Patchwork in the Heart Quilt Pattern

Greetings friends! Thanks to your wonderful feedback on my last post, I have written a quilt pattern for "Patchwork in the Heart." A wonderfully scrappy mini quilt that can be used as a wall hanging or table topper. This quilt measures a manageable 24.5" W x 24.5" H and the pattern includes tips for making it larger or smaller. The pattern contains comprehensive/detailed instructions with all sorts of color diagrams...and it includes basic instructions for fusible machine appliqué. This 8-page pattern is designed to easily use scraps or your favorite fabric collection - it is mini charm pack friendly, and is good for all skill levels. You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1871705191
Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1871707905

I designed this quilt for a Poppie Cotton Valentine's Day feature. This month Poppie Cotton is spotlighting their fabric ambassadors with projects from the heart. Many of you know that I have been blessed to work with Poppie Cotton for years and have created with almost every single collection they have released...so I came up with a special project to highlight a large selection of prints. One of the things I love about this quilt is, it can be as planned as you want OR as scrappy as you want (like I made mine). I used pink and red fabric scraps from almost 40 Poppie Cotton collections, along with 3/8 Yard Country Confetti (Marshmallow New White CC20190) for background and 1/4 Yard Country Confetti (Cotton Candy Dark Pink CC20181) for binding - plus HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond Lite (fusible web) and backing. I used HeatnBond Tear-Away Stabilizer Sheets to stabilize my heart blocks during the appliqué process...and SpraynBond Basting Spray to baste the backing in place for quilting. Visit my YouTube Channel for a short video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mxWtxlYbeqo

You can also find the exact supplies I used (including the black wrought iron quilt hanger) by visiting the feature post in my Amazon Shop (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my latest quilt pattern. I will be back soon with a peek at a new cross stitch model...and a seasonal project tutorial that I just completed for Therm O Web.

For now, I am back to the studio...I am working on a plethora of new designs and ideas. Of course I will be celebrating the Super Bowl tomorrow (well, actually later today - this crazy night schedule) with close friends...rooting for our local Kansas City Chiefs! Since my birthday always falls on or near Super Bowl Sunday, we will be celebrating my birthday (a few days early) at our Super Bowl party and having cake! 🎂 If our Chiefs can pull off the 3-peat, the parade will take place on my birthday...fingers crossed! I'll be wearing my number 10 jersey tomorrow for good luck...🏈💛❤️

Chiefs Fan Zone - Union Station Kansas City

Chiefs Fan Zone - Union Station Kansas City

Chiefs Fan Zone - Union Station Kansas City

Beyond Blessed

A couple weeks ago (right before our vacation), I celebrated a birthday...and while I am still adjusting to life in Kansas and feeling a bit out of the loop, my close friends and family certainly made my day extra special - they made what was an ordinary day (a doctor's appointment, a trip to the pharmacy for a vaccine, a WiFi outage at home, and my husband working long hours) a joyous occasion. I received the sweetest messages, notes and cards...and several packages from my loved ones. Although "my people" are all far away in distance, I felt loved and special. I wanted to share a few of the gifts I received - especially the creative ones...my friends and family showered me with the perfect gifts and cards...they spanned my loves of cross stitch, sewing, quilting and gardening...and they were all wrapped beautifully (in fact, some were almost too pretty to open)!

One of my friends wrapped my gift in owl fabric
and tied it with vintage sewing tape...
How cute is that?!

Inside the owl package was a gorgeous hand crocheted
market bag and a kitchen towel...now I am SUPER excited for
farmer's market season!

Another dear friend sent the most amazing pile of
pretty wrapped packages...

Including all this gorgeous fabric!
A fat quarter stack - Home by Kathy Schmitz for Moda...
and three colorways of adorable squirrel fabric:
Bramble by Gingiber for Moda

Plus, three wonderful needle minders!

...AND this gorgeous cross stitch piece...seriously - it is incredible!
It is on display in my studio where it brings me joy daily!!
Design: Oktober Feast by Brenda Gervais

Another special friend - send my gifts in this fun project bag...
that included fun sewing bandages (plus a plethora of presents not shown)...

...and this fabulous camp mug!! Isn't it perfect?! I have received a TON
of questions on this - it is from Stitched Modern...

My momma sent me two gardening books from my Amazon wish list...
they are two of her favorites that she had recommended to me - she
is a prolific gardener with a remarkable green thumb! She also sent me a
VERY generous gift certificate to our favorite online plant nursery:
Bluestone Perennials

...and Travis's parents sent me a lovely botanical box with a special
bath and body gift set inside...which will definitely be put to good
use after my stressful days!

