January's Block

 

Hooray! You're back to start the 2025 BOM. I have been struggling with releasing one pattern each month and making you wait... I always have several emails wanting to sew on thru all the months while they have time to sew. I know many of us get a lot of quilting done during the winter months and get busy outside when the weather is nice. It shows in my stats that I have on my website. Everyone is gun ho in the beginning, and I have thousands of downloads and it slowly dwindles as the year goes on and then upticks when fall arrives. So I have decided to try having all of the months available this year to give it a try. But there's a catch, to get the monthly patterns ahead of time, they aren't FREE... The patterns are only free the month they are made for. For example, January's is FREE in January, but not free the rest of the year. The monthly blocks are available, the finishing directions won't be available until at the end, November/December. Let me know what you think about this since I'm giving it a try this year.

Have you gathered your fabric for this years quilt? If you have, have you cut it up into 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares? I went on retreat with my mom and got mine all cut and have been sewing some of the squares together, I am working from my fabric stash for mine. I am making mine very scrappy. What colors have you chosen for yours, remember you need a good contrast. For example, blue and white, red and white. You want contrast between the background and design. Think, light and dark... this quilt can be scrappy, scrappy, scrappy, or very controlled, it's up to you. If you want, you can have the dark color be the background and the light be the design. It's all about contrast. Like I said before, the quilt is based on 2 1/2" squares. If I counted correctly a total of 724 squares total. 504 background squares and 220 'design' squares. So, if you want to gather a ton of scraps and divide them between light and dark and cut your 724 2 1/2" squares, you sure can! I would cut extra in case my math is off. I will be going thru my scraps and doing this too. But if you want to purchase fabric... here's what you 'll need.....

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

3/4 yard for the border

1/2 yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

Let me show you how I made this month's block... gather your 2 1/2" squares and following the block layout and sew your squares together using your favorite method making sure to nest your seams so everything lines up nicely. Did you notice the green in the block, don't worry, it can be the same color as all your other dark blocks. I wanted to show you that you can mix it up color wise if you want to. Again, I am encouraging you to use your stash and have fun with it. Just remember the contrast between light and dark. This finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2" x 20 1/2". 

As you can see, I am making mine very scrappy. I am actually using scraps from my 2 1/2" scrap bin that I have been adding to for years. For retreat, I cut a bunch of cream and blue squares to make sure that I would have enough. At this point it doesn't make sense but, trust the process, it will.

I like to chain sew when I can. If you prefer to sew row by row, iron, feel free to do that.

January's Block

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.00 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

BOM 2025

 

Yes! There will be a block of the month this year! Hooray!!! The logo is a huge giveaway.... tee hee he he.

I will encourage you to use your fabric stash once again this year. I will be using my own fabric stash too. The entire quilt is based on 2 1/2" squares. 

Finished size of the quilt will be 54" x 66", a lap/twin sized quilt when it is finished. The quilt will be broken down into 12 sections for you to stitch, leaving the borders for December.

We will officially get started on the 15th of January. This will give you time to get your fabric gathered. When choosing fabrics, this is a two-toned quilt. For example, blue and white, red and white. You want contrast between the background and design. Think, light and dark... this quilt can be scrappy, scrappy, scrappy, or very controlled, it's up to you. If you want, you can have the dark color be the background and the light be the design. It's all about contrast. Like I said before, the quilt is based on 2 1/2" squares. If I counted correctly a total of 724 squares total. 504 background squares and 220 'design' squares. So, if you want to gather a ton of scraps and divide them between light and dark and cut your 724 2 1/2" squares, you sure can! I would cut extra in case my math is off. I will be going thru my scraps and doing this too. But if you want to purchase fabric... here's what you 'll need.....

2 yards contrasting color

2 1/2 yards cream background

1/2 yard binding

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange

Welcome! This is one of my favorite blog hops and I want to thank Carol for organizing it once again. I will miss doing these hops! But let's stay in touch and visit each other's blogs from time to time. I love hearing from you all.

