Holiday Traditions

Holiday Seasons... a wonderful time to reminisce in all that is steeped in tradition.

It can also be filled with hustle and bustle, setting expectations a bit too high (ask me how I know this...) rushing to get everything in, getting everything done, then all too soon it is over... you may have not taken a minute of time to really ENJOY the season with all that accompanies this festive time of year.

I encourage you to remember holiday traditions you cherish.   Try to steal a bit of time to do the things that make your holiday sparkle...

The cookies - always a favorite tradition...

Stockings on the mantle are a must at our gatherings...  and they must be stuffed with many small wrapped packages (even if they KNOW they will get a new toothbrush, ink pens, socks, lip balm and other the usual practicalities, year after year, these are as much the tradition as are the stockings!).

The sound of the season makes hearts sing and calms the soul...

There are those of us that like to make the quilts on the beds match the season!

As well as our walls..

And the tables...

Many decorate a tree and watch the magic of twinkling lights and sparkling decorations...

Elf on the Shelf is a favorite for my grandchildren and now we have Mensch on a Bench for our Jewish friends...

There are so many, many more....

....hands down the best tradition of all is the blessing of FAMILY....

It is important too, during this season to remember.....

for many.... the holidays are not always a joy filled time....  some have lost a loved one, some folks are alone, some are ill or caring for terminally ill....  some families may not have food or even proper winter shelter not to mention a gift.....

Sadly, for many this may be a Blue Christmas... 

Please, take a moment to drop donations in the Red Kettles, offer goods to food pantries, give to various efforts in your community to gather toys, food and gifts for folks and families that are struggling...

In the spirit of the season, let tradition take you to a place of peace.

In the spirit of giving let's do our part to help others.

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To you and yours, our wish is blessings galore plus good health, happiness and abundance... this season and every season...

I love a good mystery...

Several years ago another shop owner introduced me to Bonnie Hunter - a quilter extraordinaire who specializes in scrappy quilts and using up scraps.

Her annual mysteries have been going on for several years - last year was the first time I gave it a whirl.  

It was fun and I worked hard to keep up with the "clues" each week.

Of course the holidays got in the way of some of my sewing...

I did get "most" of everything made week after week.

Then the big reveal....  so much excitement!  

I had to put together the two blocks just to see how mine would look!

And here it is still....

Will I finish this??   Absolutely!

When will I finish???   TBD

None the less, I am again ready for the game to begin again - our first clue came out this morning.

Printed copy in hand and ready to cut....

Bonnie says it is a quicker, easier one this year....

Maybe I can finish both :)

Grand Illusions Quiltville Winter Mystery Quilt

Ready or not......

The Reclaimed West | Blog Hop

Good morning & welcome to our stop on the Timeless Treasures and Judy & Judel Niemeyer blog hop celebrating their new fabric collection, The Reclaimed West! We are so excited to have been asked to take part in the blog hop and even more excited to be carrying the complete collection in our store, too. 

Pine Needles Quilt & Sew is owned by mother-daughter team, Marcia Nagel and Suzie Diemer. We are located in Rochester, Minnesota and are the area's leading BERNINA dealer and we carry quilting, sewing, and embroidery supplies to fit your every need. Our own Marcia & Connie just returned from Quiltworx Training from Judy Niemeyer herself -- you can read all about it here!

Enough about us, let's take a look at our project! We chose to make a stunning version of 60 Degree quilt from the book Fresh From the Prairie using our favorite Kaye England Nifty Notions ruler. The simple design really showcases each of the fabulous prints from the collection!

You can now shop all things Quiltworx right from our online shop -- check it out here!

GIVEAWAY! Enter the giveaway HERE at SewTimeless starting November 17 – it will be open for entries throughout all five days of the blog tour. THREE WINNERS will be selected on Monday, November 24th. 

* EACH OF THE THREE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE: one fat eighth bundle of the entire Reclaimed West collection (24 pcs), one 52-pc charm pack of the Reclaimed West collection, oneBraided Table Runner pattern by Quiltworx/Judy Niemeyer, one Geese in the West pattern by Cindi McCracken, one Reclaimed West bookmark & bag tag set from Quilt Dots, one spool of coordinating thread from the Reclaimed West designer thread set available from Aurifil.

Be sure to stop by and take a look at all of the other wonderful participants! 

November 17

Carla Klop, Kits by Carla - http://www.kitsbycarla.com/blog

Catherine Wilson, Queenie Quilts - http://queeniequiltsblogs.blogspot.com

Lisa McCarthy, Compass Point Quilts - www.compasspointquilts.com

November 18

Deborah Brizendine, Just Stitchin with Deborah - http://juststitchinwithdeborah.blogspot.com/

Denise Green, HollyDee Quilts - http://hollydeequilts.net

Sandy Lueth, Totes by Sandy - http://www.totes-by-sandy.com

November 19

Cathy McKillip, Wish Upon A Quilt - http://wishuponaquilt.com/blog

Marcia Nagel, Pine Needles Quilt & Sew - http://thepineconepress.blogspot.com/ <-- you are HERE! :) 

Stacey Day, Stacey in Stitches - http://staceyinstitches.wordpress.com

November 20

Barb Linares, Crafty Threads - http://craftyquilts.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Eubank, Archipelago Quilting - http://jennifersewing.wordpress.com/

Konda Luckau, Moose on the Porch Quilts - http://www.moosequilts.com/blog

Susan Nelson, Prairie Sky Quilts - http://blog.prairieskyquilting.com

November 21

Jackie Kunkel, Canton Village Quilt Works - http://cvquiltworks.com/blogs/blog

Lauren Rogers, Backdoor Quilt Shoppe - www.backdoorquiltshoppe.wordpress.com

Osie Lebowitz, From Needle and Thread - http://www.fromneedleandthread.com/

Timeless Treasures, SewTimeless (Giveaways!) - http://www.ttfabrics.com/blog/

We certainly did FALL into Fall....

November 1st already....

Fall is flying by, on the way to work this morning Suzie and I heard our first Christmas music on the radio station we listen to on our commute back and forth.  We could not believe it.  While I do not advocate any kind of Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving, it it all too true that December 25, will come all too quickly....

The shop has been bustling with customers, new fabrics, new notions, new sewing machines, classes and events. We can hardly catch our breath, but that is the way we like it, lots of smiling faces and each day just whizzes by!  


We have a few photos to share of some of the activities. 

Connie & Marcia spent a week in Kalispell, Montana at Quiltworx with Judy Neimeyer.  We had a blast, met some great new friends and are so proud to now be a certified Quiltworx shop!

 Fall retreat is always a highlight - beautiful place to be in the fall with all of our wonderful friends.  Made some great memories!

Last week we hosted Sewapalooza - tons of sewing, embroidery, serger, and Designworx fun!  Plus we have lots of happy Bernina owners! This event even made it into KKTC news! (and I am so sorry I missed taking a photo of one of our tables of gals...I'll get you three twice next time!)

Next up was International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas - it was awesome and deserves a post all of its own!  Stay tuned right here!