Merry Christmas and Happy whatever holiday you celebrate! This was such a fun blog tour idea that I knew I had to sign up. What a great way to see all the different 5 out of 4 patterns in a holiday light, hear about traditions, and pick up a few new cookie recipes to add to your favorites! I have to admit, when I think of 5 out of 4, I think of summer tops, skorts, swim suits, ninjas, all with a sporty feel. I had to really think about what to sew, even though I’ve made some of the long sleeve fleece and sweater patterns. I love testing and sewing patterns from 5 out of 4 and am amazed by Jessica running a business with 6 kiddos!
I finally decided on the Nancy Raglan because ever since the listing was posted, I’ve loved the cowl neck version shown. Mine is made from this Lush Fleece in red plaid and this Lush Fleece in black, both from Joann’s. I’ve been wanting a plaid dress and may have gone overboard sewing one in lush fleece! The stretch is not the recommended percentage for the pattern so my sleeves are very fitted. The rest of the dress fits fine but the fabric is so thick that I sewed the cowl with only one layer. Lush fleece is difficult to sew with, just like minky or fur. My coverstitch machine didn’t like it either. I had to do some convincing to get it to sew! It sure feels cozy! What do you think; do the lacy tights go with it or not? They were sewn last year and are Gazelles from The Wolf and the Tree.
The little snowman I’m holding is a craft we did with my sisters and our chicklets one year when we were visiting them in Colorado. So much fun!
Our Christmas tree is usually covered in snowflakes and red and white ball ornaments, although you can see that we haven’t done the decorating yet this year. The snowflakes I’m holding are ones I’ve made over the years. I just love Christmas crafts! See that stocking hanging from the mantel? I made that too. Clayten is our last child left at home so it’s the only one there.
Unless it’s very cold, I won’t be able to wear my dress on Christmas Day. We always have a fire in the fireplace even if it’s not cold enough for one (we live in Phoenix so sometimes have to turn off the heat and open the door). I will be able to wear it to church on Christmas Eve though, since the service will be held at the park. It will keep me cozy and warm! It sure felt good wearing it today and I almost didn’t take if off after the pictures!
This is my favorite time of year, but also sometimes the worst time of year. I love Christmas lights, baking cookies, parties, seeing concerts, ballets, or shows, and hearing the holiday music. But I never feel prepared enough to be able to fully enjoy everything. Some things are a must every year like decorating our home, especially the garland on the banister and the tree. Once those are are decorated and the lights are up outside, I can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere while I panic about the cards or something else! 😜Another thing we love to do is attend the Celebration of Christmas show and a driveway Christmas concert in our neighborhood every year. It gets us in the holiday spirit in a land of no snow! And reminds us that it is a celebration of Jesus most of all!
One of our traditions is to built a gingerbread house every year. Sometimes they were built from graham crackers and hot glue and sometimes they are a boxed kit. This year I dug out a gingerbread train that we didn’t get to last year. My chicklets were out of creativity after building the house so the train got put away. My son and I enjoyed some time together while I made new frosting and decorated the train. Clay is almost 17, so I’m soaking up every bit of time we spend together! The little silver tree with ornaments is a kit we worked on several years ago when my daughter was still at home. It was a Shrinky Dink kit and so much fun to work on together! We are still enjoying it each Christmas.
Another fun activity is baking cookies. I remember my sisters and I helping our mom bake and decorate Christmas cookies every year. We made the most elaborate and beautiful cookies using cake decorating bags and tips for all the little details! Since I opened my Etsy shop several years ago, we are lucky if we even have cookies at Christmas. With limited time, that is the one thing that gets left out unless I plan ahead and put some in the freezer. Making cookies for this blog tour put me just a little bit ahead with the baking, except that some of them got ruined. I thought I’d use this oversized pan…so many cookies fit on it!
But it was a bad idea!
P.S. Don’t use a dark pan for these cookies! My old silver colored one worked way better!
