Dresden Plate Table Runner

Greetings friends! I am gearing up for my day on the Wildwood Dwellings Fabric Tour (I am scheduled for tomorrow) and I had so much to share, I decided to pop in early with one of my projects today. Wildwood Dwellings is a brand new fabric collection designed by Sheri McCulley for Poppie Cotton and these prints are chock full of nature motifs in Sherri's signature style. 

When this collection arrived on my doorstep months ago, I knew right away I wanted to do a project with Dresden Plate quilt blocks...the Flower Pot focal prints stood out to me as being perfect for the center circles. This particular print comes in three colorways - cream, light teal and blush - and I knew fussy cutting some of the pots of flowers would add to my project.

In typical Belinda fashion, I didn't use a pattern, I just started playing with my vision and the fabrics. I decided to adapt my Dresden Plate blocks to have some points and some flat blades. Once I got started, I opted to make a table runner - I started with a fat quarter stack of fabrics and I didn't know if I would have enough to make a full size quilt. I played with a couple layouts, but ended up using two full plates and two half plates (one on either end). I used Poppie Cotton's Country Confetti for the background fabric and binding. For some added embellishment, I trimmed the center circles and the perimeter of my table runner with 3/4" yellow rick rack. This table runner measures approximately 42.5" x 14.5", with each of my finished blocks measuring 14" square. I am super happy with how it turned out and the soft, springy colors make it a lovely addition to my kitchen table.

I created two more very special projects with the Wildwood Dwellings fabric collection and I will be sharing them tomorrow (Friday, March 21st) on my designated tour day, so be sure to stop back and read all about this new fabric collection (and see my makes!).

Until tomorrow, I am back to work - the project piles are large, and my parents will be here on Friday to spend the weekend with us. They are traveling through Kansas City on their way home from Arizona, so I will have some quality time with them. We are headed to the Overland Park Arboretum to see the new signs of spring and take in a bird watching event. I cherish the time I get to spend with them, so I am working hard to get my gigantic to-do list in order before they arrive. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday and I will visit with you again tomorrow...

A "Happy Day" Quilt

Last month, I shared a similar quilt with you...that particular one was made for my mother's birthday...this one is a Christmas gift (I can't tell you who it is for until they receive it). Truth be told, I adore this quilt so much, I would love to keep it for myself...but I have a much better plan in mind (it's definitely going to a good home) - plus I do have enough of the motif fabric left to make yet another, that I might just keep for me. It is relatively small at 18.5" W x 22.5" H...and I put a sleeve on the back and added one of the wooden hangers my husband helped me make, so it can be easily hung on a wall. I didn't use a pattern - I just fussy cut the motifs/sayings into 3" squares (2 1/2" finished) and used my AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter to cut 1 1/2" strips for sashing (1" finished). The fussy cut motif fabric is Martha's Vineyard Watercolor by Susan Branch for RJR Fabrics (retired) and the sashing fabric is Dilly Dally by Me & My Sister Designs for Moda...and it was chosen especially for the recipient. One more gift completed and I am down to just a couple small things left to finish up for the holidays. I have been finding so much joy in my sewing studio - happiness in the making and happiness in the giving! I hope you have been enjoying this holiday season by finding happiness each day...

Marvelous Mini Quilt

Quite some time ago, I found a fabric that I just fell in love with (Martha's Vineyard Watercolor by Susan Branch for RJR Fabrics)...it is full of adorable motifs and little sayings...and it just makes me happy! It is one of those fabrics you hold on to until you decide the perfect project, so as not to waste an inch. I knew when I found it, I was going to fussy cut the motifs and make a miniature quilt...and I am thrilled I made time to finally get it done. The result is one of my favorite quilts - EVER. It is relatively small at 15" W x 22" H...and I put a sleeve on the back and added one of the wooden hangers my husband helped me make, so I could easily hang it on my wall. I didn't use a pattern - I just fussy cut the motifs/sayings into 3" squares (2 1/2" finished) and used my AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter to cut 1 1/2" strips for sashing (1" finished). The sashing fabric is Posy Celebration by Holly Holderman for LakeHouse...and I thought it worked perfectly with each of my chosen motifs. I am so happy I have quite a bit of the Martha's Vineyard Watercolor fabric left, as I definitely want to make a few more things...and especially since it is dated 2007 and a quick Internet search did not yield any results...thank goodness I thought ahead and bought a couple yards. I hope this little quilt brought a smile to your face and inspires you to pull some fabric or a project out of your stash...