Jewels and Vines

I am a bit behind on my blogging (several of you have noticed and checked on me - thank  you!) - when things get hectic in my studio, my blog always seems to end up on the back burner, just simmering...and with quilt market right around the corner, I have some major freelance projects with fast turnaround times keeping me overwhelmed busy. The list is LONG - in fact, my to-do list has five different post topics I would love to show you - yep, I have been creatively busy and have a TON of things to share (needlework and quilting)...just be patient a little while longer.

So, today, I am here to share with you my September project tutorial for the AccuQuilt Blog (yes, I should have shared this last week - ho hum) - my "Jewels and Vines" table topper.

This project was cut entirely with my AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter (you could also use the GO! Baby or the GO! Big Electric), along with the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and new GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics....plus I used the GO! Strip Cutter-2" to cut my binding. I chose two blocks from the new GO! Qube 9" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet: the GO! Drunkard’s Lane Block and the GO! Endorsement Block...and I have something VERY fun to tell you - I designed, wrote the instructions, and named all 72 of the blocks found in this pattern booklet (for all four set sizes). Now that the GO! Qube Companion Sets are available, I plan to share more with you in a future post...and I will show you just how versatile they are...but for now, we are talking about my "Jewels and Vines" project (stay on track Belinda). You can find the complete tutorial to create this  table topper on the AccuQuilt Blog - I provide you with step-by-step instructions and images:
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/jewels-and-vines-table-runner-a-quilting-tutorial/

The fabrics I used are from Timeless Treasures - a fat quarter stack I received as part of my honorable mention prize package from the 2016 AccuQuilt Quilt Block Contest -  it included several collections from Chong-a Hwang (“Essex”, “Suffolk”, and “Tree of Life”) and several Timeless Treasures Spring Basics (https://ttfabrics.com/fabric/spring-basic-10/).

Be sure to stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for a materials list and step-by-step tutorial, with images:
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/jewels-and-vines-table-runner-a-quilting-tutorial/

...and while you are there, check out a plethora of creative projects - there are TONS of wonderful ideas to get you in the sewing/quilting mood!

Spring Fling

I am guest posting on the AccuQuilt Blog today...and the spotlight is on my latest design creation "Spring Fling". This bright and cheerful springtime wall hanging (measuring 24" W x 18" H) will definitely bring joy to your favorite spot...and I give you a full tutorial, so you can make one of your very own. This project uses the new GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block to create the six 6" traditional quilt blocks...and a couple GO! applique dies for the center motifs.  I provide a full detailed tutorial with images that will have you sewing  your own springtime project in no time! So, stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for all the details...you have plenty of time to finish up this seasonal project before your garden is in full bloom...
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-product-tutorials/spring-fling-wall-hanging-a-quilting-tutorial/

Sweetie Pie Pinwheels

I just adore working on projects for Valentine's Day - it makes me happy to work with red, pink, and white fabrics...and I always have fun with heart shapes/motifs. I have been working with various Valentine fabrics in my stash (and a few new fat quarters I picked up at a local quilt shop) and enjoying every minute of it! Today, I am sharing with you my January project for the AccuQuilt Blog - my Sweetie Pie Pinwheels table topper.

This project was cut entirely with my AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter (you could also use the GO! Baby or the GO! Big Electric) and the new GO! Qube Mix & Match 8" Block....plus I used the GO! Strip Cutter-2" to cut my binding. I chose two traditional blocks - the GO! Double X No. 1 Block (because I could see hearts in it) and the GO! Turnstile Block (because I wanted some festive pinwheels)...and I created a center block, which I call the Four-way Heart Block, to pull it all together. You can find the complete tutorial to create this heartfelt table topper on the AccuQuilt Blog - I provide you with step-by-step instructions and have images to help you follow along. If you are looking for a sweet Valentine quilting project for your February decor, this should do the trick!

  



This project is great for scraps or fat quarters...and while I used more traditional holiday colors, it would look great in a variety of color pallets! It finishes a nice size (24” x 24”) - perfect for your Valentine decorating...

So be sure to stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for a materials list and step-by-step tutorial, with images:
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-product-tutorials/go-qube-jan-project-v10/

...and while you are there, check out a plethora of creative projects - there are TONS of wonderful ideas to get you in the sewing/quilting mood!

Snow Buddies

It is always a real treat when a design in my head works out well in fabric...and that is exactly what happened with my "Snow Buddies" design! This fun table runner design is featured on the AccuQuilt Blog today - and yes, I shared a complete tutorial with all the details.

When I requested the GO! Big Snail's Trail-12" Finished (55460) cutting die and the GO! Big Circle-4", 6", 7", 8" (55462) cutting die to use for my monthly guest blogger post, I'm pretty sure AccuQuilt thought I was crazy and wondered what the heck I was going to create that used those two dies in combination...but I had a plan (a plan that I really hoped would work well in fabric). You see, every time I would come across a completed Snail's Trail quilt block, my brain would see two stocking caps (or Santa hats) twisting together (see die packaging below) - so I thought it would be adorable to have a snowman on either end, with their hats meeting in the middle. I couldn't wait to try out my idea...and I must say it worked out even better than I had planned and made the perfect gift for a dear friend this holiday season. This project makes me happy and I hope it brings a smile to your face too!

