Hollyhock Lane Fabric Tour

Happy Monday - I am thrilled to be today's stop on the Hollyhock Lane Fabric Tour - thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. I have some very special projects to share...all created with the new Hollyhock Lane Fabric Collection designed by Sheri McCulley for Poppie Cotton. I enjoyed being creative and playing with these gorgeous prints. This brand new collection (shipping to shops now) has a delicate fabric panel (used in my mini quilt), delightful florals, and fabulous small geometric prints…all done in a  soft, cheerful color palette. As usual, for my projects, I didn't start with a pattern(s) - I just played in my studio. I knew when I saw these prints (months ago) that the fabric panel would be perfect for a mini quilt so that was my plan...and I just started cutting and sewing...

I decided to cut the panel blocks apart...then I cut twelve blocks the same size from Country Confetti Marshmallow White. I cut 12 hearts from different prints in the collection and machine appliquéd them to the Country Confetti blocks...then pieced them together to make my quilt top. Instead of fabric binding, I used ½” Hand Dyed Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates around the perimeter...I also added small heart buttons as embellishments. This mini quilt measures approximately 23¾” H x 17½” W and has a hanging sleeve on the back. Isn't it a happy quilt?!

In usual Belinda fashion, after my mini quilt was complete, I just *had to* make a smaller project or two with some of my leftover fabric. We all know I love foundation piecing, so for my pincushion (I seem to make a pincushion with each Poppie Cotton collection), I did a small, 6" foundation pieced tulip block - and it turned out just as I envisioned. I trimmed my pincushion with ½” Hand Dyed Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates. I also fussy cut one of the panel blocks (I loved the "kindess" text) and appliquéd it to a piece of wool felt from Benzie Design. I cut it into a flag shape and attached it, along with some flower shapes I cut from wool felt with a couple sewing pins. 

I also wanted to try to use some of the heart windows left from cutting the mini quilt heart appliqués (I try to use each and every piece of fabric), so I machine appliquéd one to a small, patchwork zippered pouch. I embellished the pouch with a couple wooden buttons (a handmade button and a bird button). This pouch is the perfect size for a small project or sewing/stitching tools and will be a lovely addition to a large project bag.

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour and are feeling inspired - thank you for visiting with me today. For more creative projects using the Hollyhock Lane fabric collection, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog. If you love this fabric collection, be sure to check out your favorite quilt shop - Hollyhock Lane is shipping now.

I am already working on project ideas for the next Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour in May - it is using the fabric collection Kitty Loves Candy (click on the link to see a preview - it is a Halloween collection!!). Plus, I will have a new ThermOWeb project tutorial posted in May…so, be sure to stop back soon...

Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter

My latest Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter was emailed to subscribers today.

I am using a brand new email marketing service and built a new template, so I hope you will like the fresh look. I am still finding my way around the new service, so it will only improve over time! If you would like to subscribe, you can click here - I only send a newsletter when I have real news to share (like new designs or patterns), which is usually every several months...I won't fill up your inbox...

This newsletter covers the new designs and project tutorials...plus all the latest news.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APRIL 2023 NEWSLETTER

Songbird Wisdom - New Cross Stitch

Greetings friends - I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit today!

First of all, thank you so much for the super sweet comments and messages regarding my ThermOWeb designs - I am so thrilled you like my project tutorials! I look forward to sharing more pattern tutorials with you in the coming months...

My new overnight schedule means less interruptions, so I have been working on all sorts of creative projects...and today, I am here to tell you all about one of those projects....yes, it's a new cross stitch design alert! I just released a brand new cross stitch design called "Songbird Wisdom" and it is available in both paper pattern and digital format in my Etsy shop. This design contains charting for both the Green Tree and the Singing Bird designs – each with TWO lettering options (one lettering option is Back Stitch with Cross Stitch Over-Two and the other lettering option is Cross Stitch Over-One), stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, and comprehensive finishing instructions. 

