Maria Michaels Designs Website – Gone!
My wish for you is that 2012 will be a year filled with good health, happiness, prosperity, and lots of quilting, too!
After 9 years online, I decided to terminate my Maria Michaels Designs website. It was last seen on December 28, 2011.
Removing it was a difficult and sad decision, but one that had to be made. I have become much too busy and involved in so many areas, that something had to give. Web design was the first to go, and this was the second.
Instead, Maria Michaels Designs will partially continue in two places: here on my blog and on my Quilts for Sale site.
My patterns will still be available. I’ll introduce new ones here, from time to time, while slowly adding my others to my Quilts for Sale website. Just look for the Quilt Patterns link in the menu at the top of the page. I’ve only added one of mine so far. First, I’m introducing patterns created by quilters featured on Quilts for Sale. Some have already been added, so do take a look.
I will also continue as editor of The Quilt Pattern Magazine, a job I enjoy tremendously. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I recommend that you do, soon. Make it a New Year’s gift to yourself. 60 plus patterns a year for the price is a bargain you’ll find in few places, if at all. Of course, patterns aren’t all you’ll find in the magazine. There are interesting articles, workshops, book and tool reviews, BOMs, and regular and irregular columns. You’ll enjoy the monthly column written by Chris Hammacott, from Wales, as well as the one from Anna Branch, from Ontario, Canada. (Her first monthly column starts in February.) Come summer, we’ll be excitedly introducing Cheryl Coville - Grandma Coco. She’ll be the one with the irregular column.
This is our birthday month. We are celebrating the completion of our first year. I must say that it went by quickly! Sign up for our newsletter and to read about our birthday celebrations. Subscribers to The Quilt Pattern Magazine who receive our newsletter are eligible to win prizes. Everyone who subscribes to the newsletter is eligible for the free patterns included this month.
An added bonus for subscribers is Pattern Pastiche where subscribers meet to to share their quilts, ask questions, post their photos, and take part in discussions. Our staff at The Quilt Pattern Magazine enjoy taking part, too.
Late Bloomers Update
I was amazed to find that those few pansies in both pots kept blooming up until a few days before Christmas.
I was even more surprised to find parsley still growing! I’d harvested it all to freeze for the winter and had cut it down to the ground. What to my surprise, all 4 bunches had begun growing again and were almost 5 inches high! Even more surprising with all the cold weather we’ve had, it’s still there and still green!
Painted Leaves?
Do you recall my posting a photo of an apple in August? It had two colours dividing the apple equally in half and looked unreal – as though someone had painted it. While walking last month, I found a leaf with two colours equally divided on it – again, looking as though it had been hand painted. Unusual!
Have you found fruits, vegetables, or other plants with this kind of division in their colouring? If so, please tell us about them here by leaving a comment.
Interesting Two-Tone Maple Leaf
Late Bloomers
Unbelievably, it’s December 12th and we still have some pansies blooming and chives still green in our garden. The pansies don’t look as wonderful as they do in the summer, but it’s a wonder they’re here at all! We still had two rosebuds in November, too.
What’s still in your garden? Do leave a comment!
Our Late Bloomers
Canadian Christmas Blog Hop
Welcome to the last week of our Canadian Christmas Blog Hop! 
Last week you visited with Sue Jensen. Her Snowman Candle Mat pattern is a real delight! And what fun it is that she included, in a matching theme, a recipe for Snowball cookies! I hope you left a comment and wish you luck in her draw!
This blog hop has taken 9 weeks and yet, with all this fun, they’ve flown by!
Today we visit with quilt designer and teacher, Cheryl Wall. Let’s go and see what she has in store for us! (Okay, I confess. I’ve already peeked. You’re going to love Cheryl’s pattern and recipe!)
If you’ve missed a week, go back and visit. You won’t want to miss a thing!
