The Winner!!

Hi Friends,

Can't believe that Christmas has come and gone!!  How was yours?  We had an amazing day with family, we celebrated Jesus' birth with so much joy.  Our little grandson has not arrived yet, our daughter is going in tomorrow morning to be induced, so I know I will have news very soon.  I have to apologize as I have not posted the winner yet of my quilt kit.  I want to thank all of you for leaving your comments, they were so sweet.  The winner is Wendy from Montana.  She was the first, and I think the only person to notice the snowman face in the soup that my daughter photographed.  We had so much fun on the Holiday Parade...it was fun to see all of the creative projects.  As you probably observed, I am not the most consistent blogger, but will try to get better at it in the upcoming year.  I pray you are all doing well and thank you again for your comments and kind words!!
Blessings,

Leanne

P.S. the Snowman kit is not on my website yet, we are going to be rebuilding a new site, so we will keep you posted.  If you want more information for now, please give me a call!!

There's no clean-up on this Parade!!

Pam and Janet from www.buggybarnquilts.blogspot.com

Hi Girls,
Most Parades provide a "pooper scooper", but none needed on this route!!  What an amazing ride we have been on.  I have been on the other designers blogs, and oh my goodness, what a priviledge it is to be with such talented ladies.  There will be fun projects to be made in the days ahead.
Pam and Janet from Buggy Barn are on the route today.  I want to say a huge "Thank you" to them.  They are the reason that I am designing with Henry Glass.  They have a wonderful quilt shop on their farm, mom and I visited them on our way home from Portland one year.  It truly is an old buggy barn, but filled with beautiful fabrics. 

Kim Diehl of Kim Diehl Designs

And make sure you visit Kim Diehl.  A very talented lady.  This last day of the Holiday Parade I would like to say thank you to the other designers for taking part of a wonderful journey.  I would also like to thank the bloggers.   Your are a very "Special" group of people.  I'm perhaps not completely converted as a blogger, but I can see how this can be addicting.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Happy 6th Day!

My daughter Kaytlyn and I

Happy Sixth day on the Holiday Parade!!  I can’t tell you how much I have learned in the past few weeks…who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!!!  Well, truth be known, if it weren’t for my daughter Kaytlyn, I probably wouldn’t be doing this.  She has joined the business, and with her came some amazing abilities that I did not have…one being the knowledge of even figuring out how to do a blog.  So with that, I want to say a huge “thank you” to her.  She is a very talented young women and I want you to be watching for some of her things down the road, maybe with a little pushing from mom!!!

I’m excited to show you our Holiday project.  We have done two adorable Snowman gift bags out of our “Let Us Adore Him” fabric collection.  They are fun and easy, and make the wrapping as exciting to get as the gift inside. 

Click here to download the free Pattern for the Gift Bags!

The bag with the box pleat has a beer bread kit inside.  I’m not a big Holiday baker, but we love soup and bread on those cold winter days.  I know you can buy those box mixes of the beer bread, but this is so much cheaper and so easy.  We’ve included our Beer Bread and Grandma’s Dump Soup recipe's to add to your collection!  Click here to download the recipes (they are ready to be printed and cut out)!

We don’t have a lot of tradition, but I would say the one thing we try to maintain is “Simplicity”.  We like to sit back and really enjoy the Holiday season, and with these two recipes, it can’t help but be simple.  It’s my prayer for you that you find “Simplicity” this Holiday season.  Take some time to really focus on “The Reason for the Season”.  I am so proud of our children, they stopped giving gifts to one another several years ago.  Instead, they give gifts to a family from our community.  They have so much fun going out and picking out things they think the children would like.  They do it completely anonymously, but totally from the heart.  I pray that you will all find it in your heart to give to someone less fortunate than you.  It gives new meaning to holiday giving.  Merry Christmas dear holiday bloggers and may the Spirit of Christmas find you wherever you are!!

Blessings,

Leanne

Oh yes, my special word for the day is “Christmas Carol”!!  My favorite Christmas Carol is Silent Night how about you?