 It's time to do some fun Christmas Baking. Something that I have been playing around with is sourdough baking. I received a sourdough starter a month or so ago from my sister and I have been a baking fiend since! I have been experimenting with flavors and add ins for sourdough loaves. My favorite so far is a rosemary kalamata olive blend. I know it's not a cookie; I'm breaking the rules again.... I wanted to share it with you because I think a lovely warm loaf of bread in a quilted bowl cozy makes for a wonderful gift! There are many recipes on Pinterest on how to start a sour dough. My sour dough starter came from King Arthur. Did you know that when you get a sour dough starter it is good luck to name it. Mine is named Dough Moon Arisen. My sister's named theirs, Yeasty Beasty and Sir Rise Alot. 

~Sour Dough bread with rosemary and kalamata olives~

~ Regular Sourdough Bread~

This previous weekend was also our annual cookie day with my mom and sisters. The highlight of the morning was using mom's new stove! For many years we struggled with a timer that didn't work easily so we reverted to our phones or mom's google nest. It was so nice to have a working time and a treat to use her new stove! 

I made all of my usual recipes, peanut butter yo-yo's, caramel, and dipped pretzels... but I also tried some new recipes, gingerbread spritz cookies and brownie truffles. Both are very good, and I will make them again. The recipes can be found below. 

My sweet mama on Cookie Day.

Gingerbread Spritz Cookies

1 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
 1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp white pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer. Add the molasses and egg and beat well. Mix the dry ingredients together then add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until combined. Add cookie dough to cookie press and press out into desired shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes until the cookie is just set but not brown. Cool before decorating.

Vanilla Icing

Mix together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 Tbsp milk until smooth. Drizzle or dip cookies and top with sprinkles if desired.

Brownie Balls

1 pan Brownie mix baked according to directions on the box

3 cups chocolate chips (I used chocolate almond bark)

sprinkles

Crumble up brownies while still warm but cool enough to touch, form into tablespoon sized balls. Dip in melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles if desired.

I had planned on having some large bowl cozies made but my time got away from me since I have been watching my little grandbabies on and off over the last few weeks. I love spending time with them and can't wait to celebrate Christmas with them and all my family. I'm wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a very merry Christmas. I hope that you have fun checking out everyone's blogs, the complete list is below...

 December 2

Just Let Me Quilt

Beaquilter

Quilt Doodle Designs  (You are here!)

Songbird Designs

Quilted Delights

 

December 3

Quilting Gail

Ms P Designs USA

Just Sew Quilter

Words & Stitches

Selina Quilts

 

December 4

A Quiltery

Karrin's Crazy World

Inflorescence

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Quilt Schmilt

 

December 5

MooseStashQuilting

Bumbleberry Stitches

Sew Many Yarns

Days Filled With Joy

Merry Christmas and Happy Baking,

Cindy, Bonaparte and Josephine

November/Decembers BOM section 2024

We are coming to the end of our BOM and this month's section will take a little time, a few hours, give or take. Now the quilt has a plain background border and then the flying geese border. So make sure to go over to the website and download the FREE directions for Nov/Dec to complete your quilt. Don't have time to make flying geese? No problem, feel free to complete your quilt with a plain border that compliments your quilt. No one will know...

Today I will show you how I completed the flying geese border. I really think it sets the quilt off nicely and is a fun way to finish it off. I love flying geese! I used 4 colors for my flying geese border. If you want to make it scrappier that's up to you. If you do you will need to make a total of 116 flying geese rectangles. The method that I use to make flying geese in the pattern make 4 flying geese rectangles at a time. It sounds like a daunting task but they really do go together quickly with this method! I like to use the no waste flying geese method. So grab a snack and let's get going on making some flying geese! 

Following the pattern directions I cut out my squares for my no waste flying geese. I'm making two color combos for my border. the pink and blue and then the red and green. For each set of not waste flying geese rectangles/blocks you will need 1 larger square and then 4 smaller squares. Keep this in mind if you are making your border scrappier.

