Preparing for Dallas

Schatzi and I have been getting in our 3-Day training walks each and every morning...we usually walk somewhere between 5 and 6 miles...and today she had her first 6+ mile walk. I have been trying to take a photo a day while we are on the trail, so I have a little album of all our training. Yesterday we decided to take a new trail path and came upon fields of wildflowers - it was absolutely beautiful in the early morning sunshine. I managed to get a few photos and thought I would share them here...and I captured the squirrel photo in the afternoon while we were at the park playing fetch...you know I can't resist a good squirrel photo opportunity! All this time outside is really sparking my creativity....

I am keeping extremely busy in my studio, working on commissioned designing and quilting projects - my sewing machine has been humming a long for a couple weeks - it is a such blessing to have the work. Plus, I have a HUGE pile of needlework finishing to get completed for a customer - I can't wait to get started - hopefully I will be able to share some of these finishes with you, as well - the stitching is gorgeous. Also - my Komen 3-Day needlework design is almost finished - I am hoping to share it with you next week (fingers crossed) - yep, I have been stitching every night...

So, for now, I am off to take Schatzi to run at the park...cook dinner (I'm thinking BLTs this evening)...and then get in my daily stitching time...

Drunkard's Path Projects

I have been at my sewing machine all week - my favorite place to be! I had a large commissioned order that consisted of a pair of placemats, a pillow, a table runner, a large applique wall hanging, and a bed quilt - and although I had a terrible (TERRIBLE) migraine for several days, I managed to get them all complete...along with several stitching wallet special orders, a couple birthday gifts, and a drunkard's path pillow cover. It's been a busy week; however, busy is truly a blessing. This weekend will be full as well, as I have another wall hanging, a pair of wool applique pincushions, and a couple more birthday gifts to complete.

I have been wanting to make a drunkard's path pillow for quite a while and I finally carved out some time for it....and although it may look a little bit tricky with all the curved piecing, it was actually a breeze and I completed the entire thing in just a few hours. I used a new AccuQuilt GO! die...it is the Drunkard's Path-4" Finished Die...each small two piece set is a 4" square and four sets create one 8" block. I was quite excited to use this new die, which is one of the new exclusive dies for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. I made four 8" blocks for my 16" pillow cover and played around with the pattern, until I found one that was unique and eye-pleasing to me. I used the Tuxedo Collection by Doodlebug Design Inc. for Riley Blake. The die cut shapes made this a quick and easy project - and matching up the notches helps make perfect curved piecing easily obtainable. My tip to make a project like this - press and starch your fabrics before beginning - it will give you smooth clean cuts and make your fabric much easier to work with...

 I was actually able to try out this test die months ago to make the GO! Retro Drunkard's Path Quilt sample quilt (this is the free pattern that accompanies the die) - I just had to wait until the die was actually released to share the project with you. This quilt alternates between drunkard's path blocks and broken dishes blocks...and it measures 68" x 76" (a nice large size - but a little bit of a challenge when quilting on my sewing machine - yep, I'm still dreaming that one day I will have a longarm machine...). It is made from an assortment of fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores...and actually was quite fun to make. I was thrilled to see my sample quilt on the packaging for the die and in the online video...again, another quilt I made is famous....and this was a big project, with lots of curved seams and matching points...I am proud!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my drunkard's path projects...and I have several more fun and famous quilting finishes to share with you in the near future...

Wishing you a wonderful and creative weekend!

Bright and Cheerful Sampler Quilt

I told you I would be back this week to start sharing some of the sewing/quilting projects I have been working on...and today I am excited to share a very fun sampler quilt project I recently completed for AccuQuilt. This fun sampler block quilt is made entirely with one cutting die...the GO! Value Die. The GO! Value Die includes two 2 1/2"W x 2 1/2"W triangles, one 2 1/2"W x 2 1/2"W square, and one 4 1/2"W x 4 1/2"H square, which together, can create a wide variety of blocks and borders....in fact, you would be surprised how many projects you can make with just this one die. The GO! Value Die actually comes in the GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set, along with the GO! Fabric Cutter, a 6" x 12" cutting mat, a die pick, and a 20-page pattern booklet which includes 12 block patterns and a sampler quilt pattern (the quilt I am sharing with you today).

So, let's talk about the sampler quilt - it is 12 different blocks, each measuring 8" x 8"...and with the borders the quilt measures 48" x 48". The entire quilt top is pieced with shapes from the GO! Value Die (yep, that's it, just one single cutting die)...and the binding was cut using the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2". These two dies are compatible with the GO! and the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter (and with the Studio Fabric Cutter, if you use the GO! Die Adapters).

This quilt was REALLY fun to make - and is a good starter quilt. You can do one block each day, each week, or even each month...and before you know it you will have the top complete. It is also a great practice quilt if you want to work on your "point skills"...and with the precise cutting, you will be surprised how well your points match up! ...and, of course, you could use your favorite colors and fabrics to make it extra special!

If you are interested in the AccuQuilt booklet that contains all twelve block patterns (with alternate uses) and the GO! Die Sampler Quilt, you can find it as part of the GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set. You can hear all about the this Starter Set and the sampler quilt by watching this video...and yes, the quilt hanging in the background is the one I made (it's famous!)...

