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

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