Lucky Charm Mini Quilt

Greetings friends! I am a couple days late with this post - I truly had the best intentions, but life has been busy and a bit chaotic - so here we are, a little bit later than planned. It is new project tutorial day - time to share my February project created for the Therm O Web blog with you. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share. For the month of February, the blog is focused on home décor, runners and toppers, HeatnBond Sparkle Paste, appliqué, and machine embroidery. I created a brand new project that was posted on Monday - it is a complete project tutorial for my Lucky Charm Mini Quilt. My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. 

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to make a mini quilt to spruce up my home décor. I have had the idea for a rick rack rainbow for quite some time and I was excited to execute my plan. I am really happy with the results - the rick rack added great dimension and the Sparkle Paste added shimmer and shine to the shamrock. Plus, I was able to use a pile of green fabric scraps from my bin for a scrappy patchwork border. 

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

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/lucky-charm-mini-quilt/

You will be surprised how quickly this seasonal project comes together. It is perfect for using up those scraps and small pieces of fabric. For this post, I used HeatnBond Sparkle Paste, HeatnBond Pressing Paper, HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive, HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond Tear Away Stabilizer, SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray and HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape. I also used beautiful hand-dyed rick rack from (my favorite) Lady Dot Creates. Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

Visit my YouTube Channel to follow along as I create my mini quilt (longer version)...or visit my Instagram for a shorter Reel video.

To find the exact small quilt stand or quilt hanger I used, along with other supplies listed, visit my Lucky Charm Mini Quilt Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!). 

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

I hope this project gets you excited to create a fun project for St. Patrick's Day...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled to be on the Therm O Web blog on March 17th. Plus, I am working on a special  project for a Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour that will be shared in March, as well.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing my projects with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Bring Me Luck

Hello friends! I am guest posting on the AccuQuilt Blog today...go take a look and read all about my "Bring Me Luck" mini quilt. This mini quilt (measuring 30" x 30") is a fun twist on a St. Patrick's Day project...I say "fun twist" because it uses four leaf clovers instead of the traditional three-leaved shamrocks. It is the perfect size for a wall hanging or table topper...and the four leaf clovers are created using hearts and a curved stem...yep, another creative way to use your AccuQuilt cutting dies! I provide a full detailed tutorial with images that will have you sewing up your own "lucky" 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 March 17th....
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-product-tutorials/bring-me-luck-mini-quilt-a-quilting-tutorial/

Blarney Baskets

I'm a little late with my February Bitty Blocks post...I actually finished up my February Bitty Blocks on Sunday, February 29th (yes, at the very last minute), but with all the excitement of the AccuQuilt GO! Big Blog Hop, I am just now getting around to sharing my Bitty Basket Blocks with you...

Just in case you missed my January post or are new to my blog...I am trying to do some fabric scrap "maintenance" by participating in Quiltmaker Magazine's Bitty Block program. On the first Monday of each month during 2015, Quiltmaker Magazine will post a Bitty Block on their blog Quilty Pleasures...the blocks will be approximately 3″ or 4″ square...and even better, this is a FREE project - you provide the materials, they provide the instructions. The plan is to make Bitty Blocks during the month and then sew them into a row....then the rows will be sewn together to create an unique throw-size sampler quilt made from bunches of Bitty Blocks. In typical Belinda fashion, I decided to make a miniature seasonal quilt each month with my bitty blocks to display in my cute little 12" quilt stand. In January, I used the 3" Bitty Bow Tie Blocks to make my "The Lovebirds" mini quilt...and in February, I used my 3" Bitty Basket Blocks to make my St. Patrick's Day mini quilt "Blarney Baskets".

If you are following along on the Quilt Pleasures blog, then you know, the February Bitty Block was a 4" Basket Block. Well, I had already worked out a plan for my miniature quilt and really wanted to use a 3" finished block, so I did some mathematical adjustments and made my blocks "itty bitty"! I used my AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter to cut 3 1/2" squares, then used the method shared on the Quilt Pleasures blog to make my teeny tiny half square triangle units - then trimmed each one to measure 1 1/4" square (yep, that means each unit has a finished size of only 3/4"). I also had to adjust the size of the other block components. Even though they are super tiny, I think my 3" finished basket blocks turned out SUPER CUTE! I then combined them with 3 1/2" (3" finished squares) to make my miniature quilt for the month...I even machine appliquéd a shamrock in each corner.

