Goose Creek Gardens Fabric Tour"Good for the Goose" Lap Quilt

Happy Friday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Goose Creek Gardens Fabric Tour! I am thrilled to be one of the stops on this inspiring "designer hop." Today, I am sharing a new lap quilt design that I created with this gorgeous fabric collection. When I first had a look at these prints (months ago), I instantly knew I would be creating a new quilt...and this is one I am actually keeping for myself. It was quite enjoyable to put on my quilt designing hat again and work with Goose Creek Gardens by Michal Marko. This new collection has a such a calming color pallet and (as always) exquisite, tiny details. I truly "found my joy" while working on this project! Let's take a look at what I am calling "Good for the Goose"... 

My quilt design was created using EQ8 Software...I spent an afternoon playing around in the software with the fabric swatches...and this was the result. I used a traditional quilt block and enlarged it to a hefty 20" square (the pattern uses only squares and half square triangles) and added borders to my quilt top. I titled my quilt "Good for the Goose"...which seemed to fit perfectly. I tried to fussy cut the Goose Creek print to show off those geese...and I worked hard to piece them all in the same direction. The result is a nice sized lap quilt measuring 66" x  66" square...perfect for snuggling under on a cool day or taking on a picnic in the summertime sunshine! I have always quilted my own quilts on my domestic machine...but this one, I actually took to my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) and Leslie did a fantastic job quilting it on the longarm for me - I am beyond pleased. We actually found an all-over quilt pattern that is geese and hearts swirled together...and it is super cute...I couldn't be happier. I created a scrappy binding featuring as many of the dark red prints as possible...I wanted it to bring out the center of my quilt. The entire project just makes me happy!

Close up of the wonderful quilting...

I have finished up the quilt pattern and it is available in my Etsy Shop, should you want to make a lap quilt of your very own. The pattern features the Goose Creek Gardens Collection, but is written in a way that you could use your favorite fat quarter stack. Goose Creek Gardens is available now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these fabulous prints. I used a Goose Creek Gardens fat quarter stack along with yardage from the Poppie Cotton Country Confetti Collection for my background, borders and backing.

Pattern available here:
 https://www.etsy.com/listing/965365800/good-for-the-goose-lap-quilt-pattern

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you hear the joy in my post?! I am already working on projects for the next Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour in April...they are for the upcoming Kaisley Rose Collection...and I can't wait to share them with you...

For more features on the Poppie Cotton Goose Creek Gardens Fabric Tour, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog: https://poppiecotton.com/poppie-cotton-blog/, where each tour project is showcased (and there are some amazing pieces!).

If you make a project from the Goose Creek Gardens Collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!

Stop back soon...I will be posting a look inside my local quilt shop in the next few days...you won't want to miss all the eye candy and inspiration...and see the marvelous shop behind the quilting on "Good for the Goose"...

Dots and Posies Fabric TourForty-Five Tote and Accessories

Happy Monday and happy new year - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Dots and Posies Fabric Tour! I am super excited to be the first stop on the tour...and I have a new tote bag design and several accessories to share...all created with the new Dots and Posies fabric collection. It was quite fulfilling to put on my quilt designing hat and work on several projects that were swimming around in my head. When Jina first reached out to me about this collection (months ago), I instantly knew I would be making a large quilted tote bag and accessories. This new collection has a lovely vintage look with soft colors and exquisite tiny details...I truly enjoyed working on these cheerful projects. Let's take a look at what I created...

Forty-Five Tote
The first piece I designed was an over-sized tote bag, perfect for carrying everything you need to a retreat or class...or as an overnight bag. I've named it the Forty-Five Tote, because it is made with 40 - 5" squares...that's right, this tote bag is 5" Precut or Charm Pack friendly! It is a hefty size at 14" W x 18" H x 4" D (plus handles) - it has two pockets outside (sized to fit a large smartphone) and two extra-large pockets inside to organize the contents. I love how this tote highlights all the prints in the Dots and Posies Collection...and you can use your favorite print for linings, handles and outer pockets. The inside pockets are each made with four 5" squares, so the inside of the bag is pretty too! I used Poppie Cotton Country Confetti ("Strawberry Lemonade") for lining the bag and pockets, the bag handles and the bag base...and I used my favorite Dots and Posies print ("Birds & Hexies") for the outer pockets. I found the mix of large scale and small scale prints eye-pleasing and the retro look full of cheer!
To purchase a digital download PDF pattern for the Forty-Five Tote, visit my Etsy Shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns OR
https://www.etsy.com/listing/941372669/forty-five-tote-bag-quilt-pattern 

