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Thursday, December 29, 2022

Polar Bear with a Twist...


It's winter critters week this week, over on the Thermoweb blog.
What says cold cold cold more than polar bears?
While this little guy may look like he is freezing, he will warm you up in no time.
This flannel pillow has a secret pocket that holds a rice bag you can pop into your microwave, for that burst of heat we are all looking for on those cold winter nights.


Using these Thermoweb products helps make any quilty projects so easy.

HeatNBond EZ Print Lite is a no trace way to applique. Just pop a sheet into your printer and hit the print button. The free pattern is printer friendly.

HeatNBond®Fusible Fleece gives that extra support and shape to your projects.

SprayNBond®Basting Adhesive keeps the backing fabric from bunching up as you quilt.

You can download the free pattern on the Thermoweb Blog

HERE


What's my favorite way to use this warm little guy????

I love sliding my freezing toes into the pocket with the rice bag.

LOL!!

Enjoy and stay warm my friends!


til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, December 26, 2022

Are You Chilhowie-ing it?


I hope you all survived the holidays, so far!
I sat down this morning with my new favorite mug from my grandies, and finished up clue 5 on the Bonnie Hunter "Chilhowie" mystery quilt.
It's not often I actually keep up with the clues, but this year having a couple of  month off, while mom was on maternity leave, gave me the time.


We started putting some blocks together this week and I am in LOVE!
You would think we are well on our way...


...but I have a basket of parts, that say's otherwise. 
Oh, I do wonder what Bonnie has next for us???


It's not too late to jump in, you can find all the clues so far, on her blog
There's a tab at the top of the page.


This was our house yesterday. Sweet Pea got a karaoke machine...
Oh she absolutely loves it! Thank you Auntie Jessica and Uncle Mike, but little man...
Well, he did his best to sleep through her singing!
LOL!!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Beary Merry Christmas


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature as stirring, bearly even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While memories of their Papa danced in their heads
Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a long winters nap

When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof
As I drew in my hand and was turning around
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound

He was dressed all in fun from his head to his boot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
A bundle of Bears he had flung on his back...

This is the Christmas story of one family.

I had the pleasure this year to bring their Papa's memories back to life, using the
These memory bears came to life through his old flannel shirts and a fleece jacket.
The collar and button placket, that are incorporated into the bears, gave them so much character!

I love "Funky Friends Factory" patterns and there are so many different and downloadable, animals and "stuffies" to choose from. The patterns are very well written and many have additional photo tutorials, that helps make them easy to put together.
If you have never stitched one of Pauline's patterns, check out her website, she has a free "Honey Bear" pattern you can try, when you sign up for her newsletter. 
You can also visit the "Funky Friends Factory" blog "HERE", 
where you'll find loads of inspiration and options for all the holidays of the year!

As for these guys...they look very content in their temporary home...
But as of this morning, they are in the hands of their loving Grandchildren!

I hope these guys bring you all, much comfort and happy memories of your Papa.

May the spirit of Christmas be with you all. Hold your family near and enjoy every minute you have with them! 
Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good day!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Which Way to Witchville 2023 Cackling Stitches Group BOM

Carol, Carla and I, have been working away and we are so excited this year, to share a little sneak peek of our Cackling Stitches Group 2023 BOM 

Which Way to Witchville
This is the 3rd BOM for our Facebook group and we had, so much fun designing it.

This BOM runs from Jan 1st through September 30th. As with years past, on the first day of each month, we will release block patterns on our Facebook group page, that will be free for that calendar month. They will then go into our individual ETSY shops, where you can purchase them for $2 each block.  We have had emails and fielded many questions, so what is "new" this year, is that the entire pattern will be available on January 1st 2023, in each of our ETSY accounts for $15. If you don't have a Facebook account, you no longer have to wait until it's over, to be able to purchase the pattern. It's also an option for those of "us" who just can't wait for the next months release. LOL!! 

We hope you appreciate the time we put into creating this BOM and understand that we are keeping the costs to a minimum for you. We ask that you respect our copyrights and do not share this pattern. Your welcome to direct your friends to our Cackling Stitches Group Facebook page HERE, or any of our ETSY shops...

MooseStashQuilting

Just Let Me Quilt

Create in the Sticks

Remember, it starts January 1st, but if you want to start conjuring/gathering your fabrics. Here's the link to the fabric requirements: 

https://www.dropbox.com/.../Which%20Way%20To%20Witchville...

Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the print button. It will open up as a PDF file you can download and/or print.

Check out Carols quilt HERE

and

Carla's quilt HERE



til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, December 8, 2022

New Blog Hop Coming Your Way...