I now have my monthly miniature St. Patrick's Day quilt on display in my adorable 12" stand and it makes me happy!

Now it's time to focus on the March Bitty Block...which I am thrilled is a 3" House Block...how fun is that?! Later in the month, I will be back to show you my March mini quilt...my creative juices are already flowing...

St. Patrick's Day Greetings

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
                                   - An Old Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day to those of you celebrating today...I hope you are wearing your green and you have a chance to enjoy a nice cold green beer or margarita...or maybe a cup of green tea....or even better, a Shamrock Shake! I truly hope you are having a happy St. Patrick's Day - filled with the gift of friendship, good luck, and life's blessings...

BRD-065 Letters, Leprechauns, and Luck

On A Snowy Evening...

The predicted snow storm has definitely hit the Midwest and I am thankful I got all my "running" done beforehand. I moved Simba's grooming appointment up to first thing this morning (instead of this afternoon) - then filled up the Jeep with gas, visited the post office, ran a few errands, and got some last minute grocery shopping done while he was getting his bath and haircut. We arrived home in time to take a good cold walk before the heavy snow started to fall. I am happy to be at home, safe and warm...enjoying the snow from my studio window...

I wanted to take a moment and share couple creative things with you this evening, before heading to my stitching nest or sewing machine (I haven't decided yet). I received a lovely birthday package from my friend Lorrie this week - she delivered it at the perfect time, as the last couple weeks have been filled with challenges and I needed a little pick-me-up. I was excited to see she included one of her fabric bowls - Lorrie has been experimenting with making fabric bowls after receiving one as a gift (you can read about it/see photos on her blog: http://www.astitcherssnippets.blogspot.com/). I wasted no time in filling my bowl with trims and ribbons I am using for current projects and have it sitting on my sewing table. Several years ago, I was obsessed with making fabric bowls for gifts and found a couple wonderful books - perhaps I should see if Lorrie would like to borrow them....if you are interested in making bowls from fabric, check out "Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Bowls" (2003) and "Fast, Fun & Easy Irresist-A-Bowls" (2005) both by Linda Johansen (C & T Publishing) and are still available. Each book has clear instructions for five reversible bowls - great for beginners with lovely color photographs, diagrams, and details...and wonderful ideas for materials, embellishments, and decorative stitches! (No affiliation, I just enjoy these books...)

The fabric bowl Lorrie gifted me - made from the Blackbird Designs Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric Collection.

Lorrie spoiled me with other creative gifts as well - including a gorgeous heart fob with my cross stitched initial ("Heart To Heart" - By The Bay Needleart...heart pendant by Nunn Designs) - a BEAUTIFUL cookbook ("The Afternoon Tea Collection" - Metro Books) - along with recipe cards, and the cutest wrought iron bird card holder (see photo top right for detail)...there was even a fun magnetic owl "to-do" list pad and a unique wrought iron daisy. It was such a cheerful and heartfelt package from a very dear friend!

I'm thinking I may need to put the Afternoon Tea cookbook to good use during this storm...I already have a cup of black tea on my desk as I type this...and the recipes all sound scrumptious...perfect for a cold winter day!

Finally - I have been busy working on more items for the Blue Ribbon Designs Etsy Shop - more needlework pouches, stitch starter sleeves, and holiday pieces...there is quite an assortment for St. Patrick's Day...and last night I listed a few spring items...and more will be on the way...I have already cut multiple projects from some gorgeous sampler fabrics that are ready for assembly...but for now, here are some of my current/new listings...

To those of you in the winter storm path - stay safe and warm...

Beautiful Button Box

It is a lovely sunny day here in central Iowa and I am getting ready to do a long walk in the sweet sunshine....by the time I finish this quick post, it should be about 40 degrees and I am ready for some fresh air! Yesterday I walked 6.5 miles in 30 degrees and that was a bit chilly - I had some very rosy cheeks....but today we are supposed to hit 47 degrees and I am excited to do a 10 mile training walk outdoors. I want to do a special thank you to those of you who have made a donation supporting my Komen 3-Day (60 mile) walk in  November - I am almost to $900.00, which is AMAZING (15% of my goal) - and I truly appreciate your support! This is such an important cause and I thank you for your encouragement and very generous hearts...

