Countdown to Christmas With Kimberbell!

December 25, 2022: And To All a Good Night

Merry Christmas! Thank you for taking this Countdown to Christmas journey with us. I hope you’ve enjoyed the daily posts and have felt our sincere wishes to cheer you this holiday season. 

Last year I wrote a little poem for you. I’d like to share it again. This is my gift from my heart to yours!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM KIMBERBELL

‘Tis the holiday season and our Kimberbell team sends happy, warm wishes and sugar plum dreams.

May your sorrows be few and your burdens be light, finding wonder and joy in creative delight.

May your needles stay sharp, your threads rarely break. Dare to take chances and make a mistake!

May your bobbins be full and your heart be full, too, as you make thoughtful gifts for those around you.

Do you know with assurance this holiday season that we do what we do because you’re the reason?

We love your excitement, your triumphs, your pride, as we journey together on this Kimberbell ride.

So, from all your friends here we say with delight: Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

December 24, 2022: Kimberbell Christmas Eve Traditions

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you have lots of fun plans and traditions today with the people you love. Just for fun, we asked the Kimberbell staff what some of their Christmas Eve traditions are. Here’s what they said! 

Tyler: “We do a sibling gift exchange and the nieces and nephews do one, too. But the fun part is doing a pet gift exchange for those of us who have dogs!”

Erin:  “My husband's family always breaks a pinata every Christmas Eve. They each take turns making it by hand.  We've had some really fun ones over the years!”

 Camilla: “Every Christmas my family draws names for a family member to hand make a gift for. We spend a month or so making the gifts and then we open them on Christmas Eve. We've gotten much better over the years. It started out with a lot of pillow cases and roughly crocheted scarves! But now we’ve seen chess boards, nightlights, quilts, movie prop replicas, birdbaths, stuffed animals, candles, soap, and shop aprons.”

Danni: “My family has waffles topped with ice cream for Christmas Eve Dinner!”

MaKayla: “We get matching Christmas jammies every year and open them on Christmas Eve. We then blow up an air mattress and the kids fall asleep in the living room watching a Christmas movie. On Christmas, we hang out in our pajamas and eat munchies all day.”

Jensyn: “My family members all refuse to decorate for Christmas alone. We get together, blast Christmas music, and dance around slowly putting everything up! It’s usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving so we eat leftovers for lunch. Something about decorating together sets the perfect mood for the whole month! On Christmas Eve, we open a new movie and watch it together before going to bed.”

Morgan: “My husband and I are fairly newly married so we run between both of our families throughout the holiday season and don't have a lot of time for just the two of us to celebrate. So we came up with "grinch dinner" where we make who-hash, who-pudding, and who-roast beast on the 23rd of December and watch the grinch while we eat. After that we open the gifts we got for each other since we will be with our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!”

Kenzie: “Every Christmas Eve my family dresses up as Santa & goes skiing/snowboarding (most resorts let you ski for cheap or free if you dress up)! And of course we enjoy some hot cocoa in the lodge.”

Robert: “The day after Thanksgiving, we go to the fabric store as a family and pick out flannel for pajamas. My wife makes each of us pajama pants and wraps them to open on Christmas Eve. Each of us takes our turn opening them and performing an overly dramatic display of surprise for a photo. Even though we are all part of the process and know exactly what we are opening on Christmas Eve, it has become one of my favorite things about Christmas.”

Kari: “Each year, I gave my kids a reindeer name. (They were not told which name they were given.)  I wrapped all of the presents and put the reindeer name on them.  On Christmas morning I would let them know who was which reindeer.  They were given a different name each year!”

 Carmen: “My neighbors invite the neighborhood over for breakfast each Christmas morning between 7 and 9 a.m.  This tradition was started by her dad 25-30 years ago. He wanted to serve his neighbors and feed them breakfast in lieu of neighbor gifts.  The purpose was so that neighbors could talk and mingle and enjoy each other's company.  Her dad passed away about 5 years ago and she has carried continued his tradition in our neighborhood. I love it!”

