funny how grandchildren can assist us in changing our minds on what we are going to do for any given thing. I was planning on sending money for Christmas this year, as who doesn't want money? That was until my daughter proceeds to tell me that my grandkids have put in for cuddle blankets from Nana. Cuddle blankets - are you crazy? I know when they ask for something, it means they want me to make from scratch as that way they get a one of a kind item. Jackson especially has requested many of these over the years and takes great pride in letting his friends know that he has the only one because his Nana made it and NO ONE has one like it or can get one. It makes a Nana's heart go thumb thumb when I know they like my "special" handmade "one of a kind" items.

Cuddle on the back with the soccer design

I completed the December Nine Patch pattern and made it into a pillow. I used fabric from my stash for the back.  This pattern is by Lindsay Weight with Primrose Cottage and is part of a 12-month series that I started back in June. I still have several months to go before I have all of these made as I am only doing 1 per month.

Santa, presents and wreaths

During the week of November 18th, Center Street Quilts was doing a sew along for the Atlas Zipper Case that Kristina created. I decided to participate in the sew along as I think the case is adorable. I wanted to make one for myself first and then decide if I want to make them for my grandchildren as I think they would love this case as well. The sew along was only for 5 days, which made it even more inviting, as I knew I could stay on top of the daily sewing and finish in that time frame. In addition to the instructions being on the website, Kristina also provided videos on her Instagram that showed how each step was done. Please click on the link above to go to Center Street Quilts for the pattern.

On the first day I quilted my main and accent fabrics to the lining using my Juki TL2010Q sewing machine. I chose to use fabrics from the Bloomberry line designed by Minki Kim.

Main Fabric

Lining for main fabric

Accent fabric

Lining for accent fabric

Once you finish quilting the main and accent fabrics, you had to cut the pieces down to the size stated in the pattern. Here is what mine looked like at this point.

all my pieces including the bindings

On day 2, I was to sew the binding pieces to the fabrics and vinyl for the left side. It was easier to do than I expected. One tip was to add paper where you were using vinyl to avoid the vinyl not wanting to flow through the needle area. I did that on part of it which my pictures show below, but then I done some sewing with the vinyl without using the paper and luckily had no issues.

after the binding and zipper is added

all the pieces left to sew together

Day 3 was time for the right side to be completed, which again included adding binding to vinyl and fabrics plus adding zippers where needed. 

zippers and binding added

At this point I had both sides done and in the below photo they are just laying there to be sewn on, which is shown in the second photo below. After they are sewn to the main portion of the case you have to round your corners before adding the zipper and binding.

time to sew together

need to round those corners

The zipper is added and then the binding. Tip - on corners take your time. Slow and steady wins the race.

Below are several pictures of the finished case and close up of the quilting. I was very excited to complete this and look forward to making many more. In some pics you might notice the zipper is longer than in other photos. It was after reviewing my pics that I decided to shorten the zipper and glad I did as it looks better being shorter.

Completed case with stuff added!

Backside!

Completed case opened up with shortened zipper.

Right Side

Left side

Quilting up close

I am obsessed with finding every type of recipe possible with sourdough and have now turned to cookie making. I love those cookies that you usually get at Christmas time in a tin can that are buttery soft. Out of the whole tin, they are the only version that I eat.

Well now I don't have to buy the tin anymore as I have found a recipe called, Simple Sourdough Shortbread Cookies at Foragers of Happiness , that is better than the buttery soft cookies in a tin can and the best part is you will know exactly what ingredients you have put into these cookies.

You can click the link above to go directly to the recipe and while there check out some of her other recipes as I see lots of baking in my future.

Once the dough is made, you put it in the refrigerator for at least an hour and as much as 24 hours, so you don't have to bake right away. My husband prefers them right out of the oven, but I liked the ones that were leftover the next day as good as the first day. I made my first batch on the 16th and turned around and made them again on the 19th since we loved them so much. 

From my first batch on the 16th!

From the 2nd batch on the 19th!

My journey into sourdough continues with the baking of Sourdough Rolls. The recipe I discovered is called Soft White Rolls with Sourdough Discard by Amy Bakes Bread. The first batch I made was delicious. We could have eaten the entire batch the first night. I have to admit I have made them twice since and neither time have they turned out, but I will not give up, especially since they turned out so good the first time.