It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Hi, it's me, yet again! Only this time, it's finally my turn, along with Kim Diehl, to share with you for the Henry Glass Holiday Project Parade!  For those of you who don't know us, let me tell you a little bit about us.  My sister, Pam, and I have owned and operated our quilt store, Buggy Barn, for almost 15 years.  Because we live out on the edge of nowhere (in God's country!), we developed our trademark "crazy" patterns to try to get you all to stop by for a visit, but you just wanted the know-how and so our pattern business began! I've just started working on our 20th book, "Still Crazy", in honor of our 15th year in business.  All of our books are still all in publication, as well as numerous single patterns. 

We have been designing fabric for Henry Glass since 2003. Our most recent fabric line,Three Cheers, is in shops now and is showcased in our Farm Fresh quilt & book.  A  Christmas line named "Merry & Bright" (that was a little sneak peak above!) is due to hit the store shelves in May.   We are very thankful for all of you who continue to support us in our endeavors! 

 I'm also thankful that the Christmas season is upon us!  I just love Christmas!  I love the childlike excitement and the anticipation......and yes, as I sit here, anticipating, I am giddy with excitement!  My boys will be home, the rest of the family, too, that we missed on Thanksgiving, there's snow on the ground, presents under the tree, fun to be had together on Christmas day, and best of all the birth of our Saviour!  Too commercial you say?  I understand, but if it gets us thinking about doing for others, either by words, deeds, or a token that says "I'm glad you're in my life!" then it can't be all bad! 

The anticipation at our house starts as soon as the Christmas decorations come out and the tree goes up.  I have always wrapped each ornament in tissue paper as I put it away. The boys each have a box of their own, with their own collection of ornaments, made by their own hand or gifts from aunts, uncles, parents, or grandparents. The putting away part is a total pain in the you know what, but as we decorate the tree each year, and they unwrap each ornament, it's a gift and a special memory, and so totally worth it! (until I have to do it again!)  And I'm so happy to finally be able to enjoy my (formerly) new Tree Skirt after many years on display at the Barn!

 Pam & I each have our own box of  "goodies"!  And it's like an early Christmas gift to unwrap each one! 

 

Janet's

 

Pam's

Like our Santa collections, we also have shared traditions, since we gather together at holidays: we love to play games.  Aunt Mable always had a new game for Christmas but my favorite was a card game called "Be Nasty to your Neighbor" which everyone now knows as Uno!  If there's snow, we like to play in the snow.  One year, when Pam's girls were little, we'd lay down on the sleds and let the little ones ride down on our backs.  Well, my Uncle Jess made the mistake of heading down the hill by himself, and we just couldn't allow that!  So as we're walking back up the hill and Jess came by, we all hopped on, one after the other.  Now we've never been petite, and when that poor man had three of us piled on his back, he couldn't even hold his feet up off the ground and ended up wearing holes in the toes of both of his brand new Christmas boots!

I've always known exactly how many shopping days are left, because we've always had advent trees.  It was always a big deal with my two boys, who got to be first, and who got to be able to have the last day, which was the star for the top of the tree, and they couldn't have them both, which is what they really wanted!  Well, one year, I was so proud of my oldest because he'd decided he'd let his little brother go first!  How nice! What a great kid!  Until, the last day, number 24 when I figured out he knew the difference between even and odd!  Not only is he a great kid but he's always been smarter than me, too! From then on, we had to take turns!  And now it's time for your free pattern, that cute Tabletop_Tree_Skirt.pdfhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byo5r4yacYIANmYxYzU0NzUtMjkzNi00Zjg4LWEzYzQtZTk0OGZjNTlmYjM4/edit?usp=sharing  under the Advent tree!  Please enjoy!

 
This year, with the addition of some of my mom's Christmas things, I've decided to display her ornaments in a bowl- they're so pretty on top of the wool Christmas Mat.   And I've tied her silver bells to the wreath (my special word) at the door so each time I go in or out, they give a little jingle, and I think of her!  This morning, as I get to the barn, I may have shut the door with more force than necessary, and I think: ahh...I've been jingling those bells and thinking of mom! 

OK then, are your eyes glazed over yet?  As your reward for reading through this entire post, anyone who comments will be entered to win these goodies we've put together from some of the designers you've met this week!  Now don't forget to post all 17 of the designer's special words on the Henry Glass's blog to win the Grand Prize!  Good Luck!

Let us pledge, each of us now, to hold the joy of Christmas in our hearts the whole year through!  Be good to each other!  Be honest, be kind, and have fun!  The Very Merriest of Christmases to each of you!