My ruler tutorial turned into a table topper, but it's pretty flexible, and easy. I love making the trees! If you buy the ruler set, you can do one big tree, it comes with 5" and 10" rulers  😀 (so what was I thinking)
I do have some of the Lella Boutique Merry Little Christmas fabrics still available on beansandstitches.com, and some other cute ones. 

The binding and some tree centers on this quilt are from the Old Glory Lella Boutique line. But I think the print makes a gorgeous Christmas fabric. What do you think?

I've also been sending a fat quarter with every order, and will do so through December. 

Just reply to this topic if you need help with the tutorial. I hope you have fun with it!
Blessings!

Ingredients:

1/4 c. olive oil
2 Tbsp or more of minced garlic
1 large red onion, chopped
6 stalks celery, chopped (with leaves)
5 small carrots, peeled and sliced
2 small zucchini, washed and sliced (peel if desired)2-3 tsp. black pepper (or to taste, we like more)
Pinch or two of cayenne (optional)
1-2 TBSP salt (or to taste)
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried basil
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3 c. white navy beans, cooked and drained (about 2 14.5 oz cans)
10 c. chicken broth
2 14.5 oz. cans of tomato sauce
2 14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes
3/4 - 1 c. red wine (cooking wine has a lot of salt, we just use regular wine)
2 c. small pasta cooked al dente' and drained
2 1/2 c. fresh spinach

Parmesan Crisps or shredded parmesan

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. 
Saute the garlic, onion, celery, carrot and zucchini until soft. Add 1 TBSP of the salt, onion powder, pepper, basil, and thyme.
Add the beans, broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, and wine. Simmer for one to two hours. Add more salt or other spices to taste.
Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach and cook for an additional 20 minutes. 

Serve with crusty bread. 

Cover the bottom of a baking pan with a thin layer of olive oil. Scrub potatoes and vertically cut in half. Rub each potato with olive oil to coat the skin and cut side. Put one slice of butter and sprinkle cheese where the potato will be placed. (use any type of cheese)

Now, lay the potato cut side down on the butter/cheese. Repeat until your pan is full.  Season the top with your favorite seasoning. We used a pepper, garlic, and salt mix. Be careful if your cheese is salty - skip the salt in that case.

The cheese is so crispy underneath, it was a perfect side. Cut open and add some butter and sour cream!

Bake at 350° until soft, about 45 minutes. 

The recipe for 2-3 loaves:

• 2 c. Warm Tap Water  
• 3 c. Milled Whole Wheat Flour - First Addition
• 1 Tbsp. Dough Enhancer
• 1/4 c. Olive Oil 
• 2 Tbsp. Honey 
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Yeast
• 5 c - 6 c. Additional wheat flour 
• 3 tsp. Sea Salt 

Instead of putting the instructions here, I'm going to refer you to the post on the blog, How to Make Whole Wheat Bread. It has step-by-step pictures and instructions, it's for 6 loaves, but the instructions are the same.

I'm happy to guide anyone (the best I can!) who needs some help! Just ask...

My pictures have cinnamon wheat bread. The filling is easy. Simply roll out the portioned dough for the loaf into a rectangle. On top, spread GOOD butter, brush with maple syrup, sprinkle 1/2 c. brown sugar, and spices. Cinnamon, cloves, your choice. Roll the dough back into a loaf and bake. And make a latte :)

I've always known the pan plays a huge part in the crust. I've found that deep dish pans give a better crust turnout - crisp on the bottom, and chewy in the center. Other square low-edge pans leave the crust a little softer - good for kid's with braces!

3 Medium Pizzas

3 cups lukewarm water

3 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. instant or active yeast

1 1/2 Tbsp. salt

5 cups unbleached flour

00 pizza flour by King Arthur (or other pizza blend flour) - enough to make a smooth dough (2-3 cups is a guess)

In a mixer, add water, yeast, sugar and oil. Jog once or twice. Start adding flour, one cup at a time with a quick mix in between. Add the salt and jog again.
Start adding the pizza blend flour one cup at a time until you have a smooth dough, but not dry, it should stay fairly sticky.

I mix on high for 5 minutes, then let it sit for 1-2 hours. 
Separate and roll onto the pans. Let me know if you try it (and if you're a crazy pizza person like me...)

Here are the templates if you don't want to draw your own.

Here's the blog post:

https://www.joyoushome.com/snow-stars-quilt-block-free-snowman-quilt-block-pattern/

Here's the video:

https://youtu.be/4J3UedsOR0M

Have fun! Theresa

Amy Harter $50 Amazon Card @amy-harter 

Addy Dean-Johnson $25 bundle by Beans and Stitches @betha

I let this go well over the due date as Amy is in FL and sent me a photo, and hasn't been able to post anything. Amy - hope all is well!

Thanks for participating, good job on the runners.

Here's my progress on this mini-quilt.

First I'm just trying to doodle some leaves, I wasn't sure how this would work out. After doodling your design, make sure to test on scrap fabric.

https://www.joyoushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/doodle-leaf.jpg

https://www.joyoushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/front-fabric-leaf.jpg

https://www.joyoushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/back-fabric-leaf.jpg

Thankfully, it went pretty smooth after a lot of practice. I made a mini-quilt using the pumpkins from the Playful Patch posts.

https://www.joyoushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/slipstitch-fabric-leaf.jpg

Here are some free maple leaf foundation patterns. The 6.5" one can be used with the pumpkin foundation block in the above link. You'll need to add 2.5" borders to the block to make it 8.5". After constructing, just add a 6.5" x 2.5" border to the top and bottom. Then add an 8.5" x 2.5" border to each side. (I think my math is right :)

OR make this 4.5" maple leaf and grab a charm pack! One of my favorite charm packs is Bittersweet...some charms are here :)

Here's what the leaf looks like. I'm still waiting for the background fabric on this from Moda - Coral Dots - so pretty!

6.5" Block - Can be used with our pumpkin foundation block.

4.5" Block - Can be used with a charm pack.

Enjoy! Theresa

https://www.joyoushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/foundation-fabric-leaf.jpg

First Prize - $50 Amazon Card

Second Prize - $25 Gift from Beans and Stitches (You'll be mailed a gift box containing at least $25 worth of fabric/notion combination)