Blooming & Blue:Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Greetings friends, fans, and blog hoppers - I am thrilled to be one of the first stops on the Quiltmker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour. This quilty blog hop is celebrating the release of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12...and to say I am excited to be a part of this special magazine and blog tour for the third time would be an understatement - I am such a HUGE fan, collecting the 100 block issues over the years...and I am honored, once again, to be in the company of so many extremely talented quilt designers that I admire...and even more thrilled to have my block on the cover!

If you are visiting my blog for the first time - welcome! Let me introduce myself...my name is Belinda Karls-Nace and I am a needlework and quilting designer, teacher, and professional finisher by trade (Blue Ribbon Designs). I picked up my first needle at the young age of six (and made my first quilt around the age of eight) and have been designing professionally in the Cross Stitch industry for almost 15 years. I am completely obsessed with just about anything created with a needle and thread - and when I am not working on my original cross stitch and counted thread designs, I find sheer enjoyment sewing and quilting...and in the very near future, I will be adding my sewing and quilting patterns to my brand (along with patterns that combine my love of handwork and quilting). I am an enthusiastic AccuQuilt fan, proudly owning all four of their fabric cutters and a wide assortment of cutting dies...and I am lucky enough to do freelance designing and sample piecing/quilting for them, as well. My blog follows my creative journey - including needlework, sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery...my handcrafted Etsy items...my original designs and patterns...tips and tricks...pretty much anything that inspires me...I hope you enjoy your stay and visit often!

Without further ado, here is my original block (YAY!!!), which I titled "Blooming Out of the Blue" - the magazine edited  my title (I'm guessing for space) to "Blooming & Blue", which I guess works just as well.  My original quilt block  is #1147 and can be found on page 31. My regular readers know I love to combine traditional piecing with machine appliqué, so creating this cheerful, floral block just came naturally.

This entire block is AccuQuilt GO! friendly...and for those of you wanting to take advantage of the cutting dies I used, here is a complete list:

• GO! Square on Point - 4¾" (4¼ Finished) (55019)
• GO! Half Square Triangle - 3" Finished Square (55009)
• GO! Quarter Square Triangle - 6" Finished Square (55002)
• GO! Pomegranate (55371) - used for small circle 2½"
• GO! 2", 3", 5" Circles (55012) - used for 2" circle
• GO! Rose of Sharon (55045) - used for 3"W x 3"H Rose, 1" Circles, 1½"W x ⅝"H leaves
• A couple notes:
• for flower stems, I cut one GO! Square on Point - 4¾"  (55019), then  sub cut four ¼" strips for stems
• For those wanting to use the brand new GO Qube for the base block - use the GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block Set: Shape 4, Shape 5,  and Shape 6.

I like to audition my original blocks in multiples, with other traditional blocks, and with solid blocks to make sure they can be versatile...I also like to design blocks that will work well in a number of colorways. This particular block just happens to be a great scrap buster block! I had fun playing with this design in EQ7 (Electric Quilt 7 Software) and creating color variations to show it off...here is how it would look in a couple seasonal color schemes and how it would look as a 48" x 48" quilt...

For fun, I decided to work up my block with 1930's reproduction fabrics - which is totally out of my normal style/comfort zone...here is my block worked with fabrics  from the new collection Naptime 2 by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing in my enthusiasm (and for reading this far)...and as a reward, I have a few giveaway opportunities (NOTE: this giveaway opportunity has ended). 

• Quiltmaker Magazine is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12 magazine to one of my lucky readers...
• ...and I have two copies of  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12 magazine to give away...

Yep, THREE of my blog readers will receive a copy of the magazine!!

NOTE: This giveaway opportunity has ended...
Keep an eye on my blog for future chances to win...

For a chance to win one of these prizes, simply leave me a single comment telling me about your handmade/homemade holiday projects - I would love to hear about your creative endeavors for the upcoming holiday season...

To be eligible, you must include your e-mail address or have your e-mail address visible in your profile - international entries are welcome - you must leave a comment, no e-mail entries will be accepted. The giveaway is open until 11:59 PM CST Thursday, November 19, 2015 and the three prize recipients will be announced on Friday, November 20, 2015. No prize substitutions. Good luck...

Make sure you look for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12, on newsstands tomorrow (Tuesday, November 17th)...it's the issue with the green band across the top of the cover. To find links to all the other blog tour stops, to read all about the other 99 blocks, and to have the opportunity to win a plethora of fabulous prizes, stop by the Quiltmaker Magazine blog:
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

A BIG thank you to Quiltmaker Magazine for including my original block in Volume 12...and thanks to YOU for visiting my blog - I hope you have been inspired and will return again soon!