Joyful Journal Jacket
I always like to have a notebook with me, especially at classes and retreats...so I designed this swoon-worthy journal cover. It can be used to keep a list of current projects or to take notes - you can use it to journal, sketch or jot down design ideas. This cover was designed to fit a standard Composition Notebook (9.75" x 7.5") which you can find at your favorite office supply store with narrow or wide lines, unlined (my favorite because I can sketch in it) or graph ruled (perfect for charting projects). I used a large focal print for the bottom section of the cover and inside flaps - then, pieced smaller squares for the top section of the cover...adding a coordinating rick rack between the two. Again, I used my favorite print in the collection to make a Velcro tab closure. This rosy quilting/stitching journal is the perfect complement to any retreat/class tote...or ideal to be placed at a bedside table for keeping a journal or diary. The comforting colors of Dots and Posies worked perfectly for this design...
To purchase a digital download PDF pattern for my Joyful Journal Jacket, visit my Etsy Shop:
https://etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns OR
https://www.etsy.com/listing/928107884/joyful-journal-jacket-quilt-pattern

Pretty Posies Pouch
This adorable patchwork pouch is a versatile addition to any tote bag. It can hold quilting/stitching tools or a small project...or can be used for health and beauty items, if using the tote for an overnight bag. Small patchwork squares show off the variety of prints in this lovely fabric collection...and you can always fussy cut the squares to feature your favorite motifs. I added a removeable wrist strap and a coordinating zipper pull for added embellishment. This mighty little bag measures 9" W x 8" H x 2" D, making it a perfect accessory for a tote bag. I used a large print focal fabric for the back side of my bag ("Prize Roses"), using the patchwork only on the front...this gave me the "best of both worlds" with a variety of small quilted squares on the front and lovely rose print on the back! This small soft-colored pouch brings me joy every time I look at it...
To purchase a digital download PDF pattern for my Pretty Posies Pouch, visit my Etsy Shop:https://etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns OR
https://www.etsy.com/listing/943706179/pretty-posies-pouch-quilt-pattern

Pretty Posies Project Bag
Finally - if you follow my blog and social media, then you know how much I love to make project bags! I just had to make a special project bag for this tote bag set...I decided to make my large signature project bag with a twist. I strip pieced several fabrics, then fussy cut a large beautiful rose ("Prize Roses Blue") in a hexagon shape to appliqué to the top right-hand corner. I used the "Stripe Green" print for a narrow strip between my top strip set and the bottom focal fabric strip of "Birds & Hexies", which I thought made a nice divider. I created the front and the back of the bag the same, matching the seams on the sides and added a coordinating zipper pull. I think I need to make a couple more of these...because who only has one project in their retreat/class tote??...and because it is just so C.U.T.E.!

There you have it - my tote bag and accessories using the Dots and Posies collection from Poppie Cotton. This fabric line is shipping and in shops now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these gorgeous prints. 

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you feel the sheer happiness I put into each piece?! I am already working on quilt ideas for the next Poppie Cotton fabric tour in March...it is for the upcoming Goose Creek Gardens collection...and it is GORGEOUS. 

If you make a project from the Dots and Posies collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!

Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour:Singing Under The Stars

Happy Wednesday...and welcome to the Poppie Cotton Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour! I am super excited to share the quilt I created with the new Woodland Songbirds fabric collection. I always enjoy putting on my quilt designing hat and working on a project with my own vision and ideas. I knew months ago when I first saw this gorgeous collection with tiny exquisite details that I would be making a quilt featuring singing birds. If you are a regular visitor to my blog, then you know how much I love to combine piecing and appliqué (and adding additional embellishments). Designing and creating this special quilt brought me an immense amount of joy - it is such a happy fabric collection! 

"Singing Under the Stars"

My quilt design was created using EQ8 Software...I spent an afternoon playing around in the software and in my studio...and this was the result. I used two traditional quilt blocks - the Ohio Star and the Nine Patch...along with appliquéd top and bottom borders. I titled my quilt "Singing Under the Stars"...which just seemed to fit. I fussy cut the centers of the Ohio Star Blocks to feature some of the beautiful details in this fabric collection (the little birdies on the toadstools are EVERYTHING!). Most of the appliqué shapes were cut using a die cutting system…I used the fusible appliqué method and stitched them down with a Blanket Stitch. I utilized pearl cotton to hand stitch French Knots for the bird eyes…and attached a handful of coordinating buttons from my stash as flower centers. The results is a nice sized quilt measuring 45" x 60"...perfect for snuggling under on a dreary day!

There you have it - my quilt design using the Woodland Songbirds Collection by Poppie Cotton. This fabric line is in shops now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these gorgeous prints. I used a Woodland Songbirds fat quarter stack along with yardage from the Poppie Cotton Country Confetti Collection for my background, backing and binding.

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you hear my heart singing as I worked on this piece?! I am already working on a project for the next Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour in January...it is for the upcoming Dots & Posies Collection...and I can't wait to share it with you...

For more projects from the Poppie Cotton Woodland Songbirds Fabric Tour, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog: https://poppiecotton.com/poppie-cotton-blog/, where each tour stop and project is featured (and there are some INCREDIBLE pieces!).

If you make a project from the Woodland Songbirds Collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!

Cherished Moments Fabric Tour:Precious Pillows

Happy Friday...and welcome to the Poppie Cotton Cherished Moments Fabric Tour! I am super excited to be able to share a plethora of pillows I created with the new Cherished Moments fabric collection. It was extremely refreshing to be able to put on my quilt designing hat and work on a project with my own vision. I knew months ago when I first saw this collection and the exquisite tiny details that I would be making an assortment of pillows. Most of my readers know that I love to combine piecing and appliqué, so you will see that technique in several of my pillow designs - I also utilized some paper-piecing and some fun embellishments. Designing and creating each of these pillows brought me so much joy! 

