Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Christmas Book Giveaway

Hand stitching is really popular these days. I especially love to do a little bit of embroidery or cross stitching around Christmas. For years, it's been a great way for me to relax whenever I start to feel a little of that holiday stress. Stitching something sweet and simple sure is calming and good for the soul.

Guess what? Because of all of your support and enthusiasm for my new Small & Scrappy book - I'm hosting a terrific Christmas giveaway this week through the generosity of my publisher. Martingale recently published a great book by Gail Pan - Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery - that has a ton of cute projects that combine quilting and embroidery with a Christmas theme. This book is just what you need! Gail's patterns include simple stitches with a whimsical touch. Sure to inspire you to make something for yourself or someone special for the holidays.



You may remember that Gail is also the author of the popular book Patchwork Loves Embroidery, also full of pretty projects that are simple and quick.


She creates her projects using basic embroidery techniques, so they're perfect for beginners. But fun for advanced stitchers too.

I had so much fun browsing through this book and looking at the beautiful photos. Now I'm really inspired to make something cute and special for Christmas. I still have time, right? We're expecting some more snow and dropping temperatures in the coming week so after I do some Christmas shopping tomorrow I'm going to sit down and make myself a cup of tea and cozy up under a quilt and do a little Christmas stitching.

Here are a couple of projects from the book -








Okay, so here's the deal - please read these instructions carefully to find out exactly what you have to do to win a copy of the book - 

  • Post a comment on my blog telling me about one of your special Christmas memories. Could be something that made your Christmas special as a child, could be something that made you smile as an adult. Make sure you leave your name and a way for me to contact you if you win (e-mail address). Some of you have not done this in the past when I've had a giveaway and it's a shame I had to skip over your name if you did not follow the instructions and there was no way I was able to contact you.

Take your time and leave me a comment - ONE comment only -  and your name will be entered into the drawing to win a copy of this sweet  book. Comments will close on Friday night and I will announce the winner on Saturday morning. Again, please leave your name and e-mail so I have a way of contacting you. Good luck! 


Make sure you go to Martingale's website or Facebook page to check out all of their latest book releases as well as the ones coming up next year. There are some wonderfully creative books coming out. 

Wait, I have one more Christmas present for you - There will be another giveaway for ANOTHER Christmas book after I announce the winner of this giveaway, so make sure you come back next week to get another chance to win a different Christmas book. Best news: Next year is also going to be full of giveaways (including one for my new book) so you will still have a chance to win something.


Happy Christmas Stitching!





176 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Gail's embroidery patterns. I have done some and they are so cute. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I just posted the above comment (Dec. 13 @ 2:08) and didn't add my name. Not sure if I was supposed to. Verna

Fran said...

Wow it is so hard to choose. I have so many wonderful Christmas memories. I love, love, love Christmas and we have many presents under the tree. One that makes me smile every time I think about it is when my grandson was very little and he said to me Gramma remember last year when you had all of those presents for us? I said yes and he looked up at me with the cutest little face and his eyes were so big and he said Could you do that again?

Char said...

I think my most memorable Christmas was when my son was in cub scouts in Memphis. That year at Christmas they asked the parents to volunteer for a night at the santa house. Santa had worked out an apearphone so that parents could tell him the child's name and a thing or two that they had asked for for Christmas. When those kids came up to see santa and he called them by name, the look on their face was priceless. But when he mentioned the things they had asked for they were in total awe! I loved the looks on their faces, the smiles, the happiness they expressed was so heartwarming! I'm so glad I columteerd to work that santa house.

Char Fischer. Fischercharlene@yahoo.com

Paige said...

When I was a child, my dad was on a trip as was stuck in a snow storm in Chicago and made it home just in time for Christmas. I still remember him walking in the door. It was a special Christmas. Thank you for the giveaway!

Ariane said...

My favourite memory of Christmas is having our sing along on Christmas Eve and eating tons of food, playing games. Having my moms baking. It was always so much fun.

sue bennett said...

I have never done any of Gail's patterns they are gorgeous.
One Christmas I found all of my presents and I opened them. Mom never did know that I did it. But maybe she did because nothing was a surprise. Never did it again.
Thanks for the chance to win Gails book. Looks like a good one.

Renée Welton said...

I have always loved Christmas. So many sweet memories, but my absolute favorite was the year I woke too early, ran into the living room and nothing was there! I was sure I had messed up big time. Well I went back to sleep and when I went i got up there were some beautiful presents, whew! What a relief! Everything is magical when you are a child. We've tried to make it special for our children and now grandchildren. Renée Welton
rcwliberty@gmail.com

Nancy said...

What a beautiful book. Thanks for telling us about it.

My favorite Christmas memory is actually a tradition: when our daughters were young we frequently visited a nearby historic village associated with our historical society. The village was alive with old-style Christmas traditions, decorations, music, and food. We loved every visit.

Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com)

Passing Time said...

My favorite Christmas memory is of Mr. Reynolds reciting "T'was The Night Before Christmas" at Christmas Eve programs in the Methodist Church I grew up in - Urban Park. You could have heard a pin drop and the Fellowship Hall was packed. I must have been about 5 - he always seemed like Santa Claus to me. That building no longer exists which brings tears to my eyes, but the memory will always be in my heart as the true essence of Christmas.

Barbara Cissne
barbaracissne@yahoo.com

wapiti said...

My first, oldest memory: I'm 6 years and because I had my first Communion just a week before Christmas, my father woke me up at 23.30 h to go to the church. I was very proud to come with my dad, but the mass lasted very long and I fell asleep.
This night was the start of a long tradition.
My nama is christ'l and I'm from Belgium.
I like this give away a lot!
My e-mail: christl.beyers@telenet.be

Unknown said...

Our cousins Christmas party on Christmas Eve was always the highlight of Christmas. Santa always made a visit and passed out small gifts. Such a grid time!

Anonymous said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I loved the first Christmas my youngest son celebrated. He got a Fisher Price Happy Apple and laughed at it all day.
Judy Knorr - jknorr@optonline.net

Marsha B said...

I remember one year my sisters and brother and I all spent Christmas eve at my parents home with all the grandkids. Everyone's gifts went under the tree and they filled half of the living room floor. What a site that was! All the grands were amazed when they got up Christmas morning to see that. It was a wonderful time. Thank you for a chance in the giveaway. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Marsha
beadsneagle2000 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I always loved Christmas. Since our two sons are grown and have families of their own, Christmas just doesn't seem the same. I am a quilter, knitter and embroiderer, so my love for the holidays continues, just in different ways.

Unknown said...

This will give you an idea how ooooold i am. We lived in the country and my mother was in charge of the Christmas Eve church program. It had been snowing and blowing all day. Dad did not have time to open the road so he hooked up his team of horses to the sleigh and away we went. That old sleigh was seldom used but what a memorable, exciting evening that was. We made it in plenty of time for the program.

