It's my Day: Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange Blog Hop

 Welcome to my day on the Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange Blog Hop and I want to start, by thanking my hop co-hostess Carol, for being the best anyone could ever ask for. She is pivotal, in keeping us all going, on this crazy fun "hopping" ride! Thanks for another great blog hop year Carol!

This plate of virtual cookies, is thanks to McKenna Ryan's "Gingerbread Lane" pattern. It's an oldie but a goodie and has been in my pile of must do's since 2007. Scary, just how big/old that pile is, isn't it?

It's part of an 8 block pattern, I fell in love with so many years ago.

There are a zillion pieces to it, which is probably why it stayed in that to-do pile for so long, but what a fun project, once I got going on it.

I have a big tub of batik scraps that I can't bear to throw away. 

Some are really pretty tiny.

                 

     

But they were perfect for the details on this project.

It was a cumbersome job, but I worked it through, one block at a time and bagged up the tiny pieces as I cut them.

While it doesn't show up well in the photo, the champagne bottle wrap, is 3-D. That was an interesting technique to play with.

What I didn't realize until I was well into it, was that this pattern set wasn't met to be put together as a quilt. (I really need to learn to read better) LOL!! That explains why I only found 1 photo online, of it done as a quilt. 

I had to regroup and add to some of the blocks and cut down others.

It was quite the learning experience, all the way around but this sweet treat will remain calorie free forever!

Now as for the real deal cookies...well, I've put a lot of time and energy into loosing weight, and while it's a struggle right now, I am not making cookies this year. It's just too darn tempting and my will power is failing me right now. LOL!!

But I do have a couple of recipes to share with you. This spring when my youngest got married, I made cheesecakes for the rehearsal dinner and they were a hit.

I have an old cheesecake recipe that I've used for years. It's so old, I have no idea where it came from but a friend named it "Cheesecake Ala Joan" and that name has stuck.

You can download that recipe 

HERE

Next was an Amaretto Cheesecake an adaptation from my recipe. 

The Amaretto Sauce recipe can be found 

HERE

You will want to make extra, it's great on everything!

Last but not least...

German Chocolate Cheesecake (my new favorite)

This photo was borrowed from the recipe itself and yes, it tastes as wonderful as it looks!

You can find the recipe

HERE

Even though they are not cookies, they promise to bring much jolly to your holidays.

Pleas visit my fellow bloggers today

DECEMBER 7

MooseStashQuilting (you're here)

Ms P Designs USA

Quilt Doodle Designs

Quilted Snail

Sew Many Yarns

Just Sew Quilter

The Life of Grammy

You can find the complete schedule for the hop

HERE

Wishing you all, a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Oh, and I wanted to make a shout out to "Domestic Felicity" who made the sweetest hat for the "Turkey Trot" hop last month. You inspired me more than you know...

While this one loves her new hat, brother is not impressed. It comes off quicker than it goes on.

LOL!!

In fact these were so much fun to stitch, they got Christmas hats as well.

Yep, little man is not in love with being mugged by his sister or the hat, it seems!

 til next time...

 Keep on Stitchin'

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Blog Hoppin' News!

Monday Carol kicks off her annual "Virtual Christmas Cookie" Exchange blog hop.

It's such a fun hop. I look forward to it every year. This year we have 28 bloggers sharing their Christmas decoration, traditions, favorite cookie recipes and projects with us.

It promises to even put the "Grinch" into the holiday spirit!

In January Carol is hosting the "White Rabbit" hop.

Challenge: On the first day of each month, there is a tradition for people to say "white rabbit" first  thing in the morning. The phrase is supposed to bring good luck for the rest of the month. Even President Roosevelt did this! Make something with white fabrics, rabbits, or white rabbits. What is a tradition you follow?

If you want to join in, drop Carol a line, with your  name, your blog name and  your blog address.

But you don't have to have a blog to join in. New this year we are extending the hops to Facebook and Instagram users are well. Just send us the name and  link to where you would like your project viewed.

With this being such a busy time of the year, I decided to announce the February hop "It Moose Be Love", early. 

Challenge: February is the month of "Love". Show us what it is, you love. Moose are optional of course! LOL!!

If you want to join in, drop me a line with your name, your blog name and blog address, Facebook or Instagram link. 

