Scribbles, Still Lifes, and Simba

Hello friends - I know a post is overdue, and I do have quit a bit to share. Somehow, once again, this month has totally gotten away from me...and to think - Thanksgiving is next week...where does the time go? First a few personal things...then a few creative things...

Today, I start with some some sad news - many of you are are aware, but I know some of you are not...we had to lay Simba, our little rescued Shih Tzu, to rest last week. He was getting ready to turn fifteen and had been experiencing some health issues that escalated over the past several months. I won't go into too much detail, as my heart is still broken...he had dementia and would constantly spook himself, flinch, and shake...which was quite worrisome and of course caused quite a few daily accidents...and in his last weeks, he really was disoriented and wasn't sure where he was most of the time...and he was not sleeping. We did try medication that worked for a little over a week, but he became immune to it quickly and the symptoms continued to worsen. The most important thing to us was that he was happy, comfortable and not suffering, as he brought us (and our family and friends) so much joy and unconditional love. We knew it was time and it was the best/right decision for Simba. I thought I had prepared myself, but it has been WAY more difficult than I anticipated - Travis has reminded me that he was by my side 24-hours-a-day for almost 14 years, so it will take some adjustment. The good news is Schatzi is taking great care of me and giving me extra love and affection. Thank you for the comforting notes, cards, comments, love and support. The photo above was taken a couple weeks ago...a rare moment when he was relaxed and I captured it to share with my husband - it makes me smile.

On to other news...last Saturday, Travis and I made a road trip to Iowa City to see Michigan play football - yes, most of you know, although we are in Iowa, we are both HUGE Michigan fans. I was excited to go to a college game under the lights - especially with our Wolverines being undefeated...and we had quite a few friends that were at the game and tailgating. Michigan losing probably would have broken my heart, if it wasn't already hurting from Simba...but I must say, a highlight was seeing all the Hawkeye fans storm the field in a manner of seconds...their excitement was fun to see and I can appreciate it (even if they did upset my team).

Travis continues to improve after his back surgery and he was able to go on his 10-day fishing trip to southern Louisiana a couple weeks ago. He took some great photos for me and I thought I would share a couple with you. I sure wish I would have been along to see this sunset...

On the last of the personal news...
I am headed in for another oral surgery in the morning - I will be having a sinus lift and my implant put in place. More stitches in my mouth....and soft, cold foods for a few days again...and a couple days of rest. I think the most annoying part (besides try to rest) is having to take a week off from the gym...the last time it was torture. So if you don't see me around or hear from me for a few days, don't worry - I will be resting and healing.

On to some creative things...here are some photos of what I have been working on and what has been going on in the studio. I have been completing quite a few custom orders and some holiday needlework finishing (most of which I have been asked to keep secret until after Christmas). I have also been doing quite a few AccuQuilt projects. I was lucky enough to be one of the first to use the new Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...and I created the samples they used to introduce this user-friendly software at Quilt Market. I created multiple blocks and used the software to digitize and create a new version of my GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging (shown below) - yes, all those blocks were appliqued in the hoop....and now I am working on a few more top secret projects that use the software, as well. There is a lot to share on that subject, so I will save it for it's own special post...I will also post about the sampler quilt you see below....and about the new Qube Companion Sets...yep, I have A LOT  to share with you in future posts - I have fallen a bit behind, but I will get you caught up! The final photo is a peek at my upcoming AccuQuilt blog post tutorial project for November - look for more on that in the future, as well...

Thank you  AccuQuilt - a new rotary cutter, cutting mats, and rulers!
I really needed these....

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt 

New Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...

GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging - each block was digitized and
then appliqued in the hoop on my embroidery machine....

Sneak peek of my November project for the Accuquilt Blog

That gives you a pretty good idea of what has been happening the last couple weeks...tonight, I am cutting and preparing some more customer projects for assembly line sewing...and finishing up the set-up on my new cell phone (my new iPhone 7 Plus finally arrived and I am switching over from Android - it's a bit of a job, but I am almost done). If I am lucky, I'll put in a few stitches on a new model before bed...

In A Happy Place

Beautiful butterfly spotted on an evening walk...

Hello friends - I've missed you! I was ready to sit down and write this post a few days ago, but the air conditioning in our home stopped working during a heatwave and the temperature in my studio loft was well above 90 degrees...so I really didn't want to use my computer or my sewing machine until it was fixed. I was thrilled to see the repairman yesterday afternoon and it was a quick fix (whew!)...it just took the rest of the day to get the house back to a normal temperature. I am thrilled to return to my studio today - back to business, and functioning without overheating! I have a pile of projects to catch-up on...including an assortment of needlework finishing pieces, a quilted wall hanging, and several custom sewing/quilting projects. I did manage to get some model stitching done the last couple days which was a great thing! The last few weeks have been business as usual - lots of creativity and custom/freelance work, lots of time in the gym, dogs walks, and household/yard projects - I've been in a happy place...keeping busy and focused and finding some personal clarity. Of course, I have been taking some photos along the way....

More custom zippered pouches for a customer...

More custom tool bag/zippered pouches for a customer...

My prize package from the AccuQuilt Quilt Block Contest...lots of goodies!
I also received a Craftsy Class (I chose a "quilt as you go" class) and
an AccuQuilt merchandise credit - which I used today to order some
Studio applique cutting dies (I'll show you which ones when they arrive).

