Slice of Summer

To vote for my block, visit: http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL

Happy Wednesday friends!

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, (of course) I made time to design a quilt block for AccuQuilt's 2018 Quilt Block Contest...and it is time to vote!! Here is a link to my entry titled Slice of Summer:
http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects - I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together an entry for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out my entry for this year...and if you like my block, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with available AccuQuilt dies (plus it really should look good enlarged to fit the 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE). My entry follows these guidelines and was inspired by the sunshine and joy quilting brings to my heart...

This year, you can vote for your favorite(s) once every 24-hours - now through August 15th. You can view my block entry by visiting:
http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL

...there are some GREAT prizes up for grabs, so I would really appreciate it!

Blue Skies and Roses

I have been hanging out in my studio all week (still feeling a bit worn out - thank you for all the well wishes), working custom project bags...lots of them. I have a tall stack cut and ready to assemble (and more orders arrived today), so I am looking forward to a few solid days at the sewing machine. I've also been preparing materials for a large needlework finishing order - choosing Christmas fabrics for ornaments...so those on are the table, as well. In my spare time, I've been listing more cross stitch stash items in my Etsy shop and doing some freelance design work too...the list is LONG (as usual).

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, I decided to design several quilt blocks for AccuQuilt's 2017 Quilt Block Contest. If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects...I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together my entries for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out all the entries for this year...and if you like my blocks, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with available AccuQuilt dies...plus it really should look good enlarged to fit a 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE. My cheerful and colorful blocks all follow these specific guidelines and were designed especially for this contest.

This year, you can vote once a day for one block - now through September 5th (so make sure you pick your favorite). You can view all 107 entries by visiting:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest
All three of my entries are on page 3.

...to vote for one of my blocks, simply click on the link below your favorite image below...there are some great prizes up for grabs, so I would really appreciate it!

Signature Star
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166274063

Star Spangled Pinwheel
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166276088

Blue Skies and Roses
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166274111

It is fun to look through all the entries and see the diverse group of talent this contest attracts....even the entries that don't follow the guidelines are interesting. So, go check out all the design inspiration and cast one vote for your favorite each day...and if that happens to be one of my entries, I would be thrilled!

Just For Fun...

Can you believe it is already the last day of May?! - how are the months disappearing so quickly? I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday weekend and (if you are in the US) spent a moment reflecting and remembering those who have died in service to our country.

After being on a business trip for two weeks, my husband (thankfully) returned last Friday and we were able to get the boat out on the water on Saturday. It was a lovely afternoon to be outside...and while my husband managed to catch some fish, I didn't catch any (boo hoo). I am quickly learning that fishing may not be "my thing"...I am not good at relaxing or sitting still (I know, shocker!), so casting a line and just waiting for a fish to bite is almost pure torture for me - I honestly don't know how my husband and his buddies can go on week long fishing trips - a couple hours without seeing a fish and am ready to head home. Now, don't get me wrong, I love being out on the water and taking in nature...I just think I need to bring a good book or some stitching along with me (especially when the fist aren't biting). In any case, it was good to be out of my studio/office and just breathe....

Before I forget, I just have to share this photo I captured of Schatzi curled up on the corner of the sofa - she usually doesn't sit still for long...and if she sees a camera, forget about it...but I came home from the gym while she was sound asleep and I managed to get a photo of the moment...

Let's see - what else has been happening...oh...we purchased a new dining room table and chairs - the first set we have ever picked out (and we have been together almost 20 years) - the others have all been secondhand. This set is counter height (which I love) and the table has two leafs that I removed for our every day living...and one side has a bench instead of two chairs. I was second guessing my choice (mainly the color) when we returned home...but when it was delivered I was thrilled - it worked out perfectly. Here is a photo of the new set-up...followed by a lunch photo (yep, I have been enjoying the table daily!)...

I have been sewing, sewing, sewing, and stitching daily...not much I can show you right now, but some fun things are on the way! Here is an image of what is currently on my table...