Mookie: “My mother-in-law wraps all the presents for a single person in the same wrapping paper and on Christmas Eve her kids have to guess what wrapping paper is theirs for Christmas Day. They open their pajamas on Christmas Eve, which is why they guess the night before. They also have a nativity set from Jerusalem made from an olive tree. On Christmas Eve, they read the nativity story out of the Bible and when the verses mention the figures in the nativity they place them in the stable.”

What are some of your Christmas Eve traditions! Whatever you’re doing tonight, we hope your evening is filled with peace and joy. Merry Christmas! 🎄

December 23, 2022: Symbols of Christmas

Holly leaves, like these shown on Kimberbell’s Cup of Cheer Advent Quilt, are a familiar symbol of Christmas. But have you wondered why we celebrate with specific emblems year after year?

I did a little research and thought it would be fun to look at some of our well-known symbols and what they represent in our Christian holiday:

• Bells: Joy and happiness in announcing Christ's birth
• Bows: Tying ourselves to others in unity and goodwill
• Candles: The Light of the World (Candles also are a big part of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.)
• Candy Canes: Shepherd's crooks
• Evergreen Trees: Everlasting life
• Gifts: Gifts of the wise men to the Christ child
• Holly: Christ's crown of thorns
• Mistletoe: Vivacity and fertility
• Red & Green: Red is for the blood of Christ, green for everlasting life
• Star: Star of Bethlehem
• Wreaths: Eternity 

You’ll see all of these symbols in a wide variety of Kimberbell Christmas projects. Take a look at Cup of Cheer, Jingle All the Way, We Whisk You a Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas Y’all, A Kimberbell Christmas, Happy Hoop Decor, Ginger’s Kitchen, our Christmas bench pillows, and so much more! 

As you deck your halls this Christmas, it’s fun to ponder the reason for the season. 

December 22, 2022: By the Chimney With Care

Every Christmas Eve, Americans hang decorative stockings “by the chimney with care” and hope they’re filled with fun surprises in the morning. 

We do this year…after year…after year…after year…

But how did the Christmas stocking tradition begin?

According to legend, sometime back in the 4th century there was a poor widower with three daughters. Because of their impoverished state, the widower feared his daughters would never marry.

A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard of the situation and wanted to help. Because the widower was against accepting charity outright, Nicholas threw three balls of pure gold through the window of the man’s house. The gold balls landed in the girls’ stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry. Because of this generosity, the girls were able to wed. 

It’s interesting to think of how so many traditions can spring up from one sweet story: Santa Claus, stockings, even Christmas oranges to represent the gold balls! 

If you’d like to make Christmas stockings for your family, I hope you’ll check out Noel’s Quilted Stockings or Kimberbell Curated: Home for the Holidays at your favorite quilt shop. And while you’re hanging them, be sure to share the story of how it all began! 

December 21, 2022: Brownies in a Jar

These Brownies in a Jar are a wonderful gift. Not only are they delicious, they’re a hit because the recipient can make them whenever they want! I’ve assembled these beautiful jars many times over the years, and they never fail to be a total hit.  

Enjoy! ❤️

Brownies in a Jar

Ingredients

Whisk 1 cup flour and 1/2 tsp. salt together and funnel into a 1-quart glass jar with lid. Add the following ingredients in this order, tapping jar to settle after each addition. (NOTE: some ingredients are repeated! Don't let that throw you; it's supposed to look striped and pretty.)

• 6 Tbsp. unsweetened baking cocoa
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (yep, another round of sugar)
• 6 Tbsp. unsweetened baking cocoa (and another round of cocoa)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup white baking chips
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Close lid, and tie the following baking instructions to the jar:

To Bake:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" square pan. Whisk brownie mix in a bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter, 3 eggs (beaten), and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Spread into pan. Bake about 35 minutes, until inserted toothpick has few crumbs. Cool. Yield: 12 VERY YUMMY brownies.

