The temperatures have dropped, we have stuffed ourselves with turkey and laughed with family and friends, the shopping lists have been written and the sales have begun, and today - on December 1st - I truly start getting excited about Christmas!

Christmas is filled with exciting moments, times of family togetherness, and for those of us who sew - or care about what our kids are wearing - a time of creative outfits and festive wear.

All week long we will be celebrating the clothes of Christmas, taking a look at the vast variety of patterns out there that are perfect for the holidays; but more importantly, celebrating those moments that we share with the people filling out the garments we stitch with love.

Today we are looking at one of my favorite traditions: Holiday Baking!

Here is Serena:

Merry Christmas! I'm from Texas and nothing screams you're from the South quite like a Potluck after church on Sunday! All the pretty little ladies show up with their perfect casseroles covered in towels ready to spill over.

-I made a casserole carrier from a FREE tutorial (http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2011/01/insulated-casserole-carriers.html) that's insulated and fits snugly around my covered casserole. I have used this a few times already and it's almost been stolen from a sweet little lady, bless her heart!

-With my scraps I made a finger mitten and it's from another FREE tutorial (http://missmary.com.au/2013/02/25/easter-pot-holder/), you could make tons of these as a gift for any season.

-Also this ruffled tea towel is to die for, too many requests have come in for this too. It's also a FREE tutorial (http://smallfryandco.blogspot.com/2012/11/ruffle-front-christmas-towel.html?m=1 ), I just decided to leave off the pot holder top to make it more modern looking and for the ruffle I cut 3" selvedge to selvedge, this gave the towels more of a ruffle and it was only one piece to ruffle.

-Cooking in the kitchen if fun and why not share that with your little one? We love making memories and creating lasting traditions in our household. This sweet little apron is from Precious Patterns (Apron Sewing Pattern for Children - Gingerbread Girl, Snowman and Plain Knot Apron - PDF ePattern), there is a tutorial for a Gingerbread girl, a Snowman, or just a plain apron embellished with whatever you want. I had fun with this and

Next Up is Lori: and she is sharing the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

Lori Drafted this stunning skirt on her own, and had to add a Gingerbread Friend to keep her daughter company while she bakes, here is the template to make your own. The oven mit was scaled down from the adult version in this tutorial from Skip to My Lou. I want to make cookies now.....yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!

And last but not least, here is Brianne:

The kitchen is the most used room in our house. It definitely deserves some holiday attention!
Starting with the Sis Boom Angie bodice, I added a sweetheart neckline, straps, and a short 3/4 circle skirt to make a sassy candy cane stripe apron. For the window, I hand drafted little trees then added buttons for a bit of fun.

Happy Holidays everyone!

I just love how these ladies have started getting into the Christmas Spirit in the kitchen - which is admittedly the heart of the home. Plus any one of these would make a great gift for a friend or family member!

Hugs and Holiday Carols to all, stick with us all week to see what is up next in our Celebrating Christmas week.