Colorful Companion Sampler

Yesterday, I mentioned I would return to share a new sampler quilt with you...one of my latest pattern designs for AccuQuilt - the GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt. This bright and cheerful sampler quilt features twelve pieced blocks created with the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and the GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics....along the with GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) for the binding. I used lovely Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids for this colorful project...but this pattern would work equally well with prints or batiks. It uses all of the GO! Qube and GO! Qube Companion shapes, except the GO! Parallelogram...and while I designed and created it with the 9" block sets, you could easily use your favorite GO! Qube block size. Using 9" blocks, this quilt measures 35" x 46"....but if you choose to make it with 12" blocks, it would measure 44" x 58" - a nice throw size quilt...and it would make a fun mini quilt using 6" blocks!

The pattern has instructions for the twelve blocks I used for the sample, but you could easily replace any block(s) with your favorite(s). ...and the good news? - right now, the pattern is FREE for download on the AccuQuilt website:

http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-qube-9-companion-sampler-quilt-pattern.html

Even better, if you need a little kickstart for this modern project, check out this AccuQuilt video that features the GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt - it shows more details and gives you some tips and tricks! For those who can't view the video on my blog, please visit this You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpxJcKeI1NY

I hope you are inspired to start your own sampler quilt...and if you do, I hope you will keep me updated on your progress - it's a great way to practice and showcase your skills! Try doing a block each day (or each week or each month) to make it more manageable and before you know it, you will have a full quilt....

On the Cutting Edge...

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know there is always a special project going on in my studio...and earlier this year I had my design hat on, creating a plethora of quilt blocks and projects for the new AccuQuilt GO! Qube Companion Sets. Now, I know these have been available for a few months, so you might already have seen all of this...but I have quite a few AccuQuilt enthusiasts that follow my blog....and so, better a little late than never. Plus I wanted to share what I designed/created for these versatile new die sets...

I'm sure you all remember my excitement when the GO! Qubes were released (if not, you can read my blog post here: https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2015/11/quilt-block-heaven-in-qube.html)...so you can probably guess that I was "over the moon" when AccuQuilt decided to release a GO! Qube Companion Set to coordinate with each size of GO! Qube - seriously, how cool is that?! The GO! Qube Companion Set-Classics is available in each of the four GO! Qube sizes: 6",  8", 9", and 12"....and is designed to expand the possibilities of what you can create with the existing GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks. Each Companion Set includes four classic shapes labeled 9-12 (a continuation of the 1-8 die numbering system from the GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks), a cutting mat, an instructional DVD, and a 20-page pattern booklet. Yep, it's pretty awesome! The four GO! Dies included in the GO! Qube Companion Set-Classics are:

• GO! Chisels (Shape 9)
• GO! Signature Block (Shape 10)
• GO! Drunkard’s Path-Arc Shape (Shape 11)
• GO! Drunkard’s Path-Quarter Circle (Shape 12)

The fun thing for me...I designed/wrote all the patterns for the GO! Qube Companion Set Classics-72 Block Pattern Booklets (for each of the four sizes)...and that includes the new Mix & Match block patterns included in each box! Plus I designed/wrote the pattern for the GO! Cutting Edge Throw Quilt (for each size) that is included in the Pattern Book in each set. I was pretty ecstatic to see the finished product when the sets were released! Right now, you can download both the GO! Qube Companion Set Classics-72 Block Pattern Booklets and the GO! Cutting Edge Throw Quilt patterns on the AccuQuilt website for free (yes, FREE!). Here are links and photos for each size...

GO! Qube 6" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 6" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 6" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 8" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 8" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 8" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 9" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 9" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 12" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 12" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 12" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

It is always rewarding to share some of the projects I have had the pleasure of working on...it just took me a little time to get around to these. I hope you enjoy exploring the links and downloading the free patterns/booklets...and if you have a GO! Qube Companion Set, I would LOVE to see what you have been creating...

Tomorrow, I will be back to share another new pattern design that uses the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and the GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics...a colorful sampler quilt!