December 20, 2022: Gifting Kimberbell at Christmas

Gift giving is a fun tradition at Christmastime. What Kimberbell gifts have you shared with neighbors, friends, and loved ones over the years? 🎁

Here are a few of my favorite (SO quick and easy!) Kimberbell projects to share with friends, teachers, and family. 

Heart-Felt Friends: Owl

My son’s third grade teacher really loved owls. Her classroom was decorated with them! So I just had to make her this owl from Kimberbell’s Heart-Felt Friends. It took less than an hour and she loved it! 

Mug Rugs

I’ve given a number of Mug Rugs over the years, but this one was perhaps my favorite. I have a dear friend who is an incredible seamstress, so I made this Sip & Sew Mug Rug for her and gave it with a gourmet cocoa mix. 

Happy Hoop Decor: Nativity Ornaments

I’ve loved making these so much I’ve actually made SEVEN sets to date. (I say, “to date” because I’m sure I’m not done!) Both the Nativity AND Whimsical Christmas Ornaments are excellent gifts.

Dear Santa Bench Buddy

I made this Dear Santa Bench Buddy when I attended Kimberbell’s Winter Wonderland machine embroidery event. I'm going to gift it to just the right person . . .I just haven't decided on who yet!

From Crossbody Bags and Cinch Sacks to Felt Cozies and more, there are SO MANY Kimberbell projects that make wonderful last-minute gifts! 

Remember, saying “I made this for you” is just like saying, “I love you!”

December 19, 2022: Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice

What would Christmas be without gingerbread? This iconic treat has been baking spirits bright since 2400 B.C. (Did your jaw just drop at that date? Gingerbread's been around waaaaaaay before Christmas!)

A dear friend shared her delicious gingerbread recipe with me years ago. I’m delighted to share it with you! Enjoy! 

Ginger's Kitchen Gingerbread

Ingredients

• 7-8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
  
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  
• 1/2 cup water (room temp)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Sift together 7 cups flour, baking powder, ginger, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix the slightly melted butter & shortening with. molasses. 
3. Add brown sugar, water, vanilla, and egg. Mix until smooth.
4. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients, about 1/2 cup at a time.
5. Add more flour until dough looks sticky but does not stick to the bowl.
6. Cover well and refrigerate at least two hours.
7. Roll dough to about 1/4" thick and cut shapes. 
8. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet. (Use parchment paper if desired.)
9. Bake at 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes. They will look hard, but will be soft to the touch.

Yield: 6 dozen gingerbread men.

December 18, 2022: Kimberbell Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Christmas is only a few days away.  Eek! (I mean, "Yay," right?) 😉 Are you looking for last-minute stocking stuffer ideas for yourself or the perfect gift for a machine embroidery friend? 

Here are a few ideas:

• Kimberbell Paper Tape (Fits every stocking and budget!)
• Paper Tape Dispenser (Perfectly sized for Paper Tape!)
• Deluxe Embroidery Scissors & Tools (Click HERE to see how they're different!)
• Orange Pop Rulers™ (Visually center applique designs before you cut!)
• Clear Blue Tiles™ (Quilt your projects in-the-hoop!)
• Stabilizer Slap Bands (Keep stabilizer rolls labeled, tidy, and easy to find.)
• Experience the Joy Binder (Organize your Kimberbell instructions in a darling way!)
• Kimberbellishments (Choose from Applique Glitter, Embroidery Leather, and more!)

For a machine embroiderer, these tools and embellishments are better than Christmas candy. Visit your favorite quilt shop for a variety of fun ideas and look forward to those Christmas morning smiles! 🎄

December 17, 2022: Lessons From a Snowman

We’ve gotten a lot of snow around here recently, which has me pondering snowmen. ☃️ Other than (perhaps) snow angels, they’re usually the first thing children make when they run outside to play. So, why do we love snowmen so much?