I also have to share, that one of my quilt block designs in AccuQuilt's Quilt Block Contest received an honorable mention as one on the top ten blocks this year - WOO HOO! I just found out it was my "Ninja Star" design...which totally surprised me (I had a different block that received quite a few votes and just assumed it was that one). I will be receiving a very fun (and useful!) prize package which includes $50 to spend at AccuQuilt, a free Craftsy class, a plethora of fabric bundles (YAY!!), and a package of batting. My prize hasn't arrived yet, but I'll be sure to post a photo when it gets here. I don't think this particular block got many (if any) consumer votes, but if you did vote for it - THANK YOU! 

Another thing to share - a couple weeks ago, I finally jumped on board with Snapchat...which I really enjoy (almost as much as Instagram) - I think it is because I LOVE taking photos. Anyway, now that I understand how it works, I really need some friends to share with...so, if you are on Snapchat, you will find me as brd_girl (Belinda K N). I share things of more of a personal nature on there (like a fishing video or a picture at the gym or my new haircut or Schatzi running through the hose in the backyard), as well as images in my studio and things I am working on...

Finally, here is an image I took early this morning in my flower garden...it is an evening primrose...which many may consider to be a weed, but the brilliant yellow flowers are quite spectacular...life is truly beauty full!

Nothing But Blue Skies

It's a sunny afternoon here in Iowa and the winds have started to calm...maybe, just maybe, spring is around the corner! If I have my way, soon I will be mowing the lawn and planting new flowers...and I can finally do my long training walks outside.

I have been hanging out in my studio all week, still working on a huge freelance job...but it is almost complete and I am excited to move on to new projects! I have a nice pile of custom project orders ready to assemble, so I am looking forward to a few solid days at the sewing machine. Plus, I am really enjoying my latest model stitching and can't wait to share a new cross stitch design with you soon.

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, I decided to design a handful of quilt blocks for AccuQuilt's 2016 Quilt Block Contest. If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects...I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together my entries for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out all the entries for this year...and if you like my blocks, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with AccuQuilt dies...plus it really should look good enlarged to fit a 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE. My cheerful and colorful blocks all follow these specific guidelines and were designed especially for this contest.

This year, you can vote once a day for one block - now through April 21st (so make sure you pick your favorite). You can view all the entries by visiting:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest
...or if you have a favorite block below, simply click on the link below it to cast a vote - I would greatly appreciate it. You can also visit the contest link and type "Belinda" in the search bar to see all eight of my entries.

It is fun to look through all 149 entries and see the diverse group of talent this contest attracts....even the entries that don't follow the guidelines (and I was surprised to see quite a few) are interesting. So, go check out all the design inspiration and cast one vote for your favorite each day...and if that happens to be one of my entries, I would be thrilled!

Ribbon Star
http://wshe.es/x4aRfIa3

A Splash of Summer
http://wshe.es/HQS7jg0X

Sunny Park
http://wshe.es/SeYsaOil

Shady Park
http://wshe.es/GrcxFKlp

Ninja Star
http://wshe.es/038UK8Eb

Nothing But Blue Skies
http://wshe.es/WR9LS8TJ

Wrapped Up
http://wshe.es/9eiC9BVt

Rays Over Rows
http://wshe.es/mX6IDiBS

These blocks all bring me joy and I hope you see something special in one (or more) of them. With your votes, I have the opportunity to win some AMAZING quilty prizes (including a feature in Quiltmaker Magazine), so thank you for taking the time to look!

I'm off to do some design work for the next few hours - then my husband and I have dinner reservations at a favorite restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary (we celebrated 16 years this week!). Enjoy the rest of your weekend....

Stitching, Sewing, and Schatzi

Two 18" pillows I recently completed for a dear friend...

I'm taking a break from my sewing machine to do a little blog update this afternoon....I've been at my machine most of the afternoon and I thought I would sit down for a virtual chat while I get a dose of caffeine and clear my head.

Last night, I finished a HUGE project for Just CrossStitch magazine that will be in the October issue...oh how I wish I could share it with you now, but you will have to be patient - it was A LOT of work, but so worth every minute...and I am just thrilled with how it turned out...

