It’s so close! Sweet Celebrations, Moda Bakeshop’s second book, is almost here. And I’m lucky enough to be a part of it! My quilt (that I can’t show you yet) is Christmas themed. And I like to think that it is Holiday Fun without being over the top. But you tell me when you see it. 😉 Since this is a bakeshop quilt, obviously it was made with precuts. And I loved using a few layer cakes of neutral Bella solids in combination with a mix of fat quarters from all kinds of designers. And yes, I did my own quilting on that thing…I think it was 14 bobbins I went through?!
Oda May, Moda’s hard hitting journalist, sent me a few questions to answer so you all can get to know me a bit better. If you are a regular reader, some of these may be old news to you. But if you are new (first of all, welcome!) you may be at least slightly amused by me.
OM: Do you prefer a corner piece or a center piece when eating cake? Or do you not like to discriminate?
Angela: It depends on how good the frosting is! If it is light and fluffy and made with almond flavoring then I will most definitely take a corner piece. Yum. Otherwise, I’m not too picky….well I am but I try not to be. 😉
OM: Tell us about your favorite apron.
Angela: Well….I wasn’t going to bring it up, but I am kind of partial to this certain Apron I made for a certain competition *cough…the Moda Bakeshop Sliced Competition*. It’s hanging in my kitchen now and I’ll be sure to wear it this holiday season for serving cocktails to my guests. I love how it’s dressy but still an apron. I just love aprons that look like clothing.
OM: How do you press your seams?
Angela: I was once a die hard press your seams to one side kind of gal. But now I’ve learned that sometimes it is better to press them to the side and sometimes it is better to press them open. Either way, I’m very thoughtful about them. When I have a lot of seams that meet at a point, I tend to press them open. When I have a lot of blocks to sew together, I press to one side but I am sure to alternate my seams so they butt up together and have less bulk.
OM: Do your pets/kids/spouse help or hinder your creative process?
Angela: Uhm…yes? Often! Both. I have a husband, a two year old and a cat and between the three, I’m lucky to get some time to sew. As you might expect both the cat and the two year old are drawn to anything fabric and sparkly. And my husband just wants my time (can’t blame him!). But in the end, they are the greatest inspiration. I doubt I would have made this backpack without the inspiration of an adorable toddler to wear it. (And I’m happy to say that she uses it all the time for preschool!)
OM: If you could have a quilt shop spree, which items would you snag off the shelf?
Angela: Is that a trick question? EVERYTHING!!
And in keeping with the Bakeshop and Celebration theme, here is a recipe (a food one!) that we make every year especially at Christmas. It’s the perfect, make ahead, bake and bring to a party kind of food. It truly is scrumptious.
My favorite tradition is a huge family get together. We rent a hall or large facility, bring a dish or two to pass and the kids play games while the adults pick up on all the family happenings. Family, food and fun! What more could you want?
Winter? I grew up in the tropics, so haven't really come up with a tradition. I do love to play in the snow with the nephews and nieces when we do get a sprinkle here in OKC.
Favourite Christmas tradition was when me and my brother would be read 'The Night Before Christmas' on Christmas Eve, then when we woke up the next morning we would bring our stockings into my room and open some little presents including an annual to read (sneaky parents getting extra time to sleep!), followed by a chocolate breakfast!
Our favorite family tradition is our Christmas stockings. We start with these first! )and they take us the longest to shop for, too!)
I have two… they are going to the Zoo Lights at the Portland, OR Zoo and having everything ready, Christmas lights on, music playing, hot chocolate ready to sip, and then everyone coming down for Christmas morning. Growing up we weren't allowed downstairs until my parents set everything up and I am continuing that tradition with my own kids. It's magical!
Wow! Made your dip tonight and it was delicious. My son came home today for fall break and he loved it. Darn it.lol. he wants to take the recipe back to school. May have to make it again tomorrow so I can get some…more. thanks for sharing.
cindi
We don't yet have a Christmas tradition so I'm sharing my husband's family's little tradition when he was growing up. When he was little, every year my father in law would gather the children around the piano and get them to sing some Christmas carols and do some short Christmas readings while all these are being filmed for his grandparents who lived a few hours away and were not able to spend Christmas Day with the rest of the family. Looking back at the videos brings back embarassing yet funny and heart-warming memories.
We have lefse at Christmas time and it's a tradition from my grandma. She taught me how to roll it out and fry it. So we look forward to eating lefse together at Christmas.
I enjoy cooking a Traditional Christmas dinner with Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, perogies, winter salad, homemade buns etc… we just celebrated Thanksgiving and I feel like I'm gonna pop!! hehehe
When my kids arrive home for Christmas our family and whoever else is around stands around our butcher block island and have a shot of very good tequila together (lime and salt, too).
Ever since I was little, my mother and her twin sister would bake Italian Christmas Cookies. It was an all day project and the end result was 10 pounds of cookies from heaven. I think they taste so good because we only get them once a year. I've continued the tradition — with my own children — and the twins to help me along!
My favorite holiday tradition are the felt stockings that my husband's mother made them and then made for our daughters. Her mother started the tradition.
My tradition for christmas is that I always make at least 1 or 2 christmas ornaments for the tree. Each year we have to buy a bigger one to hang them all 🙂
I started making handmade gifts each year when my grandchildren started arriving. It's been fun and they all look forward to whats next!
My favorite Christmas tradition is a month or so prior to the holiday where we get the family together for the Christmas card
My favourite Christmas tradition is when we put the Christmas tree up & decorate it, with the final & most important part being placing the Angel on top of the tree. My daughter made the Angel when she was in kindergarten & to this day it is still her role to place the Angel at the top (she doesn't need to be lifted up any more!) Thanks for the chance to win.