Well, they’re adorable and fun to make. I mean, check out these frosty friends from Kimberbell’s Over-the-Edge Applique: Fall & Winter Wonder! They definitely fall in the “adorable and fun to make” category. (You can find these at your favorite quilt shop, BTW.)

But back to snowmen in general. They’ve been around a long time and are therefore very wise. So, if a snowman could talk, what would he teach us? Here are just five ideas that popped into my brain:

• Everyone melts down sometimes. (Just try not to disappear.)
• If you can’t stand the heat, stand as long as you can.
• When you look super closely, we’re all a little flaky.
• Round is a perfectly beautiful shape. 
• When a child pats your back, all's right with the world.

Those were the five I thought of. What do you think a snowman would tell you? 

December 16, 2022: "All is Calm" With a Special Performance by Shey Call!

I love the All is Calm, All is Bright Pillow from Kimberbell Curated: Home For the Holidays. And, because this is a line from the beloved Christmas song “Silent Night,” I thought it would be fun to share a special performance by Kimberbell’s own Shey Call!!!! 🎵

Shey has many talents, one of which is styling Kimberbell’s photo and video shoots. But she’s also a singer who changed the words to “Silent Night” in a touchingly beautiful way. We hope you love this special performance as much as we do! (She recorded this video just for you.) ❤️

If you'd like to add Shey's song to your playlist, you can find her recording HERE. (And to stitch the All is Calm, All is Bright Pillow, ask your favorite quilt shop about Kimberbell Curated: Home For the Holidays!)

We hope you enjoy both! 

December 15, 2022: Santa Around the World

Santa Claus believes in Kimberbell. 

I'd even go so far as to say he’s a Kimberfella. After all, he stars in our North Pole Tier Tray video. (Click HERE to see!) And he even makes an appearance on our Merry Christmas, Y’all Pillow.  (Downloadable HERE.) 

Cowboy Santa shown above looks a whole heap different than the one in the video, which made me wonder about the many images and names Santa is known by around the world. 

Are you familiar with any of these?

• Santa Claus/Father Christmas (United Kingdom, United States, & Canada)
• Sinterklaas (Netherlands) 
• Hoteiosho (Japan)
• Babbo Natale  (Italy) (La Befana brings gifts on January 5.)
• Jultomten (Sweden)
• Pere Noel/Papa Noel (France)
• der Weihnachtsmann (Germany)
• Papai Noel (Brazil)
• Santo Clos (Mexico)

• Дед Мороз “Grandfather Frost” (Russia)

Whatever he looks like OR goes by, you definitely want to be on that nice list! 😄 Find our Merry Christmas Y'all Pillow HERE or click HERE to find a shop hosting Kimberbell's  North Pole Tier Tray Event!

December 14, 2022: Visions of Sugar Plums

What IS a Sugar Plum, Anyway?

In the classic poem The Night Before Christmas there’s a line that’s always thrilled my imagination: “While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads…” 

Is there anything that sounds more enticing than a sugar plum? There’s a reason The Nutcracker ballet stars the Sugar Plum Fairy, you know. I mean, she could have been called the Raisin Cream Pie Fairy or the Tapioca Pudding Fairy. But would that sound as good?   

Look at this darling design from Kimberbell's Sugar Plum Jubilee event. Does she LOOK like a Tapioca Pudding Fairy? NO. She is named for sugar plums.  (Pssst!  You can find a shop hosting Sugar Plum Jubilee HERE.) 

Despite my enchantment with the name, I didn’t know what sugar plums were until recently when I finally looked up the recipe and made them. And guess what? They were delicious!

Note: For utmost enjoyment, you have to forget that you live in a Willy Wonka and Hershey world and enter the mindset of someone from 1823. Remember, this is the kind of candy dancing in kids’ heads two hundred years ago! Expect sugar plums to be different from candy dancing in heads today. (Are you game to try them?)