Have you been voting daily for my AccuQuilt Block Design Contest entries? - if you have, then I truly appreciate you! I know I ask for your votes every year...and for some reason, they make the voting process last a lifetime...but I want you to know that I am thankful for each and every vote. I hesitated to enter this year, after some of last year's results and the voting process - I know there was a lot of frustration across the board...but this year it is not just popular vote...and the block entries have to be made from AccuQuilt shapes (not just a fabric panel with a photo or a picture of a quilt)...this year, it seems much more fair and actually as described - a "block" design contest. They do have the direct view links working now, so I will provide them to make voting even easier. If you feel so inclined, you may bookmark them and vote daily through April 19th...every single vote helps - and THANK YOU!

Simply click on the direct links listed and click on the word "VOTE" - no registration is necessary and no e-mail address is collected. You can vote every 24-hours per device for all your favorites (meaning you can vote for all four of my blocks each day, along with any others you like)....

In The Pink: http://bit.ly/1xmF620

Sequined Stars: http://bit.ly/1C7P1IE

Petal Piecing: http://bit.ly/1CFvLV8

Perpetual Pinwheels: http://bit.ly/1ATmFOz

You can also visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/contest to submit your own block design and/or view all the entries!

So, today, I am back to working on four AccuQuilt GO! Value Die Sampler Quilts - I have most of the 48 sampler blocks complete and plan to have them all pieced by the end of the day...there are a total of 844 half square triangles (2" finished square) in four sampler quilts, so at this point, I really don't want to see triangles again for at least a few days. I cut all 1,384 pieces before starting, so now I am just putting everything together. I wanted to be done with all of them by now, but there are only so many hours in a day and matching up all the triangle points is taking me quite a bit of time. Maybe in the future I will do a block by block daily tutorial, including my tips and tricks - if you would like to see something like this, send me a message...if there is enough interest, I will see about putting something together.

GO! Simplicity Block Pattern

GO! Boat Block Pattern

GO! Whirlpool Block Pattern

GO! Double 4-Patch Block Pattern

GO! Road to Oklahoma Block Pattern

The original GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt I created....

I am now off for my daily training walk with Schatzi (my German Shepherd training partner) - temperatures are in the mid 40s and it has stopped raining, so it should be a nice evening walk - we will probably do around 6 miles. We have been doing some walks around the lake, but tonight, I think we will stay in the neighborhood...then it will be back to my sewing machine until 11:00 PM (I'm on a schedule and a deadline)...

Schatzi at Blue Heron Lake (Raccoon River Park) over the weekend...

Saturday Samplings...

Happy weekend friends and followers! It has been a productive week in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio and I am running myself a bit ragged trying to finish up a few fast approaching deadlines. I have been having a "stitching marathon" each night...and designing, along with sewing/quilting during each day. My heart longs to be spring cleaning, but that will have to wait just a little while longer. The weather has been lovely and I am hoping that the winter months are behind us (fingers and toes crossed). I have been getting in daily training walks with Schatzi, preparing for the Komen 3-Day in November - we have been getting in 5 - 8 miles daily...it is truly amazing how a daily training walk can put things into perspective and keep me focused.

I have a few things to share today...

First...it's that time of year again friends - voting is live for the AccuQuilt Quilt Block Design Contest...and this year I have 4 blocks eligible for your votes (and I may work on a few more in the future, should time allow). So, once again, I am asking for your help. Please take a moment and vote for my quilt blocks - they have made the voting process much easier and better this year (no registration!). You can vote once daily for all your favorites...meaning, you can vote for each of my four blocks once a day (plus any other favorites you may have). 

• Simply visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/contest
• Click on "View Entries"
• Find my blocks - the easiest way to do this is type "Belinda" in the search bar...OR you can scroll through the entries.
• Click on the block - and then click on the word "VOTE".
• You can leave comments, if you so choose.
• You can vote once daily for all your favorites! Easy peasy.