Christmas eve football! We play every year, early in the day no matter the weather. We have played in sun, snow, rain, blizzards. Doesn't matter the age – everyone plays and we all have a blast.
Oh this is easy! Since I was a very small girl my parents have awakened me on Christmas morning at the crack of dawn to hide behind the sofa and watch Santa bring in all the presents. I have a sister with down syndrome that still (sort of) believes in Santa so they are still keeping the tradition alive. This year will make 45 years! It is the most magical experience to watch your little children, sleepy eyed, hiding, watching Santa!
jpshirley@ymail.com
My favorite holiday tradition is when the whole family goes to the local Christmas Tree Farm. We still go to the very same tree farm, still owned by the same family as when I was a little girl and visited that farm throughout my entire childhood. My children have also gone to that same farm since they were born until they moved out although one still goes every year with his family and another may start again now that he's moved back to our area once again. It's such a great place and yet, when I think about it, realizing I have gone to that same farm since I was a little girl, it kinda makes me feel old. REALLY old. LOL
Every Christmas we have breakfast casserole and Christmas (coffee) cake. It's our favorite tradition. It's definitely the best breakfast ever. Thanks for the chance to win. I'm dying to get my hands on that book.
Every Christmas we make breakfast casserole and Christmas (coffee) cake. It's our favorite tradition. It's definitely the best breakfast ever. Thanks for the chance to win. I'm dying to get my hands on that book!
On Christmas Eve, after Santa has come and gone, sitting in the darkened living room gazing at the beauty of the Christmas tree and feeling the peace in the air.
We love to spend the holidays tubing in the snow, hot chocolate and marshmallows, playing games and making puzzles together
My favorite tradition has to be opening new pj's and reading The Polar Express on Christmas Eve!
brookeali(at)hotmail.com
We started opening our gifts on Christmas Eve when our children were young, because my husband worked at night and this way the children didn't wake up too early the next morning.
We invite family over and spend a day making and frosting Christmas cookies
My husband has an Advent calender that has a little mouse you move each day. His mom used to hide candy or a dollar here or there in it, and I've started doing the same for my son, who is three. Every day before Christmas last year we got to move the mouse, and he adored it.
can't really say we have any being DINKS. hopefully that changes some day for us and we can start traditions with our kids. can't wait to get this book!
I love to make cookies for Christmas.
I love to attend the different musical Christmas programs during the Christmas season. There is one where I live put on by the Thursdays Music Club and they do a wonderful show every year in a beautiful church.
The tradition that started last year was I made Rachel (from p.s. i quilt) grandmother's recipe, grandmomma's sausage cheese. Then someone at work told me about Baked French Toast Casserole so I found that recipe and also made that. Both of these were a huge hit with my family and they asked for this to be our Christmas morning tradition. I'm looking forward to this year's Christmas morning when we sit down with both dishes and we all enjoy them before our activities start.
As our son was growing up we would set aside a day-no phones, just our fam, to decorate our Christmas tree. We would play Sound of Music or The Muppets Christmas Carol. We would have cocoa and hand made chocolates, cheese and crackers. It was such a wonderful time. He is 23 now, out on his own and I decorate the tree alone…new season.
Our favorite holiday tradition is to have Christmas breakfast together after opening presents. Due to in-laws the last five years, we only have Christmas together every other year so it's become even more special!
We started a new tradition for Christmas Eve, Chicken & Dumplings. I love my entire family together… any time of the year.
My favoirte holiday tradition is to not feel like you have to do the same thing every year. I have been sending Valentine cards instead of holiday cards…folks seem to enjoy a somewhat unexpected card.
We like to make a Christmas quilt together.
Making Krumkaka is a tradition I love. Actually eating them is the part I love best. fran.daoust@yahoo.com
I like to watch cheesy Christmas movies on Hallmark & Lifetime while I sew or cook. Nothing says the holidays like a dose of Christmas Cheese!
Besides traditional food prepared for these special holidays, I love Posadas! It is a big fiesta. People are divided in two groups: those who stay in the house and those who are outside. The ones outside play Joseph and Mary and sing asking for shelter. The ones inside sing along, asking who they are, where they come from and so. At the end, they open the doors to receive them and the party begins, a piñata is broken…
My favorite Holiday tradition is our candle light Christmas Eve service at my church!
I love driving around looking at Christmas lights. This year I'm going to start a new tradition with a advent calender and daily holiday activities.
one year my sister put a teeny tiny piece of kleenex over baby Jesus in our nativity – so the next year Mom knit a little blanket and we took turns who got to tuck him in.
We rotate celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving between my son's home, my daughter-in-law's parents home, and our home every year and each year someone has the year off.
We love to decorate the Christmas tree as a family!
I love having a lazy Christmas day, with lots of food, some pressies and great company.
Hugs
Naomi
I think our favorite Christmas tradition is when my husband reads a Christmas book–'Twas the Night Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc.–to the kids after we get back from church on Christmas Eve. My twins are 18 and my older daughter is 22 and pursuing a masters degree, but they still talk about piling into bed together and not arguing for the time that their dad reads out the story to them. 🙂 Then they go to their own separate rooms and ask us to not sleep too late on Christmas morning. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
One of my favourite Christmas traditions is preparing jars of goodies for presents. Love the baking to Christmas music, wrapping them up and giving them out!
Smoked salmon and champagne for Christmas breakfast with my husband:)
My favorite is going to church on Christmas Eve, it really is what Christmas is all about and it is the most beautiful service!!!!
Putting out the Christmas nativity. They're plaster figures that I hand-painted about a hundred years ago. The pieces have been loved – Joseph has a chip in his nose from kissing baby Jesus – and are very special. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.