Today I have a couple fun tings to share with you - I received a lovely birthday package from my dear friend Terri - inside was a gorgeous Shaker button box (and you all know how much I love and treasure my Shaker items). This beautiful button box was filled with tiny wrapped presents (shown top right) - including a wonderful embroidered wool pincushion and some very fancy scissors (which I have never seen before!). I have already started filling the button box with various vintage buttons and trims and have it sitting in a place of prominence in my stitching nook. Terri also included a lovely scarf she knitted herself - isn't it great?! I do not do any knitting or crocheting to speak of, so I feel very blessed to have friends that are so talented and gift their yarn creations to me (again, I'm a very lucky girl)!

Also to share today - I managed to get quite a bit of sewing done over the last few days - finishing up some fun St. Patrick's Day items! I have been working on wool applique pincushions and several L.U.C.K. pillow sets. These have all been listed in my Etsy shop. I also cut up several yards of special sampler fabrics and I am working on new needlebooks, stitch starter sleeves, and stitching pockets....so look for those to be posted in the next week or so...

For now, I am off to do my lengthy walk...enjoy the rest of your weekend...I hope you have a chance to get outside and/or be creative!

Sewing and Celebration

I've been having trouble sleeping lately...so, late last night (or early this morning) I managed to get a little more sewing completed - I have been working on some more St. Patrick's Day items...I finished up six fun wool appliqué pincushions that are filled with crushed walnut shells...and I embroidered up a couple more batches of lace shamrock ornaments to replenish my Etsy shop (the first batches sold almost immediately). I had fun doing the blanket stitch appliqué on the pincushions - using green shamrock cotton fabrics and shades of green wool felt...and I used my AccuQuilt Studio Fabric Cutter to cut the four-leaf clovers and small hearts...a great project to work on when I was wide awake at 3:00 in the morning. I also had time to cut out all the pieces for several sets of L.U.C.K. pillows...I'm hoping to complete them in the next day or two....

...and I have a few fun, creative, and inspiring things to share with you today. As some of you know, I am celebrating my birthday this week (thank you to everyone who has sent me birthday greetings) - my dear friend Mary gave me an early gift bag last week during our road trip with all sorts of goodies, and I just had to share some of them with you...the treasures she gifted me included a couple wonderful books (including Zakka Style which has been on my wish list for quite some time!) - some quilting fabric fat quarters - an adorable owl charm (it is a scrabble tile) - bee magnets - and a wonderful sketch pad portfolio (which is already in use)! I have paged through both books several times and I am quite inspired for some future projects...and one will use the lovely fat quarters (which are definitely my colors). I am so blessed to have friends that spark my creativity every chance they get...I always get the most artistic and inspiring gifts (just wait to see what I have to show you over the next couple days)....

Well, I am hoping to get a little sleep tonight - but if not, I will be playing with all my fabulous birthday pressies in my studio - creating something new! I have some beautiful stitchy gifts to show you in the next day or two...and the most creative pincushion I have ever received - so stay tuned....

Shamrocks & Stitching

I managed to finish quite a few machine embroidered lace ornaments over the last couple weeks...I know you have seen my hearts and snowflakes...and now I have been working on shamrocks and heart shamrocks. I made them in several shades of green and in white...and I listed what I have finished up in my Etsy shop this afternoon. These ornaments are made on my embroidery machine...and are technically called "free-standing lace"...they are made entirely of thread!

For those of you unfamiliar with an embroidery machine, here is a little idea of how these shamrocks are made - using digitized designs, the machine embroiders the ornaments on water-soluble stabilizer...once the design is completely stitched, you put it in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving you with a beautiful piece of lace made completely of embroidery thread. I like to loop a piece of 1/8" ribbon through the hanger on each ornament before placing it in a card or on a gift. Each design can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour to make, so I usually set up my machine and let them embroider while I am working at my desk or on various other crafts in my studio. In the photos you can see a selection of my embroidered shamrocks...average size of the small heart shamrock is  is 2.5" W x 2.625" H...the larger heart shamrocks are approximately 3.875" W x 3.875" H...and the large shamrock is approximately 3.91" W x 3.80" H. Many digitizers offer designs for machine embroidery, but if you are interested in these particular shamrock designs, they are designed by Criswell Embroidery & Design....you can purchase digitized designs from this designer on a disk at your favorite quilt shop or by downloading them from their website.

I have several fun St. Patrick's day sewing projects cut and ready to compete this week, as well...and I will share those with you soon! I just love sewing for the seasons and holidays...