Sunshine and Daisies:Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Greetings friends, fans, and blog hoppers - I am thrilled to be one of the stops on the very first day of Quiltmker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour. This quilty blog hop is celebrating the release of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 11...and to say I am excited to be a part of this special magazine issue and blog tour for the second time would be an understatement - I am such a HUGE fan, collecting the 100 block issues over the years...and I am honored to be in the company of so many extremely talented quilt designers that I admire.

If you are visiting my blog for the first time - welcome! Let me introduce myself...my name is Belinda Karls-Nace and I am a needlework and quilting designer, teacher, and professional finisher by trade (Blue Ribbon Designs). I picked up my first needle at the young age of six (and made my first quilt around the age of eight) and have been designing professionally in the Cross Stitch industry for over 10 years. I am completely obsessed with just about anything created with a needle and thread - and when I am not working on my original cross stitch and counted thread designs, I find sheer enjoyment sewing and quilting...and in the very near future, I will be adding my sewing and quilting patterns to my brand (along with patterns that combine my love of handwork and quilting). I am an enthusiastic AccuQuilt fan, proudly owning all four of their fabric cutters and a wide assortment of cutting dies...and I am lucky enough to do some freelance designing and sample piecing/quilting for them, as well. My blog follows my creative journey - including needlework, sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery...my handcrafted Etsy items...my original designs and patterns...tips and tricks...pretty much anything that inspires me...I hope you enjoy your stay and visit often!

"Sunshine and Daisies" - Block #1051 - Page 37

My original quilt block for Volume 11  is called "Sunshine and Daisies" - it is block #1051 and can be found on page 37. My regular readers know I love to combine traditional piecing with machine appliqué, so creating this cheerful, floral block just came naturally. This entire block is AccuQuilt GO! friendly...and for those of you wanting to take advantage of the cutting dies I used, here is a complete list:

• 55000 (Square - 6.5")
• 55006 (Square - 3.5")  
• 55002 (Triangle 4 7/8")
• 55009 (Half Square - 3" Finished Triangle)
• 55327 (Daisy)
• 55045 (1" Strip Cutter) - used for stems - 1" WOF strip was put through a Clover Bias Tape Maker (Art No. 464/12)  and sub cut to make four 1/2" x 6" stems or simply cut four 1/2" strips (6" long), if preferred.

I like to audition my original blocks in multiples, with other traditional blocks, and with solid blocks to make sure they can be versatile...I also like to design blocks that will work well in a number of colorways. This particular block just happens to be a great scrap buster block! I had fun playing with this design in EQ7 (Electric Quilt 7 Software) and creating color variations to show it off...here is how it would look in a few different color schemes and how it would look adding borders for a table topper or wall hanging....

Since this is a 12" finished block, I decided it would make a fun, bright, and  cozy pillow. For a change, I chose to work it up in shades of blue and green, using Robert Kaufman fabrics for the the blues and a fun older Island Batik for the green. I simply added 1" strips (1/2" finished) on all four sides...and then 2" strips (1-1/2" finished) and 2" square (1-1/2" finished) cornerstones on all four sides... and added an envelope back...perfect for a 16" square Pellon pillow form...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing in my enthusiasm (and for reading this far)...and as a reward, I have a few giveaway opportunities!

• Quiltmaker Magazine is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 11 magazine to one of my lucky readers...
• ...and I have two copies of  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 11 magazine to give away...

Yep, THREE of my blog readers will receive a copy of the magazine!!

For a chance to win one of these prizes, simply leave me a single comment telling me about the hobbies you enjoy - I would love to hear about your creative endeavors...

To be eligible, you must include your e-mail address or have your e-mail address visible in your profile - international entries are welcome - you must leave a comment, no e-mail entries will be accepted. The giveaway is open until 11:59 PM CST Thursday, May 7, 2015 and the three prize recipients will be announced on Friday, April 8, 2015. No prize substitutions. Good luck...

Make sure you look for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 11, on newsstands tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5th)...it's the issue with the orange band across the top of the cover. To find links to all the other blog tour stops, to read all about the other 99 blocks, and to have the opportunity to win a plethora of fabulous prizes, stop by the Quiltmaker Magazine blog:
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

A BIG thank you to Quiltmaker Magazine for including my original block in Volume 11...and thanks to YOU for visiting my blog - I hope you have been inspired and will return again soon! ...and one more thing...be sure to check out my quilt "Kites in Flight" in the May/June issue of Quiltmaker Magazine on newsstands now too...

