Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Magical Mitten Stockings

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! It is day seven of the Poppie Cotton Christmas Countdown...that means only 8 days until Christmas! Poppie Cotton has been counting down the days until Christmas with fun projects, perfect for gift giving...and today I get to share another one of my designs with you. This one is extra special, because I am sharing a complete tutorial and templates with you, right here on my blog.

Get ready to make Magical Mitten Stockings! Yes, these tiny, ornament-sized mittens are open at the top allowing you to tuck treats and treasures inside. They are perfect for gift giving and sew up quickly. We will be working with a short and simple list of supplies. I also partnered with Therm O Web for this post and we will be using SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray Adhesive (which is a favorite in my sewing studio) to make EASY work of the mitten templates. These sweet mittens are created with Poppie Cotton fabrics and measure approximately 3.75" W x 4.75" H (without the hanger).

So, let's get this project started! Gather the supplies listed below and it's time to sew.

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Magical Mitten Stockings


What You Need for One Mitten Stocking:


Note some of the supply list above contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com


How to Make a Magical Mitten Stocking:


CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW.

  1. Download and Print the Magical Mitten Stocking Templates
  2. Prepare Fabrics
    • Place 9 ½” W x 5” H outer fabric and 9 ½” W x 6 ½” H lining fabric right sides together (RST), lining up the widths and sew together with a ¼” seam. Press seam toward the lining/cuff fabric.
      Combined unit will now measure 9 ½” W x 11” H.

      Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  3. Add  Fusible Interfacings
    NOTE: I added the interfacings after sewing the fabrics together to lessen the bulk at the seam.
    • Adhere the 9 ½” x 4 ¾” piece of HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side (back) of the outer fabric side of the combined unit. Lining it up against the outer edges, not the seam.
      1. Pre-heat iron to cotton setting (high heat). No steam.
      2. Place the rough side of the fusible fleece on the wrong side of the outer fabric portion of the combined unit.
      3. Cover with lightweight, dry pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
      4. Allow the fabric to cool.

        Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

    • Adhere the 9 ½” x 6 ¼” piece of HeatnBond Light Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the wrong side of the lining/cuff side of the combined unit. Lining it up against the outer edges and not the seam.
      1. Pre-heat iron to cotton setting (high heat). No steam.
      2. Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the lining/cuff fabric portion of the combined unit.
      3. Cover with lightweight, dry pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
      4. Allow the fabric to cool.

        Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  4. Protect your Workspace with a Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheet

    Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  5. Cut Mitten Stocking Templates
    • Loosely cut out paper templates.
    • Place templates face down on Pressing Paper and Craft Sheet.
    • Apply SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray to the back of the templates and cut out mitten units.
      1. Shake can of SpraynBond Patten & Stencil Spray well.
      2. Hold can upright, 12 inches from paper templates. Press nozzle and apply adhesive using a sweeping motion to lightly cover the backs of the paper templates.
      3. Let dry 1 minute then press template to the combined fabric unit, being sure to line up the straight line on the templates on the seam line of the fabric unit. The shorter side of the mitten template should be on the outer fabric; the larger side of the mitten template should be on the lining/cuff fabric.
      4. Reposition templates as needed.
      5. Cut on the solid template lines to create two mitten stocking units.

        Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  6. Sew Mitten Stockings
    • Place mitten stocking units RST and pin or clip around perimeter. Line up the seam on each side.
    • Sew around perimeter with an ⅛” seam allowance, leaving an opening in the lining for turning. NOTE: I designed the template to use an  ⅛” seam allowance, should you want to use a larger seam allowance, you will need to add that allowance to the template when cutting out the mitten units.
    • Clip curves (especially around the thumbs) carefully.
    • Turn the unit right side out through opening and press.
    • Sew the opening in the lining closed.
    • Push lining into the outer mitten, leaving a visible lining cuff. Press again, if needed.

      Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  7. Apply Hanger
    • Attach twill tape hanger with a small button to the top of the cuff, using a hand sewing needle and coordinating thread.

      Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

      Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

  8. Fill and Display or Gift.
    • Fill the mitten stocking with tiny treats and/or treasures.
    • ENJOY!
Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Thank you for joining me today for this special Blue Ribbon Designs blog tutorial during the Poppie Cotton Countdown to Christmas. I hope this post inspires you to make a few Magical Mitten Stockings to display and/or gift - be careful they are addicting! Be sure to tag me on social media if you share photos of your mitten creations; I enjoy seeing what you make. To see more of my projects, check or the rest of my blog or stop by my website, Instagram, and/or YouTube channel – I would love to visit with you and see what you create!