Make a comment on our blog to be eligible for our Holiday Blog Give-Away.  It is one of our There’s “Snow” Place Like Home quilt kits.  

Be sure to visit Dana Brooks of Lazy Daisy Cottage when you leave here to get your free pattern!  Don't forget to collect the special word!

The day is passing & I almost missed the parade!

Hi Friends,

I'm so sorry, the day is almost over and I have not been able to get the post for the days "Parade Route Designers".  I'm sure you've probably seen them by now, but if not, make sure to visit Brenda Pinnick and Chelsea Anderson.  There pics and post info is listed, so make sure to get their free patterns and don't forget to find their special words.  Have a wonderful night, and I'll see you tomorrow.  Speaking of that, Dana Brooks and I will be the designers to look for, so check out our free patterns as well as a couple of simple recipes from me...we think you will like them!!

Chelsea Anderson of pinkfigdesign

Brenda Pinnick of Brenda Pinnick designs 

Blessings,

Leanne

My parade route has turned white!

Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup

As I sit and look outside at about 4" of fresh white snow that we received over night, it appears that the parade route in Iowa is starting to look a little more like Christmas.  With only 21 more shopping days until the big day, I think I best either get going to the stores, or get my machine humming a little faster.  At any rate, it's coming and I better get going.  I hope you are all having a good time as you follow along the route and visit the different designers.  Today, you need to visit Laurie Bird, Barbara Jones and Lizzie B.  Have a  good time as you look for their special words and download their fun projects. 
Tomorrow, be looking for Chelsea Anderson and Brenda Pinnick. 

Laurie Bird of

Rose Cottage Quilts

Liz and Beth Hawkins of
Lizzie B Cre8ive










Have a great time on your parade route today, I've looked at all of the projects and oh my, do they look like a lot of fun.  See you tomorrow!!

Blessings,

Leanne

Finding something sweet

There's "Snow" Place Like Home!

I don't know about you, but in Iowa, a good old fashioned Parade provides lots of candy...something for the sweet tooth.  Thinking of this, it makes me think of all the "Sweet" things in my life.  My family, faith, friends, my work...I love what I do, and of course my home.  I love where I live.  We are nestled out in the country, overlooking a beautiful little lake.  Our leaves are gone now and the ice has moved in, but it's home, and there is no place like it.  What a blessing to be able to design in such a wonderful place.  God is good, and He has provided so much for us.  I wanted to share one of my latest patterns...There's "Snow" Place like Home! This fun-loving snowman will warm the hearts of all who enter your home this winter season.  It measures 39" X 48" and can be purchased as either a pattern or a kit (our kits do include the pattern).  Let us know if we can send one of these adorable guys to you...He's pretty "sweet" and he'll warm your home.


Who's on the Parade route today... 

Look up Jacquelynne Steves  and Jill Finlay and see what they have to offer you (don't forget to find the special word)!!

Blessings,
Leanne

Continue on the Parade route - Day 2

Just a reminder that today your designers to visit are...

Amy Hamberlin, Carrie Nelson and Kari Ramsey

Don’t forget to collect the special words from each designer to have a chance at the Grand Prize!

For those of you who are printing off copies of each designer’s pattern, I have put the link below for you to download the cover Jill designed for the Blog Hop. Feel free to print it off to keep all of your projects neat and organized together!

Download the pdf file here -  Blog Hop Projects Cover

The Parade Has Begun!!!

Hey Friends!!  Let the Parade Begin!!  How fun is it to be able to find new patterns...for FREE!!!  Tomorrow, you will want to visit Amy Hamberlin, Carrie Nelson and Kari Ramsey, and remember to look for the special words so you can enter on the final day!!  I don't know about you, but my life has been running at full speed lately.  Sometimes we simply need permission to simply slow down.  Not that I can do that for you, but remember, you are the only person that can do that for you.  Don't get so bogged down in everything you do that you forget to enjoy the meaning of the Season...believe me, I am telling this to myself, it just seemed more real if I wrote it down.  I had an amazing conversation with a new friend today and I was reminded to slow down and appreciate the small things in life...a simple conversation.  Have a wonderful day and remember to spend some time in reflection and prayer...it will keep you grounded and focused on what is important!!