Would love to win the book. I enjoy doing handwork.
Carol Gouveia
Cgouveia@q.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful book! It would be such a great Christmas present to win! My favorite memory was of my daughter during the Cabbage Patch Kid craze. We couldn't find a doll so we explained that she might not get one. She thought Santa could bring one, until I explained that might violate copyright law and she wouldn't want Santa in jail. (BTW: We were able to find a Cabbage Patch Kid for her after all.) She now uses that excuse with her kids. :) mjkonkel@tds.net

Unknown said...

Love these books, I was not aware of either of them till now.
One of my fondest memories was visiting relatives on Christmas and taking my new 2 month old grandson along in his little santa suit.
I had placed some battery operated lights around his carseat hood to really show him off. What fun.
Thanks Kathy,
Sue Kutil jrkutil@att.net

jec said...

i have wonderful memories of finally getting my 2 boys to bed and being up at 2 am dragging their gifts from hiding places all over the house, wrapping with the fireplace going, and watching the old black and white version of a christmas carol. then it would be time to write the letter from santa, eat his cookies, and leave the trail of half eaten carrots throughout the house that the reindeer left behind. i miss those days and look forward to someday doing that same ritual for my grandchildren. oh boy my boys now grown men better not read this or the cat will be out of the bag for sure.....happy holidays to all janet jecagain@gmail.com

beckykohn said...

One year I made christmas robes for my 3 sons and after they went to bed I finished them and when they got up in a few hours to go to candlight service they put them on for a minute and I had made them a little long. Well they looked like little angels running around. Then it started to snow for our trip to church. My favorite memory!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely book. I love to embroidery. When I was young I made little wash mitts for the 3 kids I babysat. I embroidered faces on the mitts and gave them to the kids for Christmas. Their Mom loved them as did the kids and I had so much fun making them.


Would like to wish you a Merry Christmas Kathleen. Thank you for sharing with us through out the year. Much appreciated.


Christine Gibbons


gibbyc57@yahoo.com

Yvonne said...

My best and worst Christmas was 6 year's ago. It was the first one after my mom's passing and it was the one my daughter was sick when she smelled the Christmas dinner and I realized she was pregnant.
Thanks for giving the opportunity for this give-away. Yvonne van Rijn

'suzanne said...

At our church we always have a live Nativity scene. I so much enjoy participating in this for our community. We have had visitors stop on the way thru our town. In the past we have had live farm animals and live music playing.

Suzanne Moubray
eyefsh@aol.com

Joanne said...

That looks like a lovely book! Thanks for the chance at winning a copy.
My best Christmas memories are just the simple times spent with my husband and children - I love this time of the year, we really make a point to keep things simple, do things together, and not get caught up in the hype from the outside world.
joannethreadhead(at)gmail(dot)com

Karen McMahon said...

I have fond memories of frosting cookies with my Mom & brothers. We each did the same shape each year. I always did the yellow stars. Dad always appeared in time to test them!

Susie said...

My most favourite Christmas and Winter memory was of my Mom and Dad and my Grandma and Grandad and I with the dogs sat around in front of a roaring fire on a Saturday afternoon playing Monopoly and then having tea in front of the fire. I was only eight at the time but I can still remember the smell of the fire and the lights as it was dark and cold day. I will cherish that memory for ever especially as they have all passed now.

Thank you for a lovely giveaway and Merry Christmas.

Hugs, Susie x

Ellie said...

My favorite Christmas memory is the one when our first grand child was born. We got a phonecall about 5:30 AM on Christmas morning. Our son and his wife were at the hospital! The had been ther a couple of hours but things were going slowly with this first baby. We jumped in the car and drove the three hours to the hospital in their town. The road were empty and the temps were in the single digits. We finally arrived at the hospital and a couple of hours later our dear grandson was born. That was a Christmas we will never forget!
Ellie
Elively@indy.rr.com



Catskill Quilter said...

My favorite Christmas memories are of my father carefully decorating the Christmas tree every year. He was very methodical and his face glowed with enthusiasm!

Rosemary said...

So many, many memories that bring a smile to my face. I remember wondering how Santa came into our house since we didn't have a fireplace/chimney. I thought it was amazing that he was so magical he could come through the keyhole on our door! One of my favorite as an adult was hand sewing little tiny Tammy (Barbie look-alike) clothes for my oldest daughter. From gowns to pj's .. what fun and special for her!

I love embroidery and Gail's patterns are special. Thanks for the great giveaway.

Mary said...

Going to Grandma's house for Christmas Eve - we always had waffles and sausages. Grown-ups take a long time to eat!
I love Gail's designs! I was able to take a class from her last spring in McCall, Idaho. Thanks for the give-away!

Deborah from Valparaiso said...

So many memories to choose from.....it might be that first kitten ever!

Love the book!

Joyce Carter said...

Thank you for the chance to win this book. My favorite Christmas memory was the first Christmas we spent with our new grandson. The way his eyes lit up and his laughter is something I will always remember.

Joyce Carter
jrcarter727@gmail.com

Debra said...

I love Gail Pan's designs, mostly because I enjoy combining patchwork and quilting with embroidery. My husband and I became engaged one Christmas Eve many years ago. We always had a large family gathering with a traditional dinner, after which additional family and friends would stop by for cookies and eggnog. At one point, my then-boyfriend and I went for a walk in the softly-falling snow, and he popped the question. It was great fun to surprise the family with the news!

marie said...

Would love to have this book. My favorite memory is when the family went to Colorado and spent time in the snow, took the Durango train, and a horse sleigh ride in the moon light to a hide away cabin for a cowboy dinner with only lanterns for light.
mariebeers4@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite memory is one that continues year after year....when I am decorating our tree, it is like rediscovering all of the beautiful ornaments we have received over the years....some were handmade especially for us and they bring back such lovely memories...we have one ornament that was made by a friend using a goose egg...it is dated 1986!! We have several that were cross-stitched just for us...some were bought for us, representing our love of the beach, some represent our hobbies (photography, for my husband, quilting for me)....there are some that were used by my husband's family on their tree when he was a little boy....while decorating the tree has become a harder task as I have grown older, this is, and always will be, a favorite part of Christmas because of so many beautiful memories.
Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway...good luck to all who enter!
Sandra B
scb304@juno.com

fournieces said...

My best Christmas memories are of the family traditional Polish Christmas Eve celebration with my grandmother. Great customs, company, celebration!
Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Gena Stewart genalstewart@gmail.com

Material Girl said...

I remember snowy footprints on the floor from the chimney to the tree when I was really young. My dad was a milkman and he made the footprints. He had to wake us up before he went to work or he wouldn't be there when we awoke. My father died when I was seven so there aren't many memories of him. Merry Christmas and I LOVE Gail Pan designs.