Piece of My Heart

With the cold winter weather, I thought I would share a new project with you that warms my heart - it is my latest pattern design for AccuQuilt called the "GO! Piece of My Heart Wall Hanging." I had so much fun designing and creating this project that uses the GO! Strip Cutter-5 1/2" (5" Finished)...and the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) for the binding - that's it - only two cutting dies! Once I had the pattern written, it went together super easy and I was thrilled with how it turned out...so much so, that I had a really hard time boxing up the sample and sending it to AccuQuilt - I wanted to keep it for my very own! I worked up the sample in beautiful Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids...but this pattern would work well with prints or batiks...and it could even be done with one basic color in a variety of prints. For the quilting, I used simple wavy lines on my domestic machine (yep, I'm still dreaming of the day I will own a longarm!).

You can find this new pattern on the AccuQuilt website...and it is currently free of charge (yes, I said FREE) to download:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-piece-of-my-heart-strip-quilt-pattern.html

My tip to you (if you want to make one of your very own) - keep your pieces organized - I pinned my pieces for each vertical strip set together until sewing....and then I placed each strip set in order on my design wall. The finished wall hanging measures 55" x 55" and would also work quite well for a lap quilt.

This colorful project is sure to brighten up a winter day....and with Valentine's Day in less than two months, it is the perfect time to get started! So, go check out the AccuQuilt website, download the free pattern, and gather your supplies - you'll be finished in no time...
Happy quilting!

Warm Winter Wishes

Countdown to Christmas (BRD-077)
Ready to turn the piece for today...

Greetings friends! It is a chilly day here in Iowa - perfect for spending a little time at the sewing machine or curled up with a cross stitch project. It has been a whirlwind of creativity in my studio the last month - finishing up freelance jobs, custom finishing, and special holiday orders...and trying to fit my own handmade gifts in the mix. I am happy to say I finished up all my big deadlines last week and finished up my holiday gifts over the weekend...and I am now down to just a few projects that were not included in the holiday rush (those who are waiting, thank you for your patience)...whew! The last few packages are shipping today...and I am ready to get the house cleaned up and ready for Christmas...and get the last few items checked off my Christmas list. I managed to hang all my framed Christmas cross stitch pieces and place a few decorative bowls with holiday ornaments and smalls throughout the house...yes, I know, I have been saying it for too many years to count - I *need* to get a tree to display my cross stitch ornament collection which has surpassed well-over 100 stitched ornaments (one day, I a tree will be in the budget, but until then, I will find creative ways to display the ornaments throughout the house).

I want to thank everyone who voted for my video in the Husqvarna Viking #sewworthit contest to win a Designer Epic (my dream sewing and embroidery machine). I placed third in votes (VERY close to second place when the contest abruptly ended)...and while they encouraged everyone to make creative videos, the contest was based on the most votes - so, I will be receiving the runner-up prize - a $500 prize package of sewing notions and supplies, which we all know I can definitely use...so a HUGE thank you for voting and supporting my entry - I truly appreciate it! While my dream didn't come true, my heart is full from all the love and support I received...thank you SO MUCH - I may not be blessed with the sewing machine of my dreams, but I am truly blessed to have great people in my life that support my creative passions! I'll be sure to post a photo of my prize package when it arrives.

Here are a few photos of things I can share (including some recent shots of some of my Christmas cross stitch models)...more details on a couple of these will be posted in the near future...

Peppermint Twist (BRD-076)

Just Add Tinsel (BRD-089)

A machine applique Americana design in progress...

Poinsettias and Pines (BRD-059) 

A custom order Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve with my BRD Stitch Starter Ruler...

A new pattern I created for AccuQuilt - the GO! Piece of My Heart Strip Quilt
I will post more details very soon....

My "All Bundled Up" Fabric Baskets
Details coming soon along with a full tutorial on the
AccuQuilt Blog later this month...stay tuned....

I'm off to work on some custom orders and a few new items for my Etsy shop...then some household chores...and tonight I will be in my cozy stitching nest working on a new design model. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and (if you are in the COLD zone) keeping warm!

DESIGNER EPIC #sewworthit Video Story Contest

Have you watched my Video Story Contest Entry yet? It tells you why the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic is #sewworthit using elements from my daily life - I hope you will take a moment (it is only a minute long) and watch it and maybe it will make you smile! I'm not the best saleswoman or good at asking for help/votes, but I am good at being creative and persistent. I am currently in second place and could use your help to win the sewing/embroidery machine of my dreams - if you could view my video, then place a vote for me, I would be greatly appreciative!
Visit: http://woobox.com/eyk7zi/gallery/DvLFOHRtQis to view and vote...it only takes a second and you don't need to sign-in or sign-up, just click the word VOTE above my video. Thanks!