Plans For 2017 With Block Of The Month And A Solstice Challenge

I'm the worst at sticking to Block of the Month or quilt along type challenges.
I usually make one or two blocks and then my attention heads in a different direction.

With attention problems and love of shiny objects/fabrics/BOM's that distract me,

I decided I would limit or set goals on what I plan to jump into in 2017.
The words "limit" and "goals" aren't in my vocabulary so this will be interesting.

The In My Garden BOM is one of my few successes...I've sewn all the blocks so far!
The new blocks come out tomorrow so it will soon be time to sew it all together.
I've loved all the Riley Blake Designs fabric I used for it!

February will be a fun start with a new BOM at Sew Incredibly Crazy...Sun, Sand, and Sea.

The first day of each month will have a new block from different designers.

I'll be designing a couple of those blocks and will be sewing them all together for a fun quilt.

This is a fat quarter bundle I was lucky enough to rescue out of my sister's get-rid-of pile.

It's by Moda and it's called Renewal. I have no idea how long she had it, but the colors are nice.

I'll be using it to sew Pat's Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Challenge blocks.
I'm blaming Sharon of Vroomans Quilts for me doing this one. She blamed her friend, Barbara.
Somebody has to take the blame for me adding this to my list of things to sew.

I've made one block...yay! One more to sew and then I'm caught up.

I'm still staring at my Moda Color Daze batiks. I'm sure it will be a Storm At Sea design,
but I've not started cutting into it the batiks yet. Soon, though. Or maybe I'll find another BOM...

I'm excited to start another year with Therm O Web. Lots of ideas swimming in my head!
Because I love to applique, this is one of my favorite products.
The Heat n Bond EZ Print Lite printer sheets run through my inkjet printer so there's
no tracing and drawing the pattern pieces..easy and quick! I love easy!

Soooo....
What BOM, sew along, whatever are you jumping into in 2017?
If you tell me, I might have to blame you for making me start something new, but that's okay.

The Christmas Pillow

In November 2012 I played along in a blog hop hosted by Madame Samm using a Christmas pillow

pattern, Holiday Lane, by Jill Finley of Jillily Studios. It was such a fun pattern to sew!

You can still find Jill's pattern HERE.

In 2012 there were only four Monkey Boys posing on this pillow.

Now there are five...you can't even see the pillow!

This guy was the baby in the first picture. He looked a lot more peaceful then.

Awww, much better!

I really wanted this adorable English Bulldog puppy, but I'm glad she went to a good home.

Once she got big she wouldn't have fit through my doggy door!

That face...love it!

It's time to get ready for 2017.

I can't wait to be inspired by what everyone is quilting and sewing!

Merry Christmas To All My Favorite Quilty Friends!

I feel so lucky to have quilty friends like you who inspire and encourage me to keep on quilting.

Thank you!

 May you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

Let It Snow With Lots Of Love

The whole time I was sewing this quilt "Let It Snow" was singing through my head.

Thank goodness I love that song!

That sweet little bunny is trying so hard to get the snow lady's attention.

Hopefully she'll notice the sweet red heart he is holding up for her.

Using Therm O Web products to put it together made it easy!

Head over to the Therm O Web Blog today for info on this quilt.

You can find the pattern at Just Carol's Craftsy Store.

Thinking About A Batik Quilt

I've spent the last few days thinking about making a batik quilt because thanks to 

 Soma at Whims & Fancies, I now have a beautiful bundle of batiks, plus other goodies.

Seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was.

It was an amazing early Christmas present!

Thank you Soma, Aurifil, and Moda! I feel like I won the lottery.

This is what I won...isn't it incredible!

Prize Package 1

Moda Color Daze 25 pieces of fat quarter fabric
A box of Aurifil thread
4 individual patterns by Whims And Fancies

Now I just have to figure out what to do with the batiks.

The Moda Color Daze Batiks by Laundry Basket Quilts

I kind of like the Storm at Sea pattern style, but I'm not sure.

Maybe something simple or maybe paper piecing the patterns I won from Soma.

I just can't decide. The choices are endless!

I guess I'll just make cookies today while I dream of batiks and what to do with them.

Wait! How Many Days Until Christmas?

Seriously...there's not enough days until Christmas.

I haven't mailed out all my Christmas cards or 

finished shopping...yikes!

The four-year-old monkey stayed with us for a week. He's busy, busy, busy, but I loved it.

We did a little shopping and sweet treat creating, too.

I drove him home and then spent five days with family and the rest of the Monkey Boys. 

Sleeping arrangements for me included one bedroom, two twin beds, 

one mattress on the floor, and four boys. It was the best long slumber party ever.

Sleeping with the four-year-old in the twin bed wasn't bad at all...loved it!

We had our annual gingerbread making night with some interesting results.

This is my it-has-to-be-perfect daughter with Monkey Baby.

He didn't care if it was perfect...he just wanted to eat the candy.

My SIL always brings something unusual to add to the decorations.

Usually it's dinosaurs, but this year he brought toy vehicles.

My son's vehicle was a helicopter. He put it to good use when his house collapsed.

He can be a little twisted sometimes which shows in the "blood" on the gingerbread man.

He definitely keeps us laughing!

I came home yesterday to some fun Christmas mail that made me smile.

One card included lots and lots of glitter...you know who you are! LOL

I think there was more glitter on my table than on the card. 

Look at this beautiful snowflake by Sherry from Createology. 

I never knew what tatting looked like up close...this is amazing!

Now that I'm home I'm going to sew. I found 16 nine-patch blocks in my stash.

I think I started something last year...or the year before...but I'm not sure what my plan was.

So, the plan is to make it into something else today. 

Should be a great sewing day!

I hope you have time to be creative today, too.

Virtual Cookie Exchange And My Best Cheesecake Chocolate Cookie Bar

It's my day for the Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop...welcome!

I got a little creative and put together what I think is the

Best Cheesecake Chocolate Cookie Bar ever. 

It's got cheesecake, chocolate, and caramel...what's not to love!

Carol's Best Cheesecake Chocolate Cookie Bar

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9” x 13” pan.

Layer 1:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup cocoa

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, cocoa, granulated sugar, and butter until combined. Press mixture on the bottom of the lightly greased 9” x 13” pan.

Layer 2:

2 8-ounce cream cheese packages, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and sugar until blended. Beat in vanilla and eggs until blended.

Carefully spread mixture over Layer 1.

Layer 3:

1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces (not evaporated milk)

1/4 cup flour

1 egg

1 t. vanilla extract

1/2 t. baking powder

1 cup chopped pecans

Beat sweetened condensed milk, flour, egg, vanilla extract, and baking powder until blended. Stir in chopped pecans and spread batter evenly over Layer 2.

Layer 4:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over Layer 3. Bake 30-40 minutes or until set and light/golden brown. Cool completely and cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Optional Layer 5:

Once bars are completely cooled, drizzle with bottled caramel sauce and cut into bars.

For more delicious recipes, check out these blogs:

December 5

Just Let Me Quilt - Giveaway

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Kris Loves Fabric

December 6

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Brenda’s Quilting Blog

Bumbleberry Stitches

December 7

What’s Up With Kim

Granny Can Quilt

Rosemary’s Recipe – posted at Just Let Me Quilt

December 8

Deb’s Rustic Quilting

Treasured Nest

Just Let Me Quilt

Don't forget to enter the sweet giveaway from Quilt Taffy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rosemary's Day To Exchange Her Cookie Recipes

Welcome to Rosemary's day for the Virtual Cookie Exchange!

I'm so lucky to have sweet Rosemary hanging out on my blog today.
She's sharing a couple of her cookie recipes including one from her
mother-in-law, Grandma B, who made them every year for Christmas.

GRANDMA B'S XMAS COOKIE RECIPE

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup oatmeal

Xmas Filling

Powdered Sugar Frosting

Angel Flake Coconut

Beat butter until creamy; add sugar. Beat until fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Gradually add flour and salt. When mixed, add oatmeal.

Form into 1" balls. Make thumbprint and fill with Xmas filling... approx. 1/2 tsp.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325 for 20 - 25 minutes.

When Cool, frost with Powdered Sugar Frosting and sprinkle coconut on top.

XMAS FILLING *

1 cup dark raisins

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 cup sugar

1 - 1/2 cup water

Combine ingredients and cook slowly over low heat until water has cooked down

and ingredients are well blended and thick. Add more water if needed. Cool. This can be

halved but I always freeze what’s leftover so I can make these whenever I want.

POWDERED SUGAR FROSTING

1/2 cup butter (1 cube)

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 - 2 tbls milk

Cream butter; add powdered sugar and blend well. Add vanilla and mix well.

Depending on spreading consistency, add milk one tablespoon at a time.

Use more if needed. Beat well.

RASPBERRY-ALMOND SQUARES

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1/4 cup flour

2 T. sugar

1/2 -8 oz can almond paste ( 1/2 cup) or marzipan, if you prefer!

2 T. butter

1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

   (I forgot to toast my last batch - it's better when they're toasted!)

Powdered Sugar Icing (optional)

FOR CRUST: Beat the 1/3 cup butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. 

Add the 1/4 cup sugar and beat until combined. Beat in the 1 cup flour

(mixture will be crumbly). Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a

greased 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

MEANWHILE: Combine the 1/4 cup flour and the 2 T sugar in a small bowl. 

Cut in almond paste and the 2 T butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Set aside.

Spread jam over hot baked crust. Crumble almond paste mixture over the jam. 

Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until topping is golden.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack. If desired, drizzle with Icing. Cut into bars.

These are very sweet so I cut into small triangles. You might want to consider no icing

or using the icing sparingly.

POWDERED SUGAR ICING: Combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon

vanilla and enough milk (4-5 teaspoons) to make an icing of drizzling.

Be sure to visit these other blogs for more yummy recipes:

December 5

Just Let Me Quilt - Giveaway

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Kris Loves Fabric

December 6

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Brenda’s Quilting Blog

Bumbleberry Stitches

December 7

What’s Up With Kim

Granny Can Quilt

Rosemary’s Recipe – posted at Just Let Me Quilt

December 8

Deb’s Rustic Quilting

Treasured Nest

Just Let Me Quilt

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More Virtual Cookie Exchange Recipes And A Giveaway

It's another day for more cookie recipes and that sweet giveaway from Quilt Taffy.

I'm loving the recipes so far!

December 5

Just Let Me Quilt - Giveaway

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Kris Loves Fabric

December 6

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Brenda’s Quilting Blog

Bumbleberry Stitches

December 7

What’s Up With Kim

Granny Can Quilt

Rosemary’s Recipe – posted at Just Let Me Quilt

December 8

Deb’s Rustic Quilting

Treasured Nest

Just Let Me Quilt

$20 giveaway from Quilt Taffy! 

The winner will love shopping in her store!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Time For The Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop

I've been so anxious for today to arrive because...

 It's time for the Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop! 

Woohoo...new cookie recipes!

Look who's baking this week:

December 5

Just Let Me Quilt - Giveaway

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Kris Loves Fabric

December 6

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Brenda’s Quilting Blog

Bumbleberry Stitches

December 7

What’s Up With Kim

Granny Can Quilt

Rosemary’s Recipe – posted at Just Let Me Quilt

December 8

Deb’s Rustic Quilting

Treasured Nest

Just Let Me Quilt

Plus, there's a sweet $20 giveaway from Quilt Taffy! 

The winner will love shopping in her store!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by!

In Our Garden Block Of The Month #21 And #22

With Christmas approaching much more quickly than I'm ready for,

I hurried to finish the In Our Garden blocks #21 and #22 by Jan from Sew and Sow Farm.

Woo hoo! I'm all caught up!

Amy from Sew Incredibly Crazy keeps me motivated, too...thanks, Amy!

My applique block #21
I added a couple flowers to remind me that there's a garden under that snow somewhere.

My pieced block #22

February

Amy – Sew Incredibly Crazy

You can find Amy's Block #1 and Block #2 HERE. 

March
Carol – Just Let Me Quilt 

You can find my Block #3 and Block #4 HERE.

April

Doris – Quilting Queen Online

You can find Doris' Block #5 and Block #6 HERE.

May

Carla – Creatin’ in the Sticks

You can find Carla's Block #7 and Block #8 HERE.

June

Susan – Super Mom No Cape

You can find Susan's Block #9 and Block #10 HERE.

July

Joan – Moosestash Quilting

You can find Joan's Block #11 and Block #12 HERE.

August

Kris – Kris Loves Fabric

You can find Kris' Block #13 and Block #14 HERE.

September
Pat – Life in the Scrapatch

You can find Pat's Block #15 and Block #16 HERE.

October

Vicki – More Stars in Comanche

You can find Vicki's Block #17 and Block #18 HERE.

November
Lana – It Seams to be Sew

You can find Lana's Block #15 and Block #16 HERE.

December

Jan - Sew and Sow Farm

You Can find Jan's block HERE.

January

Amy – Sew Incredibly Crazy– Final Blocks and wrap up

There's a Facebook page, too! 

Share your blocks and/or see what everyone else is making.

CLICK HERE