- October 16th - Dougal Walker
- October 23rd - Daphne Greig
- October 30th - Benita Skinner
- November 6th - Kathy K Wylie
- November 13th - Maria Hrabovsky
- November 20th - Jean Boyd
- November 27th - Susan Purney Mark
- December 4th - Sue Jensen
- December 11th - Cheryl Wall
If you’ve enjoyed this blog hop, be sure to go visit each designer again, and let her know by leaving a comment. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful Blog Hop! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!
Canadian Christmas Blog Hop – Week 8
Welcome back to our Canadian Christmas Blog Hop!
Last week you visited with Susan Purney Mark. Wasn’t her Blue Glue Batik Blast a unique surprise? Have you enjoyed her Toad in the Hole recipe yet? Be sure to go back and visit again today to see her and Daphne Greig in their new YouTube presentation .
Our fun and interesting Blog Hop is almost over! We’re already on our second to last week! Today we visit with quilt designer and teacher, Sue Jensen. Let’s go and see what she has in store for us!
If you’ve missed a week, go back and visit. You won’t want to miss a thing!
- October 16th - Dougal Walker
- October 23rd - Daphne Greig
- October 30th - Benita Skinner
- November 6th - Kathy K Wylie
- November 13th - Maria Hrabovsky
- November 20th - Jean Boyd
- November 27th - Susan Purney Mark
- December 4th - Sue Jensen
- December 11th - Cheryl Wall
More Thread Spool Art at Kool Beenz
Back in May of 2010, I posted a photo of a Christmas Garland I made from my empty thread spools. If you didn’t see it and would like to, click here.
Here is a great collection of ideas for our empty spools! Click on the Kool Beenz logo to view them.
Canadian Christmas Blog Hop – Week 7
Welcome back to our Canadian Christmas Blog Hop!
This past week you visited with Jean Boyd. I’m sure that many of us will make her Christmas Memories pattern. They make perfect gifts. My family has a traditional cranberry sauce recipe we’ve used, but I’m looking forward to trying hers this year!
This week we visit with quilt designer Susan Purney Mark, designer, teacher, and author. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us!
If you’ve missed a week, go back and visit. You won’t want to miss a thing!
- October 16th - Dougal Walker
- October 23rd - Daphne Greig
- October 30th - Benita Skinner
- November 6th - Kathy K Wylie
- November 13th - Maria Hrabovsky
- November 20th - Jean Boyd
- November 27th - Susan Purney Mark
- December 4th - Sue Jensen
- December 11th - Cheryl Wall
Canadian Christmas Blog Hop – Week 6
Welcome back to our Canadian Christmas Blog Hop!
Last week you visited here with me. I hope you enjoyed my hot pad pattern and cookie recipes. Don’t forget to share photos of your hot pads and your cookies, too. I’d love to see them.
This week we visit with quilt designer Jean Boyd of Upper Canada Quiltworks. Jean has a another special pattern and recipe for you, both of which will make wonderful Christmas gifts!
If you’ve missed a week, go back and visit. You won’t want to miss a thing!
- October 16th - Dougal Walker
- October 23rd - Daphne Greig
- October 30th - Benita Skinner
- November 6th - Kathy K Wylie
- November 13th - Maria Hrabovsky
- November 20th - Jean Boyd
- November 27th - Susan Purney-Mark
- December 4th - Sue Jensen
- December 11th - Cheryl Wall
Canadian Christmas Blog Hop – Week 5 – My Turn!
Welcome to Maria’s Quilt Scraps! 
Glad to have you visit!
Last week you visited Kathy K Wylie - quilter, designer, author, teacher, speaker. Kathy provided us with a lovely Spinning Star coaster for our holiday tables and a delicious Tourtière recipe. Daphne Greig’s table runner and Kathy’s coasters will go very well together.
If you’ve missed a week, go back and visit. You won’t want to miss a thing!