To begin with draw a line from corner to corner diagonally on the smaller fabric squares as shown.

With right sides together, lay two of the smaller squares on the larger square as shown.

Sew a scant 1/4" seam on each side of the line.

Cut apart on the drawn line. Press the seams outward.

Add a small square, right sides together on the sewn unit. Sew a scant 1/4" seam on both sides of the line.

I like to chain sew....

Cut apart on the drawn line. Press the flying geese units open. Square up to measure 2 1/2" x 4 1/2". Make 60 using each color combo for a total of 120 flying geese rectangles. (This will be more then you need, you will have 4 extra.)

Following the pattern sew together the flying geese blocks for the border.

I'm just in love with how festive this looks! I'm all ready to assemble my quilt.

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

 Will there be a 2025 BOM project, yes there will be so stayed tuned for the details to be posted soon. Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! It's hard to believe that the year is soon coming to an end. I hope that you enjoyed making the Snowman Forest quilt. Remember to post pictures of your finished quilt tops. I would love to see them!

 I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

Ugly Christmas Sweaters!

It's not too soon to start working on some Ugly Christmas Sweaters! The Christmas season is right around the corner! One of my favorite patterns is my Ugly Christmas Sweater Mug Rugs. These are perfect to use up your left-over holiday scraps that you may have lying around in your sewing room. Fat quarters work well for this pattern too!  I'm thinking I want to make some more to have on hand. They are addicting to make and quick!  They make quick gifts and are adorable paired up with a mug and some chocolate. My Ugly Sweater Mug Rug pattern is available as an instant downloadable PDF or as a packaged pattern. They can be found in my Etsy Store.

 My pattern can also be found in several local quilt shops. If it's not in your local shop, ask for it!

Pin your sweater body right sides together onto your batting. I like to use batting scraps for these types of projects.

Sew a 1/4" seam....

Remember to leave an opening so you can turn it right side out.

Don't forget to clip corners before you turn your sweater shape right sides out.

The super fun part is decorating your sweaters. Trace all your design pieces onto your heat n bond, iron onto the wrong side of the fabric scraps and cut out.

A Christmas Ornament ugly sweater. Isn't it cute and it's not even done yet!

I got one of each design put together. I'm now ready to do my applique stitch.

I used a dark brown thread from Aurifil. I use the same color thread for all of my mug rugs just for ease of getting them all done quickly without changing thread colors. What's great about this step is that you are appliqueing and quilting your mug rugs all at the same time. So easy!

After all my mug rugs are appliqued, it's time to camp out in front of the TV for some hand work. As you can see, I have lots of threads to clip. I've put together a button pack for you thru Just Another Button Company with all the embellishments for the mug rugs. The pack contains enough buttons to do one of each design plus some extras... I added some snowflake buttons too. This slick button kit is also available in my Etsy Store.

Shhhh, this one's my favorite... 

Another super fun thing you can do with these is make a bunch and sting them together to make a garland! I just used some red and white baker's twine and some decorative clothespins. Let's remember our friends and surprise them with an ugly Christmas Sweater mug rug and some chocolate!

Happy quilting!

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

Quilt Retreat

• 
  
  I’m so excited, I’m going on quilt retreat in a couple of days. I need to do some serious packing tomorrow so that I’m ready to leave bright and early on Thursday. Yesterday I was in my sewing room trying to decide what to bring and I totally got lost in straightening and organizing my stuff. The pretty fabric sucked me in and claimed me as one of their own… and I still don’t know what projects to pack! I really need to have a plan, or I will be overpacking and stuffing my truck with fabric and projects that I won't even touch. My mom is a master retreat packer! She packs the least amount than all of us and accomplishes so much more than the rest of us. There is definitely something to learn here! She precuts everything, knows what she's doing and how long it will take her and plans bringing a book to read and ideas if we run to the quilt shop for fabric. I'm always amazed at how compactly she packs. I arrive with bins, bags, suitcases full of stuff, not to mention snacks enough for a couple weeks! I don't know if subconsciously think we will get stranded... or maybe it's a hope... who knows. We certainly won't starve!

