The Night Before Christmas: Introducing a Pajama Series

Hello, hello, dear readers and friends.   Today I get to introduce the upcoming series, The Night Before Christmas: A Pajama Series.  I am so excited about this series, and I think you will be too!!!

  The holidays all too often get muddled in the stress of 'must do's, have to's, and want too's'.  Between shopping for gifts, creating the perfect holiday card, and decorating a pristine house (HA!); the stress mounts and we can sometimes lose sight of our family, the whole reason we put ourselves through all this stress.
So for one week, we here at Pattern Revolution, are bringing you a little glimpse into our lives, our traditions, and our love for adorable Pajamas!  A reminder that simple things can mean the most when they are filled with love.




Make sure you join us for the whole week, because at the end - there will be an awesome chance to win some fun patterns AND a copy of The Night Before Christmas.

Today you get a sneak peek at some of our designers and their traditions (and their love of bringing you sales!!!)

Melissa of Blank Slate Patterns:

As for traditions....um, we bake cookies every year - like go overboard baking for an entire day!!!! 



Our Affiliate, Blank Slate Patterns, is having a Black Friday sale - 2 patterns for $10, Friday only. Code is BLACKFRIDAY

Amy Of Peek A Boo Pattern Shop :

Although it's nothing novel I love the tradition of new pjs on Christmas Eve. It's something that I grew up with and loved and I have loved starting the tradition with my own kids. What makes the tradition even better is carefully selecting the fabrics and sewing them up with that extra touch of mommy-made love. I think it's safe to say that my 3 year old daughter enjoys this tradition a lot! Baby brother will learn just how exciting it is as he gets older :) Here they are in their 2012 pjs and this year they are getting matching penguin footies. Can't wait!



Don't miss out on our Affiliate Amy's great holiday sale: Save 25% off one pattern or more with code: Jolly25.  Or Save 40% off when you buy 5 pattern or more with code: Jolly40.

Laura of Ellie Inspired:
 
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from Ellie Inspired! Besides fun new Christmas pi's for everyone, one of our special holiday traditions just like so many other families, is making Christmas cookies with the kids. Those sugar cookies never look real appetizing when they're finished, though, I have to say! Especially when I have three boys who think camouflage frosting would be really great for the shepherds and wise men! Ha!
 
I made aprons for the boys several years ago. I drafted a very simple design for them. I also made one at Valentine's Day one year for Ellie which would make a cute little Christmas apron if you would like to make one. It can be simplified for boys or embellished for girls. You can download that pattern by clicking the picture below:

One of our favorite things to make together because it's easy and soooo yummy is microwave fudge. I hope you have fun making it too! Have a great Thanksgiving!
 
Milk Chocolate Microwave Fudge
  3 c. milk chocolate chips 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 c. margarine 1 c. chopped walnuts (optional - we NEVER add these! ) Put all ingredients (except nuts) in a large glass bowl. Cook at medium (50%) until chips are melted (3-5 minutes), stirring once or twice during cooking time. Stir in nuts. Pour into a well-greased 8 x 8 inch dish. Refrigerate until set.   xo, Laura  


Megan of Made For Mermaids:

My husband is a fire fighter, so some years when he is working Christmas, we have our 'Christmas Eve' and Santa's arrival early! On Christmas Eve Sophie helps me pick toys out for Santa to take with him. Santa will give these to other little girls who don't have as much (see that big bag behind her!). It's a great tradition, not only to teach her to give to others, but also gets toys cleaned out before new ones come in :)



Visit Made for Mermaids' Black Friday Sale- 3 new doll patterns will be released on Friday and ALL doll patterns will be 50% off, $2/each, through Sunday with code: DOLLYSALE 
Monday all girl patterns will be 15% off  with code: CYBERMONDAY

Jenny of Seamingly Smitten:

I'm Jenny Hall, owner/designer of Seamingly Smitten sewing patterns. I LOVE the Christmas holidays! The kids always get Christmas pajamas on Thanksgiving night and love wearing them until Christmas morning! That night we also put up our Christmas tree, light a fire and roast marshmallows to get in the holiday spirit. Christmas Eve we go to mass, eat a meal (chicken and sausage gumbo) with my family, and our children get to open a few presents with their cousins. Christmas morning the kids wake up bright and early (really early) and we open presents together, light a fire, eat cinnamon rolls and head to my parents' house for lunch and my husband's family's house for dinner. The days are filled with fun and lots of food! I hope we start more traditions as the kids get older because it will just make Christmas more memorable!

Don't miss the sale: Save 50% off your ENTIRE pattern purchase with coupon code: HAPPYHOLIDAYS50
(Offer valid 11/27/13-12/2/13. Etsy shop only: www.etsy.com/shop/SeaminglySmitten)



Carla of The Scientific Seamstress:
My dad's family is German, and they always opened presents on Christmas Eve. My parents continued the tradition, and Santa would visit while we were at Christmas Eve Mass. Of course, my dad would have to run in and check the stove or something while we waited in the car ...very stealthy. One year we got comfy matching PJs, and I still cherish the pics (this one is my favorite because I'm pretty sure I was bossing my brother around). This year, we are celebrating at their house with my little brother and his kids. All of the boys will have special jammies from Auntie Carla!


Hi, there! This is Bonnie from Fishsticks Designs. Our family has a whole list of holiday traditions, but the one that I think we've all come to look forward to the most is our Advent Activity Calendar. Before the 1st of December, I spend an afternoon or an evening planning out a different family activity for each day leading up to Christmas.  I type up all the activities and tuck each one into a pocket of our Advent calendar, and each morning our children take turns reading our activity for that day. I work hard to balance activities that focus on helping others, activities that remind us of the real meaning of Christmas and activities that are just fun. Our planned activities lead up to a birthday party for Jesus (and new handmade Christmas PJs, of course) on Christmas Eve. Here's a little peek at a few of the things we did during Advent last year:


I am having a 25% off sale on all of my patterns on Cyber Monday -- no code necessary -- and customers will be able to combine the sale with my Buy 4, Get 1 Free special.  Visit the store HERE.

Todd&Lisel of Oliver&S:

Our holiday tradition: early in the afternoon on Christmas day, after opening presents and having a special Christmas brunch, we take a walk together along the East River which is very close to where we live in New York City. A few years ago we were out walking when a tug boat captain pulled his boat right up close to the promenade along the river and tooted his horn to wish us a merry Christmas. It made S’s day.

Through Midnight ET on Saturday 11/30, shoppers on our website can save 50% on all paper Oliver + S and Straight Stitch Society patterns when they use coupon code HOLIDAY2013 at checkout. (Note, this offer is only good on paper patterns, not digital.)


Dixi of My Childhood Treasures
Every year my husband and I have a tradition where we seek out quirky Christmas decorations.  In previous years we were addicted to the designer Patience Brewster’s ornaments which are light and whimsical and full of character.

This is my daughter’s second Christmas and we are now creating a new tradition of having her photo taken with Santa every year. (Although I’m not sure how willing she will be as a teenager.)

Merry Christmas to all,
Dixi

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Join us back here on Monday for the first two sets of PJ's: The Blank Slate Pocket PJs and Nightgown version of the Elke by My Childhood treasures.
In the meantime, give your family a big hug and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!