I hope you have been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials! My hope is that these gifts inspire you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this holiday tutorial will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Magical Mitten Stockings ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Monday, December 16, 2024

Festive Fox Finishing Tutorial

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my December project created for the Therm O Web blog with you. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you. For the month of December, I have something a little different planned, a cross stitch finishing tutorial. This month I am sharing how to finish my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament "Festive Fox." My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable  templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. You can also find a detailed supply list here: https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/12/festive-fox-finishing-supply-list.html

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

As many of you know I have been doing professional needlework finishing for nearly 25 years...and I get numerous messages and questions (every week) about my process, favorite products, and techniques. I have shared several finishing videos on my YouTube Channel, but I was yet to share how I have been finishing my current Woodland Ornament Series. Therm O Web products are a staple in my needlework finishing, so I thought sharing a tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog would be ideal.

First of all, if you don't have it yet, you can find the complimentary pattern for "Festive Fox" and all the pattern details here (IT'S FREE!):
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/11/festive-fox-2024-cross-stitch-christmas.html

A few things about the finishing tutorial - the templates and directions are for stitching the ornament as directed on 32-count linen/16-count Aida fabric - if you use a different count of fabric, you will need to adjust the templates and measurements. Also - I normally do not use glue when finishing cross stitch (personal preference), should you want to use glue to speed up the process, notes are made in the tutorial for you. Finally, I made my own two-tone twisted cord using DMC floss 321 and 505, along with a Kreinik Custom Corder - you may choose to make your own cording or purchase pre-made cording.

My tutorial will take you step-by-step through my finishing process. You can find the tutorial here:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/cross-stitch-ornament-finishing/

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Look for an Instagram Reel/YouTube Short video showing the process, as well.

You can also find the exact supplies I used for finishing by visiting the posts in my Amazon Shop (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

I hope this tutorial empowers you to finish the ornaments in my Woodland Ornament Series...

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled to be on the Therm O Web blog on January 20th and I am working on a possible Valentine project idea. ALSO - I will have a Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour post on January 15th for the Serenity Blooms collection (it's a BEAUTY!). PLUS, there is an exciting surprise coming tomorrow...

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

I hope you have been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials! My hope is that these gifts inspire you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this cross stitch finishing tutorial will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Holiday Lights

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! Welcome back to my holiday content and Christmas cheer. I hope you have been enjoying my countdown to Christmas posts and getting in the holiday spirit.

Last night, we had a small neighborhood gathering. One of our neighbors rented a 15-seat passenger van and drove 14 of us around to see some of the best holiday light displays in Kansas City. We drove all over Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Gardener, downtown KC and the Plaza. We all wore ugly Christmas sweaters or Christmas pajamas...and Christmas light necklaces (that lit up). The adults had cocktails...and the kids had juice...and there were homemade cookies. The final stop of the tour was Austin's (a bar and grill in Gardner, KS), where we ordered food and beverages and just enjoyed each other's company. The photos are from one of the stops were we got out of the van and took some group photos...this is Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa....

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Next up today, I wanted to share the last five days from Jenny's Countdown to Christmas Box with you. It has been truly delightful to open a present a day...and every day has been special! If you are not familiar with this box, it is a sewing advent calendar from the Missouri Star Quilt Company with 25 numbered and wrapped presents. I previously shared the first 10 days. Today's post includes days numbered 11 through 15. Before I go any further, this is not really a spoiler, as everyone who has this box should already have the gifts from the 11th - 15th opened - but if you do not want to know what was in each of these packages, stop reading/looking now... Click on images, if you want a larger view...

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 11:  A Quilty Wooden Box with Magnetic Lid...
...with a compartment for a needle/needle threader, one for scissors,
and one for snippets. Mine is already in use in my stitching nest!

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 12: A Snowflake Embroidery Kit with Frame
Can't wait to stitch this up!

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Daay 13: Mat Scrubbers (for rotary cutting mat)
I will be trying these out soon - and the CUTE factor is top notch!

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 14: Quilt Build Card Deck MSQC Special Edition
I was so excited to see this - I have three other sets, so this will be a
great addition.

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
DAY 15: Quilt Block Ornaments (Ceramic)

Tonight was a holiday dinner with my girlfriends. We went to Fortune Wok in Overland Park for dinner (it was really good!) and exchanged a few gifts. Spending time with the strong, intelligent women in my life is always uplifting and inspiring.