So, here's a list to get you started packing for your next retreat!

• Sewing machine (don’t forget the power cord and pedal) I once drove home because I forgot my power cord, luckily, I wasn't that far away!
• Accessory Box for Machine (extra feet, walking foot, FMQ foot)
• Extension cord and, power strip (some retreat centers will provide these)
• Sewing lamp, I love my OTT light
• Wool Pressing Mat (some retreat centers have ironing stations, but you will need to share)
• Travel Iron (I love my pink Oliso Mini Iron with matching Sole Plate)
• Fabric, Fabric & more Fabric!
  • I have retreated at several locations that have a shop on site. This is very convenient and dangerous! 
• Scissors (thread snippers, shears and a pair for paper)
• A roll of batting. Spray baste, remember with spray basting you want an area outside to layer your quilt, so you don't leave any sticky residue at the retreat center.
• Rotary Cutter and new blades
• Rotary cutting mat, many retreat centers have cutting stations. If you are super organized, precut your projects for retreat.
• Rulers (one large, one medium and any specialty rulers for the patterns you will be working on)
• Patterns and UFO’s.
  • I always bring a variety of UFO’s. I have a stack of bins containing my UFO's and want to quilt projects ready to go at any time. I usually grab one or two of these bins for retreat.
  • iPad, I have tutorials and patterns on my Pinterest board for reference.
• Sewing Notions
  • This includes everything that makes sewing easier. I include sewing needles, thread, bobbins, seam rippers, sewing pins, wonder clips, thread cutter, scissors etc. when I pack bobbins I prewind several with white and cream thread. I don’t want to spend my retreat time winding bobbins. I also remember to pack thread in a variety of colors to match my projects I have in mind. If you are working on paper piecing, extra paper and scotch tape are handy. I once forgot my sewing notions and had to meet my hubby halfway to pick up my notion basket.
• Personal items
• Phone and phone charger
• earbuds (I like to listen to audio books, especially if I’m doing late night sewing when everyone has gone to bed)
• Favorite drink, coffee creamer, I bring a 12 pack of Diet Coke
• Snack to share or snacks to share, lol. 
• reading glasses
• Pillow, I also bring a favorite quilt. I’m like a kid, I need my blanket.
• Earplugs 

I also pack a pair of my good walking shoes, it's good to get up and move around. One of the retreat centers I stay at is located near main street so it's always a treat to walk to the coffee shop for breakfast. Retreats in the country, I've taken advantage of walking and enjoying the countryside. Although Children of the Corn by Stephen King has ruined me and I hate walking along corn fields, crazy right!

Another thing we've started the last couple of years, my sisters and I decided at our retreat time, we're eating out each night since the retreat we stay at is within walking distance to many great restaurants. It's a great break to go walk to dinner and we return refreshed and ready to sew the night away. We're on our own for breakfast and lunch, and between our snack table and the coffee shops we are covered until dinner!

I've stayed at retreats that included meals, and at retreats where we were on our own and shared the cooking responsibilities. Whatever your group decides, make sure that you talk about it before you book a place and go so everyone is on the same page.

Most important, have fun and enjoy your time away from home and your uninterrupted time to create! 

Happy Stitching!

Cindy, Josephine and Bonaparte

No Tricks, Just Treats Sale!

 

No tricks, just treats! I'm running a little sale on the website. 

40% off Primo Plaid flannels, these are warm and yummy and make great quilt backs! (Click on the fabric tab)

20% off all PDF patterns (click on the PDF tab)

50% off all Season Sampler fabric and products (click on the Season Sampler tab)

It's a great time to work on some holiday projects or buy some gifts for your quilting friends!

Free shipping on all orders over $75!

Check out the Sale HERE!

Happy Halloween!

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte