Hi All! Thank You so much for hopping by!
First things first! Can we get a huge round of applause for the AMAZING Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for organizing this hop and for allowing me to participate! So much work goes into organizing and preparing. She also created a Christmas quilt pattern for a daily quilt along for the duration of the hop! There has to be a picture of Sarah in the dictionary next to Wonder Woman. I don’t know how you do it, but from the bottom of my heart…Thank you!
A couple of years ago I made these awesome Microwave Cozies as Christmas gifts for friends and family.
They were a huge hit! So it became my intention to give practical home made gifts for Christmas going forward. However, last year, Christmas came and went…along w/my good intention and only 3 peeps got something homemade from me. So I swore to myself that this year would be different! I would start my gift making in July! And that’s exactly what I’ve done!
This year, everyone is getting these grocery bag holders. I was able to get a wonderful head start on them this month!
I normally sell the pattern in my Craftsy Pattern Store, however for the rest of this hop you can download it for free on this post, along w/the rest of my patterns! Merry Christmas in July to you!
Easy Grocery Bag Catcher
Easy Reversible Microwave Cozy Combo
Easy MicrowaveTortilla Warmer Cozy
I’d also like to share a recipe that was shared w/me several years ago for an easy and delicious Clam Chowder.
My church family usually does a potluck style progressive dinner around the Christmas holiday. The first house we visit is where we have appetizers. We then progress/move on to the next house for the entrées, and then finish w/desserts and coffee at a third house.
This Clam Chowder has been a favorite of many at our progressive dinners.
Easy Clam Chowder
1 can evaporated milk (makes it creamier) or 1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes (it also adds the salt)
1/4 cup of finely chopped onion
2 6oz cans chopped clams in clam juice
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 tsp of Thyme
1/4 tsp of crushed Parsley
1/4 tsp of crushed Tarragon
1/4 tsp of crushed black pepper
Add all of the ingredients into a pot and bring to a rolling boil for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test the potatoes for tenderness. To thicken, add 1 tbls of cornstarch with 2 tbls of water, mix till dissolved and then add it to the soup. It should thicken rather quickly. Serve hot w/crackers or in a bread bowl!
Alas, I’ve a confession. I’m also doing a little selfish sewing this month on my 1st Christmas quilt.
I’m using this Sparkle Punch tutorial by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh Fransson.
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| Elizabeth’s creation and my inspiration |
I’ve got a wonderful head start on it as well and am super excited about how it’s coming together! What do you think?
Again, thanks for visiting!
Here’s the complete line up of the hop. We have a few more days yet. You can click on the links below to check out the rest of the stops, or to access any you’ve missed along the way.
A Thread for Life
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
A Quilted Passion 
I think your quilt is awesome! thank you for the free patterns!
I really like both the bag holder and the microwave cozy and I think a few will just have to get made this year for gifts too. Thank you for the patterns.
I've gifted both the micto-bowls and bag holders and always well received. Your Sparkler quilt is coming along nicely.
Love the bowls and that quilt is awesome!
Those microwave bowls are great and I can see why they were a hit. Zenia I just love your Sparkle Punch quilt – the colors are fabulous!
Yum – that clam chowder sounds great and so does your progressive dinner!
LOL I love EASY also. I also made microwave pot holders this year for christmas. my husband and i love them.
I really love these ideas! Super cute, easy to make, and things that everyone on my list can use. What can get more perfect than that? Thank you for shearing. That Sparkle Punch quilt in Christmas fabrics is oh so cute! It'll look wonderful when finished.
LOVE your Christmas version of Elizabeth Hartman's Sparkle Punch! What a perfect pattern for a Christmas quilt. Good luck with all your gift-giving sewing – your friends and relatives are sure to appreciate your hand made gifts.
Thanks for sharing those great gifty links! Your quilt is coming along nicely and is a perfect addition to the blog hop.
I LOVE the start on those stars! Your colors are so bright and happy.
Thanks for the offers of your fun patterns. Those bowl cozies are a fabulous gift which I have received and given over the last couple of years. Love how your stars are adding up. You'll have a lovely Christmas gift for yourself when it's done.
Anyone who's lifted a hot dish out of the microwave knows exactly why microwave cosies would be a hit! Can't go wrong with a star quilt ever and especially for Christmas 😀 #12daysofchristmasinjuly
Practical handmade gifts are such a great idea! Your star quilt looks amazing too. Good luck getting it finished for Christmas 🙂
Wonderful patterns, thanks so much! I need to get started on my gifts from your patterns today!
Love your gift ideas, and I think your stars are spectacular!
NEAT GIFT IDEAS! THANKS!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com
I love your Christmas Stars! Thank you so much for the downloads for your microwave cozies and tortilla warmers, I'll be making a few this year!
Them bowl cozes are the best darn things i have made too…I use mine for ice cream too….They sell like hot cakes too…Love the wonky star quilt great way touse up your scraps too…. happyness04431@yahoo.com
Wow, you have been extremely generous! I read through your bowl directions, and they are so easy. I've never made these because the directions always seemed so complicated, but you've made it easy enough even for me. Your Christmas Stars are great! I always wondered how that worked, and now I know, so thanks for the link!
Quilt is going to be awesome!! <3
Guess it's time to start thinking about Christmas. I always wait too late. Grocery bag holders are a great idea.
Thank you sew much for sharing these three patterns with us. What a blessing! They will make wonderful Christmas gifts for friends and family. Your Christmas quilt is really festive and bright.
Such great ideas, Zenia Renee, and awfully generous of you to offer your patterns for free! Thank you so much for all the time and energy you have put into making the hop a success!!! PS Love your Sparkle Punch quilt – I've been eyeing that pattern for a while now- so cute!!
Zenia, come live next door to me, I need a supervisor.
I love all of your projects. All of your friends are getting such great gifts. How sweet. You are so creative and really really inspiring.
Perfect, Zenia, I've been looking for the plastic bag holder pattern. Thank you so much, I am now a follower due to your being a part of the Christmas in July Blog Hop.
Thank you for the free patterns Zenia. I love the microwave cozies, I have seen them around a lot but I have never made one. I downloaded your pattern and hopefully will get one made someday soon!
Thank you for the availability of your patterns. I too want to make the bag saver. I really like your colors for your quilt.
Love your Christmas version of Sparkle Punch. Really nice. Thanks for the free pattern too. I've got a request for one so maybe I'll make it!
Thank for sharing how to make your quilt. Hoping your Christmas this year will be receive a lot of love and gifts.
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