Looking forward to another year of hoppin good fun and making new friends!

 til next time...

 Keep on Stitchin'

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Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange Blog Hop Coming Soon

It's that magical time of the year, when Carol hosts her "Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange" Blog Hop. Oh that calorie free one, where we can share and dream about those sweet treats, or try someone else favorite recipe this year!

The time where we share our Christmas traditions, show off our decorating or our trees. Share a story or just about anything that makes your holiday heart happy!

The fun starts next Monday and this year we have a great lineup of bloggers!

DECEMBER 4

Just Let Me Quilt

Inflorescence

Songbird Designs

Words & Stitches

DesertSky Quilting

Quilting Gail

Days Filled With Joy

For The Love Of Geese

 

DECEMBER 5

Selina Quilts

Just Because Quilts

Karrin’s Crazy World

Quilt Schmilt

Domestic Felicity

Happy Cottage Quilter

Nettie Sews and Lucky Quilts

 

DECEMBER 6

Hill Valley Quilter

Beaquilter

Crazy'boutquilts

Bumbleberry Stitches

That Fabric Feeling

Homespun Hannah's Blog

 

DECEMBER 7

MooseStashQuilting

Ms P Designs USA

Quilt Doodle Designs

Quilted Snail

Sew Many Yarns

Just Sew Quilter

The Life of Grammy

So make sure you grab your stretchy pants and join us for the fun!

Of course it is virtual, so stretchy pants are optional.

 til next time...

 Keep on Stitchin'

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Turkey Trot Challenge Blog Hop Wrap-up

 Well, another inspirational hop is in the books and there was no shortage of ideas.

A big shout out to my fellow bloggers for inspiring us, this Thanksgiving season.

If you haven't seen all the beautiful project yet, the full schedule is posted 

HERE

 You can also find them on our "Turkey Trot" Pinterest page

HERE

It's hard to believe that 2023 is almost over, isn't it?

Carol is wrapping up the year with her annual "Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange" blog hop and it never disappoints!

If you would like to be a part of our hops next year, we would love to have you!

It's no longer necessary for you to have a blog yourself. We are expanding our hop to include Facebook and Instagram posts as well. 

What is a blog hop? 

It's like a "show and tell" online or like joining a quilt guild without leaving home. Carol from from "Just Let Me Quilt" and I post a challenge on our blogs and those who want to join in email us with their URL blog, Instagram, Facebook info (IG and FB are new in 2024.) After we get that info, we assign a date for them to post their project. The idea is to visit the first blog and then go to the next blog/IG/FB, etc. We give everyone plenty of time to sew something, usually two months. We inspire each other with projects, tutorials, or patterns. Anyone can follow along! Projects are posted on each blog and include the other participants. 

 

These are the "rules" for being a participant:

It is important that you post your project on your scheduled day.

You can preset your blog post to go live any time after 11 p.m. MST. (night before)

It's okay if it pops up early...that's better than being late.

If your project isn't quite done, show it anyway. 

People remember if you're a no show...we don't want that!

Above all, have fun and enjoy the sweet fun of a blog hop!

If you're posting on IG/FB, make sure your post is live by 11 p.m. MST. (night before)

 

I know we're all busy and can't always visit all the participants on the exact day, but PLEASE visit them as soon as you can.

We all love to receive some kind words and recognition for our work.

If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us.

Carol – sewswift6@gmail.com and/or Joan – calicojoan@aol.com

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with friends, family and great food!

 til next time...

 Keep on Stitchin'

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Turkey Trot Blog Hop

 

Welcome to the "Turkey Trot" blog hop. 

It's that time of the year, when we are thankful for all the things life has given us, and the people who are in it. 

Turkey has come to represent the Thanksgiving season, but this year there is no turkey in sight. LOL!!

No, this year I went went through the books on my shelf and picked one that had been collecting dust for a few years! 

This is my version of "Pumpkin Hill" a pattern by Anne Sutton.

I love with the whimsical folk art designs and the fact that is was perfect for some stash busting.

It's always a win, when I don't have to buy fabric for a project. 

We had a very cold and frosty morning, one day last week. 

It was calling me to go out and take some photos.

The sun was just coming out and these poor little guys were freezing

 their tails off.  LOL!!