So make your way over to the AccuQuilt Blog today for all the details and a step-by-step tutorial that will have you creating your very own "Snow Buddies" table runner with ease. Choose your favorite fabrics and have fun embellishing/dressing your snowman - I listed the exact cutting dies I used, but you could use actual buttons or alternate shapes to make the snowmen your own...how about a little fringe on the scarf ends?...or a pom pom at the top of each hat? There are so many ways to dress these cheerful snowmen - be creative!

You can find the complete tutorial here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/snow-buddies-table-runner-quilting-tutorial/

My hope is, you will try making a "Snow Buddies" project...and when you do, please share a photo with me. Personally, I think the design would make an adorable bench pillow...maybe I need to get started on another one....

Meet the Team

Things have been humming along in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio and as usual I have a plethora of projects in the works...including one HUGE job that includes 72 quilt blocks (yes, I said 72...and yes, my work space looks like complete *organized* chaos!). Last week I finished a seasonal project and tutorial for the AccuQuilt Blog, which will be posted on September 30th...and I will be back to share more with you on Wednesday (it will be worth the wait)...

Recently, AccuQuilt assembled a group of 12 bloggers for their official AccuQuilt Guest Blogger Team and I made the list, along with 11 other amazingly talented sewists/quilters/designers. This month, our assignment was a holiday project tutorial...and the creative posts will start this week. I chose to work on an autumn/Thanksgiving piece using the large Rustling Leaves dies...and the photo in the upper left gives you just a hint...

I wanted to give you a chance to get familiar with the other 11 members of the AccuQuilt Guest Blogger Team - their impressive blogs are all full of fabulous inspiration (I follow each and every one of them)....so take a few minutes and visit these links - you won't be disappointed....

• House on Hill Road (Erin Harris): http://www.houseonhillroad.com/
• Avery Lane Designs (Erin Hentzel): http://averylanesewing.com/the-blog/
• Beaquilter (Bea Lee): http://www.beaquilter.com/
• Freemotion by the River (Connie Kresin Campbell): http://www.conniekresin.com/
• Gem Hill Quilts (Gina Gempesaw): http://gemhillquilts.blogspot.com/
• Ray's Sew Crafty (Diana Ray): http://rayssewcrafty.com/
• Samplings from a Blue Ribbon Girl (Belinda Karls-Nace) http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/ (that's me!)
• Sew Fresh Quilts (Lorna McMahon): http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/
• The Whimsical Workshop Studio (Heidi Pridemore): http://heidipridemore.blogspot.com/
• A Quilting Life (Sherri McConnell): http://www.aquiltinglife.com/
• Simple Simon and Company (Elizabeth Evans and LiZ Evans): http://www.simplesimonandco.com/
• Blue Feather Quilt Studio (Marjorie Busby): http://b-quilts.com/blog/

Be sure to watch the AccuQuilt Blog in the coming weeks for all 12 project tutorials!

For now, I leave you with a little sneak peek of a photo from my upcoming post...

Awesome Blossom

In today's post, I want to quickly share with you my latest design for AccuQuilt - the GO! Awesome Blossom Wall Hanging. Oh how I love this design - partially because I have "spring fever", partially because of the bright and cheerful colors, and partially because I got to work with the GO! Flower Power die by Sarah Vedeler. For those of you unfamiliar with Sarah's work - she combines quilting and appliqué with machine embroidery - three of my favorite things (visit her website to see her AMAZING work). I have most of the cutting dies in her AccuQuilt Designer Collection and quite a few of her machine embroidery collections, as well - I am a fan - so to design a project using one of her specialty cutting dies was a treat!

Today, I am a guest blogger on the AccuQuilt Blog and I share all about this fun floral quilt design and some of my tips...so stop by to read my insights: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/new-quilting-pattern-go-awesome-blossom-wall-hanging/

...and for a limited time, you can download the pattern for free from the AccuQuilt website - just visit:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-awesome-blossom-wall-hanging-pattern.html

I hope you are starting to see some signs of spring in your area...it is a lovely evening here in Iowa. After a very frustrating day in my office (yep, we all have them once in a while - you know, where you feel like people are wasting your time and taking advantage of  you), I am getting away from my desk and computer and going for a long walk with Scahtzi to clear my head. I have been able to get in a 5+ mile training walk every day this week and it feels good!...and Miss Schatzi turns two-years-old tomorrow (can you believe it?)...

Before I go, I want to thank everyone who has been voting for my pillows in Nancy Zieman's 2015 Pillow Challenge - I truly appreciate you!! Voting ends tomorrow and at the moment, I am in 2nd and 5th place (there are sewing prizes for 1st - 5th). It's super easy to vote and you don't have to register or provide an e-mail address - simply visit: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/nancy-zieman-2015-pillow-challenge-voting-begins/ and click on the word "VOTE" above my pillow photos (the three shown in the image below)...that's it...so if you have a moment, please place a few votes for me (you can vote for up to 5 pillows). Thanks friends!