Traditional Sugar Plums

Ingredients

• ½ cup chopped prunes
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted & coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup dates pitted & chopped 
• ¼ cup dried cranberries 
• ¼ cup almond meal, toasted 
• 2 Tablespoons apricot preserves or honey (I used apricot)
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ cup sugar

Directions

• Put chopped prunes, walnuts, dates and cranberries in a food processor and pulse until ingredients are chopped into small, even pieces. Stop before the mixture becomes a ball.
• Add the almond meal, apricot preserves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and salt. Pulse several times until ingredients are fully combined and the mixture holds together.
• Line a tray or container with wax or parchment paper. Scoop the mixture into heaping 1 tablespoon portions, roll into 1-inch balls, and place on the paper.
• Store at room temperature in a covered container for up to 1 week or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 month. 
  

Let visions of sugar plums begin! 😀

December 13, 2022: A "Heart-Felt" Gift of Candy Cane Cookies

In my December 4th post, I mentioned how much I enjoyed baking with my family during my growing-up years. Well, one of my favorite things to bake were these Candy Cane Cookies! I loved rolling the red and white dough into strips and then weaving the two colors together. Somehow, it was just magical.

Heart-Felt Gift Pockets

Wouldn't it be fun to make Kimberbell's Oh, Christmas Tea Heart-Felt Gift Pocket, slip some tea bags inside, and give with a plate of these Candy Cane Cookies? The lucky recipient could enjoy a cozy Christmas tea party with a friend or two! (You can find Heart-Felt Gift Pockets at your favorite quilt shop!) 

Have fun making memories with your family this holiday season! ❤️

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients

•  1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. red food coloring
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
  

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, combine butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla.
2. Blend in flour and salt.
3. Divide dough in half and blend food coloring into one half. (Half of dough will be red, and half will be white.)
4. Take 1 tsp. dough from red half and shape into 4-inch ropes. (For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on a lightly-floured board.) Repeat this process with the white dough. 
5. Place one red and one white rope side by side, press together, and twist.
6. Put cookies on ungreased baking sheet and curve top down for candy cane handle.
7. Bake for 9 minutes at 375 degrees OR until lightly brown. (Take out when they're just a tiny bit brown.)
8. Mix crushed peppermint candy and granulated sugar together.
9. After removing cookies from the oven, immediately sprinkle them with the candy mixture. (If cookies cool, the candy won't stick!)
10. Let cookies remain on cookie sheet for about one minute before removing. (Don't remove immediately because they break easily!)
11. Remove from baking sheet very carefully with spatula. Enjoy!

Yield: 2 1/2 dozen

December 12, 2022: Happy Hoop Decor (and Jenny's Nativity Tree)

I have a confession to make: I'm slightly obsessed with collecting Nativity sets. ✨  I’m not kidding. I have at least 25 in my front room alone. I’ve loved collecting them over the years, but I’m sort of running out of room…

So, when Kimberbell released Happy Hoop Decor: Christmas Nativity Ornaments a few years ago, you’d better believe I was one of the first to make them!

Let's take a quick, fun look at all 12 designs in the collection:

Aren't those darling? So, what do you do when you run out of room for your Nativity set collection? You start hanging them on the Christmas tree, of course! Here's a picture of my Nativity tree this year. Can you spy my Happy Hoop Decor: Christmas Nativity Ornaments? 

Not only have I made these for myself, I’ve also made several sets as gifts for family members. They're always a big hit! (Remember that whole, “I made this for you” is the same as saying, “I love you” thing. ❤️) 

Kimberbell’s Happy Hoop Decor: Christmas Nativity Ornaments are easily stitched in a 4x4 embroidery field and are absolutely perfect for beginners. You can find the designs and our 3 1/2" Bamboo Hoops at your favorite quilt shop!