Here are my entries for this year:

I really enjoyed working on my entries again this year...and they are all so very me...I love to combine piecing with appliqué.  I also like to design blocks that stand alone or work good in multiples or in combination with other blocks...and of course, I think about what would look good as a displayed quilt block. This year, entries must be made from AccuQuilt shapes, so I can actually quilt up each one...and if my blocks do well, I will share all the details with you on how to make them yourself (a tutorial or two may be in the future). I hope you will support my quilt blocks again this year and place your votes for my designs! You can also enter your own original quilt block designs by visiting: http://www.accuquilt.com/contest.

Next...I would like to thank everyone who voted for my pillows in Nancy Zieman's 2015 Pillow Challenge! My pillows received 1st, 3rd, and 16th place (not bad for over 220 entries and over 8,300 votes)...and I will receive some prizes for 1st and 3rd, so I truly appreciate your support and encouragement! For my 1st place pillow, I will receive a bundle of Pellon products (valued $115)...and for my 3rd place pillow, I will receive The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew book & DVD from Nancy’s Notions (valued $34.98)...plus a Pellon pillow insert with each. So thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for voting for me! You can see the five winning pillow entries and the prizes for each by visiting:
http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/pillow-challenge-winners/

I have been updating my website and Etsy shop this week, too! My website has new tabs and features...so please stop by and take a look (it is best viewed on a desktop/laptop or in landscape view on a tablet or mobile device)....and I am working on new cross stitch designs and sewing/quilting patterns to add in the future. My Etsy shop has springtime items and I will be adding more vintage needlework books very soon...

Finally, here are some photos from my week (you can see these and more by following me on Instagram)...

In am off to my sewing machine - it is going to get a workout today...so much piecing to do, so little time! I will, of course, get in a training walk this evening....then it will be another late night in my stitching nest. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, filled with all the activites you enjoy!

Rainy Day Inspiration

It's a happy day today and I am feeling inspired (even with the pouring rain)...maybe even a little more so than usual! I've been getting in my early morning training walks with Schatzi each day (yes, we walked this morning in the downpour!)...and that gives me good, quiet time to create in my head. I have been working on new needlework design ideas, new sewing/quilting patterns and projects, and I have been making time each day for my sewing machine (working on gifts and Etsy items). Plus, building my new BRD website is filling me with all sorts of ideas. To top things off, there are ELEVEN new AccuQuilt GO! dies being released today, and we all know how much I love my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters! These new Block Party dies are right up my alley...especially the two designer dies from Edyta Sitar (Laundry Basket Quilts) - I am just such a fan of her work. Her two designer dies (shown top right) are called GO! Simple Shapes and GO! Dancing Umbrella (prefect for this gloomy, rainy day) and they are fabulous!

I am also intrigued by the Flowering Snowball, the Kite, the Ohio Star, and the Schoolhouse...all of these dies *need* to come live in my studio...and there is also a Cupcake die, a couple new basic shapes, an awareness ribbon, and a new circular rag die. I sure wish I was independently wealthy, so I could afford all these new cutting creations...then I could just cut and play with fabric all day, every day! Just seeing these new releases has my head swimming with ideas and has me longing for some quiet quilting time...

...and here is some exciting news...I am part of the AccuQuilt Block Party Blog Hop taking place the last two weeks in May...and I am working on a very special project that uses the new GO! Simple Shapes die by Edyta Sitar. I will be the very first stop on the blog hop - so stop back next Monday, May 19th, to see my creative take on this new floral design die with an adorable little birdie. I can tell you, I have been busy selecting fabrics, and it is a colorful project for spring! There will be ten other stops on this blog hop and I have no doubt that each one will be inspiring...so make sure you visit me next Monday, and I will share all the details with you...

Today, I must also thank my army of voters - you are keeping my quilt block entry in AccuQuilt's Design Contest in the top ten (out of almost 600 entries) and I'm feeling the love! Most of you know how much winning some money for my charity (The Komen 3-Day) would mean to me...and you have kept my hope alive. I know each and every person reading this post has been touched by breast cancer and I know many of you donate yearly to help eradicate this dreadful disease...this is just a small way you can help contribute and no money is necessary.  Please keep voting daily through May 27th, and keep sharing...it is free, it only takes a few seconds...and you may be helping me make a difference. Simply click on this link to vote for my design:
http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/entry/6685538 - I truly appreciate your kindness...