Press cookies are the ones I try to make every year. They are quick to make and no frosting required so when you pull them out of the oven, they are done! Of course, when I made these, I had problems with the press so they were not fast like they are supposed to be! Look how festive and pretty they are though!
Check out the others on the blog tour by clicking on the names below. There have been some great outfits, traditions, and recipes!
SURPRISE! If you’ve read this far, you are eligible to enter for a chance to win a pattern from 5 out of 4! Just leave a comment below before December 10. Do you make holiday crafts, have a special tradition, or a favorite 5 out of 4 pattern?
Blog Tour December 1 – Marvelous Auntie M | ah baby! Custom Design
December 2 – Elli & Nels in Stitches | Sewn at Seams
December 3 – Pattern Revolution
December 4 – My Heart Will Sew On | Fabulous Home Sewn
December 5 – Wonderfully Handmade | Randoms by Rydz
December 6 – Sewing with D | Octaves of Color
December 7 – Turtle Birdies
I hadn’t realised the Nancy Raglan could be made with a cowl neckline, and made into a dress! hat looks perfect for Christmas, and really warm & snuggly too 😀
….and I might just have to try making some of those cookies too!
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Haha, you must not have seen the listing. The dress on the cover was my inspiration. Have fun making cookies!
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Now that our kids are grown with kids of their own, a new tradition is that we all get together on Christmas Eve. Since they all stay at home on Christmas morning to open their gifts, it gives us a chance to enjoy the children’s excitement before we all gather for Christmas dinner.
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It’s good to make new traditions too! We have over the years.
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I love the Nancy Raglan with cowl as well! I made one during testing that gets worn whenever it’s cold enough out that I won’t overheat. Yours looks so cozy & flattering, the tights take it to another level!
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Thank you, I hope mine gets worn as much as yours!
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Our favorite Christmas tradition is mimosas and orange rolls on Christmas morning!
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Mmmm, sounds yummy! I might need to try that!
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I love your dress – perfect for our Wisconsin winters! Love all your traditions – Always loved making Gingerbread houses. I also make at least ten batches of homemade almond crunch – a tradition started by my mother in law that I have continued. The recipient list seems to grow every year. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
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Thank you! Almond crunch sound so yummy – I need your recipe! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Love your Nancy and your beautiful home! Also, thank you for sharing your heart about your son (growing up). My son is 16 and this year he chose to hang with friends rather than stay home and help decorate the tree…WHAT?!?!? It was sure an eye-opener to CHERISH the times they DO want to (joyfully) participate. Merry CHRISTmas!
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Thank you! I didn’t snow the messy parts, haha! Yes, our kids growing up can be painful, but necessary too. Grab any minute you can with him! My son is “required” to give me a hug twice a day. Before he leaves for school and before going to bed at night. I tell him that I need it and he does it willingly every day . (but I think it’s good for him too) 😀 Merry Christmas to all of you!
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Your dress is awesome! I love it! Merry Christmas to you!
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Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!
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A new tradition I started for all the ‘holidays’ is to purchase those wooden ‘paint me’ shapes (from the dollar spot or craft store). And then I have my girls (2 & 3) paint them for a keepsake, and use it as a decoration for the season.
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How fun! There are so many great crafts to do with kids. Enjoy all those crafty times. They grow up too fast!
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I sure miss Phoenix! Luxe fleece sounds and looks lovely, and I’m a sucker for all things plaid – great job on your dress (and tights! They definitely work!)
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Where do you live now? Thank you, this lush fleece is super soft so it feels wonderful. Oh good, glad you think the tights are good with it!
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We have a tradition of having Christmas Eve Dinner at my uncles house.
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Spending time with family sounds wonderful!
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I love the plaid!! We make oliebollen as a tradition 🙂
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Thank you! I think I just saw a recipe for that. I wasn’t so sure about it after reading the ingredients, haha.
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We try to do all the Christmas-y things too. My son just went off to college this fall so it has been a little difficult to get into the spirit of it all. We love to make many kinds of cookies and always create a new ornament to put on our tree. I love the tights with that dress! Super cute!