 Did you all just love the "Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange" that Carol over at "Just Let Me Quilt" hosted? I can't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season, and plan for our baking delights. Every year I keep telling myself, it can't get any better, but it always does!

The end our hops, always makes me a little bit sad. It's like my friends have all packed up and gone away... 

      but the shining light is, that I know they will all be back the next month. So, with that being said the challenge for February...
February is the month of "Love" and who doesn't love being sweet on things?

Are you sweet on treats?
Are you sweet on stitching a special project?
Are you sweet on, well anything you love?

Share it and let your sweetness inspire all of us!
If you want to play along, drop me an email with "Sweet On You" in the subject line 
and give me your info...


Carla at "Creatin' in the Sticks" is hosting the January challenge...


You can email her with "Shades of Blue" in the subject line and your info as well.



I want to thank all of you, who have participated and enjoyed our hops this year. 
It's really you, who have made us what we are. Your support is nothing short of incredible.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, December 5, 2022

It's My Day on the Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange Blog Hop

 

Quilting and cookies! Seriously, what doesn't go better than those two? Carol really knows how to bring out the best of the holidays with them, that's for sure.

This year is very different for this household. There is a wedding coming up next spring, and this girl has finally gotten her act together and really buckled down on this diet thing, so there are NO cookies around here this year. No candy either. LOL!! Just to keep hubs happy, I will make him, his all time favorite Chex Mix". There is just so much I can expect him to give up at the holidays.

I really have been good about sticking to the plan, I'm down 38 pounds and honestly, I'm finding it very easy to do. But it is a cookie exchange hop, so I do have cookies to share!
There was "that" little trip to Vegas to visit with my friend Carol last month...
She took me a place named "Pop Drinks" just for a cookie. I would love to tell you I was kicking and screaming all the way there, but I would be a big ole liar if I did!
Oh my goodness, they are to die for!
I borrowed these photos from their web site.
So many incredible choices, it looks like I am going to have to go back many times to try them all!
(Heads up Carol, you best lock your doors or just move! tee hee hee) 
Along with these incredible cookies, they have customizable soft drinks, and popcorn. 
Be still my heart!
If you are lucky enough to live in Las Vegas NV, St George UT, or Farmington NM, you need to check them out. There are new ones coming soon in Utah, Idaho and Arizona.

We had a howling good time that weekend, and the best way to commemorate it was to pull out a pattern that has been in my "to-do" pile for a very long time. 
Introducing, in Christmas card form...
"Oh Howly Night"
The is a "Java House" quilt pattern. I absolutely love their whimsical designs.
These sweet guys just warm my heart.
The background was very interesting to piece. The stripes were pieced, and the circular center was an applique. It was kind of mind boggling how they put it together, but the instructions were great and if you follow along, step by step, it comes out beautifully. It was definitely something out of my wheelhouse and a fun little challenge.
As a blogging quilter, I share the good, the bad and the ugly. It's keeps me humble.
LOL!! 
 So, I must confess...I am on a "use it up" kick, in my sewing room and I found an old bolt of polyester batting that was the perfect width. I spent hours quilting it on my domestic machine and love the dimension it has. But it's polyester batting and nothing I do, will make it lay flat. I should have known better.
So, I think the rest of that bolt is going to have to find a new home or the trash.

Well, it's a big ole poop (lets call it reindeer poop) for this project, for me!
It's a perfect for a Christmas card photo...
...maybe won't irritate me nearly as much if it's a bed runner.
On the bright side, I use a machine I bought 2 years ago and never really made friends with. We have finally bonded and I love it!
After seeing a pillow at the Garden of Quilts with Carol, I remembered a hop in 2012, when we made  pillows from a "Jillily Studio" pattern "Holiday Lane". The free pattern is still available HERE.
You can find a kit on her website as well.
This pillow now lives with friends up in Alaska.
Oh what a blast to the past and yes, poor Carol has had to deal with me a lot this year!
:-)
Please visit my fellow bloggers today and see what's cooking in their virtual kitchens!


You can find the entire schedule for the hop HERE.

Wishing you happy holiday season, filled with joy!
Merry "Christmoose"!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange is Coming Your Way!

 Cookies...did someone say cookies?

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum...

Yep, it's that time of the year again. That wonderful time when Carol over at 
"Just Let Me Quilt" hosts her virtual cookie exchange blog hop.
This year, we have 28 bloggers sharing their favorite holiday recipes and projects with us.
It's a guarantee, that this will put even the biggest "Scrooge" in the mood for the holidays!

So mark your calendars... 
...and I will see you on Tuesday, when it's my day to share!