Judy said...

When I was a kid, I would go to my grandparent's house as often as I could. I always ran to the parlor first to see my great grandfather. He was always there, sitting in an ornate wood rocking chair and almost silently whistling "Jingle Bells." Great grandfather passed away when I was 13, and my grandparents sold his chair at an auction. Years later when I was married and had kids of my own, Grammie asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told her what I really wanted was Grandfather's chair. Lo and behold, they had sold it to a neighbor who was willing to sell it back to them. What a surprise I got that Christmas! Now my grandson has his great, great grandfather's rocking chair.
Judy Chastain

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathy, Gail's books both look wonderful. I don't have either of these and appreciate a chance to win one. I would say my favorite Christmas memory is baking Christmas goodies, always had that to look forward to. To this day, every year, daughters and I still bake, in fact this Sunday is our baking day (I can't wait!). I enjoyed reading what all the comments have been thus far too. Merry Christmas to you and your family Kathy:)

Blessings,
Jennifer M
stonehousequilting@frontier.com

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I love to stitch! Hard to choose one memory over others, but one year our oldest DS totally surprised us and flew home. His sister was in on the surprise and took care of the details and I had no idea! It was really special as he lives across the country from us. Thanks for the fun! crazy(dot)boutquilts(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nancy said...

I love Christmas. The Grand kids are older now so we get together after the meal and play Left, Right, Center with quarters and they love it. They are 21 and older. Everyone plays. I supply the quarters for all. Would love to win that book. Nancy P. nplyman@yahoo.com

LavenderBlue said...

When I was 13, I carefully removed the Scotch tape and opened one package under the tree while my Mom was still at work. I was hoping it was a panda bear stuffed animal...and it was!! But having it not be a surprise on Christmas morning cured me of ever doing that caper again. That is the only time I was ever sneaky as a kid.
Mom is gone now, but I can't remember if I ever told her.
Merry Christmas Kathleen to you and yours!

Brooxie brooxiem@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Oh how I would love to have this book
Beverly
Gilson bevg10@hotmail.com
thanks so much

TheLakeshore said...

Christmas as a child...my very creative mother would go to great lengths to paint our very large picture window to include children playing with deer and skaters on a rink. It was always magical! -Jeanne Lucas thelakeshore@sbcglobal.net

Candee said...

How fun Kathy! We just made a couple of my favorite memories. We visited Galena, IL where the town was full of luminaries, and it was like a beautiful old fashioned Christmas. It was the first time my daughter's saw real live Carolers. The weekend before we went to a Christmas parade with floats covered in Christmas lights. Wonderful times! I love Gail's designs and have the other book you showed. I had the pleasure of meeting her & her buddies at the Madison Quilt Expo. Thank you for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

One of my most Special Memory's of Christmas Past,is the year my sister and I received a beautiful furnished Doll House. It was so elaborate and detailed.To me,it was bittersweet because I knew how hard my parents worked and how little we had,as far as material things! Rich in Love+Giving though!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVEAWAY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU+YOURS!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

martha mumaw said...

I really enjoy Gail Pan's work and know I will love her book.

Theresa Westrup said...

My favorite memory is getting in the car with my Mom and Dad and siblings and driving around town to look at all the beautiful lights. I still do it!
foleywestrup@gmail dot com

Angelia Lanouette said...

I love Christmas and have many wonderful memories! The first one that comes to mind is the year that we rescued two 8 week old kittens from our local shelter. It was only 2 days before Christmas and we had so much fun trying to keep them out of the tree and from destroying the presents under it. They are now 12 years old and still try to do their best to redecorate the tree :D

belarmina said...

Gracias por la oportunidad de participar
tengo uno de tus libros y es maravilloso, Recordando a Adelia
en España uno de los días mas importante de las fiestas
es el 6 de enero dia de Reyes es el día de lso regalos
el día 5 víspera en todos los pueblos y ciudades
se celebra una cabalgata (desfile )
con los tres Reyes Magos y sus pajes
ver las caritas de los nietos y todos los niños es lo mas maravilloso
saludos desde Gijos-España

Ann in PA said...

Kathy, I love embroidery & have also been working on embroidered gifts and adding embroidery to quilts. I'm thrilled that several of my granddaughters have made embroidered projects. Making Christmas cookies with my Mother & Grandmother is something that makes me smile. I continue that tradition of "making memories"with my daughters and grandchildren. Just this week I had a special request for "Michigan Rocks"! : )))

Sher B said...

My special Christmas memory is from when I was in the fifth grade. Our school split the classes and grades into morning and afternoon sessions. By the time I arrived home it was already getting dark. As the bus came to our driveway I was amazed at the transformation of our home. Mom had decorated each window with colorful light strings and electric candles with red bulbs. It was snowing softly which added to the magical scene! I stood in the driveway to enjoy the sight and thanked God for having such a wonderful country home!

Mom will soon celebrate her 80th birthday this month and still decorates with window lights, candles and makes her home magical each year. I too have followed her tradition!

Gail Pan has wonderful patterns, I would be so thrilled to win her Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery book! Thank you for holding this drawing and for sharing your sweet little quilts and patterns!

Happy Holidays!
Sher

Heartsdesire said...

During the 1970s, my husband and I owned a ski cabin at Whistler Mountain, BC. One of my favourite memories is of getting the kids (4) together and cutting our own Christmas tree. We brought it home and put on the lights and all the homemade decorations the kids had made (paper chains, etc.) and then, after dinner, going out in the snow and walking around our street singing Christmas carols. Even though, it was freezing cold, we all had a wonderful time, and even now, the kids (adults) still talk about it and wish we could do it again.

herky907 said...

WE grew up out in the country and a fellow my dad worked with played Santa and came out to our house every year and we each got our own box of chocolate stars- an unheard of treat.

Mary
hawkbmjp@mchsi.com

Kathy D said...

What sweet embroidery designs. I need a little stress release this holiday - what a good idea. My parents are antique collectors, so I grew up in antique shops, shows, and auctions. When I was in about the fifth grade - around 1967 or 1968 - Santa brought me my heart's desire: an antique secretary. My parents had hidden it in the garage and had to bring it into the house through the snow. They were slipping and sliding and giggling with it under my window on Christmas Eve. I slept through the whole thing. Santa also brought a china doll that I traded later for a bisque sweetheart. I was a weird child.

scrappy101 said...

Christmas memories of holiday cooking, the smells, lights and Christmas trees with a special church service.

Love Gail's design, came across her book at the Quilt shop, and began to follow her Blog, FB.
lettyshirkey@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Sheri in Iowa said...