Blessings,
Leanne

The Parade is HERE!

Hi Friends...The Holiday Project Parade is about to begin!!!  Starting tomorrow, you can visit your favorite Henry Glass Designer's blog to get going on this amazing parade ride.  When you visit each of the blogs listed for the day, you will receive free projects from each designer.  Download the files...FREE!!!
Leave a comment on her blog and let her know how if you are enjoying the parade route.  We know you will.

How do I enter to win the grand prize? Collect the clue words from each site you visit. You must visit all 21 sites and collect all 21 clue words. At the end of the parade, visit the Henry Glass website and enter to win the grand prize giveaway.  Doesn't this sound like a lot of fun, I wish I could enter!!!
What is the grand prize? The winner will receive a prize from each and every one of the designers in addition to a fantastic prize from Henry Glass!!!   That means you will get 22 presents in the mail...Christmas will come early!!!  

When do you start...DECEMBER 1!!!
Who do I start with...Linda Lum DeBono, Heather Mulder Peterson and Mary Ellen Von Holt.
Have a wonderful time on the fantastic "Parade Route" and remember to find your clues so you can enter in the contest!
Blessings,
Leanne

I Ate Too Much!!

So how was your Thanksgiving?  I ate too much, but that's what Monday mornings are for...starting the diet!!  We had a wonderful time with our family...little baby Walsten is still kicking strong, so will keep you posted on his arrival. 
I wanted to remind all of my TWCC friends that the Henry Glass Designers Holiday Parade will be starting this Wednesday!! Keep watching.  There will be lots to learn and lots to see.  Free projects will be posted every day, so looking forward to keeping in touch with you.  Hope all is well with all of you,
Blessings,
Leanne

Counting Blessings

As the wind blows, and Winter peaks it's blustery head around the corner of a gorgeous Fall, I think about the previous Winters that I have been a part of.  Snowball fights, snow forts, sledding down the neighbors hill, ice fishing with my Dad, baking cookies with Mom...the list goes on.  I am reminded that my blessings stretch so much further than the now, they are a little more obvious.  I am so thankful to be raised in a family that put faith and family first.  For grandparents who loved us and encouraged us to go to church and gather later with loving relatives.  God is so good.  This time of year there seems to be a lot of reflecting...probably should do it all through the year. 
I want to say that I am also very grateful to be working with a fabric company that has allowed me to share my talents with others on cloth.  Henry Glass was an answer to prayer.  They came along at a time when I thought I was done designing fabric...and I am so glad that God saw different.  So with that, I want to let you know how much you mean to me...Henry Glass Fabrics and Lisa Loessel, you are the best!!!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you1!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families,
Leanne

P.S. Be watching as coming soon, other designers, as well as myself, will be participating in a Henry Glass Designers Project Parade...so much fun!!!  Stayed tuned for more details!!

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

Where has November gone?  As I get ready for our family to come on Thanksgiving, I am reminded of what is to come...yes, the obvious of the normal Holiday hub-bub, but most importantly the celebration of the birth of a king.  Yes, Jesus is the true reason we are celebrating Christmas.  But for us this year, we have another little man that we can't wait to meet...our first grandchild...a little boy due Christmas Eve!! What a gift.  I am new to this blogging thing, and at the risk of sounding like a prideful soon-to-be grandma, I can't help but be so incredibly thankful for all the gifts that God has given my husband and I.  I also want all of you to know how thankful I am for all that you have done to support my business over the past 18 years.  God Bless you and your families on this special holiday...I will keep you posted on our new arrival!!

Blessings,
Leanne

Welcome!

Welcome to The Whole Country Caboodle.  We are so happy you stopped by. 

Blessings, 
Leanne