Simba taking over my stitching chair...

Schatzi in the yard...

Schatzi at the park...

I'll be back tomorrow to share my latest magazine piece published in Just CrossStitch magazine...and maybe a photo of my current cross stitch model in progress....I am so excited to share a peek of this new design with you...we'll see how much progress I make tonight...

Springtime Snapshots

Hello friends! The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, but filled with good things - I continue to keep busy with my creative endeavors, training for the Komen 3-Day, and all the usual household things (including yardwork and planting). I even managed to get out for an afternoon on the boat with my husband - we took Miss Schatzi along for the first time (and more than likely the last - she was a handful)! Model stitching has been happening each evening...sewing, quilting, and pattern writing has been happening each day...long training walks are in full swing...and my design sketch books are full of new ideas. Here are a few photos to catch you up...

A little design work with EQ7 and BlockBase...

Lunch and a trip to the local quilt shop with my very dear friend...
I brought home these goodies...

Schazti snuggles selfie...

Simba holding down the stairs...in his favorite sweater, in his favorite spot...

Schatzi at the park after retrieving the ball (what seemed like) a million times...

A custom order of Stitch Starter Ruler and Pocket Sleeve Sets...

A new project ready for binding...

My latest AccuQuilt blog project...details/tutorial will be posted later this week...

So there you have it...my last couple weeks in a nutshell...projects are going on behind the scenes that I can't share just yet, but I will as soon as I can (some really fun stuff!). Have a great week and I'll be back soon with my latest project tutorial....

Winter Break

Miss Schatzi supervising snow removal...

It's been a busy week, finishing up last minute deadlines and orders before I take a vacation - yes, you heard me, I am taking a REAL vacation (gasp!). Yep, I am getting away from heaping mounds of snow (and everyday stresses) and headed to the beach and SeaWorld...a true winter vacation with my family. I managed to get quite a bit on my list accomplished...I still have a few irons in the fire, but they will wait until my return...or at least I hope they will.  I just finished up three ornament designs (one Halloween and two Christmas) for future Just CrossStitch magazines...and I am getting ready to start stitching my 2016 Komen fundraising Cross Stitch design. I have been sewing and quilting and pattern designing...and working on new pieces for my Etsy Shop - yep, my creative juices have been flowing...here's a few recent photos...

An original quilt block design project I am working on...

Another deluxe pincushion I made for a friend...perfecting my pattern...

Sneak peek - I can't show you the fronts, but here are the backs
 of two new Christmas ornament designs for JCS magazine...

Sneak peek - I can't show you the front, but here is the back
of a new Halloween ornament for JCS magazine...

A WIP update (And A Forest Grew by Rosewood Manor) -
it will be done one day...

A snippit of a new St. Patrick's Day machine applique
design/project I have been working on...

Simba keeping warm in his Michigan sweater...

So, I will be away from my studio/office from this evening (Wednesday, February 3rd) through Thursday, February 11th...all correspondence and orders will be answered/filled in the order received upon my return on February 12th...I truly appreciate your patience! I am sure I will have some fun photos and things to share when I get back...sunshine, here I come...

Sunday Samplings

Happy weekend friends! It is a quiet Sunday and I am finishing up the piecing on four sampler quilts with music playing to lighten my mood. Schatzi and I just returned from a training walk at the lake and a visit to Starbucks...she was restless and I needed to get out of my studio and clear my head for a bit. The temperatures were in the mid-fifties this afternoon, but the wind was insane with 40-45 mph gusts...there were moments when I thought we were going to be blown away. This week has kept me busy working on some not-so-fun deadlines and juggling my schedule to fit everything in...I'm thrilled to almost be caught up with everything and I'm REALLY looking forward to working on a few projects that I personally enjoy and some sewing for my Etsy shop...plus some spring cleaning (I wish I could afford to take a few days off and just scrub away the winter months).

Here's a few photos of what's happening in my world...

Part of my prize package from Nancy Zieman's Pillow Challenge arrived...
a nice reference book and DVD...can't wait for the box from Pellon to show up on my doorstep...

Completed four GO! Hovering Hawks Blocks for four sampler quilts...finally
all 48 - 8" blocks are complete...it was a magical feat to fit these quilts into my schedule...
and after piecing hundreds of them, I am completely SICK of half square triangles (2" finished
square)...I can't wait to finish these four quilts and move on to something fun
(the 1st one of these quilts was enjoyable - these four, have been a challenge)...

Completed four GO! Flying X Blocks...

Completed four GO! Pinwheel Blocks...

Completed four GO! Mosaic 22 Blocks...
this block is probably my least favorite from the project...

Funny (true) story - my dear friend Mary called me yesterday and wanted to know if I
 had done anything for myself recently or taken some time for me...my response -
"I bought a new ironing board cover"...that got a good laugh...it's the little things...

A little personal stitching...Blackbird Designs monthly stockings...
two of the three for March done...and the third is started...

Simba waking up from a nap in Schatzi's bed today...he sleeps, I sew...

Miss Schatzi and I at Raccoon River Park this afternoon during a training walk...
I couldn't get her to look at the camera, but I did get a big kiss...

Thanks for visiting today - for now, I am back to work on the sampler quilts - the sooner I get all four of them done and off my plate, the better - I am ready for a fresh, new project!

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!