December 11, 2022: Tying the Perfect Bow

Bows add a special touch to Christmas gifts and decor, but they can seem a little intimidating when you’re staring at a brand-new spool of ribbon.

Want to learn a few tricks for tying a professional-looking bow like the one on this pillow?

Simply click the video below to see Kim’s video demonstration! (Kim's bow-making tips are about 13 minutes in.)  You won't believe how easy it is to quickly make a beautiful, decorative bow!

I hope you enjoy adorning your projects, gifts, and decor this season! 😊

December 10, 2022: Kimberbell's Favorite Christmas Reads

When I was three years old, I memorized  my picture bookThe Night Before Christmas. Not because I was a smart little whippersnapper, but because my parents read it to me so much I learned it by heart. 

Reading is a magical part of the holidays. (Well, I’d argue that reading is magical ALL year.) But Christmas books can especially make us laugh, warm our hearts, and leave us in tears. Happy, feeling-better tears.  

I asked the Kimberbell staff what their favorite Christmas reads are and have listed them below for you to enjoy! 😊

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Cajun Night Before Christmas by Trosclair
• Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber as read by Tom Brokaw
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
• Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
• Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr. Seuss
• Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett
• Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini
• The Nutcracker by SusanJeffers
• Jack Frost by William Joyce
• Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed
• Santa Post by Emma Yarlett
• Stone Manger: The Untold Story of the First Christmas by Jeffrey R. Chadwick
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
• The Christmas Ship by Dean Morrissey
• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg
• The Legend of the Candy Cane: The Inspirational Story of Our Favorite Christmas Candy by Lori Walburg
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
• The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell 
• The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
• The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia M. Scarry
• The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt

Do you have a favorite Christmas book (or two or three)? Leave your recommendations below!

December 9, 2022: The Incredible, Edible Tree

Once upon a memorable Christmas, my mother-in-law decorated her tree in a very unique, very special way: everything on the tree (and I mean EVERYTHING except the tree itself) was edible.  I don't have a picture of it, so let's pretend the buttons on this  Candy Cane Lane tree are cookies, shall we? 

(You can find Kimberbell's Candy Cane Lane Bench Pillow at your favorite quilt shop. 😍)

Do you know the best part of my mother-in-law's tree? We were encouraged to eat the ornaments! This means I'd reach into the branches and help myself to a homemade treat every time I walked by. 🍪

BEST. DECORATIONS. EVER.

I’ll never forget that delightfully delicious tree with caramels and cookies and strings of popcorn! If you’re looking for a fun, inexpensive, and unique way to deck your halls, you might consider edible ornaments.

As my mother-in-law proved with her tree, we can Experience the Joy of Creativity™ in many ways. That might mean baking your ornaments or adding cork, Fairy Lights, and dimensional buttons to an applique tree!

Creativity is a beautiful gift. I encourage you to take a few creative chances this holiday season! 

December 8, 2022: Being the Elf

During the season of giving, nothing’s more fun than being one of Santa’s helpers (a.k.a. elves). Are you looking for ways to give, serve, and lift this Christmas? Try some of these ideas! (Oh, and to make this darling Elf and other North Pole Stuffies, just click HERE!)

Ways YOU Can "Be the Elf"

• Write an encouraging note.
• Participate in Sub for Santa or local giving trees.
• Leave surprises on someone's porch for the 12 Days of Christmas.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
• Donate canned items to your food bank.
• Babysit someone's kids (for free).
• Offer someone a ride.
• Volunteer at church.
• Collect and donate items for refugees.
• Listen
• Deliver a meal.
• Work with a nonprofit organization.
• Make a Kimberbear and donate to a children's hospital. (Pattern is FREE!)
• Go caroling at a rest home.
• Hold the door for the person behind you.
• Shovel snow from your neighbor's driveway.
• Pick up trash and throw it away.
• Donate money to a charity.
• Apologize and make peace.
• Give sincere compliments and encouragement.
• Talk to someone who looks out of place.
• Offer your seat on the bus or train.
• Surprise someone with freshly-baked treats.
• Send that text to someone you're thinking about.
• Visit someone who's lonely.
• Sincerely thank every veteran you meet.
• Let cars in front of you on the highway.
• Return shopping carts to designated areas.
• Donate blood.
• Smile at everyone you see.
• Pray for others. 