I loved how the light danced on it. Kind of a reminder that even in the coldest of times, the sun warms the heart of the home!

It seems so appropriate, with Thanksgiving coming up next week.

I am lucky enough, to not have to do the cooking this year. It's fun to hand the baton to the next generation...and maybe not have to do the dishes!

Hop on over and visit my friends and see what's cookin' for their "Turkey Trot" projects today.

Monday November 13 

MooseStashQuilting (you're here)

Words & Stitches

The Morning Latte

QuiltingGail

The Life Of Grammy

You can find the complete schedule for this hop HERE.

Check out our Pinterest Board HERE.

Just when you think you can turn off your oven...

Carol jumps in and hosts her annual "Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange".

We have 27 bloggers who have been busy getting ready, just for you!

I can hardly wait!

And in January Carol hosts the "White Rabbit" hop.

Challenge: On the first day of each month, there is a tradition for people to say "white rabbit" first thing in the morning. The phrase is supposed to bring good luck for the rest of the month. Even President Roosevelt did this!  Make something with white fabrics, rabbits or white rabbits. What is a tradition you follow?

Drop her an email, if  you want to play along.

Wishing you all, a very blessed Thanksgiving season!

 til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

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Turkey Trot Blog Hop

Turkey Time???

Oh how I love this time of the year. 

Our "Turkey Trot" blog hop is just a few days away and my blogging buddies are gobbling away at getting their projects ready to share with you!

Here is our lineup!

Monday November 13 

MooseStashQuilting

Words & Stitches

The Morning Latte

QuiltingGail

The Life Of Grammy

Tuesday November 14

Karrin’s Crazy World

Just Because Quilts

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Domestic Felicity

Nettie Sews and Lucky Quilts 

Wednesday November 15

Selina Quilts

Quilt Doodle Designs

Inflorescence

MS P Designs USA

Thursday November 16

Just Let Me Quilt

BeaQuilter

Quilted Snail

Songbird Designs

Scrapdash

Don't be a turkey and miss out on the fun!

Did you see that Carol has opened up the signups for her January "White Rabbit" hop?

If you want to join in, drop her an email!

 til next time...

 Keep on Stitchin'

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New BOM for 2024

It's that time of the year again, where we tempt you with next years "FREE" Block of the Month

over on our Cackling Stitches Facebook page. 

We have put our heads together and come up with a fun new quilt that we are sure you will enjoy!

It all starts Jan 1 2024, but we know how much you like to start planning and collecting supplies.

What better time to grab some of those fabulous Halloween prints, we all love to collect.

Let's get to the story behind our 2024 quilt!

This quilt has a bit of a "no particular reason" twist to it, as well!

Remember those days gone by, when paper dolls were so poplar?

Well, get out your crafty side and let nostalgia take over, because this quilt doubles as a paper doll quilt. 

The list of supplies you need for the quilt can be found HERE.

Don't start cutting anything just yet. We will provide more instructions with the patterns, starting in January.

As in past years, the blocks for the patterns are free for the month they are posted. Once that month is over, the block will go into our individual ETSY shops for purchase for a nominal fee. We do ask that you honor our copyright and do not share the pattern with others. You can always send them to our Facebook page where they can download their own pattern directly from us. We put a lot of time and effort into designing BOMs for you each year, and we want to keep the blocks free for all of you. With that being said, if you just can't wait for each month to roll around, the complete pattern will be available for purchase for $15, starting Jan 1. 

After all this, I suppose you want to see the quilt we have designed. LOL!!

Without further ado...

She's bright, she's bold and she is "Bona Lisa" with all her glorious ugly sweaters and accessories. And of course the dusty ole barn!

The center is just asking for some interchangeable sweaters to keep her warm.

(You build them on a felt backing)

You can add a pocket to the back of the quilt if you choose, to store them in.

Want a fun interactive wall hanging?

Make a second set of the block sweaters, or let your imagination go wild.  There will be additional sweaters available, but they are top secret right now! 

In fact, we want you to become designers too, and we will be watching to see what creepy sweet sweaters, you create. There may just be something in for you, if you do...but more on that later!

Start collecting up bits and pieces of ribbons, trims, old jewelry and anything you can imagine to dress up your Bona Lisa!

 til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

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