Yes, I am blessed with an extremely thoughtful circle...and while they aren't located in Kansas, they are all close in my heart.

For now, I am headed to my studio - I will spend my afternoon working on needlework finishing - the piles are growing - five packages arrived yesterday and three more today...my clients are keeping me busy and I couldn't be more grateful...what a joy to be creative every single day!

Side bar - I spoke a little too soon yesterday - I am still feeling the effects of the stomach flu and not at my best today (last night was rough!)...the nausea continues...I truly appreciate all the well wishes...💓

Stitching, Sewing, and Celebrating

Last Friday, I was blessed to spend an afternoon with my dear friends Mary and Kimber...it was a friendship Friday birthday celebration! Both Kimber and Mary celebrate a birthday in August, so it was the perfect excuse to have lunch and catch-up. Spending a few hours with Mary and Kimber is incredibly good for my soul...and even more special when we are celebrating! We had lunch at a local Italian restaurant and enjoyed great food and extremely fun conversation...is there any better way to spend an afternoon?! It was delightful putting together birthday gifts for my friends...they truly appreciate handmade gifts and really notice personal touches and details...and now that they have received everything, I can share the treasures I created with you...

I decided to make each of them a small tote/purse/bag and place small wrapped packages inside. These are Mini Charmer Totes (pattern by Quiltsillustrated designed by Penny Sturges) - the lighter colored bag in pinks and grays (Puttin on the Ritz by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda) was made especially for Kimber...and the brighter bag (kitted fabrics, not certain of the designer) was made especially for Mary.

I tucked an assortment of small gifts inside each bag, including: a floral pen set, a little owl notebook, special hand cream, and a small cross stitched pincushion/bowl filler. The pincushions were stitched from an old Eye & Eye & Friends pattern (Petite Exemplary 2) - I changed several floss colors and added to the border...plus I decided to stitch them on Graziano Soft Rose/White Gingham Linen. I backed each one with polka dot fabric and filled them with crushed walnut shells...then added several cute pins.

I don't know what was more fun - putting together these birthday bags...or watching my friends open each of their gifts...it made my heart happy. To have many of the important people in my life spread across the country, what a joy it is to have two wonderful friends just a few miles away - I always look forward to our special outings!

Joy To My Heart

When life is challenging, it is always reassuring to have family and friends that love and understand you (good days and bad)...and I am blessed with an incredible circle of loved ones.

It was the best therapy in the world to spend my birthday in Florida this year with my mom and Dan, who treated me like a queen and made me feel extra special. We spent the day exploring Silver Springs State Park - we took a lovely St. John's River Cruise in the morning, then had a delightful picnic lunch in the park (and my mom even had a cupcake with a birthday candle for me!). That evening, they made dinner reservations at Jiko - The Cooking Place, a restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, serving African cuisine. It was an exceptional meal - and I was served an amazing dessert (again, with a birthday candle!) - it was Mulva Pudding featuring ice cream and a tuile cookie in a bird's nest-style presentation inspired by the birds of Africa - it was so unique (and perfect for me)! I also received a Mickey Mouse birthday pin and a phone call at the restaurant from Goofy (singing "Happy Birthday to You"). These will all be memories that last a lifetime. This day brought joy to my heart...

...and the joy and healing continued, when I returned home and found a couple packages/cards waiting for me from faraway friends...and I had a scheduled lunch with my dear friend Mary. I had to share a few photos with you - I have the best friends a girl could ask for - talented, generous, thoughtful - the list goes on and on. These incredible women (you all know who you are) make me a better person - they inspire me and fuel my creativity...they lift me up!
(NOTE: It's still all about the squirrel! 😊- insert squirrel emoji here...)

Arbre ecureuils by C en Roussillon
Complimentary design on her blog...
https://cenroussillon.wordpress.com/gratuit-quelques-grilles/
A special thank you to Robin for this information!

....and I have to show you how I use the Moda tins in the last photo (which I ADORE!) - they are both sitting at my sewing machine table where I use them every single day. The long one has the tools to clean my machine (which I do every time I change a bobbin or needle) and the smaller one has my most used presser feet, screwdriver, and needle changing tool. They work perfectly and are super pretty too - they both make me smile. I need to purchase another smaller one (or several in every size!) - I would really like to use one for my project sewing labels....

I also was able to celebrate my special day with my in-laws - my kind-hearted mother-in-law made her scrumptious homemade pizza (it's SO GOOD) and even baked me a BEAUTIFUL heart-shaped cake...isn't it wonderful?! Our afternoon together made me feel loved...