I will be back soon with more of my recent projects...until then, happy creating!

An Iowa Summer...

Hello friends - I sure have missed you (and from the photo on the right, my dogs aren't getting enough attention either...this is what is waiting for me when I come down the stairs from my studio). It has been a couple hectic weeks...and although I have a TON of creative things to share with you, it has been hard to make the time to sit down and blog. Troubleshooting with the new website has been a huge time investment...and now, I am waiting for the latest cart software update, hoping that will fix some of the connection issues that some of you are experiencing. I have around forty handmade items to add, but I was hoping the site would be working properly for everyone before I take the time to list everything. Thank you for your patience while I sort everything out - and for those of you who have been able to view and explore the new website, thank you for your very kind compliments and orders. I have also been keeping busy with some special design projects and commissioned sewing/quilting work - unfortunately, needlework just doesn't pay the bills these days, so I have been forced to sit it on the back burner and focus on projects that can supplement my income....it has been quite the balancing act, but when you are passionate about your career, you find a way to keep your dream alive. I am also getting in my training walks for the Komen 3-Day in November...and yes, I am still stitching on the model for my 2014 fundraising design....it is about 75-80% finished, so you will see it soon - I really wanted to have it completed by now, but life has had other plans....

So I thought I would share a few photos I have taken over the last several weeks - a little "catch-up"...and then later this week, I will share some of my latest sewing/quilting creations with you (I have a bunch!)....

Raccoon River Park - this is where I do a lot of walking with Schatzi - it is
3 miles to walk around the lake...

On the Nature Walk at Raccoon River Park

Travis giving Schatzi a swimming lesson at Raccoon River Park...

I took a little road trip with my friend Lorrie to Pella, Iowa, where we visited
the quilt shop and the bakery.

Fishing with friends on the 4th of July...yep, that is my fishing pole (and yes, I
have a fishing pole).

Here is one of the 8 fish I caught - obviously, I threw them all back...

Friends around the fire pit on the 4th of July...(their house overlooks the pond we
were fishing on)...

Toasting marshmallows for s'mores....

The first s'more I have made/had since I was a kid...I made my husband hold it
for a photo...and yes, it was delicious...

Iowa sunset on Independence Day

A Tiger Swallowtail butterfly I spotted on an early morning training walk...

Another quiet, early morning on the trail with Schatzi - this was taken on one of
the bridges - it is my favorite bench in a small clearing...we have a lovely trail system
close to our home...

A current photo of Miss E Schatzi Nace Wir Vertrauen CGC - she is now 82 pounds.

Love Today

Do you think someone was trying to tell me something this morning?? - Schatzi and I came upon this sidewalk chalk art on our early morning walk...and I just had to snap an Instagram photo. So, while my days are extremely challenging right now, I am going to try to "love today!!"...

Before I get into something fun and creative, I want to give you just a wee bit of a website update. Some of you are still having intermittent speed and connection issues when trying to visit http://blueribbondesigns.com - and I am still working with my web host and cart software provider to fix these issues. We are working on a couple different things, hoping one of them will solve the problem. I would like to thank everyone for being patient - I understand your frustration...and believe me, I am BEYOND frustrated, as well. I would also like to thank those of you who have been able to access the website for your kind messages and your orders...your supportive notes have kept me sane and make the nastygrams I have received somewhat less hurtful - I am truly thankful for you. I am doing my best to get the problem solved and can only hope things will be back to normal soon. Fingers crossed...

On to something happy and cross stitch related...

The most wonderful package arrived on my doorstep from the UK yesterday, and it could not have come on a better day...it truly lifted my spirits! Inside this package was a lovely gift bag with two beautifully wrapped presents. I opened the smallest present first, which was a GORGEOUS yard of some of the most spectacular ribbon I have even seen and an exquisite handmade button - both from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London - I just can't wait to find the perfect project to use these unique embellishments! If that wasn't enough, in the larger package was a bright and cheerful cross stitched friendship pillow and matching tag...aren't they special?! This handmade gift truly touched my heart and brought an immediately smile to my face after a day filled with frustration and negativity - it honestly made me speechless. Thank you so much Dora - I will treasures these gifts - and I treasure our faraway friendship - you make me happy!

Website Hiccups...

I am aware that some of you are experiencing difficulty and frustration with the new website - while some of you are able to visit and explore easily, others cannot get the site to load or receive an error message. Please know I am addressing the intermittent speed and connection issues and I'm working with my web host and software provider on a solution. Thank you so very much for your patience, I hope to have everything running smoothly as soon as possible. Computers are a marvelous thing most of the time; however, I have quickly learned they can also cause migraine headaches - and truth be told, this entire website project is making me feel like an epic failure. Please bear with me while I work out this latest "challenge" and I hope to be back soon, letting you know all is well...cross your fingers and/or say a little prayer for me - I could use some good vibes and a little positivity today!

....and just so this post has a happy, creative twist, here is a new update on my 2014 Komen "pink" design...and yes, I am still trying to come up with the perfect title...