I’m taking a step back for a time, so I looked to the archives of past posts for some ideas that you may have missed, or for new readers to see. I have over 1800 posts, categorized on the sidebar, so you can always browse for more ideas. I’ve picked out some fun posts from past years for your enjoyment today. Let’s start with a Nine Patch Star Christmas runner. We did this as a quick quilt along in 2017, in three parts.
This Wool Applique Christmas Penny Rug was perfect for my tiny frolicking reindeer. This handwork project goes together quickly and the post contains the free pattern download.
See my Gifts from the Kitchen for fast, last minute ideas that you won’t find in a store. This post has a pdf of several gift mixes with printable cards to attach for your recipient.
Have a hard-to-buy-for guy on your list? Have a look at my Gifts for Guys post.
Need some inspiration for wrapping, or find this a chore? See my Making Packages Bright post for a few new ideas to make your gifts pretty and fun to do too!
This Christmas Kitchen post has several ideas for baked gifts, plus one dedicated to our furkids. There’s a downloadable pdf recipe for Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits. I use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter and pack them in little goodie bags.
Make a holiday mini quilt with this free pattern – Christmas Ornament Mini Quilt.
Need an idea for a special Christmas Breakfast? See that post for Blueberry Turnovers and a downloadable pdf of my Christmas Breakfast Casserole.
I’m planning a Standing Rib Roast for Christmas dinner this year. It is easier than you think! I give you the temperatures to cook to the level of doneness that you like so your holiday dinner is perfect.
How about a quick sewing project for a gift? Here are my patterns for Camera Cases which provide quilted padding for the camera and uses the camera’s strap for the handle.
This post is my most viewed of all time with over 143,400 views! The free pdf helps, plus it was featured on Fave Quilts. Christmas Hexagonal Table Topper Of course, you could do this in any colorway for other holidays or everyday use. This is another quick-to-sew idea that makes a wonderful hostess gift.
If you have a bit more time, make my original design Christmas Quilt Along Table Runner from 2015. There are five posts, beginning with the one linked, and each step is linked to the one after.
If you are a stamper, you still have time to get some cards done and sent. See this post Stamping Christmas for lots of ideas, even for those who do not have stamps.
If you like to play with paper, here’s a tutorial on making Iris Christmas Cards. Iris is like the iris of a camera, with concentric rings of folded papers in a stencil. See my post Iris Folded Christmas Cards.
Or send Happy New Year cards instead, and give yourself a quick project after the big holiday. I’ve included a little poem I wrote myself that you can use as a sentiment inside.
A fun project to do with children are Cookie Cutter Ornaments that you make with buttons, ribbon roses, and other bits you may have in your craft box.
Lastly from 2014, an elegant tablescape with a sumptuous menu and a recipe for an appetizer with shrimp and avocados. Christmas Tablescape and an Appetizer recipe.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!
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Have a happy start to the holiday season with great new books to learn something new. C&T Publishing Holiday Gift Guide is here.
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Shop online at Amazon with the Home Holiday Guide! Marvelous ideas for your home and for gifts for everyone in your family, every age group, with awesome ideas for sewing friends, gardeners, cooks and more.
From My Carolina Home 
Thank you for the wool applique candle mat pattern, I have just started to do wool work and like every newbie, I am collecting patterns and ideas. Thank you for the tutorial too. So many tutorials do not include the final finishing of the piece and I need to know how do that too.
Do your purchase your wool locally or online. I am not finding much locally except kits. That is fine but when you want to go beyond the kit and make more….sadly a minimum amount of color choices.
Thank you again for your site, your patterns and taking us all on your yard, animal and Mini adventures.
Merry Christmas,
Linda
Carole, Thanks for the good memories! Happy Holidays to the two of you. from Larry and Lenora from Springfield, MO. One of your many admirers. Lenora
Carole, plenty of content to keep your readers busy! Have a wonderful Christmas.
Carole, your card making talent is wonderful. You inspire me!
It’s great to see a post from you – you always have such wonderful ideas! Those blueberry turnovers look yummy. Hope you’re having a good week!
So many ideas! Thank you for all of them. I made several of the Hexagonal Table Toppers last Christmas and they go together so easily!! Wishing you peace and joy during this season. Thanks for all you do. Sending virtual Christmas hugs!
As always, I read your blog every day, I just do not always have time to put in a note of appreciation. Thank you for these inspiring ideas. ….some of us need this when our heads are cluttered from overload.
I always appreciate the quick things to put together for a fast sweet gift.
Just another idea, I have a box of orphan blocks ( put aside for various reasons, perhaps to first try a block with fabrics I do not love, or practice or a pile of them from a project I lost steam) and making a quick table topper is always a beloved gift. I have pulled that off at the last minute so many times, year round really.
I hope you and hubbs have a super lovely Christmas celebration.
Rex and I are home alone this year but our neighbors are always surprising us with a visit. I will see my daughter right after Christmas she will come up from Richmond Va. My other daughter has a demon husband and has “removed us” from their family. Very weird but what ever.
Happy New Year, another fresh one to fill with adventures
I would enjoy a blueberry turnover with coffee on this cold morning. I love a good round-up from the archives. Merry Tuesday, Carole!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Carole!
I just received an invite and need something to take – Dump Cake of course, so will make the table runner instead of fussing in the kitchen! Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing these last minute ideas, Carole. I think we can all use a little inspiration as the Christmas holiday nears. I especially love gifts in a jar.
Thanks for this blog round up Carole! I have only been following your blog for a few years and I’m drooling over that table runner that you posted above – I definitely have to add it to my list of projects for the new year. So many great ideas to investigate! Enjoy your holidays and the beautiful nature that surrounds your home!
So many fun projects, and made so beautifully. I made the hexagon table topper last year in a couple of colorways, one from leftovers from a quilt I made for a friend. So now she has a coordinated piece for her table.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.
I need to come back to this when I have more time to click on the links — all the ideas look great! MERRY MERRY, Carole. May your days be shiny and bright.
Been thinking of you as you navigate the ups and downs of this season. Many thanks for all your great ideas – so many fabulous posts and so much great information. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
So many great ideas from this collection Carole! I started vacation yesterday and was able to clean up the sewing room, which really needed it! We are all ready for Christmas here; keeping it laid back. We will have a zoom time with everyone from Bozeman to Italy on Christmas afternoon, but no other plans. Lots of rest (as in no talking) to get over the cough I acquired last weekend!
I know your rib roast will be fantastic. I have two in the freezer, so I think we will have one for Christmas or New Years. Wishing you lots of Christmas cheer and joy in the days ahead!
You have such helpful ideas. That rib roast looks delicious. You make it sound so easy. I can never count on my family members all being ready at the same time for dinner. I’m afraid to make a roast and have it sit cold while we wait for the kid from Brooklyn to show up, or the kid that went to the gym to be back. Is it something you serve room temp or actually hot? Meanwhile, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I can see how much you love holiday time. I hope this new year will be one of fullfillment and joy for you and your loved ones. If you plan to do the Safelight program again, I’ld be glad to help out. All the best, Elana