Merry Christmas!

I found a book of Vintage Christmas cards. These girls called out saying they wanted to be on the side of a handbag! I had heard of printable fabric, but had never tried it. It works great! It is actual fabric that works in an inkjet printer. Amazing! I had also never appliqued, but decided to try that too. Used fusible web and satin stitch with metallic thread. This project was a stretch for me with so many new techniques! But the sales lady at Patches (Mt Airy) was so helpful. I think her advice saved me from disaster in many instances. I still need to go and show her the finished product.

Look at the fabric that I used for the lining. It is absolutely gorgeous. What a sweet surprise when you open the bag! I made a label for inside the bag too. Just having fun!

Now I am really festive, every time I leave the house with my handbag. Such a wonderful time of year....remembering how much God loves us! So much that He left heaven to come as a baby to a poor couple. All so that He could show His infinite love by dying on the cross for us. What an absolutely amazing thought! Thank you, Jesus!

Speculaas Cookies

Lovely, lovely cookies! Thanksgiving weekend we went to a craft show and a man was selling these cookie molds. They came with a recipe for Springerle cookies, which I had never heard of. But I was fascinated and just had to try it.

Well, the recipe calls for oil of anise, which I can't find anywhere. So I ordered it online at a really cool site that has these molds. But in the meantime, I found another recipe that uses these molds and it's called Speculaas. I modified the recipe slightly. Used nutmeg instead of mace and orange peel instead of lemon.

Speculaas originated in Holland, which is where my ancestors are from. So, making these really seemed special. And then I read more about them online and found out that they are traditionally eaten during the Feast of Saint Nicholas, which, get this, is on December 6th! I actually made the cookies on the right day! That just made the whole experience even more fun. And we all really like the flavor too!