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It’s hard when they move out! Try to enjoy the cookie baking and I hope he will be home for Christmas. Thanks, glad you love the tights with it.
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That fleece Nancy looks so cozy! The Nancy is one of my favorite patterns!
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Thank you! It sure is.
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I love the way your Nancy turned out! It looks so cozy, and yes, I think it looks nice with the lace tights. My mother always made spritz cookies at Christmas, and just seeing your photos brought back some wonderful Christmas memories. We spend Christmas with my husband’s family and one of my favourite traditions has been making evergreen wreaths with my mother-in-law, starting with a trip to the woods to gather the branches!
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Thank you, I’m now convinced that the tights work with it. Making wreathes sounds like so much fun! When my husband retires and we move from Phoenix, I will be able to try that.
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I love it, you look great and it will keep you warm. I think the lace tights look really great with it!
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Oh and one of our traditions is new pajamas. I just finished 6 pairs of pajama pants and 3 doll pairs!
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I wish I had jumped on the pj train years ago. It was hard getting boys to even wear them though.
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Thank you! I’m glad so many of you have approved the tights. I don’t have confidence mixing prints.
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I’ve not made it yet, but I bought the Halftime Hoodie for my boys for the next time I make them a sweatshirt; they’re into adult sizes now!
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Those will be great gifts!
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I love the pajama pants pattern. I’m making them with the halftime hoodie for my grandsons. I make the grandchildren pajamas every year for Christmas. Love the tights with the dress!
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I haven’t tried the pajama pants yet. That’s a wonderful thing to do for your grandchildren. I will have to start that tradition. Thank you for the complement!
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I love decorating the tree, and setting up our Christmas Village with my daughter, and husband. We also like to watch the live Rudolph play at one of the most beautiful venues in our city.
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All wonderful traditions! Merry Christmas!
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I love making butter tarts with raisins each year! Thanks for the cookie inspiration!
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Oooo, butter tarts? Anything with butter in the name sounds delicious!
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Love the fabric you used! Looks fabulous! 🙂
I love putting up the outdoor Christmas lights and blow-ups with the kids & hubby! 🙂
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Thank you! I love lights in the yard too. So fun!
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Your home looks so festive! Your choice of fabric for the Nancy Raglan is perfect.
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Thank you; the behind the scenes boxes are not so festive, haha! Thank you for the complement!
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Oh my goodness!! I LOVE your dress and lace tights!!!! They are gorgeous and perfect!!!!!!!! GREAT job!!!
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Thank you, thank you! Except for the difficult fabric, it was pretty easy!
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I have so many projects I want to do! Merry Christmas 🎄!
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Yes! Me too! So much to do; so little time! Merry Christmas!
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Our favorite thing to do is drive around and look at Christmas lights with the kids!
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Oh, yes, I love that too! Enjoy!
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We go cut our own tree every year and it’s such a fun tradition. My children love to help with all things Christmas.
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That is very fun! I remember going to do that as a child. We’ve done it a couple of years, but haven’t had a car to haul one for the last several. Merry Christmas!
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I love the dress! Awesome!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations Sandy, you are the winner of the free pattern! Contact Tasha@5oo4.com
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Congratulations Sandy, you are the winner of the free pattern! Contact Tasha@5oo4.
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Thank you so much!
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You look adorable D!!! Love the dress, tights and boots! Wish we were there to help you get that pretty tree decorated! Great job on the blog 😆!
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Awww, thank you sister Sue! We wish you were here too! The tree is still waiting. Clay has too much homework to take time for decorating!
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What a great looking dress. The tartan fabric is perfect for the Christmas. I will make a Chipolata pudding for Christmas and apple turnovers for New Years eve. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas time.
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Thank you! I’ve never heard of Chipolata pudding but apple turnovers sound yummy but hard to make! Merry Christmas to you too, and a Happy New Year!
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A Chipolata pudding is a traditional Dutch recipe. The pudding is made of eggs, milk and gelantin. The filling is made of raisins and cookies soaked in marasquin. The pudding is also served with a vanilla saus as well.
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