GO! Big Blog Hop: In-an-afternoon Organizer

Hello everyone and welcome to the AccuQuilt GO! Big Blog Hop - I am so extremely excited to be one of the stops on this inspiring journey with a project tutorial at each destination!

If this is your fist time visiting my blog, let me introduce myself...my name is Belinda and I am a needlework and quilting designer, teacher, creator, and finisher - my company is called Blue Ribbon Designs. Working with a needle is truly my passion, obsession, and career. One of my favorite endeavors is designing and creating samples for AccuQuilt.

First, let me start by introducing you to the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter. The GO! Big is the latest and greatest addition to AccuQuilt's fabric cutter line...and did you see the keyword in it's name??...it is (drum roll) ELECTRIC...yep, that's right, no more cranking a handle - this electric fabric cutter does all the work for you! When I first saw the video for this spectacular fabric cutting machine, I nearly had to pick my jaw up off the floor...it is pretty impressive. Don't get me wrong, I adore my other three fabric cutters, but there is something special about this larger, faster, unique cutting system...I mean, who doesn't like to be on the "cutting edge"....

First of all, it is extremely simple to set-up, right out of the box....it is 23 pounds, which for me is easy to handle and easy to store...but you may wish to have it in a designated space...

ALL GO! Dies can be used in the GO! Big...and did I mention you can cut two 6” wide dies side by side at the same time?? In addition to the HUGE GO! die library, there are 5 NEW GO! Big dies that are used exclusively with the GO! Big... these die boards allow you to cut a whopping 12 ½” finished block with just one die (these five new dies include: GO! Big Square-10" (9 1/2" Finished), GO! Big Circle-4", 6", 7", 8", GO! Big Churn Dash-12" Finished, GO! Big Snail's Trail-12" Finished, and the GO! Big Double Wedding Ring-12 1/2"). I need to start saving my pennies, as all of the GO! Big dies are now on my wish list!

My project tutorial features the GO! Big Square-10" (9 1/2" Finished) cutting die...and the wonderful folks at Andover Fabrics provided inspiration in the form of fabrics from their Downton Abbey collections (Downton Abbey - Logos and Labels and gorgeous prints from Downton Abbey - The Downstairs Collection).  Once I knew my feature would be on the GO! Big Square and I saw the Downton Abbey fat quarters, I knew immediately what my project would be - a simple, yet useful wall organizer. Now, I know a square may seem a little bit boring compared to the other four new GO! Big dies...but is extremely versatile...and I think you will be quite amazed with what you can do with it...and I know I usually use bright and cheerful fabrics, but it was fun to step outside my box for this project...

Before I give you the instructions for the project, I thought I would show you just how simple it is to cut shapes perfectly and accurately with the GO! Big...here is a little video I shot in my studio...and what makes it most impressive - I shot this video with my smartphone, holding it in one hand while I cut a stack of GO! Big Squares (not a top quality video, but you get the idea)...that is just how easy it is to use the GO! Big...

Better yet, here is a quality video showing the AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter in action...

We've learned all sorts of details about the GO! Big, so let's get right into my project tutorial (I know it's what you have been waiting for)...click on any image(s) for an enlarged view...

In-an-afternoon Organizer
A project/tutorial designed especially for the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter
Finished Size:  10" x 25"

GO! DIES USED

•          GO! Big Square-10" (9½" Finished) (55451)
•          GO! Square-4½" (4" Finished) (55018 or 55060)
•          GO! Strip Cutter-2" (1½" Finished)(55025) or your favorite width for binding

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

•          KonaCotton by Robert Kaufman Fabrics - Natural - ⅔ yard
•          6 assorted Downton Abbey prints by AndoverFabrics - 1 fat eighth each
•          1 Downton Abbey print by Andover Fabrics - 1 fat quarter or ⅙ yard (binding)
•          Fusible Fleece or Batting - ⅔ yard (model uses fusible fleece)

CUTTING DIRECTIONS

Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman Fabrics - Natural:

• Cut 2 - 10” x 25” rectangles
• Cut 2 - 4½" (4" finished) squares

Assorted Downton Abbey fabric prints by Andover Fabrics:

•  Cut 6 assorted - 10" (9½" finished) squares

Downton Abbey fabric print by Andover Fabrics:

•  2" (1½" Finished) strips (or your favorite width for binding)
• 5 strips if using a fat quarter
• 2 WOF strips if using yardage

Fusible Fleece or Batting:

• Cut 1—10” x 25” rectangle
• Cut 6—10” x 5” rectangles (you can cut three 10" squares with the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter and then sub cut each in half)

SEWING DIRECTIONS

1.       Layer one 10” x 25” rectangle of fusible fleece (or batting) between two 10” x 25” rectangles of Kona Cotton Natural. Fuse or pin baste fabric sandwich. Quilt as desired (I used 2” cross hatches).