I guess I am sharing all of this because...there is light, even in the darkest of days. The moral of today's post - surround yourself with those who build you up and make you better - those who challenge and inspire you...and those who support you when it rains, not just when it shines...

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.”   -Edmund Lee

Topsy Turvy

Remember these fun mugs that I am totally obsessed with??

Well, I heard from many of you asking where they came from and who makes them...and I had absolutely no information - one was a gift and one came from a local gift shop...neither had a tag or information, so I had very little insight to share...

...but last week, look what arrived from my very dear friend Terri for my birthday (yep, she knows me well!)....

...four more adorable mugs...a turtle, owl, butterfly, and pig...and guess what...they had tags! The are called Topsy Turvy Mugs and are made by Midwest-CBK...and if you do a Google search for "Topsy Turvy Mugs", there are TONS of them! Now I have a wish list - I just have to find a place that has them locally or order them online...the first one on my list is this springtime rabbit - yep, I have to have her...hopefully I will be able to track one down (I'll keep you updated)...

I know they are goofy...even my own mother thinks I am completely crazy...but for some reason they make me smile...plus, isn't it always fun to have something to collect and look for???...hmmmm...I wonder if there is a squirrel....

Wool Wonders

It is another cold/snowy day in Iowa, so I thought I would brighten things up a bit by sharing a couple amazing wool pieces with you. It is no surprise that I have a love for birds and owls...and my good friend Kimber shares my owl obsession - in fact, I think she loves them more than I do (if that is even possible)!...so when I opened a box of birthday goodies from Kimber, I was extremely touched to get a couple pieces of her wool art - including an owl portrait. Kimber's wool portraits are AMAZING...so amazing, that one is featured in the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine (visit Kimber's blog to read all about it!). I think what I love most about this particular piece is that she created it with her very favorite colors and I can't help but think of her and smile each and every time I look at it....and isn't the frame absolutely perfect?! In addition to the owl portrait, she made me the most GORGEOUS wool button with earthy colors...yep, she designed it too - she's crazy talented...I love the added touch of the three little beads! This handmade shank button measures 1.5" in diameter...and I just have to find the perfect use for it...but for now, I'll admire it lovingly on the sunshiny yellow card.  Kimber included several other owl and bird gifts in my box of treasures...including some fun notepads, labels, a glass ornament, some fabrics...even my birthday card was a pop-up card with owls in a tree and the box was wrapped with adorable owl paper.

Yes, I truly have the best friends - and I am so blessed that they share their talents and hearts with me...

Books and Blessings

I have gotten a bit behind on my blog posts...and I have so many creative and inspiring things to share with you! I have been doing more stitching and sewing - having lots of fun in my studio...plus I am celebrating a birthday this month and I have received some really artistic and crafty gifts I can't wait to tell you about...each and every day has been full of beauty and surprises.

Last Thursday, I received a bright and cheerful gift in the mail from my fabulous friend Elizabeth - a lovely needlepoint scissor case! This triangular, pink and orange poppies scissor case was just what I needed to see during this long, hard winter. Inside, there is a ribbon to attach a pair of scissors - and I found the perfect pair in my collection...I just love this...

Then I got to start off my weekend right with "Friendship Friday"...yep, it was time for lunch with my BFFs Mary and Lorrie...and this time Kimber was able to join us too! We met at a local restaurant for a little food and fellowship (always my favorite Friday of the month). I had no idea the girls planned to celebrate my birthday, so when they showered me with gifts, I was a bit emotional and overwhelmed. I feel so blessed to have these three beautiful, strong, inspiring women in my life - they are all truly incredible. We enjoyed a long lunch and it was exactly what I needed. I have to share just a few of the creative gifts they had for me...

Lorrie made me tear-up with a unique stitched pocket watch...I just adore the little woman with a crown (Give Love by The Little Stitcher) that is Cross Stitch over-one...and the two vintage buttons are a great accent. I placed it on a piece of Valentine fabric my friend Mary gave me...

Lorrie also gifted me with an incredible book that she just knew I would love - The World of Wooden Bobbins: The Story of Old Wooden Textile Bobbins by Graham Fellowes (Editor), David Harban (Photographer) - ISBN 10: 0964672006 / ISBN 13: 9780964672000. This book is an excellent resource for bobbin collectors, as it contains extensive history and particulars...plus, there are more than 300 images (many color). It is extremely detailed, while remaining easy to read...and I have found it quite interesting to look up the bobbins in my collection and read about their history and uses. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in wooden bobbins...

