A Christmas Tradition

I know, I know, it's still summer, but it's never too early to start thinking about making that holiday quilt project.


And who doesn't love some fruitcake over the holidays?

Okay, I've heard all the jokes comparing fruitcakes to hockey pucks. But here's a nice 'Chunky Fruitcake' quilt everyone will love!

This quilt features "Fruitcake" fabric collection by BasicGrey for Moda.

It's fast and easy to make. Subtle holiday prints that don't scream 'Christmas!' Chock full of nice big chunks of fabric. Yum!

And you can get the kit at Calico Gals in Syracuse to bake up your very own!

By the way, my mom really did make a great fruitcake at the holidays. No thick, sticky goo for her! The cake part was always nice and moist.

Want her recipe?

Mrs. Kolis' Delicious Fruitcake

1 cup white raisins

1 cup cut up candied fruit

1 cup pecans, chopped

2 cups sifted flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp mace

1/2 tsp lemon flavor

1/4 cup orange juice, then add brandy to bring liquid to 1/3 cup line on measuring cup

Plus pecan halves and candied cherries to decorate top of cake.

1. Mix flour, salt, baking powder and sift over the fruit and chopped nuts. Blend well and set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugar

3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.

4. Add mace, and lemon favoring

5. Stir in floured fruit

6. Add orange juice mixture and blend

7. Grease and flour baking pans, either two loaf pans or one tube pan. Important! Place paper liner in bottom of pan  Pour batter over paper liner, then decorate with pecan halves and candies cherries.

8. Bake in slow oven (275 degrees). Bake two loaf pans, about 1-1/2 hours, or bake tube pan 1 hour, 40 minutes, or until toothpick comes clean. Place a large shallow pan of hot water on rack directly underneath cake in oven.

Store in airtight container.

Please pass the Fruitcake!
Joan

Clipart available at www.pccrafter.com

One hundred thirty-seven. . .

. . . days left until Christmas!

Plenty of time! Looking for a great holiday project to sew up in a jiffy? How about a Christmas-themed Baltimore Album quilt?

Normally, I wouldn't dream of attempting to finish a Baltimore Album quilt in just a few months. All that detailed applique. Lots and lots of stitching. Yikes!

However, I was inspired to make this quilt using Mimi Dietrich's "Christmas in Baltimore" fabric line by P&B Textiles. And you guessed it, you can make one just like it in time for the holidays with your very own fabric kit, complete with original pattern by yours truly.

Don't worry. Those beautiful applique blocks are cut from a printed panel. All you have to do is chop up the panel, sew up the sashing and borders, and it's ready to quilt!

Make yourself an impressive holiday treat before the first snow flies! Or, better still, before the leaves start to turn.

Oh, by the way, kits are available at Calico Gals in Syracuse, NY. You want one?

Happy stitching!
Joan