Some of these might sound small or silly, but little things can make a BIG difference. (Remember, elves are little, too!) 😊

What are some of your favorite ways to serve?  

December 7, 2022: Why DO We Decorate Trees?

I love this darling Christmas tree featured on Kimberbell’s December Bench Buddy. (I mean, it even has a real stick for its trunk!) Christmas trees are so widely popular it’s hard to imagine the season without them. But have you ever wondered how the whole Christmas tree thing began?

Apparently, German Christians first brought decorated trees into their homes in the 16^th century, and it’s widely believed that Protestant reformer Martin Luther was the first person to add candles to the tree. (It’s said that he wanted to replicate the brilliance of stars.)

Americans adopted Christmas trees much later when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert brought a Christmas tree into the palace. After that, Christmas trees became the rage in both Britain and America.

I’m glad Christmas trees are here to stay. (Especially with electric lights and NOT candles, thank you very much!) Tall or short, real or fake, Christmas trees are a beloved symbol of life, light, and hope. 

You can find Kimberbell Bench Buddies at your favorite quilt shop! 

December 6, 2022: My Real-Life Candy Cane Lane

I love Kimberbell’s Candy Cane Lane Bench Pillow, partly because it’s so darling but mostly because it reminds me of strolling downtown at Christmas time!

Every year, our historic downtown sponsors a Parade of Gingerbread Homes. Participants display creative gingerbread houses in their store windows and we get to vote on our favorites!  I LOVE walking along the “lane,” peeking in the windows, and grabbing a hot chocolate at The Bluebird Restaurant. 

I’d love to take all of you with me. However, since that’s not possible, here's a peek at some of the gingerbread houses along my "real" Candy Cane Lane!

As you can see, this tradition is a lot of fun. (Those businesses definitely Experience the Joy of Creativity™!) What are some of your hometown celebrations?

If you want to make this darling bench pillow, you can find everything you need at your favorite quilt shop!

December 5, 2022: The Value of Handmade Gifts

At Kimberbell, we believe that saying, “I made this for you” is just like saying, “I love you.” (Would we spend the time if we didn’t care? Nope.)

My wonderful grandmother made an afghan for each of her five kids PLUS all 22 of her grandchildren. This is a picture of her sweet hands, resting between stitches. How I treasure my afghan!

Grandma lives in Heaven now, and on my hardest days I wrap myself up in my afghan and feel her love holding me. 

Handmade gifts are PRICELESS.

So many of you have made Kimberbell’s Cup of Cheer Advent Quilt or other projects specifically as heirlooms for the people you love most. Trust me when I say that your efforts are appreciated! Even if the child or grandchild or neighbor or friend doesn’t express their gratitude as they should, trust me: your gift is priceless. 

Kimberbell’s tagline is Experience the Joy of Creativity™. This joy blesses both the giver and receiver. (I’d love to hear what you’ve made for your loved ones!) ❤️

December 4, 2022: Christmas Cookies & Caroling

Baking and Christmas go together like…well, like Santa Claus and cookies. It’s hard to imagine the holidays without warm kitchens and sweet treats! Which is TOTALLY FINE, because “Christmas calories don’t count.” That’s what this bonus project from We Whisk You a Merry Christmas says, and I’m sticking to that theory. 

You can find We Whisk You a Merry Christmas at your favorite quilt shop. I love this quilt because all through my growing-up years we’d spend a day or two baking…and baking….and baking some more. Then we’d load paper plates with goodies to take to our neighbors and friends. (Sound familiar to anyone? I’ll bet many of you did this, too!) 