Now, I am back to work at my desk for a fun surprise I have coming on Tuesday...so stop back on Monday for the cross stitch finishing tutorial and on Tuesday for a holiday surprise! 🎄🎄

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends...and welcome back! If you visited with me yesterday and took a peek at my Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion, then you have seen my Baker's Twine Candy Canes. When I designed my Gingerbread Cottage, I knew I wanted some tiny candy canes to embellish it...but knew I was going to have to create my own. Looking around my sewing studio, the baker's twine caught my eye and I immediately started working on an idea...and thanks to Therm O Web and their SpraynBond Fabric Stiffener Spray, I was able to make my vision come to life. Yesterday, I shared my process and a complete tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog. I hope you will visit my post and make a handful of these adorable little candy canes. They would make a wonderful addition to a handmade holiday gift and can be made in a variety of sizes and colors...

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

These holiday embellishments are perfect for fabric or paper crafts! Add them to a Christmas sewing project or a Christmas card or tag. I thought they would be extra cute added to a handmade Christmas ornament...or on a little drawstring bag...or added to napkin rings for special touch to a Christmas dinner place setting. These tiny candy canes can be sewn on or glued in place using HeatnBond Fabric Fuse Adhesive. They can be made with your favorite color/size of baker's twine...and can be made any size you want! Here is a Christmas card I am creating from fabrics and threads at my sewing machine...the candy canes will be sewn in place....

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

....and here is the Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion that sparked the idea. Don't the tiny candy canes add a magical quality to my project?! They make me happy!

You can find the candy cane tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog here:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/bakers_twine_candy_cane_embellishments

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

You can also find a complete shopping list for the Baker's Twine Candy Canes in my Amazon Shop: https://amzn.to/3Vz8QYa (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

Be sure to stop by the Therm O Web Blog again on Monday, when I will be sharing a cross stitch finishing tutorial for my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament "Festive Fox." I will show you how to finish your ornament exactly like my model...

Please stop back for a visit soon...more holiday content is on the way!

Baker's Twine Candy Cane Embellishments ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

I hope you have been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials! My hope is that these gifts inspire you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this holiday tutorial will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Friday, December 13, 2024

Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion

Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! Today is a very special day...it is day three of the Poppie Cotton Christmas Countdown...that means only 12 days until Christmas! Poppie Cotton has been counting down the days until Christmas with fun projects, perfect for gift giving...and today I get to share one of my projects with you!

This is my "Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion" and oh, how I loved creating it! This is actually my Cosmic Cottage Pincushion (with a hidden pocket for scissors!) - a complimentary pattern on my website, with a few changes to make it a gingerbread house! For Poppie Cotton fabrics, I used Snowfall Teal from the Prairie Christmas Collection, Country Confetti in Rodeo Arena Brown, and Gingham Picnic in Cool Pool Mint

I took my original pattern and changed the pom pom trim to rick rack (and added a bit more around the roof and chimney). I used lovely Hand-Dyed Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates in the color Snow on the gingerbread house and in the color Sizzle around the perimeter of the pincushion. To up the CUTE factor, I added some vintage daisy trim I had on hand...the centers of the daisies were pink, so I opted to color them red with a Sharpie to match the candy canes (more on the candy canes shortly). I used a red 1/4" button for a door knob...and I added some red, green, and white baker's twine to give it more of a gingerbread house look. For a perfect (and oh so soft!) backing fabric, I used Hand-Dyed Velveteen by Lady Dot Creates in the color Chili.

Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Now, about those adorable little candy cane embellishments...they are made from baker's twine and if you want to see how I created them, visit the Therm O Web Blog today, where I share a full tutorial! Yes, I made these cute embellishments...and decided to share my process with you. They would work great for adding to sewing projects or paper projects (such as cards or gift tags).
https://blog.thermoweb.com/bakers_twine_candy_cane_embellishments

About the pattern: you can find my Cosmic Cottage Pincushion FREE pattern here:
https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/
This is a foundation pieced quilt block with added trim and a hidden pocket for scissors. I made the border strips a little wider for the Gingerbread Cottage, so the finished pincushion measures 7" x 7". Be creative and add your own embellishments and use what you have on  hand to make your Gingerbread Cottage unique and extra special.

You can also find the exact supplies I used in this project by visiting the post in my Amazon Shop (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

I will have one more Poppie Cotton surprise next week...and I can't wait to share it with you! Be sure to check out the Poppie Cotton Blog and/or social media for their 2024 Countdown to Christmas!

If you make a Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion, I hope you will share a photo with me or post it on social media and tag me...I would love to see your finish!