I love decorating our tree and bringing out ornaments that my grandparents made and the one from my birthday and of the course the ones the kids made when they were little. My trees are little memory chests of wonder and joy! It is one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the holiday season. Wishing you a blessed Christmas as well Kathy. Hugs,
Sheri in Iowa
leshsheri@gmail.com

PS What a wonderful giveaway. I just sat and made a cute little felt elf while watching the football game Sunday night. Such a little satisfying project and sticken' cute!

Anonymous said...

My special memory is my mother's Italian cookies she made every year. I sure miss her and the wonderful memories she made for us. Thank you for this giveaway.

Catherine
august1375.c@aol.com

Kathy Kelley said...

Merriest of Christmas to you our graacious leader, you keep us together and always so inspired. fav Christmas was the first one as a brand new wife then mama at the age of 16. still married to that wonderful man57 years later and lots of Christmas memories have been made. Thank you Kathy for all of your creations and encouragement.
Kathy K
kelley.farms@frontier.com

cityquilter grace said...

when i was a child, my dad worked construction, a seasonal job. this particular year, he worked right up until christmas eve and then was laid off for the winter...more work for him meant a better christmas for us kids in terms of presents...plus more security for our family...i remember my parents being happy about this...

Carla said...

Best of luck to all those who have commented. The books are a wonderful gift, Kathy, thank you!!! I have them both so no need to win a copy, just want to say Thank you, and Merry Christmas everyone!

Tina W. In Oregon said...

There are many fun Christmas memories but one that comes to mind is when my dad would pick us four kids up from school on the day we got out for Christmas vacation. We all jammed into the pickup we had and went up into the mountains to find our Christmas tree! What a fun time we had!
Merry Christmas and thanks for the chance to win the stitchery books!

marian said...

Gail Pan is as lovely in person as she is talented.. i love her whimsical stitcheries!
My favorite Christmas memory is of my children when they were little. The expressions of delight on their sweet little faces at seeing the presents that Santa had delivered, and then the shrieks of excitement as they tore into them. A memory that still warms my heart and makes me smile :))

Donna said...

Past Christmas times hold many fond memories - some sweet, some dear, some cheesy and some funny. Here is a funny favorite - my baby brother is 7 years younger. He was 7-8 when he started hearing that Santa might not be real. He decided to ask me instead of the parents. I told him the truth; adding don't let mom and dad know you know because if they find out you know all you will get is clothes. Years later my mom revealed she had overheard the conversation. We laugh about this every year. Donna fweeatwast(at)yahoo(dot)com Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

I love the idea of embroidery on a Christmas Quilt. I am already thinking ahead to a Christmas tree skirt for next year. I would love to win this Embroidery Book by Gail Pan. She is a wonderful designer.
Diane Ranshaw
ranshaw.diane@gmail.com

Deborah said...

Thank you for the give away. Cute projects for sure.
Wishing you Happy Holidays.
Deborah
Russhill@beecreek.net

Sydney said...

I loved all the Christmas Eve's that my kids would race around the hose gathering the cookies and milk for Santa and grabbing jammies so they could get to bed so Santa could come...one year my younger son wanted to go to bed at 6pm! It was a long night that year!
I love this book! Love red work and would love to make all the projects!
Sydney Holmwood
sydney120@aol.com

Lee said...

I love Christmas and all the homemade decorations! One year, I made a unique cross stitch ornament for each of my family members. It must have been at least a dozen! I had so much fun finding patterns and using different color fabrics! This book looks amazing and I am going to add it to my wishlist if I don't win! Thanks for the chance. I am Lee at lee_gifford@hotmail.com

Sylvia Jacobus said...

Just opened a box in which I found a patchwork Christmas stocking from an old quilt. My long lost friend made it for me. She lost her second battle with cancer. Having this memory of her and this wonderful quilt stocking whose history is unknown really warmed my heart and put me into the spirit of this season.
Sylvia Jacobus
sewnvintage@gmail.com

ruthie said...

My favorite Christmas memory is of my dad reading the Christmas story to us from his Bible before we opened presents. Now I enjoy decorating cookies with my grandchildren.

Kathy MacKie said...

I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas as a child, searching for the perfect tree, hot chocolate afterwards, playing with all my cousins and oh yes...the presents and candy!

scottylover said...

When I was 7 or 8 there was a present under the tree that I just could not figure out what it was. It was dome-shaped and I just couldn't remember what I had on my list that was shaped like that. My dad kept teasing me, telling me he would tell me what it was if I told him what was in his packages. I knew better than to tell him because I would NOT get the present if I did. It was fun, though, trying to guess what it was! (It was a Barbie airplane!)

Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandy A
scotty4me39 (at) yahoo:dot: com

saltandpepper said...

My fondest memories of Christmas are going to my Grandma's house on Christmas day with our family and meeting all of my cousins there. She was from Sweden and made all the traditional Swedish foods...Swedish meatballs, spritz cookies, homemade root beer and other treats. The house was decorated for Christmas, always with a real pine tree and large colored lights,and always smelled so good. Grandma always made each of us girls a hanky with colorful crocheted edges, some of which I still have. So many good memories of family and fun. Thank you for this chance to win the lovely give-away. The book looks so interesting. Love the embroidery. ~Christine ciesie@sbcglobal.net

Emily RP said...

My special memories at Christmas and other times were always spent at our grandparents house. They lived in a large humble old house on 17 acres, had a simple life with simple traditions. They raised eight children, who had children of their own. We lived next door to them most of our lives. My grandmother was a woman who loved to cook for her family. I remember her homemade biscuits, baked fresh every morning, her cornbread dressing, and her special pies and cakes. Some of the food prepared for the meals always came from their garden. No matter what holiday, my grandfather always remembered to have candy and fruit for the grandchildren. We all looked forward to seeing all the family gather together for the holidays. As long as our grandparents lived, we were all there for Christmas. We always said we were going HOME. And, we were....

Kathleen,thank you for the opportunity of your giveaway. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Christmas this year at HOME.
Emily Pennington
cottonboll1874@gmail.com

Joan said...

Beautiful book! Love everything Gail Pan! My favourite memory would be my children visiting Santa and riding the Christmas train in Eaton's Department Store. The kids always looked forward to this day every year.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathleen Love your site and would love to win the book. I love embroidery and small quilts. Thank you for the chance, Sharon Lake bedreamer333@yahoo.com.

AsktheLandlady said...

My favorite memory is making homemade Christmas ornaments with my family every year. Wendy Myers wkmyers@me.com

Joyful Quilter said...

I tell all the kids that I have proof Santa is real. When I was little (about 4 or 5) I got out of bed one Christmas Eve and walked into the living and saw all the Christmas gifts from Santa...but our stockings were still empty. I went back to bed and when I woke up the next morning our stocking were also full. Proof. (My mother says I have a very big imagination).

Lois McCoy said...

