Countdown to Christmas, a paper craft

Can you believe that it's ONE day until December? I have a fun little craft for you today. I love all those Advent calendars out there. Except that they all give toys and candy each day until Christmas. And my husband and I like to focus on the real Christmas meaning.

I thought and thought and finally came up with what I wanted to do. Each little envelope contains a Bible verse leading up to Christmas. I also added a teeny bit of Christmas confetti to each envelope. The first 12 envelopes have Old Testament verses, prophesying the Messiah. The second 12 envelopes have New Testament verses about the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

Would you like to make this for your family? I have complete instructions including all the supplies you need and printable sheets for the Bible verses and numbers on the fronts of the envelopes on my website! It's under the Free Patterns section. While you're there, take a look around. You might see something to make for a Christmas gift for someone.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

xoxo

My Book is on Amazon!

 If you own my book, A Year of Making Life Beautiful, would you please consider adding a review to Amazon? I guess that makes all the difference on book sales!

If you don't own it, please take a minute to look through it. You can see quite a few of the pages and projects right on the Amazon page! There are 45 projects in the book including 12 quilt patterns, tons of recipes, crafts and additional sewing patterns. There are even embroidery patterns!

To add a review, you just need to have the book. It doesn't have to be purchased through Amazon. And if you would like to buy the book, I'd really appreciate your order here. For a limited time, the hard cover is the same price as the spiral bound, $24.95.
Love,

xoxo

Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes

 Yummy! Why not make up some of these chocolate dipped candy canes? Just melt chocolate in the microwave, dip the hook end of the candy cane and then sprinkle. If you have extra chocolate, you can drizzle it over the first chocolate color for a pretty effect.

 Ready to melt in your hot chocolate and a perfect teacher gift!

Love,

xoxo

Cyber Monday Savings!

If you haven't entered the drawing, please click here! It's the last day.

It's Cyber Monday! A great day to save. Thanks everyone for making this the best sale ever.
Remember:

• You get a free pattern with each order. If you give me a hint what you would like, that's probably the one you will get!
• All e-patterns are marked down 25% PLUS
• You can take an additional 10% off with the coupon code CHRISTMASISCOMING

Let me give you a couple of great gift ideas!

 My beautiful book, A Year of Making Life Beautiful: 45 Projects to Bake, Grow, Craft, and Sew is the perfect gift for a crafty person in your life. Plus if you buy it as a gift, you can keep the bonus pattern! Make sure to leave me a note of who I should sign it to.

I now offer gift certificates! So if you're not sure what your sewing friend would like, you can buy a gift certificate for $10 or $25!

Love,

xoxo

Black Friday through Cyber Monday Sale!

 Waiting for the feast. Am I the only one who will make extra dishes just to use more china?

 The. Spread. I could have fed an army. And think I still could with all the leftovers!

 My brother helping two of his little ones get their food.

 Sweet little Lilly. Does anyone else think she could step right in as a Lilac Lane model?

 Yummy!

 Grandpa John. So rare to get his picture!

Okay, so the sale details:

• All e-patterns are marked down and you'll know because they are marked *sale*.
• $8 e-patterns are now $6 and $6 e-patterns are now $4.50.
• Each order, regardless of what you order receives a free extra pattern. You can suggest which one you'd like in the "notes to seller."
• Extra 10% off everything (including clearance) with the code CHRISTMASISCOMING.

Just go to my Lilac Lane store to order! This sale lasts through Tuesday. Oh and on those clearance kits, better order soon. I'm running out! For example only 3 of these left:

Kit includes:
pattern
4 yards coordinating fabric -- four different prints quilting cotton
2 yards Peltex fusible 71F
2 yards heavy cotton webbing
15" Velcro
7" zipper

All for only $30 right now on clearance, but if you order now you can take an extra 10% off and get a free pattern!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Love,

xoxo

Art Gallery Fabrics Giveaway and A Free Pattern

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you! First off I have a new FREE PATTERN on my website. It's called the So Long Suitcase Bag and it's, quite frankly, gigantic. And for the upcoming Christmas season, just perfect. A wonderful college student gift (just think of all the laundry it will hold.) To pick up after the kids in the car. Or for toys. Or line it with laminated cotton and use it as a beautiful car trash container. Or, and this one is good, haul Christmas presents to Grandma's house with it. It could hold a huge art project. Of course you will look really skinny holding it as a purse. And finally try it as what it's titled: a little weekend suitcase.

Needed supplies include: 1 1/4 yards main fabric, 5/8 yard accent fabric, 1 1/2 yards lining fabric, 3 yards Peltex sew-in weight stabilizer and 3 magnetic snaps. Download your copy of the So Long Suitcase Bag here. Shops, this pattern is free for you to print and kit! It prints out as a pattern, not a tutorial. If you sell the So Long Suitcase Bag, either as a pattern or as a finished bag, please credit Lilac Lane LLC.

So on to part 2 of Happy Thanksgiving, which is a giveaway sponsored by Granma's Treasures. This is the first time I've ever used Rafflecopter for a drawing, so crossing my fingers! Up for grabs is 3 yards of beautiful, silky Art Gallery fabric and 3 Lilac Lane patterns of your choice. There will be one winner chosen at the end of the giveaway. Good luck! Happy Thanksgiving!

 Make sure to come back on Black Friday for a very special sale.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Love,

xoxo

Maxi Skirt and a Really Cool Egg

 This weekend we had our first 4-H sewing meeting. It is so rewarding to help these eager girls learn how to sew! Afterwards, Anna still had the sewing bug, so we tore into our stash of ruffle fabric and made ourselves skirts (and a scarf for her!) It's the first time I've sewn for myself in just about forever.

