Jolly Holiday Party...day 7

My apologies...I lost a day and not sure how that happened!!  I do pray that you enjoyed the Holiday Party.  We enjoyed visiting with you each day.  Make sure to turn your words into Henry Glass so you can qualify for the grand prize give-a-way.  We wish you good health and great time with family and friends this Holiday Season!! 
Blessings from The Whole Country Caboodle
Yesterdays designers were

November 19, 2011  Linda Lum DeBono, and Chelsea Anderson of Pink Fig Design 
 

Linda Lum DeBono

Chelsea Anderson

 

Jolly Holiday Party: Day 6

It's day 6 of the Henry Glass Jolly Holiday Party and I sure do hope you are having fun!  The designers today are:

Janet Nesbitt & Pam Soliday of Buggy Barn

Ranae Allen of RGA Design LLC

Dana Brooks of Lazy Daisy Cottage

Don't forget to collect each designer's secret word today for the  Henry Glass giveaway at the end of the Blog Hop!

Jolly Holiday Party: Day 5

Kate & I in Central Park

Greetings Friends…I want to tell you just a bit about me.  My name is Leanne Anderson and I own The Whole Country Caboodle.  I love designing, especially for Henry Glass.  They are a great fabric company and have given me some great opportunity.  So I am very grateful to them. 

The most important people in my life are my family…my husband Ed, of almost 32 years.  My three amazing children, Shelby, Taylor and Kaytlyn and their spouses.  My latest loves are my two little grandchildren, Toby and Leighton.  They light up my life and are so special.  And I can’t leave out my little four-legged family members.  Chloe and Georgia are my Boston terrier dogs…we love them too.  So from my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I'm excited to show you our holiday project..."Snow-Mats Land"  This fun little table topper can be used all winter.  It's fun and fast!! 

Click HERE to download the free pattern!

1.  What is my favorite holiday food?

I think my favorite holiday food would be frosted sugar cookies.  I remember the days that we would sit around the table and frost cookies…oh how I loved the frosting!!  My least favorite holiday food would have to be FRUITCAKE!!

2.  Favorite Family Tradition:

Christmas Eve service…Candlelight!! Love the service and it has been a tradition since I can remember.

3.  Did I like sitting on Santa’s lap?

Well, wasn’t my favorite thing but it seemed necessary in order to give him my list!!!

4.  Was there a gift I desperately wanted?  Did I get it?

Well, yes it was a pair of crushed velveteen bell-bottoms.  I was in junior high, I knew if I got them I would be the envy of every girl…and yes, I got them and I have to think that I was the envy!!

5.  What’s your favorite holiday movie?

I would have to say “It's a Wonderful Life”…Mary, is it really you!!

6.  Favorite holiday song?

Silent Night

7.  Do I make holiday presents?

I love to make presents.  I have great intentions to get more done than I do, but I love to make small quilt projects and I’m looking forward to making some things for my two new grandchildren.

8.  What kind of tree do I prefer?

I like a Frasier Fir…love the smell.  We love to go out as a family and cut our trees together, it’s so much fun.

9.  Favorite holiday memory?

I love Christmas and I have so many wonderful memories.  As a child it was waiting to see what Santa brought.  My brother and I would get up very early, and I remember how I felt when I saw what was under the tree…it was so exciting!!

10.  Do I like a big family gathering or a small dinner followed by hot chocolate by the fire?

I love my family, and I want to have them around.  Big or small, I just want my family.

I pray this gives you a little more insight into who I am and what Christmas means to me.  The most important reason that I celebrate Christmas is because of the birth of Jesus.  Without Him we would not have anything to celebrate…He is the Reason for the Season!!  Make sure to post your complete list of secret BIG words on the Henry Glass blog from November 20 – 26, 2011.  We will pick a winner of the Grand Prize Giveaway of assorted fabrics and a small gift from each designer.  I will also pick a winner from my comments that are posted.  Share your favorite tradition with me and I will pick a winner from them.