If you missed my post last Friday, it was all about this blog tour - please visit it to read about these special fabrics and see a list of the other designers involved. Now, let me share my precious pillows with you...

Floral Canoe 
This pillow design was created using the traditional Crossed Canoes quilt block and just a touch of appliqué in the center.This fabric collection has lovely floral fabrics with beautiful details - so I thought a floral appliqué would be the perfect touch in the center. This pillow is 18' x 18"...

Floral Cottage
For this pillow design, I used a pieced block with a house on a hill for the base. I appliquéd flowers and stems on the hillside and added strips of Kindly Said Black to the sides. The Kindly Said fabrics in this collection are covered in happy words and sentiments (see a snippet below)! I used teeny tiny buttons for the flower centers and door knob...and quilted a pair of window panes, as a couple finishing touches. This pillow is 16" x 12"...

Floral Kaleidoscope 
This shining star pillow was created using the paper piecing technique. I used the Kaleidoscope Collection in EQ8 for the layout of the design...should you want to create one of your own, here are the details: Strawflower 2, Kaleidoscope Collection (Copyright © Andrea Bishop, 2008) - I made it 12" x 12" square. I also added a 2" finished border using Kindly Said White. EQ8 Software makes it extremely easy to size quilt blocks to your needs and print foundation papers...plus, paper piecing this particular block will give you perfect points! This pillow measures 16" x 16"...

Floral Love

Lots of love went into this final pillow! For this appliqué design - I cut a base from Seeing Dots White and added 2" finished strips of Kindly Said Pink to the top and bottom. I then used various cuts from this collection for the word LOVE and an assortment of flowers, stems and leaves. I thought using a heart for the center of the letter O would make a cute touch! This pillow measures 20" x 12"...

Floral Pin Pillows
Finally, as a little bonus, I whipped up a couple adorable pincushions with a few leftover scraps. The square pin pillow is the Log Cabin Rose quilt block found in the foundation piecing blocks in EQ8. I paper-pieced this block in a 6" size, then hand stitched hand-dyed Ballerina Jumbo Chenille by (my dear friend) Lady Dot Creates around the perimeter. For the second pincushion, I did the "quilt as you go" method using strips and selvages (yes, Poppie Cotton fabrics have the cutest selvages...see below!). I added several flowers cut from wool and used pins as the centers and to hold them in place...and I flag cut a cute piece of selvage that says "joy and sunshine" and pinned it in place, as well. I thought these turned out super cute!

There you have it - my pillow designs using the Cherished Moments Collection by Poppie Cotton. This fabric line is in shops now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these gorgeous prints. I used a fat quarter stack to create all my pillow tops.

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you feel the happiness and joy I put into each piece?! I am already working on a quilt for the next Poppie Cotton fabric tour in November...it is for the upcoming Woodland Songbirds collection...and it is a BEAUTY. If you make a project from the Cherished Moments collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!

Cherished Moments Sneak Peek

Greetings creative friends! I wanted to stop by today to visit with you about the Poppie Cotton Cherished Moments Fabric Tour that is happening right now... 

For those of you who may not be familiar with Poppie Cotton...it is a fabric company formed by Jina Barney (quilting and clothing designer and instructor) and Lori Woods (illustrator, artist, and designer)...and together they create some of the most beautiful and happy fabrics on the market! Many of their fabrics are nature inspired (and that is a HUGE reason they speak to me)...plus each print is filled with teeny tiny details, making each one so very special. I have fallen in love with each and every fabric collection they have released...and I am super excited to be involved in several upcoming fabric tours (which is a dream opportunity for me!). I have been busy designing and playing with some gorgeous upcoming releases, including Cherished Moments...

Cherished Moments is their newest fabric collection and it is currently arriving in quilt shops (be sure to visit your favorite quilt shop to find these joyful prints!). Throughout the month of August, you can visit the websites below to see some incredible uses of this endearing fabric line: 

CREATOR	DATE	WEBSITE
Danielle Kessler	3-Aug	https://www.instagram.com/thegoldilocksshoppe/
Anna Dineen	5-Aug	http://mywanderingpath.com/
Debbie Homick	7-Aug	http://happylittlecottage.blogspot.com/
Jess	10-Aug	https://www.sallietomato.com/blogs/blog/poppie-cotton-cherished-moments-fabric-tour
Lisa Garlick	12-Aug	https://www.nannygoatquilts.com/
Belinda Karls-Nace	14-Aug	https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/
Erica Arndt	17-Aug	https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/category/quilting
Dori Troutman	19-Aug	http://theredfeedsack.blogspot.com/
Lindsay Weight	21-Aug	http://www.primrosecottagequilts.com/

Plus, click on the Cherished Moments link to see swatches of each print. I will be posting here and on my social media accounts on August 14th - so be sure to stop back then to see what I created with this drool-worthy collection. For now, I will leave you a couple sneak peaks....