I grew up doing embroidery -- still love it! one of my favorite recent Christmas memories is the year I made three quilts for Christmas gifts ..... a wedding quilt for my son and DIL, a quilt for my daughter, and a quilt for my first grandchild!
Lois

Sally Hurst said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the joy I had at giving my mother a beautiful doll for Christmas, when she was in her mid to late 70's. She grew up very poor on a farm in Minnesota, and never received "store bought" Christmas gifts growing up. She always wished for a special doll, but never got one. When she told me that, not too many years ago, I decided to get her a doll for Christmas. I picked out the prettiest doll in the store for her, and sent it to her in Colorado. She was so surprised and pleased, and proudly displayed it on a table in her home. I loved seeing it there and remembering buying it for her, when I would visit her.

Sally Hurst said...

I just left the above comment and forgot to add my email address. It is hurstjsj@gmail.com

the girlfriend gap said...

Best Christmas memory was hiding a wrapped cell phone in the Christmas tree for my daughter and then calling it after all of the presents were opened. She was a senior in high school and was so excited to get it before graduation. Love Gail's work. Thank you for a chance to win. Janita Abbas nannyjsewsweet@gmail.com

Melody M said...

My favorite Christmas memory was getting engaged!
melody4750@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

One of my favourite Christmas memories was as a child in England to go from door to door Carol singing with a few school friends.
We would finish our evening trying to get warm again drinking a hot chocolate and eating mince pies.
This is my first time to comment on your blog, thank you for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Kathleen! Thank you for this opportunity to add to my library. The first year we were married we only had a small paper tree that sat on the coffee table, but I knew it wouldn't always be that way and I began a crochet granny square tree skirt. It was finished and ready for use the very next year and we've used it every year since--42 years now! Every time I retrieve it for each year's use it reminds me of our first Christmas together. Trudy gmaboys138@gmail.com

regan said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories from childhood is the year that we hadn't had any snow yet, and then waking on Christmas morning to freshly falling snow....it was magical! That was the year we got those big round disc sleds....so it was perfect! We were sledding all day!
Thanks for the chance at winning that beautiful book!
Regan at happyinmaine@roadrunner.com

Beth said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories is one of my earliest. I remember being very little, and acting out "Silent Night" for my toddler brother, so he could understand what we were singing about, by the Christmas tree. I still remember cradling my arms, as if I were rocking the baby Jesus, while I looked at my little brother, who seemed incredibly precious to me at that moment. How is it possible that it's been 50 years, 50 Christmases since that moment?

Sew Happy said...

My one special memory is my grandmother’s popcorn balls. They came after dinner and when all the gifts were opened. Then we were able to take one home for the next day. My dad’s never got home. It was a long 1 1/2 hr drive after dark over rural two lane roads.

Happy Holidays- merry Christmas.
Donna

pascale said...

i love christmas !!! thank you for the giveaway !

Unknown said...

One of my favorite memories was when I was maybe 5 or 6 years old and both of my brothers were home for Christmas from the service. My parents were so happy and it was nice to all be together again!!
Cindy. Rjeandcse@solarus.net

Anonymous said...

MY FAV ORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIE WAS MY TWIN GRANDDAUGHTERS FIRST CHRISTMAS HEAR AS THEY LIVE IN CAL. BUT CAME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. I MADE CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR THEM AND THEY FIT NICELY IN THEM GREAT PICTURES TO TEASE THEM WITH WHEN THEY ARE OLDER . hjrogers@sympatico.ca

Shannon said...

I have many wonderful Christmas memories, but I loved how we always went out into the woods to search for a Christmas tree. Daddy would drive the tractor with everyone else piled into the wagon behind him. Our trees didn't look as perfect as those sold in stores today, but they were absolutely perfect to us. My name is Shannon and I am so glad that I came across your blog with the beautiful quilts you make. I had already had two of your books before I realized that A Sentimental Quilter was you. LOL. Merry Christmas! shannonkayphelps@gail.com

Lynn S said...

One of my best memories was created this year. I taught my little 5 year old grand-daughter how to embroider! Together, over many months, we made a little tea towel that is a kitten in a teapot. She is going to give it to her mommy for Christmas. She is so proud of her special project and I have lots of wonderful memories of the whole time with her!

Gail said...

Thanks so much for your lovely blog post about my books. It was amazing to be reading through my blog list and see this! Merry Christmas!!

Chris Appleby said...

Mine is going to my grandparents interstate for Christmas but Santa came early to our house to bring our big presents....now how did he know?
Then on Christmas day my uncle took my brother and me for a drive while lunch was cooking we went up into the Australian mountainous area outside Wollongong and drove ariund looking for Tinkabell, yelling out the open car windows we didn't find her but my uncle did find a 10 cent coin behind my ear. It was a fun Christmas.

Pauline said...

Gail I love your work and have made many of your lovely embroideries, and will continue to do so. I have lovely memories of singing in the choir as a child at Midnight Christmas Eve service.
Pauline
perry94022 at hotmail dot com

Donna F ... joyfulquilter58@yahoo.com said...

One of my favorite memories took place about 25 years ago. My gram had made Santa ornaments of plastic canvas...their mouths opened when squeezed. There was one for each of my family...5 total. Christmas morning my husband sent me on a hunting trip to find my gift. I wasn't having success, so he gave me a clue that it was on the tree. Still could not find it. Finally he told me there were 5 ornaments the same. After more searching, I realized it was in one of gramps Santa's. Opening the last one, I found a beautiful Opal and diamond ring!
Christmas magic!

DebMac said...

Christmas 1983 was certainly very special for our family. With a house rebuilt to lockup stage (after Ash Wednesday in Victoria) we celebrated Christmas with a very small pine tree, found after a long drive out of the burnt area. We decorated it with very little, it was absolutely beautiful though, and Santa found his way to us, leaving a few precious gifts for our 3 small children. We were all together and that was the very best part of that Christmas.😊 Debbie McDonald
debmac35@gmail.com

GranChris said...

What I remember most as a child is making candy and cookies to give to friends and neighbors. I did the same with my children and now with my Grandchildren. So much fun.

Dana Wild said...

I would love to win this book. I truly love hand stitching. I have since I was a young girl. Thanks for a chance to win.
Dana

Unknown said...

My favourite Christmas memory was made when my three granddaughters all used to decorate our family Christmas tree, can't say it was aesthetically perfect but it certainly showed they had great fun doing it.

Vlijtige Handjes said...

I just want to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and an inspirationel, happy new year!

Unknown said...

Mum always made our Christmases special. I loved that all our family crowded around the table, laughing and playing tricks on eachother. Mum would yell at us but i use to catch a glimpse if a loving smile that she thought we didn't see. She loved us all and our antics. Thats my loving memories of christmas. Wish you all a very merry christmas and dont forget to make lots of memories. ��

Unknown said...

