July's Block 2025

Happy July! The 4th is in a couple of days and I'm looking forward to making my usual treats using blueberries and strawberries. I love this time of year and all the fresh produce. I'm sure to be smoking something yummy, either ribs or a pork butt for shredded pork sandwiches. (Maybe both!) It’s also our 40th wedding anniversary over the 4th of July weekend. It seems crazy, forty years have just flown by! Later this month we'll be going on our annual family vacation up north to the lake. It's always so much fun and relaxing to get away. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. It's not too late to join, I actually pieced this quilt during a retreat and only spent two of the days putting the blocks together. That included lots of breaks for snacks and visiting so I know that you can easily catch up if you are just joining us.

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. 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". 

Don't forget to pop over to the website and download the free pattern this month. Just like last month, I threw in some light pink into the background along with a purple and a pink block. Have you tried anything different with your blocks? 

I have my squares lined up next to my machine to make it easy for me to chain sew my block.

July'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.  

 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

June's Block 2025

June is here! The garden is almost in. The seedlings and seed packets are bought. I hope to get things planted later today. At least the flowers are planted, and we are enjoying spending time outside grilling and relaxing on the patio and deck. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

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. 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". 

Go on over to the website and download the directions for this month's block.

Like the other month's I'm making my block very scrappy. The trick of making it very scrappy is evenly distributing the various fabric prints. I know it's hard for some quilters to make a scrap quilt without seeing the complete layout. I'm asking you to trust the process and know it's okay if there's more of a certain print in an area of the quilt. I promise, the quilt police will not be knocking on your door. I have the liberty of having a competed quilt, the one thing I worried about was the oversaturation of a particular background cream print. What I noticed when the quilt was done and the blocks were sewn together, the prints and tones melted together and did not stand out in one way or another.

Another thing I did with my quilt was threw in a very light pink in my background fabric. The pink does not stand out in the overall quilt. I also took the liberty to place a medium pink and purple block in place of two cream blocks. These two blocks are the 'center' of the quilt.

I have my squares lined up next to my machine to make it easy for me to chain sew my block.

June'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

May's Block

It's May Day! Spring is officially here! Gardening is in full swing here; I am redoing a perennial garden that is right off my deck. I'm pretty much starting from scratch. I'm going from a shade garden to a full sun garden since we took down a large oak tree last fall. There's lots of prep work to be done before I can start planting anything. I have been finding muscles that I didn't even knew existed and finding that I poop out quicker then I used to. I've been trying to put in at least a couple hours a day on this project. There's been a lot of weeds to pull since I've neglected this garden, not really sure what I would do with it. I have lots of shade perennials to dig up and move to shadier locations. I'm looking forward to going to the Amish greenhouses with my sister in a week or two and picking up all sorts of beautiful plants to fill my new sun garden and all of my flowerpots and gardens. I've been putting together my list of what I'm looking for so that I don't get sidetracked. At least I have a plan in mind, let's see if I can stick to it!

 Another fun shift for me is being able to do my work outside sitting at the patio table. I love drinking my coffee, reading emails in the morning as I listen to the birds chirping.

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

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. 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". 

Go on over to the website and download this month's free pattern. Print it up so that you can easily refer to the layout for this month's section.

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

May'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. I'm off to work on my gardens and get it ready for planting day!

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

April's Block 2025

Happy April, Easter and spring are right around the corner. The days are getting longer and longer, and I look forward to working in the garden again. It's hard not to want to start cleaning up the gardens with the warmer weather. I'm just itching to go to the greenhouses!

 It's hard to believe that my second grand daughter will be a year old! The year sure flew by, and it's been so much fun watching her grow. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

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. 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 using more than my dark navy blues from me fabric stash. I'm pushing the limits a little bit. I have a couple more purple squares! Ackkk, purple.... it's so hard or me to use purple.

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

April'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. I'm off to make some birthday sugar cookies for a special little girl.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy, Josephine & Bonaparte

My two little sweethearts

March Block 2025

Happy March, my spring fever is still in full swing here! uggg... I'm thinking of finally pulling out the Easter decorations this month. At least it will feel like spring in the house. We have had some beautiful weather with warmer temperatures, but too early and too cold to work in the gardens. I have ordered some seeds and have been making my list for the greenhouse. May is still so far away... I'll keep stitching away with my pretty fabrics until garden time is here. 

 In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

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". 

I like to lay my fabric squares next to my sewing machine so they are easy to grab as I stitch along.

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

March'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

February's Block 2025

 

Happy February! I hope it's warmer where you are. It's cold here and I'm getting tired of it. I have spring fever and it's too soon, the gardening catalogs arriving in the mail isn't helping me any. At least it's good stitching weather. In case you are just starting the BOM, the fabric requirements are below. Everything is based on a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square and this month's pattern can be found on my website for free this month. 

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, mine is very scrappy! I threw in a pink and purple square for the giggles of it. I am purplephobic and it's hard for me to use the color purple in my quilts. This is a challenge for me.... The quilt doesn't seem to make sense yet trust the process. If you stick with light and dark fabrics your quilt will turn out beautiful. I'm pushing the limits a little bit with some of my lighter blue fabric choices. 

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

February'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

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