2.       Press all six 10” squares of Downton Abbey prints in half. Place one 10” x 5” rectangle of fusible fleece inside the fold of each pressed in half fabric square. Fuse or pin baste fabric sandwiches. Quilt or topstitch if desired (I did a topstitch ¼” from the fold). These will be your six pockets.

3.       Measure down 6” from the top of the 10” x 25” quilted rectangle (base) and place the long raw edge (not the fold) of one pocket rectangle.  Pin and sew in place using a ¼” seam.

4.       Fold pocket up towards the top of the base and press. Baste sides of the pocket in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches).

5.       Measure down 5½” from the bottom of the first pocket and place the long raw edge (not the fold) of one pocket rectangle.  Pin and sew in place using a ¼” seam.

6.       Fold pocket up towards the first pocket and press. Baste sides of the pocket in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches).

7.       Measure down 5½” from the bottom of the second pocket and place the long raw edge (not the fold) of one pocket rectangle.  Pin and sew in place using a ¼” seam.

8.       Fold pocket up towards the second pocket and press. Baste sides of the pocket in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches). OPTIONAL: After basting the sides of pocket three, stitch dividing lines to make this pocket have several sections - the model was divided into four pockets.

9.       Measure down 2¼” from the bottom of the third pocket and place the long raw edge (not the fold) of one pocket rectangle.  Pin and sew in place using a ¼” seam.

10.   Fold pocket up towards the third pocket and press. Baste sides of the pocket in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches).

11.   Measure down 2¼” from the bottom of the fourth pocket and place the long raw edge (not the fold) of one pocket rectangle.  Pin and sew in place using a ¼” seam.

12.   Fold pocket up towards the fourth pocket and press. Baste sides of the pocket in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches).

13.   Place the final pocket even with the bottom of the base, covering part of pocket five and baste in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches) on three sides, leaving top of pocket open.

14.  Fold one of the 4½" squares in half diagonally (forming a triangle) and press. Place the folded square in the top left corner on back of the organizer, matching raw edges with the edges of the organizer and baste in place using a ⅛” seam allowance (your binding will cover these stitches). Repeat with the other 4½" square, basting it in the top right corner on the back of the organizer. These corner triangles on the back of the organizer are "back pockets" for hanging. I inserted a wooden slat (9" x 1½" x ¼”) with a sawtooth hanger (easily made with supplies purchased at a hardware store). You may choose to make a traditional sleeve instead.

15.   Add binding, mitering corners.

Now you can fill your In-an-afternoon Organizer with your favorite sewing/quilting notions...or stationery...or scrapbooking/crafting supplies...or whatever your heart desires. How quick, easy, and fun was that?!

I hope this blog hop post will entice you make an In-an-afternoon Organizer (or two) of your very own...and if you do, please share a photo with me - I would love to see your interpretation!

I want to thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have enjoyed your stay....are you feeling inspired?? I sure hope so!...and this is just one stop...there are nine other stops on this AccuQuilt GO! Big Blog Hop - all guaranteed to give you fresh new ideas - I personally follow all of the blogs on this impressive list, they are all worth a visit...

•      Monday 02/23 Beaquilter: http://www.beaquilter.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail
•      Tuesday 02/24 The Zen of Making: http://www.thezenofmaking.com/ - GO! Big Circle
•      Wednesday 02/25 May Chappell: http://www.maychappell.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring
•      Thursday 02/26 Cut To Pieces: http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash
•      Friday 02/27 Pleasant Home: http://www.pleasant-home.com/ - GO! Big Square
•      Saturday 02/28 Free Motion by the River - http://www.conniekresin.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail
•      Sunday 03/01 A Quilting Life: http://www.aquiltinglife.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash
•      Monday 03/02 Blue Ribbon Designs -YOU ARE HERE - GO! Big Square
•      Tuesday 03/03 Sew Many Ways: http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring
•      Wednesday 03/04 Simple Simon and Co.: http://www.simplesimonandco.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash

Be sure to explore my blog to see many more AccuQuilt projects and finishes...and please stop back soon...