One of my great Christmas memory was receiving a special hand stitched from a friend! I love seeing myself so I know it's a labour of love ! Just saying love Gail's work! barbharvey 7771@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My most memorable childhood Christmas or should I say non memorable due to getting concussion Christmas Eve, falling asleep in the sun and getting heat stroke. I slept through Christmas Day waking Boxing Day to my very own special Christmas with all the trimmings, my Mum and Gran made sure they saved me Christmas food including the famous Christmas trifle, didn't eat much as I was still very weak but the thought they did that for me is the most precious, I was 11 (50 yrs ago!)
Tracy Hele. tracyj2310@hotmail.com

Janet said...

A wonderful memory was making a paper pieced log cabin quilt for my daughter for Christmas. I was a newby and meticulously made each block only to find out I didn't need to paper piece the blocks. My daughter was married and living in another state, but she was more than ecstatic !!

Unknown said...

My favourite Christmas memory is going to Midnight Mass and singing all the carols.
mezzah56@gmail.com

MoeWest said...

The first time I met my grandson was just before Christmas 12 years ago. That was a very special Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I really love Gails projects as they are so beautifull and everything looks cozy if you just look at the pictures. Exactly what I love - and exactly what makes "christmas" for me. The warm christmas colours, the lights and candles. A quiet moment with a cup of tea...
Frauke Braunschmidt (frauke.braunschmidt@t-online.de)

Sue said...

My favourite memory is being locked in my bedroom on Christmas Eve once the kids had gone to bed so I could wrap all their presents. Made for a very late night.


Sue - mumm24boys@hotmail.com

Mary A said...

My favorite Christmas memory is of my wedding! We were married 43 years ago very close to Christmas on Dec. 21st. I really enjoyed my first Christmas as a married woman all those years ago.

annie said...

When I was small during, Daddy was sick, and out of work. There was six of us kids, we had nothing. Good men of the church brought us Christmas. They came in long black wool coats, and wool dress hats. I remember them stomping off their shoes coming in carrying Christmas, a cedar tree, ornaments, bubble lights, a star, presents, coats and shoes for us, veggies, flour, sugar, and lard. They brought a big ham, and coal for the stove, and candy. It was the most bountiful Christmas we ever had. I still remember being rich that year, because we lived in poverty. My Momma ironed clothes for $1.00 a starched ironed cotton basket load. That was the way she got food for us. She mixed the starch, there wasn't any spray starch back then. It has been over fifty years, and I was just a little kid, bug I still remember.i

Your giveaway sounds great, they publish wonderful books.

Nikki said...

My favourite memory is when my boys were small and their faces when they came downstairs and saw Santa had delivered some presents for them, magical, not the same now they are older!
Nikki.harrington7@brinternet.com

Nikki said...

Nikki.harrington7@btinternet.com

Steffi said...

Ooo wie schön, ich liebe deine Anleitungen!
Mein Favorit sind die Christmas Anleitungen vor allem die Blöcke mit den Rentieren haben es mir angetan!
Liebe Grüße
Steffi

Joy Meetis said...

Even though I loved Christmas as a child, (of course, who didn't love waking up to see what Santa left them!) I think it is even more magical now seeing my kids enjoy it! My son is autistic and I see how excited he gets which is wonderful because I know he knows something is coming, but I don't know how much he understands about Santa. My daughter is very expressive so I know she gets it. I just love seeing how much they enjoy it in their different ways.
Thank you very much for the chance to win and I wish you a Merry Christmas!🎄
Joy Meetis joysnoop78@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

As my husband is in hospital and probably not at home for christmas my best christmas memories are the onces when our family was together for christmas.
m.palthe@live.nl

Anonymous said...

My favourite memory of Christmas is running down stairs with my brothers and sister into the kitchen where we had to wait for our parents before we were allowed into the lounge! We would giggle and sneak a peek through the dining hatch into the room to see if santa had been! The excitement and love we had as children is a lasting memory I cherish. michellecook391@btinternet.com

Kleine Vingers said...

My happiest christmas memory is going to the movies with my brother and dad on the second day of christmas the 26st. Many greetings.
aubphg (at) hotmail (dot) com

LindyloufromOz! said...

My favourite Christmas memory as an adult was when I visited family in England and we attended church for the midnight service. When the service had finished and we came out of the church it started snowing and turned my home town into a magical place. I felt I was in a snow dome as it was so very very quiet and peaceful. Email: lynndelahunty@gmail.com. Happy Christmas Gail! 😃

marianne said...

Hard to choose,here is every Christmas filled with memory`s.
But those days in the past with my parents are and stayed very special.

Betsy said...

Kathleen a few weeks ago in religious education class I learned about a Jesse tree and it's biblical inspiration,now I want to design a quilt based on it.

Thankful Threads said...

My favorite Christmas with the kids was always riding around and seeing the great light displays. Wonderful memories! brown.k [at] centurytel.net

Darla said...

I enjoy creating little inspriational messages in embroidery projects especially turning them into quilted wallhangings. Have a fabulous day! It's Brrrr cold up here in northern Wisconsin, but we love it! Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

LyndaTreen said...

Oh my I would have to say my favorite Christmas memory was when I found out we were expecting our first son. I have had nothing but pleasure and joy from that Christmas. He is now 43 and just retired from the Army. So proud of him and his brother who was born Jan 5th 9 years later. But the books are absolutely beautiful and would make a perfect addition to my library. Merry Christmas!!!! Lynda Treen harlyn180@comcast.net

Elisa (AKA scrapcat) said...

I am one of seven kids in a single-income household. But Christmas morning was always bountiful (How did Mom do that?) Each Christmas AM we were not allowed to wake the folks until after 7am, but we were allowed to open our stockings which always contained candy, a small present and a Chunky (square, thick chocolate bar). 40 years later my siblings give each other Chunkys during the holidays to remind ourselves of those Christmas mornings.

Thank you for the chance to win Gail's new book.

catsthatquilt@yahoo.com

maggyprime said...

Cutting down our own Christmas tree and than having it fall of the car!

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas time and Gail's design , in this occasion I like to embroidery many presents for my parents and Friends !
My Christmas memory was receiving a special box of drawing colours pencils ! Thanks for the chance to win the stitchery books! Merry Christmas ���� email: claudio.raho@fastwebnet.it

Bubba and Nana said...

My favorite Christmas memory was the time when Our two girls and their families were all here....our little family together and went to the mountains for an old fashioned sleigh ride. Beautiful bright sunny and cold day and young and old enjoying each other and the beauty of nature. Special times to be all together. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Terry mmccloskey2@juno.com

ozone3 said...

Every Christmas is special, because that's when my DH & I get together with family.

Shelley said...

I lovingly remember the Christmas that came a few months after I got engaged to my husband. In between working and "courting" me, he found time to make me a beautiful blanket chest. By 21, I already had the quilting bug and my heart was bursting that he had noticed. Thirty years later,that chest still sits at the end of our bed, full of my quilts :) Thanks for the lovely giveaway!

