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

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  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

Halloween Fun!

Fall is my favorite time of year. I just love the colors of the leaves and the cooler days. The smell of a bonfire and pumpkin spice just warms my soul. Fall is my time of year. The fact that I'm a Halloween junkie just fuels this love. I have no problem with coming up with new Halloween decorations and ideas. I even dress the dogs up to greet the trick or treaters that come to the door. 

 When my kids were young, I used to host a Halloween party for all my nieces and nephews. I just loved seeing them all dressed up in their costumes! They are all grown up now. 

My oldest son is wearing the devil mask and my youngest is dressed like a Dalmatian. I love, love, love the court jester costume my nephew is wearing! The hat just cracks me up!

I enjoy decorating for the different seasons and Halloween is no different. Here are some project ideas using some of my applique designs.

As you can see, I sure had fun sewing for Halloween! I made a pillow using my 'Oh Hallows Eve' pattern. It's made using some Primo Plaid flannel from Marcus Fabrics. The owl design is done in wool.

I then made a banner using my 'Whoopsies Doodles Witchy Poo', 'Ekk! Black Cat' and 'Witchy Poo's Hat' mug rug patterns to make a fun Halloween banner for my kitchen. The Trick or Treat hanger is from Ackfeld Wire.

Here's another version of 'Whoopsie Doodles Witchy Poo' Instead of putting the 2 1/2" square border on each end. I fussy cut some striped Halloween fabric I had. I really love the purple witch border!

Happy Fall!
Cindy, Josephine and Bonaparte

Going Batty!

Boo!!! Trick or Treat.... Smell my Feet.... Give me something good to eat.....

When I was a kid, we used to chant this as we went from house to house. I remember us all running around the neighborhood in our costumes. One year I was a robot... I made my costume out of a refrigerator box wrapped in tin foil. I had a small slit cut to see out of and a 'deposit candy here' opening with a pillowcase hooked to the inside of the box to catch the candy. This was one of those costumes that in theory was awesome, but the practicality of it.... not so brilliant. I could barely navigate front steps. It was hilarious! I thought it looked like a robot, but I'm sure I just looked like a huge box wrapped in tin foil hobbling down the street. It turned out to be unseasonably warm that year... so I baked inside of my toasty box... I could have been a microwave!

Are you decorating for the spooky holiday yet? The leaves are turning, I've bought mums and pumpkins to decorate my front door with. I've been thinking about pulling out the fall/Halloween bins out to decorate. I'm looking forward to getting out my festive quilted bat mats. They are a lot of fun to decorate with. I love displaying them here and there around the house. I'm even thinking of making some more.



Wrap a Bat Mat around a bottle of wine for an adorable
hostess gift...



Stuff a Bat Mat in a mug with candy for your friends!

Make a bunch of Bat Mats and sew them onto some orange and white
bakers twine for a batty garland to welcome the little zombies that
visit this Halloween.

I am looking forward to a fall retreat with my mom and sisters in a couple of weeks, it's always so much fun. I need to get my projects together so that when I arrive, I know what I'll be working on! We go to Lake City and it's such a beautiful town. There's a great coffee shop we love to visit. So excited to go!

Happy Quilting,

Cindy, Josephine and Bonaparte

October!

It's October! Pumpkin Spice, Halloween, falling leaves time of year.... all of my favorite things! I did a little decorating over the weekend. It was fun to put out the mums and spooky skeletons out on the front porch. I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures, but it looks like I'll have to wait a couple more days. This month there is no block.... I repeat.... no..... block. The free download this month is the layout for the quilt top, Next month will be the optional pieced border. If you're still working on the trees, that's ok too! I am also still working on blocks! I'm always a day late on working on my own quilt. I'm hoping to get all caught up on retreat this month. I have several projects going right now... I know I'm not alone! 

Quilt layout

I hope you have enjoyed this year's mystery BOM quilt. I'm starting to think about what we should do next year. If you have an idea.... leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you.

Fabric Requirements

Blue background fabric- 2 yards

white fabric (snowman faces) - 1/2 yard

green (trees) - 3/4 yard

pieced border - red- 3/4-yard, pink - 1/2-yard, light green- 1/2-yard, light blue- 3/4-yard

orange- snowman noses

scrappy hats- 10 plus fat quarters or a combination of fat quarters and fat eights in a variety of colors such as red, blue, yellow, pink, green, purple. 

Now let's get stitching! You can download the layout sheet on the website. Remember do not embellish with eyeballs or mouths on the snowmen if you are planning on using buttons. An easy cheat is to embroider eyes and mouths using your sewing machine if you have an embroidery machine. Those you can do before you sew together your blocks for the top if you would like.

 

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

Songbird Holiday

 I love to embroider, I learned how to embroider when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I remember mom giving me a crewel kit from Bargello to work on. Remember those? It had everything you needed to embroider a picture or Christmas sock. I remember using yarn and wool to embroider with and learned a number of different stitches while doing the kit. I don't really remember much about the item I worked on except I know it was a fall design full of autumn colors. I think stitching with the yarn and larger needle helped me learn since I'm sure my stitches were big and clunky compared with my stitches now. Growing up I also remember my grandmother embroidering on dishtowels and pillowcases. I have a set of each that she made for me as a bridal shower gift. I have them tucked away and only use them once in a while since I treasure the stitches that she made. I hope that as my granddaughters get older that I'll be able to hand down some of these skills to them. 

On my panels I don't get too fancy with my stitching, I mainly use a back stitch, lazy daisy and French knots to complete most of my designs. Sometimes I use a satin or chain stitch for texture. I have some short how-to videos posted on my Instagram account. I thought I would feature a couple more projects using my Songbird Holiday panel. It's available now for purchase in a quilt shop near you. It can also be found on my website and Etsy shop. 

Panels are fun to work with, not only can they be used as is, I enjoy cutting them apart for smaller projects such as table runners and pillows. It's always stressful to cut something apart. Measure once, measure twice and sometimes a third time doesn't hurt before you get the rotary cutter out.

I have several free patterns available to go with this panel, they can be found on my website.

~ Quick as a Wink Quilt ~

Quick as a Wink Quilt is a free PDF pattern download that is available on my website. It uses my strip it fabric to create the scrappy border. The only blocks that are pieced are the Ohio stars corner blocks. I have more fabric on the way so you can preorder Quick as a Wink kits for this holiday season. Shhhh, I didn't embroider the panel for this quilt.

~ Ohio Star Table Runner ~

The Ohio Star table runner pattern features two of the Songbird Holiday blocks fussy cut from the panel. It can be embroidered or left as is, it's up to you. I like using my strip it fabric to create a scrappy border without the extra piecing. It's a great little cheat!

~ Songbird Holiday Table Runner ~

This is a sweet table runner pattern that features four of the blocks from the Songbird Holiday panel that I fussy cut and then sewed together to make a large rectangle. I didn't embroider these, so this is a quick and easy beginner project.

I hope that you enjoy my free projects that go with this sweet fabric. I have more fabric on order and panels are available again in my shop.

I hope you have a great day and find some time to stitch!

Happy quilting!

Cindy, Josephine and Bonaparte