Don't forget to check out Brenda Pinnik today on the Jolly Holiday Party!

Day 6 designers are Janet Nesbitt & Pam Soliday, Buggy Barn www.buggybarnquilts.blogspot.com

Renae Allen, RGA Design LLC www.rgadesignquilt.blogspot.com

Dana Brooks, Lazy Daisy Cottage http://www.lazydaisycottageblogspot.com/

Jolly Holiday Party...Day 4

Hi Friends,

Oh how the days fly by.  I'm sitting here at the shop, looking out at such a beautiful Fall day...God surely provides eye-candy for the soul when you see what He does in the Fall.  Today is day 4 of our Holiday Party and we sure hope you are having fun and finding some great new projects to do.  Our featured designers today are:

November 16, 2011 Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup and Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched

Tomorrows Designers are: Can't wait to share with you!!

November 17, 2011 Leanne Anderson of The Whole Country Caboodle and Brenda Pinnick of Brenda Pinnick Designs 

Jolly Holiday Party: Day 3

Welcome to day 3 of the party.....Make sure you stop by and say hello, and collect the secret words for the BIG Henry Glass Fabrics giveaway at the end of the Blog Hop!!  Here are the featured designers today!!  Enjoy!

MaryEllen von Holt, Alice Berg, and Sylvia Johnson of Little Quilts

Lucy Morey of Hot Scott Patterns

Vicki Oehlke of Willow Berry Lane

Kate and I just got back from New York...spent a few days in the city and had a wonderful time.  We were able to visit our friends at Henry Glass...such gracious people and we had so much fun.  Christmas in the city is an exciting time of year.  Window displays, broadway shows and just the hustle-bustle that goes with it.  Though I loved the city, I am reminded of the traditions that we have back home and I do love the openness and the pace of Iowa.  Here's a picture of Kaytlyn and I at the fountain in Central Park...it was an amazing day!!  Blessings and I'll see you tomorrow,

Leanne

Kaytlyn & Leanne in New York

Tomorrow's designers are:

Day 4 (November 16)
Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup
Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched

Jolly Holiday Party: Day 2

Hi Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the party and the fun projects.  Continue to keep in touch as each day there will be exciting new projects and it will be a way to get to know the designers a little bit better.  So what traditions do you have during the holidays?  I was talking this morning with a very dear friend and we were sharing stories of the early days and Santa's arrival.  Oh how I love looking back into time and remembering the "Good Old Days!"  I do pray you can do the same and perhaps take a walk down memory lane and reflect on some good memories. 
Have a wonderful day,
Leanne

Todays Designers are:



Liz and Beth from Lizzie B Creative



Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife



Henry Glass Jolly Holiday Party

Welcome to the Henry Glass Jolly Holiday Party! We are so glad that you're here to celebrate the holidays and to join in on all of the fun that we are going to have. There will be giveaways, stories and lots of inspiration.

 

Visit with each designer. You'll find her wonderful holiday post and a special design that she's made for you.

Here's the exciting line-up:

Today's designers:

Kari Ramsay of Fresh Cut Quilts 

Jill Finley of Jillily Studio 

November 14, 2011 The Noble Wife Jacquelynne Steves and Lizzie B Cre8ive

November 15, 2011 Vicki Oehlke Willowberry Lane, and Little Quilts and Lucy Morey 

November 16, 2011 Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup and Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched

November 17, 2011 Leanne Anderson of The Whole Country Caboodle and Brenda Pinnick of Brenda Pinnick Designs  

November 18, 2011 Janet Nesbitt and Pam Soliday of the Buggy Barn and Renae Allen of RGA Design

and Dana Brooks of Lazy Daisy Cottage 

November 19, 2011  Linda Lum DeBono, and Chelsea Anderson of Pink Fig Design

Each day the designers of the day will post on her site. Click on the links above to go to the designers' blogs some holiday fun. In each post you will find each designers'  secret holiday word. Collect all of the words and post it on the Henry Glass blog  from November 19-24 and we will draw a name to win the grand prize.

What's the grand prize? Lots of fabric, of course, and each designer will be sending you something special.

Blessings,

Leanne

AQS...Des Moines...Great to see you!!

Hi Friends,
It was great to see all of you at AQS in Des Moines, many were old friends that we caught up with, and many of you are new friends we certainly treasure.  Thanks for stopping by, Kaytlyn and I had so much fun.  We can't tell you how much we appreciate your business and your kind words.  Please keep us posted on what you like and what you are looking for.  We try to keep designing new all the time, so if there is something you want and we don't have it, let us know.  The following are pictures we took at the show, we sure pack a lot in a small space.  

Had to put a picture in of the little man...I love having him with me in the shop, but he's a little more mobile now and not so easy to keep out of things!!

Kaytlyn and I loved seeing all of you!!

Our front door shows our A "Door" A Doodle...loved having all of you take one of them home!!

 

Cherish Today!

I just spoke with a very dear friend from High School who recently lost her husband in a tragic car accident.  My heart goes out to her in so many ways.  I know we aren't to know why things happen when they do sometimes, but I do know this...in talking with her, it reminds me to "Cherish Today" what I may not have tomorrow.  I want to hug my kids, call my mom, do something nice for a stranger and tell my husband I love him.  I know that each day is a gift, but there are many days I don't think about that.  What do we take from tragic things that happen around us...learn from them and grow.  Grow closer to God, to our family and to our friends.  For I know that if my dear friend Ginny had one more day with her husband, there would be so much she would want to say to him.  Friends, live each day as if it were your last.  
Have a Wonderful Blessed Day!!

What a Joy!!

Hi Friends,
Just a quick note to say hi and to be watching for our new website.  We are launching the site next week...www.thewholecountrycaboodle.com.  We are so excited to have this almost done...it's been a lot of work, but thanks to Kaytlyn and Juli, the web director, we're almost there, and it's been a long time coming.  We hope you enjoy it!
I wanted to send a few pictures of little Toby, our grandson.  He is loving life on the boat and in grandma's shop...oh how he loves to be outside.  I pray you all have a wonderful weekend and that this little man will put a smile on your face!
Blessings,
Leanne

Patchwork & Primitives!!

Hi Friends,
We are so excited to tell you about our new retail store...coming SOON!!!  My daughters, daughter-in-law and I are starting a small "Occasional Store" opened one weekend a month starting Labor Day Weekend.  The name..."Patchwork & Primitives."  What will we have? We will be selling The Whole Country Caboodle fabric, kits and patterns...come check them out for yourself!!  Along with this, I have to explain that my girls and I are what my husband calls "American Pickers 2."  We love to junk and we have been collecting for the past few months.  We will be selling primitive furniture, accessories, lotions and so much more.  It's our intent to provide a fun spot to come and shop, relax and simply enjoy. Below is a quick glimpse of what we have been collecting for the store.  We have been busy with a power washing, painting, and just simple fun spicing up the old treasures for you to enjoy.  Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 1-3 to come and have some fun.  Keep watching for more details to come on the blog and our new website www.thewholecountrycaboodle.com launching Monday, July 11. 

New Patterns!!!

It's a beautiful day here at the Caboodle and we want to show you a few more of our newest patterns.  The Messenger (#335) was inspired by my youngest daughter, she is always sporting such cute bags I thought I should add one to her collection.  We've added a new twist to the bag, creating an interchangeable flap so you can change the look of the bag without having to construct an entire new bag.  The flaps include "Grandma's Brag Bag"  "Pocket Flap"  and "Star or Flower Applique."  It's simple to make and great to create as a gift.

Interchangeable flaps

"Happily Ever After" (#332) has a pre-printed panel included in the pattern.  It features 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13.  This is a great piece of scripture for those upcoming weddings you might have.  The pattern includes the entire alphabet so you can add whatever name you want.
Finished size of the quilt is 28" X 43".


