Love Is In The Air

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my thoughts were actually on Valentine's Day, as I was designing three Valentine themed projects for AccuQuilt and sewing/quilting the samples. Today, I am excited to share the GO! Lovebirds Apron, the GO! Hugs and Kisses Bed Runner, and the GO! Sweetheart Wall Hanging. I really enjoyed creating these three projects and you can read all about them on the AccuQuilt Blog, where I did a guest post...that's right, today I am a guest blogger on the AccuQuilt Blog - and I am sharing the details on these three projects...

The GO! Lovebirds Apron is made using a kitchen towel as the base (which makes this a super quick project), then adding seasonal machine appliqué! You can find out the type of towel I used and some fun tips by visiting: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND...this pattern is FREE for a limited time: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-lovebirds-apron-pattern.html

The GO! Hugs and Kisses Bed Runner was such a delight to work on and only uses TWO cutting dies to make the Xs and Os...to find out just how simple this project really is, check out my guest blog post on the AccuQuilt Blog: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND....this pattern is FREE for a limited time too!!: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-hugs-and-kisses-bed-runner.html

Finally, here is the GO! Sweetheart Wall Hanging - a combination of simple strip piecing and machine appliqué. Visit the AccuQuilt Blog to find out my tip for making the applique shapes stitch up crisp and flat: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND...of course, this pattern is available for FREE for a limited time, as well!!:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-sweetheart-wall-hanging-pattern.html

I hope you take a moment to read my guest blog post...then go download these special Valentine projects...and I would love to see/read about your Valentine's Day creations - please share them with me!

For now, I am back to work on some springtime quilt designs (always months ahead of the game!)...and then this evening I will be in my stitching nest working on my special October project for Just CrossStitch magazine.

I will be sharing my Bitty Blocks finish soon, so be sure to visit again later this week...

Crossing My Fingers (and Toes!)

It's that time of year again friends - voting is live for the AccuQuilt Quilt Block Design Contest...and this year I have 6 blocks eligible for your votes! So, I need your help...I really, really need your help...and this year you can even help me win money for my charity, the Komen 3-Day (isn't that AWESOME?!)!

They have changed things up a bit for for voting...and unfortunately, the first time you vote you have to register...but then after that, each day, you just sign in and vote (it's really easy!)...AND this year, everyone who votes is eligible for PRIZES...so, not only are you helping me, but you have a chance to WIN too!

So, here is what you need to do...

1. Visit http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/auth/register and enter your name, e-mail address, and a password.
2. AccuQuilt will send you a verification e-mail - simply click on the link in the message and you will be registered.
3. To VOTE: Visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/entries - log in - you will see thumbnail images of all the blocks (there are many pages) - click on the thumbnail of the quilt block(s) of your choice - then click on VOTE FOR THIS BLOCK under the image. Easy!
4. You can log in and vote each day between now and May 27th - and you can vote for each/every block of your choosing once each day (per email address)! This means you can vote for any/all the blocks you like once each day - so, (if you so choose) you can vote for all six of my blocks each and every day!

...and remember, each day you vote, YOU are eligible for prizes (watch the very short video below to hear about the spectacular prizes!)...and you are graciously helping me at the same time. This year there is a HUGE prize package at stake for the winner (and a couple great runner-up prizes, as well)...but the grand prize winner selects a favorite charity for AccuQuilt to donate $1,500 in the winner’s name...and, of course, you all know I am fundraising for the Komen 3-Day in Dallas this November, so that would be AMAZING! I hope you will help me out and vote for me daily - I would be so appreciative!! I have posted direct links to each of my blocks below, so once you register, just click on each block to vote - that way you don't have to scroll through the hundreds of entries.... You could also use the search box on the entries page and enter "Belinda" and my six blocks will be filtered out for you.

Sunny Side Up

Half Square Happiness

Pointed Posy

Pinwheel Party

Criss Cross Carnations

Blue Skies

I really enjoyed working on my entries 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 barn quilt block. I hope you will support my quilt blocks again this year and place your votes for my designs! 

Woodland Tree Farm

For the last week, I have been furiously finishing up details for the two new winter designs and getting them ready for printing production. Today, the spotlight is on BRD-116 "Woodland Tree Farm" - this is the first design in my new "Seasonal Samplings Series" (a relatively cost effective series of quick to stitch seasonal style designs). I wanted to do a line of designs without needlework smalls or special finishing that would be perfect for gift giving...projects that are good in a frame or on a box top...or could be used in a quilt block or in a sewing project. "Woodland Tree Farm" has a stitch count of 110 H x 109 W...and is stitched on 40-count hand-dyed linen (Confederate Gray by Weeks Dye Works), but would be perfect on just about any count or color of fabric. The model uses The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, but DMC equivalents are also provided...and the entire design is Cross Stitch over two linen threads, with a just little bit of Back Stitch. This special series of designs is printed on 8 1/2" x 11" pages folded down to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and packaged in 6" x 9" bags, just like the Mystery Sampler was put together. The sign for the "tree farm" has a place for your initials and the year...and an alphabet and numbers are provided, along with an enlarged chart of the sign for easy personalization.

Visit the following links for more information:
Additional Photos
Design Specifics and Supply List

Look for this new design (along with "Quilt Block Christmas", which we will discuss tomorrow) in needlework shops very soon...I am hoping it will be ready for shipment in the next few days...