Ten Days of Inspiration: The AccuQuilt GO! Big Blog Hop

If you are a quilter, sewist, or are on the lookout for creative inspiration (aren't we all), then I have some wonderful news for you! The Accuquilt GO! Big Blog Hop starts this week - that's right, it starts tomorrow...and it features 10 incredible bloggers over 10 days - each with a special project tutorial to get your creative juices flowing. All the stops will share a bit about AccuQuilt's new GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter...and each one will showcase a new GO! Big Cutting Die and a unique project tutorial that uses fabric prints from the Downton Abbey collections by Andover Fabrics (Downton Abbey - Logos and Labels and Downton Abbey - The Downstairs Collection). You will have to stop back here on Monday, March 2nd, as I will be the eighth stop on this blog hop journey - but you can get started first thing Monday morning...

Here is a complete list of the 10 stops...and you can read more about each of these participants on AccuQuilt's Blog:

1. Mon 02/23 - Beaquilter: http://www.beaquilter.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail
2. Tues 02/24 - The Zen of Making: http://www.thezenofmaking.com/ - GO! Big Circle
3. Wed 02/25 - May Chappell: http://www.maychappell.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring
4. Thurs 02/26 - Cut To Pieces: http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash
5. Fri 02/27 - Pleasant Home: http://www.pleasant-home.com/ - GO! Big Square
6. Sat 02/28 - Free Motion by the River - http://www.conniekresin.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail
7. Sun 03/01 - A Quilting Life: http://www.aquiltinglife.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash
8. Mon 03/02 - Blue Ribbon Designs -YOU ARE HERE - GO! Big Square
9. Tues 03/03 - Sew Many Ways: http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring
10. Wed 03/04 - Simple Simon and Co.: http://www.simplesimonandco.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash

Here are the five new dies that work exclusively with the new GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter (each one is featured in the blog hop):

...and here is the spectacular GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter (and yes, you can cut two 6" wide dies side by side with six layers of fabric on each!)

I have been playing with my new GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter for a few weeks, and I can tell you, it is impressive - so quick, easy, and accurate! The GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set includes the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter, the GO! Flying Geese Die, a 6" x 12" cutting mat, plus a free 20-page pattern booklet which includes five Flying Geese patterns. It was really exciting for me to see the included pattern booklet, as I designed all five of the patterns included and made all of the samples....seeing them in print was a real treat! Here is a photo of the booklet and each of the projects I designed and created:

...and the most exciting news - I have designed a very special project especially for this blog hop and have written a complete tutorial with details and diagrams to share with you (you can see just a hint of it in the top right photo)....and I even shot a very short video in my studio. So, make sure you return on Monday, March 2nd...you won't want to miss the project tutorial for my "In-an-afternoon Organizer"...and be sure to visit the other nine stops (I promise, these talented and creative bloggers will not disappoint)...

On The Road Again...

Treasures I gathered on the Dallas 3-Day...

I know I have only been home a couple days, but I am off again...this time to Illinois for my mother's wedding (I am just tickled that she has found love!). I am still busy playing catch-up from my trip to Dallas, so if you are waiting on correspondence from me, please be patient - I will get back to you early next week. All existing website and Etsy shop orders have shipped...and anything ordered today or tomorrow will ship on Monday....thank you for your patience. So, I am out the door again...doing my best to take care of my very sad feet (which is not easy)...I will be back next week with some very fun posts...be sure to stop by on Thursday, November 20th, as I will be one of the stops on Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour (and there will be a giveaway or two - hint, hint!)....

For now, I will leave you with some photos of the items/gifts I gathered on my Komen 3-Day trip to Dallas...and a teaser for the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour...

Team Twinkle Toes head gear...made by our fabulous team stylist, Lois...
The hat was casual wear for Friday and Saturday - the visor was formal wear
for Sunday (don't you just love the pink bird?!)...

Team Twinkle Toes evening footwear...although I must admit, I didn't wear
mine after my showers, as they were too cute to damage and it was muddy,
grassy, and wet...

The most adorable quilted camping pillow made by my tentmate Sandy...
isn't it absolutely GORGEOUS?! I love, love, LOVE it...

Beautiful heartfelt gifts from my teammates...I feel like a princess...

A wonderful handmade gift from my faraway friend Dora...and a touching
card wishing me luck on my 3-Day journey...

On newsstands November 18th! Can you guess which block is mine...
hint: it's on the cover....

Be sure to visit all the stops on the Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Blog Hop...there will
be giveaways each day...and visit me on November 20th when I unveil my block...

I am in a rush to get on the road...but I will be back again soon...enjoy your weekend!