 Honestly, a 30 minute project from start to finish. My goodness Anna is a good model. I just tell her where to stand and she takes it from there.

 Would you like a tutorial? Or is this so easy you don't need one? Let me know; I'm happy to make up a little free pattern.

 My friend Linda Goossen painted this egg for me. It's from an ostrich and now has a proud home in my little office. Isn't this awesome? She asked what my favorite flower is and Anna and I replied together that it's a peony.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 NIV
I've often wanted to engrave this verse on the walls of my husband's law office.

Love,

xoxo

Flash Sale! Chasing Rainbows Quilt Pattern

Since I'm only newly using facebook, I'm giving you, my sweet friends, a heads up on this terrific flash sale! You need to like my facebook page so you can get these updates all the time! So for all you quilters and everyone who knows someone who like to quilt, the Chasing Rainbows patterns is on sale this weekend only!

Just $4 as an e-pattern, or $5 as a paper pattern. If you buy the paper pattern, you have the option of adding FREE gift wrap! What could be easier? Christmas for your favorite quilting friend is done. This weekend only! Don't forget the clearance kit sale as well.
Love,

xoxo

Kit Clearance!

I'm making room in my studio and something has to go! All of my kits are now on clearance sale in the Etsy shop. Start Christmas shopping now!

This It's All Roses Headband Kit is just $3 while supplies last.

The Pastime Pillows Kit is $25, down from $45. It has everything you need to make both pillows, including linen and all the DMC floss -- plus fabric! Just provide the pillow.

The All Dolled Up Tote is now just $30, down from $45! Everything you need is included: 4 yards fabric ($40 value), zipper, webbing, Peltex!!!!

The Joy Bag kit has the beautiful Hello Luscious line from BasicGrey! All interfacings included! Plus zipper and magnetic snap. Was $25, now $15.

The Be Mine Tote kit has a Moda charm pack. You can choose while supplies last from:
California Girl by Fig Tree
Reunion by Sweetwater
Athill Range by Cabbages and Roses
Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket
A Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey
Also includes webbing and Peltex! Was $25, now $15.

The Family Tree kit includes everything you need to make the quilt top. Moda Bella solids, stabilizer, Wonder Under, background and tree fabric! Was $27, now $19.

Happy shopping!

Love,

xoxo

the Lilac Blossoms Club

To join, simply click here!
 Love,

xoxo

Norton Arts and Crafts Fair

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the weather that a new week brings. We have gotten really cold and I'm starting to think Thanksgiving!

This weekend I was able to attend the Norton Arts and Crafts Fair. It was a fun show. Here's a picture of my booth.

Nothing too fancy, but I thought you would like to see.

Don't forget to visit Ellie Inspired for a whole 12 Days of Christmas! You could win my book and lots and lots of other prizes. Plus there are guest bloggers each day.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives Colossians 1:9
Love,

xoxo

12 Days of Christmas Day 1 Today!

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas! I'm so excited to share with you. I have 1/2 off the Beloved Dress and a great Christmas candy recipe. And don't forget to visit Ellie Inspired for lots of great prizes! Thanks so much for inviting me to play along Laura.

 I have a new cover for the Beloved Dress! I'm loving this one. Such a sweet dress for Christmas. And this weekend only, it's half price! This dress will not be marked down this much again before Christmas. Already marked down on Etsy, just purchase either the e-pattern or the paper pattern and you're on your way to the cutest Christmas dress ever.

 So while you're at it, you may as well add Beloved for Dolls. After all, what little girl doesn't want to match her doll?

 And now for the fun part! Christmas time is busy. And there are parties. And sometimes one sneaks up on you. It's not just me is it? So here is an easy last-minute recipe. Just buy these ingredients today and keep them on hand. They are so good you'll have a hard time bringing them to the party. The caramel kind of makes the marshmallow start to melt so you get a little taste of summer bonfire in there!

 You will need:

regular size marshmallows

white chocolate

caramels

rice cereal

 1. Melt the caramels over low heat. Put a toothpick in a marshmallow to help you coat it.

 2. Coat the marshmallow in caramel.

 3. Roll the caramel coated marshmallow in the rice cereal.

 4. Let sit on a piece of wax paper. I spray the paper with nonstitck cooking spray just to make sure.

 5. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle over the marshmallows. This is definitely the hard part. I found that putting the chocolate in a bowl and microwaving for 30 second intervals works best. Don't microwave too long or it seizes up and won't drizzle at all!

Yummy!

Don't forget to follow along:

Nov 10th (Day 1): Lilac Lane Patterns (http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com/)

Nov 11th (Day 2): Create Kids Couture (http://createkidscouture.blogspot.com/)

Nov 12th (Day 3): Southern Stitches (http://www.sewnso.blogspot.com/)

Nov 13th (Day 4): Sew Can She (http://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/)

Nov 14th (Day 5): Naptime Crafters (http://www.naptimecrafters.com/)

Nov 15th (Day 6): Sara Norris Ltd. (http://saranorrisltd.blogspot.com/)

Nov 16th (Day 7): Tie Dye Diva (http://tiedyedivadesigns.blogspot.com/)

Nov 17th (Day 8): Little Lizard King (http://littlelizardking.blogspot.com/)

Nov 18th (Day 9): Bugga Bugs (http://buggabugs.blogspot.com/)

Nov 19th (Day 10): Birdsong Patterns (http://birdsongbows.blogspot.com/)

Nov 20th (Day 11): Riley Blake Designs (http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/)

Nov 21st (Day 12): Ellie Inspired (http://www.ellieinspired.com/)

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
Love,

xoxo