Gingerbread Cottage Pincushion ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

I hope you have been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials! My hope is that these gifts inspire you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this complimentary pattern and accompanying candy cane tutorial will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Festive Fox Finishing Supply List

Festive Fox
Greetings friends! Have you been busy stitching your "Festive Fox" Christmas ornament? In case you missed it, I released my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas ornament chart on Thanksgiving Day. This year's ornament is another in my Woodland Ornament Series...it is "Festive Fox." You can find it here: 
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/11/festive-fox-2024-cross-stitch-christmas.html

Making it even more special this year, I am sharing a complete finishing tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog on Monday, December 16th. The tutorial will include templates and step-by-step finishing instructions (with color photos) to finish your ornament just like my model in the photo!

By request, I am sharing a finishing supply list here, so you will know what you need on Monday for the finishing tutorial. I am going to share the exact products I use (links when I have them), but feel free to use your favorite items/brands or what you have on hand.

What you need to finish one cross stitch ornament:


I get asked all the time what my favorite finishing products are and what I personally use...so there you have it, an exact list with product links. You can also find the exact supplies I used for finishing by visiting the "Festive Fox" posts in my Amazon Shop - I can only put so many items in a post, so there are two lists (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

I hope you will visit with me on Monday on the Therm O Web Blog...or check out my social media on December 16th for a video and links. Happy Stitching!

Festive Fox ©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Jenny's CTC Box: December 5th - 10th

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! It will be a short post today - I just wanted to drop in and share the last five days from Jenny's Countdown to Christmas Box with you. It has been such a special treat to have a small present to open each day...it really has put me in more of the Christmas spirit this year. I must say, I have been really impressed with the items this year - so far, all things I will make and use. If you are not familiar with this box, it is a sewing advent calendar from the Missouri Star Quilt Company with 25 numbered and wrapped presents. I shared the first five days last week. Today's post includes days numbered six through 10. Before I go any further, this is not really a spoiler, as everyone who has this box should already have the gifts from the 6th - 10th opened - but if you do not want to know what was in each of these packages, stop reading/looking now... Click on images, if you want a larger view...

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 6: A wooden clapper (pressing block) and/or ruler and template holder
with spindles for spools/bobbins.

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 7: A Charm Pack of Strawberry Lemonade by Sheri & Chelsi for Moda.

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 8: Hexie Cellphone Clutch pattern, with hardware, templates and
interfacing. Pattern uses fabric from day 7.

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 9: Two paper star lanterns with fairy light strings. One has snowflake
cuts and the other has sewing item cuts.

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Day 10: A pair of "Chuck" embroidery scissors with a tassel and MSQC
quilt block charm. Chuck the Duck is the MSQC mascot. You can see
him on the red wrapping paper in my images.

There you have it, the next five gifts unveiled - 15 more to go...Christmas is coming in quickly this year. I need to hurry up and finish my gifts and get them shipped!

Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Greetings friends! I am back today with one of those festive December posts I told you about towards the end of November. If you are new here, I mentioned that my husband has been in management for UPS for over 25 years; therefore, we don't really do to much to celebrate the holidays (you can read more about this here). With our families far away and not being able to travel due to his work schedule, Christmastime tends to be a bit lonely for me. To brighten up the season, I decided this year I would schedule something every Saturday to get me (us) out of the house and enjoy the beauty of Kansas City at Christmas time (Saturday is his one night off a week between Thanksgiving and New Years). This past Saturday, we had tickets to the Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. This is a huge event...and this year marks it's 25th anniversary. The weather was beautiful in the 40s and it was sold out for the night with thousands of attendees. With the amount of traffic, parking is at a premium, so they park people at a local school and bus attendees over to the event. We had tickets for 6:00 PM, so we went to an early dinner at our favorite Mexican food restaurant before attending. When we arrived, we picked up a hot chocolate for me and a hot cider for my husband...then we spent about an hour and a half walking the illuminated pathways. There were wonderful musical performances throughout, a quiet candlelit woodland walk, a bright and colorful children's walk, a gnome village, thousands of twinkling lights and candles, holiday trains were running in the train garden, fire pits were lit along the way, and seasonal food and beverages were offered throughout...plus a visit from Santa. While it was quite busy, the spacious grounds and paths helped to spread out the crowds and we enjoyed a leisurely, magical stroll throughout the property. As promised, here are the photos I took along the way...and yes, the luminaries that line the walking paths are actual lit candles in small glass enclosures...

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com



©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

©Copyright 2024 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

Our next outing will be with our neighbors - one couple has rented a bus to drive us around Kansas City to see the Christmas lights. We are all wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and one of our stops is a lit up local winery, so it should be a fun night!

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season and taking a little time to see the beauty that surrounds you...