- October 16th - Dougal Walker
- October 23rd - Daphne Greig
- October 30th - Benita Skinner
- November 6th - Kathy K Wylie
- November 13th - Maria Hrabovsky
- November 20th - Jean Boyd
- November 27th - Susan Purney-Mark
- December 4th - Sue Jensen
- December 11th - Cheryl Wall
Christmas Hot Pads
Shown above is a set of 3 Christmas Hot Pads along with their reverse sides. They’ll use up some of your scraps, add to your kitchen’s Christmas decor, and make great gifts, too. After Christmas, make more by searching your fabric scraps for Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Birthday, and other special celebrations.
You can fussy cut, if you wish, but it’s not necessary. As you can see, the snowman, the angel, the fruit, and even the poinsettias are all of centre, which can actually add to their appeal. These have their loops attached at corners, but you can also add them to the centre of a side, if you prefer. Another option, of course, is no loops at all.
Have fun making and using them! When you’re done, please send me photos. I’d love to share them here. Send them to me at
Click on the link below for the Christmas Hot Pads Directions
Blackcreek Pioneer Village Recipes
I have two recipes to share with you. As a teacher, I used to take my classes to Blackcreek Pioneer Village for class trips, and later on, our children. It’s one of my favourite places to see. If you’re in the neighbourhood, be sure to visit, especially with all of the Christmas decorations, festivities, and activities at this time of year. If you’re not in the area, make it a destination. You’ll love it!
On one visit with my family, I purchased the Blackcreek Pioneer Village Recipes booklet. We tried most of the recipes but two became family favourites. The Pumpkin Cookies are perfect at any time of year, but especially for Thankgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. They are a soft, cake-like cookie that everyone who has tried them has loved. The Bottom of the Cupboard Cookies are perfect for little ones who want to learn to bake. No appliances are needed, just a wooden spoon. My children always enjoyed making them and mixing in their favourite additions.
Duncan, Dorothy, ed. Black Creek Pioneer Village Recipes. Toronto: Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, n.d. Print.
Reproduced with permission.
Visit Black Creek Pioneer Village online at www.blackcreek.ca .
Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups strained pumpkin, browned (see notes below)
1/2 cup lard (or, nowadays, vegetable shortening)
1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup seedless raisins
Cream together the lard/shortening and brown sugar.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until creamy and light.
Add the pumpkin and blend thoroughly.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and spices, and add to the creamed mixture.
Stir in nuts and raisins.
Drop by large teaspoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.
Bake in a preheated 375° oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
These freeze very well and will keep 9 to 10 weeks.
Notes:
There are no nuts or raisins in the cookies I photographed, but only because my family prefers them that way.
I must admit to never having browned the pumpkin. Canned pumpkin can be used, but I’ve always made my own.
Method:
Wash a pumpkin. (Small or “pie” pumpkins are best but large ones will work, too.)
Cut off the top or cut in half.
Scoop out seeds. (Save them for roasting.)
Cut into large cubes.
Cut off outer layer.
Boil cubes until soft (or search the web for microwaving or roasting methods).
Drain.
Mash.
Store in freezer bags in the amounts needed for cookies and pies.
These are very moist cookies and we find that they won’t keep long, unless frozen.
Makes about 38 cookies, depending upon the size of your teaspoonfuls.
Bottom of the Cupboard Cookies (Bowl and Spoon Method)
Ingredients: 
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup lard (or, nowadays, vegetable shortening)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup hot water
1 tsp. vanilla
cinnamon (optional)
Beat lard (shortening) with a wooden spoon.
Add sugar.
Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternately with hot water and vanilla.
Add cinnamon, if desired.
Chop peel, dates, nuts, raisins or whatever you have handy to add interest.
Drop from a small spoon or tip of knife onto a slightly greased sheet.
Bake at 350° for 12 – 15 minutes.
This should be an excellent recipe for children to try.
Notes:
As stated above, it is a great recipe for children. I find they don’t really have to beat the shortening, just keep stirring until it becomes softer and creamier. I added nuts and raisins to the ones in the photo.
Makes about 34, depending upon your spoon size.