Christie said...

I love Gail's work! Have a couple of her books and have actually made some of her projects! So would love to win this book! Being a grandparent now for 8 years has really changed our Christmases - I love to celebrate with the Grands, as I remember doing with my grandparents. Christmas Eve service at Church and then driving around looking at the light displays "make" each Christmas. Merry Christmas and thank you for hosting this give away! HUGS... and stitches Christie @ queenbeechefathotmaildotcom

Abbie said...

I love this book! I would love to win! There are such cute projects in it! abbiesimons@hotmail.com

Marlene said...

I love embroidery, especially Christmas projects.

My favorite memories revolve around family gatherings, whether as a child or now with my own family.

Kris said...

I love all of your designs.
Christmas is my favorite holiday, but I am very behind this year. I could work on Christmas projects all year.

LuAnn said...

One of my favoRite Christmas memories is of the year I received a life like baby doll! My twin sister and I were probably 7 or 8 years old and often spent much of Christmas mornings sitting on opposite sides of the living room opening our gifts out of site if the other twin. Lol! We often got matching gifts and didn't want to see what the other got until we had opened ours! Anyway, that year the big gift was a life size and feel baby doll and I loved her! My mom had gone to all of her friends who had recently had babies and collected a lot of their outgrown baby clothes. We not only each had a doll but also about 20 real baby outfits to dress them in. We spent our days dressing and undressing our babies and playing house together. I loved that doll! Thanks for letting me share that precious memory, Kathy. Merry Christmas! Luann716@hotmail.com

JMinKS said...

Oh, my favorite memory is decorating the tree with my mother. Each ornament hung just so. And each strand of tinsel...hung gently on a branch to display its shimmering beauty. As a child, it seemed that it took forever...but the result was SO beautiful! Lighting the tree the first evening after decorating it was absolutely magical!!!

Anonymous said...

Pat C.
There are many Christmas memories that are favorites. One Christmas
our three kids were having a hard time getting to sleep. They heard what sounded like bells and thought it was Santa's reindeer. However
it was the neighbors dog out before bed and his dog tags sounded just
like bells. But it convinced them and they went right to bed!

Chris said...

One of my most memorable Christmas memories is of going to the woods with my brother with a large tractor on a very snowy day to cut our own tree. We felt very adventurous as we searched through large drifts for the perfect tree.
Chris at chris.cater@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Barb Fowler ~ LBNorthstar@msn.com I don't know if I'd call this my favorite memory, but it is the one I get the most chuckles from now that I'm an adult. In 1956 my brother and I received boxing gloves from Santa. The back story is that I was a bit of a bully to my younger brother and my dad decided we both needed a lesson. And boy did we both get it that day. My shy, kind brother, became a boxing dynamo when my dad put those gloves on him, and I (his big sister) learned that I was no match for someone with a desire not to be "beaten down" any longer. Even though my brother was younger and smaller, he was determined to win this battle, so my second lesson was one in respect for my brother that has lasted all these years and fortunately we can both laugh at it now. My brother became my best friend after that, which turned out to be the best gift of all. My dad has been gone for many years now, but my brother and I (the first two of ten) still remain close even though we have never lived near to each other since leaving home to be married. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Anonymous said...

Cathie Rabyniuk Jim.cathier@gmail.com. As a child we always opened our Nana's gift Christmas Eve. It was always new Pajama's. I think that was my mom's way of getting us to go to bed. Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

My most memorable Christmas was when I was 12 years old. I spent time watching my Great Aunt, along with my Mom and older sister, sitting around the table as they embroidered the most beautiful things, all the time chatting, laughing and having such a wonderful time. I asked my sister if she would teach me to do embroidery work too, as I was in awe of these women in my life. Well, she taught me, and I spent hours of time, hand stitching gift items that I had bought with my baby sitting money. I was thrilled to see the joy on their faces (as they opened their first gifts from me) and the look of approval that I had done a good job learning my stitches. My Mom and Great Aunt have since passed on and I am now in my 60's, and guess who I am stitching for. Yes, the same sister that taught me the lovely gift, of stitching memories of love. Merry Christmas.... <3 Roxanne Bowerman Roxiesweetbriar@gmail.com

sandy from BC said...

I am working an an embroidery piece now for Christmas. I am doing it in redwork, not sure if it will be ready for this year, but I am enjoying the process.
slowery@shaw.ca

carol jo said...

This book looks like the perfect combination of small quilts, hand quilting and embroidery. I would love to win it. I don't have any one special Christmas memory, but all were so wonderful when my boys were young and everything was such an adventure and surprise to them.
I didn't think we could leave a comment with out having an email address, so just in case, It's crazymtqt@aol.com

Thanks a bunch and Merry Christmas to you and yours Kathleen. Love your new book I just received.

Unknown said...

About 10 years ago our daughters came home for Christmas from college. Grandma was at our house. The snow was coming down so hard and the roads were impassable. We decided we couldn't get to church that Christmas Eve, so we had cookies and got chocolate around the Kitchen table. One daughter read the Christmas story from her Bible to us. Another found a little recorder from their childhood and played a few Christmas songs. We made the best of it and enjoyed the night.
Joyce Cannon
Joycecannon16@gmail.com

MarshaB said...

I love, love, Christmas and would love to win Gail's Christmas stitchery book. I looked at it on Martingale's website last week and thought it was so sweet!

I can't think of one special Christmas, they are all special. I love the decorating and the Christmas songs and movies and lights. I can't say I enjoy the shopping because it's pretty much just myself and my husband. But I love the Reason for the Season! Merry Christmas to all!

quiltmeister55@yahoo.com

Jan said...

Thank you for hosting this giveaway. My memory would be our family tradition of hanging stockings on Christmas Eve. We did not have "pretty" stockings....we just picked the biggest sock we could find. On Christmas morning we would find our stocking filled with candy, nuts and an orange (in the toe). It was a happy time! Thanks, Jan Dudley. jansdudley@gmail.com

Ronnie said...

My favorite memory is watching the little ones opening their gifts and hearing the squeals of delight, how joyful to hear that! Thanks for the chance at the book, a few years ago I was able to take a class from Gail, she was so sweet!

kathy osterby said...

My favorite Christmas memory is way back in 1950 in Japan when Daddy came home from fighting in Korea and we were all together again. Kathy O in Mt. (kosterby@yahoo.com.

EvaLyn said...

Aaah, my favorite holiday of the year. I'm surprised as I start thinking back at how many "favorite" memories I have. I guess it was the year I got my "Tiny Tears" - not just because I got the doll I had wanted so badly but my G-mother was living with us at the time and she just gave our Christmas that extra special touch that year. Merry Christmas!

EvaLyn Williams
littlee37@hotmail.com

lynne conder test said...