For now, I am back to working on my new stitching wallets...I have a pile cut and ready for the assembly line...then I have a few hours scheduled to work on my "new and improved" website (new homepage peek below)...then this evening, I will be doing more model stitching - I am about half finished with my 2014 "pink" design for charity (I'll give you an updated peek real soon!)...it is coming along nicely. I also have a hair appointment, a list of errands to run, and chores to do - it is another full day and I plan to be productive!

A Passionate Plea...

2013 Komen 3-Day - San Diego (60 miles in 3 days to raise
money for funding breast cancer research and public health outreach
 programs, along with breast cancer awareness - we took every step...)

Many of you know how passionate I am about raising funds for breast cancer awareness and education...and most of you know that I am walking 60-miles again this year in Dallas at the 2014 Komen 3-Day event....but did you know you could help me win some money (A LOT OF MONEY) towards my yearly fundraising goal without spending a penny?? Well, it's true! All you have to do is take a minute and vote for my "Pinwheel Party" quilt block design in AccuQuilt's Annual Quilt Block Design contest. That's it - it's super easy - and only takes a few seconds...simply click on one of the links in this post (or on my quilt block below) and then click on "VOTE FOR THIS BLOCK". Currently, my block is in 13th place out of hundreds of entries - and I need to be in the top three to win money for my charity (I have a lot of ground to make up, but I still have hope!) - so please take a couple minutes daily to vote for my quilt block. If each of my blog followers would place a vote(s), I would be in winning position....and I know you are all up for the challenge (I know you are all competitive)! Needleworkers and quilters have proven to me time and time again how generous their hearts are...and I know you all support me. We have until May 27th to ban together and vote - please help me spread the word! You can vote once daily per e-mail address...you would have my sincere gratitude...and you would be helping me make a difference...

Pinwheel Party

I know each and every person reading this post has been touched by breast cancer and I know many of you donate yearly to  help eradicate this dreadful disease...this is just a small way you can help contribute and no money is necessary. Please take a minute to vote for my block...write yourself a note to vote each day through May 27th...and tell your friends - social media is a VERY powerful thing...

Thanks for reading...thanks for voting...thanks for sharing...I heart you!!

Hexagons and Hearts

I had to make some time for sewing and quilting this week - partially because I *needed* a creative fix at my sewing machine and partially because I needed to make several gifts for upcoming events. I have started working on some of my own original sewing/quilting design patterns that will be available on my new/updated website in the near future. The first one I have been finalizing is a stitching wallet...and I have been working on several prototypes. I finished one yesterday...it will be an upcoming gift for a very special friend...and I am just tickled with the results!

Instead of English Paper Piecing (EPP) hexagons for the outside of the wallet, I decided to fuse them in place on a background fabric and machine appliqué each hexagon place. I used my AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter to cut the hexagons, playing with various sizes. Once I had the outside of my wallet complete, I started playing with ideas for the inside. I wanted a place to hold a pair of scissors, a wool piece for pins/needles and several pockets to hold a ruler, package of needles, and special stitching accessories. I used some fun Riley Blake cotton quilting fabrics (So Happy Together by Deena Rutter) for the inside...and added some adorable owl ribbon for a fun embellishment. I finished it off by adding red binding around the perimeter and an elastic with vintage button closure..

I have several more of these in the works with assorted fabrics - as my finished pattern will have several different options....and I may sew up a few for my Etsy shop (you know, in my spare time).

Finally today - a HUGE thank you to those who have been voting daily for my quilt block designs - I really appreciate your support and kindness - two of my blocks are currently in the top 25 (shown below), but I would love to boost them up even higher! I would really like to win some money for my charity (The Komen 3-Day)...so please consider voting (it's really easy - just click on the titles of my designs below or read my previous post for details)...and to those of you already placing votes daily - I heart you! Remember you can vote for all your favorite blocks once per day (per email address)...

Pinwheel Party

Blue Skies