Long time fans may recall a similar design I did for The World of Cross Stitching Magazine ten years ago. I gave the design a facelift, made some charting changes and additions, and finished it in my personal style (years ago, the magazine finished the pieces to fit their particular look and gave it a generic name). I have always loved this Chinese Proverb that offers joyful words of encouragement and hope - I wanted to release this design in my catalog with my own personal vision.

Here are a few more details...

Songbird Wisdom (BRD-132)

This pattern includes two designs that fit together. I opted to stitch each on a different color of linen, but it would look great with both on the same color of fabric. I chose two different finishing options (instructions for both are included in the pattern). 

The first finishing option is a quilted wall hanging (would look great in a frame, as well). For this option, I stitched the "green tree" on Zweigart 28-count Cashel Summer Khaki (3281-323) and the "singing bird" on Zweigart 28-count Cashel Antique Ivory (3281- 233). This options shows the Back Stitch lettering for the verse. I used two fat quarters of cotton quilting fabric for the finishing, along with Hand-Dyed ½” Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates (Chianti). 

The second finishing option is a set of bowl fillers/small pillows (would work great as ornaments or knob hangers, as well). For this option, I stitched the "green tree" on Lakeside Linens 40-count Wood Smoke and the "singing bird" on Lakeside Linens 40-count Pearled Barley. This option shows the Cross Stitch Over-One lettering for the verse. I used a cotton quilting fabric for the backs, along with Hand-Dyed Pom Poms from Lady Dot Creates (Chianti and Ballerina).

All models were stitched with Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss and DMC conversions are included.

Paper pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1447587816/songbird-wisdom-brd-132-counted-cross

Digital pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1447591256/songbird-wisdom-brd-132-counted-cross

I really hope you like this cheerful, inspirational design - I truly enjoyed creating it!

Now, if you made it this far, you get a very funny TRUE story. We all know our household is on the night shift, so I find myself working into the wee hours...and let's be honest, this schedule has me a hot mess. Last night, I sent my dear friend Terri a text and asked her to proof this design before I listed it (she kindly proofs all my designs). I went to bed at 5:00 AM (and woke up at noon) to a text with just a few things I had to fix - five total typos for fourteen pages, which I was pleased with...until I saw the first correction. It was for the cover page - arguably the most important page...and it was for the title. Somehow, I had typed "Songbird Wisdoom" and didn't catch it (and I was working in Adobe Illustrator, so it does not spell check). I laughed so hard at this - wisDOOM kind of sums up my life perfectly right now. I hope sharing this makes you chuckle...it made me laugh out loud!

Next up, I will be adding a new sewing/quilting pattern to my catalog, so stay tuned for that...

...and, I have needlework finishing and custom work to complete for clients...piles of sewing to complete for my Etsy shop...another project tutorial for the ThermOWeb Blog that will be available in May...plus my blog will be a stop on the Hollyhock Lane Fabric Tour for Poppie Cotton in a little over a week, so I will be back to visit with you again before you know it! 

Thanks for stopping by today and for always being so supportive of my creativity...💗

Carnation Cottage Mini Quilt

Greetings friends - it is time to share my latest ThermOWeb Blog project tutorial with you! By now you know I am a Fabric Education Designer for ThermOWeb (they are the makers of all those wonderful HeatnBond products - adhesives, interfacings - all sorts of "must have" products for fabric crafts, paper crafts, and sewing). I create projects and tutorials for their very popular blog and give you my tips and tricks for using their products. It is Houses Make a Home Week over on the ThermOWeb Blog and I created a new project that was posted yesterday - it is a full project tutorial for my "Carnation Cottage Mini Quilt." This tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with applique templates, a layout diagram, and step-by-step directions with color photos. The model uses an assortment of fabrics from Poppie Cotton, but I encourage you to use fabrics and supplies you have on hand, to make this "cottage" your own. I hope you will stop by the ThermOWeb blog and check out my project and tutorial...