I also received a wonderful book from Mary - Sonoran Borders: Threads of Friendship by Vickie LoPiccolo Jennet. This beautifully illustrated book follows the fictional journey of two young girls, Feliciana and Emily, who met in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona Territory more than a century ago. Although their time together was brief, their friendship spans a lifetime through correspondence and a shared love of needlework. The book includes 11 inspiring projects with unique finishing ideas...and now that I have had a chance to look through this fabulous book, I must have the author's newest release A Schoolroom Alphabet: 12 Cross-Stitch Projects Based on an Antique Handkerchief...it is definitely going on my wish list!

Mary also gave me a Thirty-One Round-About Caddy filled with tons of treasures and goodies...yes, she spoiled me, as she always does! I really like this sturdy caddy with numerous pockets - it is extremely versatile and I can think of a half a dozen uses for it...plus it is black and white polka dot...too fun!!

I have so much more to share - but I will save some for another day...just wait until you see what my extremely talented friend Kimber made for me...and I received two more packages in the mail today (which I will save and open later in the week). My heart is full - I am feeling extremely blessed and beyond spoiled....

Happy Birthday Simba!

It is hard to believe we rescued our little king Simba ten (yes, I said TEN) years ago...and to think I was furious when my husband called and told me he adopted a dog...now I can't live without him...

We adopted Simba from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, here in Des Moines. To be honest, at the time, I really didn't want a dog - I just felt they were a lot of work and responsibility and my plate is usually quite full...but my husband was very adamant about bringing a dog into our household. He actually wanted a larger hunting dog and had been (unsuccessfully) trying to talk me into one for several years. I'll never forget the phone call I received from him the day after Thanksgiving telling me he just rescued a dog - of course I was at work (typical "do it now, ask for forgiveness later"). He told me he was picking me up from work and he would have our new dog with him....and to my surprise it was a Shih Tzu - a much smaller dog than I expected. At that time, Simba wasn't in the best of shape - you could tell he had not been well cared for - but as soon as I sat down in the vehicle, he curled up in a little ball on my lap and just looked up at me with the most amazing eyes - I was done for! Poor baby was completely shaved, micro-chipped, fixed, and got an array of tests and shots within about 24 hours - plus a brand new home...but he never lost his sweet, calm, and loving demeanor. When we adopted him, the ARL thought he was about a year old, so we celebrate his birthday every (day after) Thanksgiving...so today (Friday) he turned 11 (wow, how time flies!)...and although he came to us in pretty bad shape, he now lives like a KING (yes, my friends and family will tell you how much I spoil him)...just look at that happy face in the photo above!

Simba is definitely a lap dog and is his happiest when he can be on mine...in fact, he gets quite frustrated when I am working or in my studio. He has two beds that he will sleep in when a lap is unavailable...and one is right at my feet at my work desk...he is always by my side. Here he is perturbed that I am working...I just love that face...

....and in other dog news...we pick up Schatzi (our German Shepherd puppy) in Minnesota next weekend...yep, her two months of formal obedience training are almost complete and we are picking her up on December 7th. She is now nine months old (can you believe it?)...we can't wait to see her and see how much she has learned! We worked with her extensively before she left for boot camp, so we hope she had a great foundation for the last two months of training (which included: confidence building, obedience training, proper etiquette, field trips, running on a treadmill, and socialization with other dogs). I'm sure I'll have a very good update for you when she is home. Here is a photo we received this week (she is with Josiah, one of the trainers at  Neuman K-9 Academy) - she went on a field trip to the local strip mall in White Bear Lake, MN, where she practiced obedience in the presence of distractions like people going in or out of stores, dogs walking with owners, traffic, delivery trucks, and overall obedience in a new place...she also practiced holding a down stay on the sidewalk next to traffic, auto sitting and focusing before the crosswalk, waiting to get out of a vehicle, and impulse control....she also worked on good etiquette when meeting and greeting people...

On the creative front, I have been focused on the two new winter designs I will be shipping in a few days..."Woodland Tree Farm" and "Quilt Block Christmas"...both are in the final stages of printing production and I am hoping to start shipping them to shops by mid-week - I will do a blog post that focuses on each design in the next day or two, so you will have all the juicy details. I have also been working on a pair of designs for The World of Cross Stitching magazine...and a special video project for Annie's Publishing...plus a pile of other Blue Ribbon Designs deadlines and ideas. Busy is a blessing and I am finally getting back in the swing of things after my trip to California and the Komen 3-Day walk. I'll be back soon to tell you all about "Woodland Tree Farm"....

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....