What cute & sentimental Christmas embroidery! Looking forward to meeting you at our Guild meeting her in Bloomington, IL in February!

Anonymous said...

I have lost my father on christmas day, so its not the nicest time .


Gr Sonja.
sthbouwmeester@ziggo.nl

Anne-Mettes Oaser said...

What a lovely give away :-). So many memories but I love to think of my boys, when they were not that old and my dad came dressed like Santa. Suddenly when the oldest boy saw the photos from Christmas Eve he said " Santa is granddad, I know the ring he is wearing" ;-)). What do one then say?
Have a wonderful Christmas Time.
Anne-Mette

thimblevee said...

I love looking at your blog! And how sweet to find a give-away going. One of my fondest memories as a child was having Christmas at my Grandparents' house. Once and only once it happened and I remember being so worried that Santa might not know where to bring my gifts. No worries, he found me. Now as a parent and grandparent I KNOW why it only happened once, lol. My grandmother is the one who first taught me to embroider and to quilt. I would LOVE to be the winner of the little book. Have a very Merry Christmas and may we all have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Vivian -- You can contact me at vcholmes@comcast.net or thimblevee@gmail.com
Thanks so much!

Mary said...

One of my favorite memories is from the small country church we attended when my kids were growing up. That year in the Christmas program they were the three wisepeople. They were around 6, 10 and 11, and I call them the wisepeople because the six year old was a girl! They were so adorable with their robes and crowns.
Merry Christmas!

QuiltGranma said...

When I was little we hung our stockings from the bottom branches of the tree. Mother would fill them, and sometimes things were too big so they were not wrapped, but under our stockings. If it was unwrapped we could open them. I as the youngest would wake up early, very early and want to go out and see what was in my stocking. My older sister would make me wait it was too early. Finally we would go out and see what we had gotten. Mother liked to see our expressions (but didn't tell us that, and that we should wait for her and Daddy to come watch), but we would be sneaky and quiet, so finally one year she piled up chairs so we would make noise leaving our hall, but that was dismantled quietly.
After breakfast, and maybe lunch too if we were having grandparents over, one of us would "play Santa" and distribute one at a time presents to each of us, so all could watch and enjoy the moments longer.
Thank you for this chance to win some beautiful patterns and ideas.

kathy osterby said...

My favorite memory is when we were stationed in Japan right before the Korean war broke out (1950) and Daddy was able to come back for Christmas.It was the best Christmas of all before he had to go back to the fighting. Kathy O in Mt. (kosterby@yahoo.com)

Mommy Robin said...

It's hard to choose one special memory - thank you for the opportunity to have so many wonderful holidays come to mind.

When our oldest child was just starting to talk and understand that something exciting was coming, we would ask her, "What does Santa say?" She would break into a smile and say, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

It was the beginning of our seeing the magic and joy of Christmas through a child's eyes - all of which have given us wonderful memories.

Best wishes to you and yours for Christmas of good health and time with family and friends.

Robin
rharvey619@yahoo.com

Louise said...

My most memorable Christmas was when my mom told me there would be no Christmas that year as our Dad was going blind and had to have surgery. That Christmas we prayed for Dad and we received a miracle - Dad surgery went well and the Dr. was able to restore his sight. All these years later - I remember that Christmas the most.
Merry Christmas
Louise
wyomola@bresnan.net

BeachQuilter said...

My favorite memory is the Christmas my husband and I rented a house on a lake and all our families celebrated together. Christmas is much quieter these days but the memories warm my heart!

Anonymous said...

When I lived in Chicago as a child, I remember hot chocolare and warming our hands over a barrel fire. Now I live in the country and enjoy a winter campfire with my own children, but still those childhood memories are so precious. Love Gail's designs. They always exude warmth and home.

mangozz said...

Every Christmas my grandmother used to make us a pair of flannel pajamas. I always looked forward to this as we always opened our gifts on Christmas eve and I knew I could count on wearing a new pair of soft pajamas to bed.

Unknown said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories took place on December 20, 2002. That's the day my beautiful and only granddaughter....Angelina Rose....was born. What a special Christmas it was holding, cherishing, and loving my beautiful girl!!! She's just as beautiful today....inside and out!!!

Bethana said...

I am so happy to see so many Redwork quilts and patterns. I remember my grandmother and aunts making them in the 1960's

Nancy said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories is coming home from Christmas eve services and Santa had always come while we were away. Maybe Mom saw him because Dad, sister and I always had to wait in the car for her to get in too. :-)

traditional_quilter said...

I remember fondly stringing popcorn on long pieces of thread to make popcorn garlands for our tree for Christmas, then we would make popcorn balls for eating. Christmas is a wonderful holiday with many happy memories. The book looks lovely, I would love to win a copy. Have a wonderful day! I am off to sew on my quilt now.
Lisa
traditionalquilter@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Christmas memory is my dad's fudge and the handmade presents from my mom. kweather78@aol.com

Cecilia said...

One year we put together a trampoline in the garage and surprised our 3 children on Christmas morning. It was very cold that year and since we live in Florida we didn't want to stay outside. 😊
ceciliayoung at gmx.com

Kristy said...

We have a wooden feather style candle tree that we hang angel ornaments on, as well as tags with the names of our family members that have passed. On Christmas eve we turn out the lights and light all the candles and remember the special Christmases we shared together in the past. Kristy PS. My daughter even had this tree in the sanctuary and lit on her wedding day. soardkgatfusedotnet

Liz B. in England said...

My special memory is sitting on our parents' bed early on Christmas morning, opening the presents in our stockings. There was always an orange and some nuts in the toe. Liz B. in England.

Alice from Wisconsin said...

I remember getting a kit to make a pink octopus!!! You braided the legs and covered a styrofoam ball with pink yarn. I did it right away!!!!! That was my start of my crafts. What a great Christmas that was. Alice Asleson tomnalicea@gmail.com

Vicki said...

When we were young, we got to help our dad use stencils to spray "snow" on the windows at Christmas. I loved the cozy feel it gave the house! vickifreeman12atgmaildotcom

Granny's Button Box said...

Ohhh lovely book. Fav xmas memory was my mums homemade pressies, she was so clever. Happy xmas.

Anita said...

Best Christmas memory, putting up our set of American Flyer trains with my father. Each year my sister and I got to select one new piece of Plasticville for the train village.
atinlin at skillsinc dot biz

Anonymous said...

My favorite Christmas memory is the year my mom decided we should string popcorn and cranberries to hang on the tree. Those were the days of the big tree lights that got really hot! They cooked the cranberries which dripped crimson juice over the ornaments and packages. Then our bulldog took a flying leap at the tree to grab some popcorn. The tree came down with a crash! That was the last year we put anything food related on our Christmas tree.
handstitcher@hotmail.com