"God's Greatest Gift" (#331) features another pre-printed panel included in the pattern.  This pattern is one that I am very partial to.  It is a prayer that I wrote for my grandson, but is appropriate for any parent or grandparent to their special child.  The prayer reads:
As I lay you down to sleep,
I pray my little one to guard and keep.
I pray that you won't grow up to fast,
For this precious time will have to last.
I pray for safety when away from me,
When riding your bike or climbing a tree.
I pray you'll know I loved you from the start,
You stole my breath and jump-started my heart.
I can't wait to teach you your ABC's,
I look forward to talking about the birds and the bees.
When I first saw your precious little face,
I prayed your life would be touched by grace.
As parent with child, each day I knew, My mind would be filled with thoughts of you.
I pray you'll know how much you are loved,
You truly are God's gift from above.

"Sister's Garden" (#329) was created by my daughters as a gift to their sister-in-law.  They wanted to show her that she was another sister in the family.  This pattern can be purchased as either a kit or a pattern.  The kit (ASQ 13) comes packaged in a tin enamel mug.  The kit includes the pattern, instructions, all of the fabrics and binding.  The only supplies you need are the batting and backing and buttons to your choice on the yo-yo flowers.  Finished size of the table topper is 25" X 25".  It's so fun and easy!!


Give us a call if we can send you any of our newest patterns...we pray you have a wonderful day!


  Blessings,
Leanne

Highlights of Quilt Market 2011!

Kaytlyn & I started our 18 hr. journey to Salt Lake City at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. With little room to spare we were off!

Audio books soon became our friend and helped make the time fly by.  We spent the night in Laramie, WY, and the next morning woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground!  People probably thought we were crazy with our flip flops and light jackets!

We drove white knuckled for a few hours, praying that we would drive out of the terrible weather.  After a shopping stop to stretch our legs, it was non stop to Salt Lake City!  We had a wonderful week catching up with old friends and seeing so much fun and creative stuff!  Set up went well, it's always a challenge to get so much packed into a 10'X10' space, but we were successful in doing so.  The picture shows myself, Kaytlyn, my youngest daughter and newest TWCC employee, and Lisa Loessel, the design director that I work with at Henry Glass....love, love, love her, she does amazing things with my designs.  

The fabric and new patterns were very well received, we will be posting more later to show you all of the new things.  Great to be back!!
Blessings,
Leanne and Kaytlyn

To Market...To Market We Go!!

Hey Friends,
Wanted to give you a sneak peak of what we will be showing at Market in Salt Lake City.  Kaytlyn and I are getting ready to leave tomorrow morning.  We are so excited with what we have to show and what we've gotten done.  "Baby and Me" and The Great "I Am" are the two newest fabric collections that we have new projects and patterns for.  Timely enough, my new little grandson "Toby" is the focus of a few of the patterns.  "To Grandmother's House We Will Go" is a great collection of what you will need to take your little one to visit grandpa and grandma.  The tote bag, changing pad, diaper holder and binky holder are the projects you will find in this pattern.  "Toby's" Treasures has the crib quilt, bumper pads and book pocket holder...so much fun using the "Baby and Me" collection.  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!!  We will be in touch as soon as we get home with the rest of our new things!!

Blessings,
Leanne

I became a grandma and I love my new role!!

Tobias Timothy Walsten

Greetings Friends, I pray you are all staying warm and enjoying a sunny day.  We have experienced such bone-chilling temperatures here lately that I thought I would sit down and try to warm your hearts with some wonderful news.  December 28, 2010, God blessed us with our first grandson, Tobias Timothy Walsten.  He is so handsome.  He weighed in at 8 lbs. 13.5 oz and was 21 inches long.  He is so healthy and completely loved by his parents and his extended family.  I simply can't put into words the joy he has brought to our lives, he is truly a gift from God.  He was the inspiration behind one of my newest fabric collections "Baby and Me."   Our fun new colors and whimsical characters really bring this collection to life.  I invite you to visit Henry Glass Fabrics to download this new pattern.  www.henryglassfabrics.com.  I will have the fabric here in the shop, we're hoping, by late March.