This is a small appliqué project that is perfect for fat quarters or scraps. I used some trims and buttons I had on hand (including some CUTE wooden bee buttons)…and an Ackfeld Stand or split hanger for display (see the official post for a complete supply list and details). For this post, I used HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive, HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond Heavy Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing and SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray.

Are you familiar with the SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray? SpraynBond Basting Adhesive is a temporary bond spray adhesive for fabric. With this versatile product, you can temporarily hold templates, stabilizers, embellishments and backing fabrics in place for sewing without using clips, pins or glue. I like using it to hold trims or rick rack in place without pins and to baste my quilt layers together for small projects. It can be repositioned, won't gum up your sewing machine needle, and is acid-free/solvent-free.

If you have questions on any ThermOWeb HeatnBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial: 

https://blog.thermoweb.com/carnation-cottage-mini-quilt-featuring-heatnbond-products/

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique...

I am creating monthly projects for the ThermOWeb blog and will be sure to post here, when I do...I don't have the schedule for May yet, but I will let you know as soon as I know when my next project will be available.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Enjoy the rest of your week and make time to work on something creative...

Joyful Journaling

Happy Tuesday friends! If you follow my social media, then you may have heard my extremely happy news - I finally got my fancy sewing machine back from repair in mid-March and I have been sewing up a storm daily. I was worried when it took months for repair, but the backordered parts finally arrived and my machine is sewing perfectly again. I have been making and listing a lot of items in my Etsy Shop and working on a few client orders...plus I have been working on projects for Poppie Cotton and ThermOWeb...and making a few gifts and personal projects. I have even been making time for new cross stitch designs and ideas. With the crazy new night schedule, I find spending time in my studio is keeping me sane and happy. I was also able to take four days off and help my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) for the Ad Astra shop hop, which is always inspiring and fun. It has been refreshing to take a step away from needlework finishing and some of the more cumbersome client projects and work on things that truly bring me joy. Here are just a few of the photos I can share...

Another project I worked on was this special framed piece for my mother-in-law - a gift for her birthday. Half of the heart is a map of where we live and half of the heart is a map of where she lives. I was quite happy with how it turned out...

Finally, you may remember this pillow I designed in December, playing around in my studio for the Poppie Cotton Christmas Countdown Challenge. I decided to enter it in the Nancy Zieman Productions 2023 Pillow Sewing Challenge. You could enter one photo of one pillow that was made in the last year and write one or two sentences about it.

This was my entry:
My Pink House Pillow is an original design, has an envelope back and uses a 12” x 12” pillow form. My pillow features fusible appliqué with blanket stitching, rick rack around the perimeter and a ¼” button for the doorknob.

The winners were announced in a blog post on March 26th, and I was on the list! I am receiving a June Tailor prize package, including: Quilt As You Go Morning Blend Table Runner package; Quilt As You Go Venice Placemat (set of 6) package; Quilt As You Go Venice Table Runner package and Magic Seam Wand. I haven't received my prize package yet, but I am looking forward to it!

Thank you for visiting with me today! I will be back on Thursday to share my latest ThermOWeb project tutorial with you. A little hint...my project is for Houses Make a Home Week...and you can see it on the ThermOWeb Blog on Wednesday. Until then, I wish you a happy and creative week...

Beaches and Birds

Hello friends! I am still busy playing catch-up and getting used to the new schedule in our household...however, I promised I would do my best to make time to visit with you more often, so here I am, doing my best to find a balance. I know this particular post is long overdue, but I just had to share some of my favorite photos from our trip to Florida. We traveled down to see my parents at the end of February for a little family time, along with some rest and relaxation. While the extremely heavy traffic and the large crowds really took away from the relaxation, we did enjoy our time and visit some of our very favorite places...plus, I really cherished the time with my momma and second dad. We visited the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the National Seashore, Disney Springs, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach and the Circle B Bar Reserve, to name a few. Here are an assortment of my favorite photos...

For me, any time at the ocean helps me find my center and refreshes my spirit. Today, I will leave you with a video I took at Daytona Beach...I hope it will give you a few moments of calm and serenity...sound on...