Now, I grew up in a family that sang quite a lot, so it wasn’t good enough to just drop the treats off at the door. Nope, we stayed for a minute and caroled at each house we visited. My husband also grew up caroling with his family. (Sadly, we haven’t done enough caroling as of late.)

However, we did make a musical Christmas card many years ago when our kids were small, which was fun! If you click the link below, my (much younger) family and I will carol to you this year. (Unfortunately, you'll have to imagine the cookies.) 🍪🎵  But Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfZiWusbn6k&feature=em-upload_owner

December 3, 2022: Jingle Bells & Sleigh Rides

There’s no question that “Jingle Bells”is one of the most popular Christmas songs EVER. It’s well over a century old (actually, it’s going on two centuries) and its catchy tune and lyrics always make my heart smile. 

Have you ever ridden in a one-horse open sleigh? I (sadly!) have never had that chance. But I have enjoyed several hayrides in my day, which is always a good time! My family and I attend our community live nativity every year, where a team of horses takes us from our car to the stable. Without fail, everyone on the wagon breaks out into a chorus or two of “Jingle Bells.” 

There’s just something about singing “Jingle Bells” under the stars that makes one feel all's right with the world. How many of you have made Kimberbell’s Jingle All the Way quilt (and bonus projects, like this one) because of your sweet memories of this song? (Click HERE to see the whole quilt!)

Although an older product, it's still a good one. Ask for Kimberbell's Jingle All the Way quilt at your favorite quilt shop!

Oh, what fun it is…

December 2, 2022: Cup for a Can Cocoa Stand

When I see this block from Kimberbell’s Candy Cane Lane Bench Pillow, I think of some pretty sweet, specific memories. I think of our family Cup for a Can Cocoa Stand. 

For many years, one of our family traditions was to host a cocoa stand to gather food donations for our community food bank. Our stand wasn’t nearly as cute as the Kimberbell version shown above...it was just a folding table in our garage. But we enjoyed the experience nonetheless! 

Each cup of cocoa cost one can of food, and our supportive neighbors and friends really came through with their contributions. My kids loved collecting the cans, mixing the cocoa, and topping each cup with whipped cream and cinnamon. After the stand closed, we all drove to the food bank to drop off the collected food.

Our last Cup for a Can Cocoa Stand was in 2019, before the pandemic. I’m thinking it’s time to start the tradition up again! If you've never hosted a stand like this, it's a fun way to teach kids and grandkids to give. 😊 Maybe I'll make that block on Candy Cane Lane and frame it for our next cocoa stand decor?!

December 1, 2022: The Most (Wonderful?) Time of the Year

We're entering the most wonderful time of the year, right? I mean, it must be wonderful, considering all the parties and presents and plates filled with goodies… 

But, like the scuffed-up half of a shiny new penny, there's a side to the holidays not mentioned in catchy Christmas songs. The lonely side. The sick side. The heartrending “I’m-suffering-a-great-loss” side. The holidays, in all of their wonderfulness, can be an especially painful time for family, friends, or maybe even ourselves. 

I’m not trying to dim the Christmas lights, here. Truly, I’m not!  But if we recognize that the season can be difficult sometimes, maybe we’ll look for ways to lift and build and comfort and strengthen each other.

Please join Kimberbell in counting down to Christmas this month! Our goal is to brighten each day with surprise giveaways, sneak peeks, product highlights, and more. We hope you’ll join us (and invite your friends to share in the fun)! 🎄😊❤️

We’ll be posting a short video clip on our social media channels every day at 9:00 MST. Be sure to comment on each video for chances to win our GRAND PRIZE on December 25th! And please join me here on the blog as I share memories, gift ideas, recipes, random thoughts, and more every day. (Just check this same post daily to see what's new!)

As we celebrate and anticipate a little bit of fun together, perhaps we can make the season even more wonderful.