Welcome Studio 5 Viewers!

I'm excited today to be chatting with Brooke and Darren over at Studio 5 once again! We'll be talking about Christmas Gift Exchange Traditions and Themes.... should be fun, and more info will follow!

For those of you who may be new to my blog, welcome! Here are the links to a few of the stitchery patterns and freebies you may see on today's show:

Wise Men shown at the top will be available at Pine Needles and My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe within the next week (if you are local), as well as HERE online and HERE for machine embroidery.

The Rejoice design will also be available at Pine Needles and My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe. You can find the hand embroidery pattern online HERE, and the machine embroidery download HERE.



Joyeux Noel Dishtowels: Pine Needles, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe, You Can Make This, SWAK Embroidery.
Where We Love is Home is a free download found here at You Can Make This!


The Grace pattern is here at Pine Needles.

And HO HO HO is a free pattern found right here on my blog:

Thanks so much for joining me here at Needle in a Haystack! Watch for new patterns and project ideas to come in the next weeks and months!

Simplistic Beauty

Time goes so quickly, and I am in shock that it is already November! But if you have read my blog before in past Novembers, you'll remember that it is one of my favorite months. I love the simplicity of Thanksgiving, the relief of having Halloween over, and the anticipation of looking forward to the Christmas Holiday!

As I was sorting through photos today I was reminded of some that I have been wanting to share...My cute little neighbor Chelsea that used to babysit my kiddos got married a few months ago, and I got to help with some of the set-up. She had an outdoor reception, and I loved how perfectly down-to-earth and sweet it was.

Everything had a vintage, antiqued feel, and it was charming in its simpleness. Chelsea made the flowers from tissue paper for the table decor and attached them to twigs to place in vases. The vases were placed inside a painted, empty frame over the top of burlap and surrounded with sand dollars. Adorable.

And I am in love with these kitschy little dessert trays made from plates or platters glued onto a candlestick or other type of base. Each one is so unique with its own personality. They served a variety of cookies along with cartons of milk chilled in aluminum tubs.

One thing that caught my attention as we were setting up for the reception was the fact that Chelsea and her new hubby were right there in the mix helping, fixing this and that, and laughing with others who were there to get things ready. I was so impressed that they were cheerfully preparing and that they were even present...that they hadn't stayed away and just showed up to greet people when all the work was done. What lovely people.

And did you notice Chelsea's wedding dress? I asked her mom about it and she mentioned that the traditional dresses were just not her style. When she spotted this one, she fell in love with it immediately and knew that it was just for her. I love a gal who paves her own path and delights in simplistic beauty....and in a gal who is as darling on the inside as she is on the outside.

Welcome All Hallows' Eve -- New Stitchery Design

It's that time of year again when the ghouls and goblins will soon embark upon us in full force... Welcome the season with a new stitchery pattern from Needle in a Haystack! Bedazzled with glitter and crystals, this new home decor design will glam up any bleak corner of your home. You can find the pattern HERE.

Happy Haunting!

Make a "Sweet" Pin Cushion: Free Project!

Oh, the "sweetness" of this free pin cushion project! Head on over to get the latest freebie that I just finished up for You Can Make This. The possibilities are endless with this simple-to-put-together craft item. You have complete instructions to make a parfait, a cupcake, or the niftiest little pin cushion that attaches to your wrist. (I am so loving mine since I no longer misplace pins when moving from room to room while trying to work on a project.... it seems as though I can't ever stay in one room for too long before some little child needs me somewhere else. Too often, I leave a trail of pins and fabric throughout the house!)



These pin cushions also make great gifts for the sewers in your life....even if you don't sew yourself! There is a little cutting, a little hand sewing, some stuffing, and gluing. That's it! Perfect for the beginner crafters, and quick and simple for those with more experience.



I think you'll find that it's "sew" simple....enjoy!

Quick Granola Recipe

Seriously, I am addicted to this stuff. This is my new favorite go-to snack and breakfast food. My sweet friend Christina gave me this recipe before jaunting off to Germany for two years...(Miss you, my friend!) It is so easy and quick to make, and to die for! I think I've made about 8 batches in the last two weeks. (Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but it's pretty close!)

Not only do I love the flavor, but the chewy texture with the crunchy cashews just reels me in. I crave this in my sleep...not even kidding.



Christina serves it warm from the oven with yogurt and fresh fruit (which is heavenly), and my little gal and I also love it like cold cereal in milk. It's one of her new favorite after-school snacks. Let me know what you think!

Quick Granola (This is a small batch...I usually double it)
2 c. quick oats
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
cashews (or any type of nut)

Bake at 400 for 8 minutes (stirring half way through)for a soft, chewy texture. Bake a little longer if you like it crunchy.

This is the basic recipe, but of course you can add sunflower seeds, flax seeds, almonds, wheat germ, coconut, raisins, or anything else you love. Enjoy!

A Tribute to Summer: The Keslers on Studio 5

Okay, friends! Our local NBC affiliate, Studio 5 has picked up on the Kesler Family... If you are in the Utah viewing area, tune your t.v. to KSL's Studio 5 on Thursday, August 25, as the Kesler's latest video will be featured on the show as a tribute to summer. Come join the fun!

It's Friday!! New Kesler Video...

Chances are, if you have a teenager, you may be familiar with the popular (or rather, unpopular) version of the song, "Friday"...

Well, the crazy Kesler family who brought you the "Jump" and "Deck the Rooftop" videos now has a new video to Glee's version of "Friday".... A fitting song to kick off the weekend!

Filmed at their recent week-long family reunion, you'll see once again the silliness and fun that permeates the entire clan (2 parents, 7 adult kids, 6 spouses, and twenty-something grandchildren). Watch for the famous belly flop, and notice the two dozing off at the very end---yes, they're truly asleep.

It's Friday!!! Eat your heart out, Rebecca Black.