Full Heart Farm Quilt

Happy Monday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Farmgirls Unite Fabric Tour! I am beyond excited to be today's stop on the tour - thank you so much for visiting. I have a very special wall hanging quilt to share, created with the new Farmgirls Unite Fabric Collection. It was incredibly enjoyable to put on my quilt designer hat and work with these bright and cheerful prints. This new collection has lovely farm and garden motifs, gorgeous florals, and an adorable strawberry print...all done in a striking color pallet. I truly found my joy working on this project - the color pallet and prints are just "so me".  Creating this quilt definitely brought sunshine into my studio! Let's take a close-up look at my project...

"Full Heart Farm" - A Quilted Wall Hanging

I titled my quilted wall hanging "Full Heart Farm" - it is a sampler quilt featuring traditional pieced blocks and foundation paper-pieced blocks. Twenty-five 8" blocks make of up my hanging quilt with a finished size of 40" x 40". I used an assortment of  favorite traditional pieced blocks...then foundation paper-pieced the log cabin roses, hearts, trees, cottage, barn, and twisted log cabin block. I used a fat quarter stack with every print in the Farmgirls Unite Collection, along with Country Confetti in Cupcake and Speckled Hen. I fussy cut the focal fabric print (Country Life, shown below) to show off the wonderful farm and garden motifs (check out the CUTE cow, sheep, chicken stack).

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting with me today. 

Could you feel the sheer joy exploding out of my wall hanging?! It is currently hanging in my studio, right above my cutting table, where it will bring me happiness on a daily basis.

Patterns for Kaisley Rose Projects

Happy Saturday! It is a beautiful afternoon in Kansas and I am happy to be in my office getting work done before we leave for vacation...the house is quiet and I am taking advantage. I had a productive week, writing two new quilt patterns, stitching on new cross stitch models and working on client finishing/sewing orders. Things are humming along in my happy place...

Thank you all for the wonderful response to my latest quilt designs using the Kaisley Collection by Poppie Cotton - I received wonderful feedback on all four pieces...which is so encouraging! I have written comprehensive patterns for each of the designs: Tulip Table Runner, Alphabet House Mug Rugs, Cloud Nine Tea Cozy and Tenderhearted Tea Towels. I have combined these designs into two pattern that can be found in my Etsy Shop as digital download PDF patterns. The patterns are written to easily use your favorite fabric collection, precuts, and stash.

Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs

My Tulip Table Runner is made with simple four-patch blocks and appliqued tulips. I used fusible applique and attached the pieces with a blanket stitch. Templates are provided with the pattern to easily cut out the tulip shapes. This floral table runner measures 33" L x 12" W and can be enlarged by adding additional blocks. 

My Alphabet Mug Rugs feature the tulips from the table runner and a cottage designed from the house in the Kaisley Rose Sofia fabric print. Again, I used the fusible applique method with a blanket stitch to attach the pieces. I added mini rick rack to the house roof and a teeny tiny button for the door knob. I made two different colorways and instructions for both are included in the pattern, along with templates for all the shapes. I can envision this fun project worked up with wools!

To purchase a digital download PDF Pattern for the Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs, visit my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns OR 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/993465066/tulip-table-runner-and-alphabet-house

Cloud Nine Tea Cozy and Tenderhearted Tea Towels

The Cloud Nine Tea Cozy is for a large 8-cup teapot. I have included a template for this size and detailed instructions for adjusting the size to fit your own teapot. I created a pieced patchwork for the front of the teapot cozy and used a single focal fabric for the back. I used coordinating hand-dyed 1" twill tape  for the lifting tab.

The Tenderhearted Tea Towels were created using heavy plaid kitchen towels purchased from a quilt shop. I added a strips of fabric and accented each with hand-dyed rick rack. These happy towels are the perfect addition to any kitchen - the fabric banners are a lovely finishing touch. Detailed instructions are included to use your favorite tea (kitchen) towel in any size. These work up quickly and make a lovely gift!

To purchase a digital download PDF Pattern for the Cloud Nine Tea Cozy and Tenderhearted Tea Towels, visit my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns OR 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/993473792/cloud-nine-tea-cozy-and-tenderhearted

There you have it - information on my latest quilt patterns - I enjoyed designing and creating each of them and look forward to my next pattern ideas "coming to life." I am actually working on several new cross stitch charts for future release, as well. For now, I am ready to finish up at my desk and film a new FlossTube video...I have a few things to share and a giveaway winner to announce before we head out of town for a vacation next week...we'll see if I can get everything done! Thanks for stopping by for a visit - I hope we can "chat" again soon....

Kaisley Rose Fabric Tour Tulip Table Runner and Tea Cozy

Happy Friday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Kaisley Rose Fabric Tour! I am thrilled to be today's stop on the tour - thank you for visiting. I have several pieces to share: a table runner, a tea cozy, a couple mug rugs, and two tea towels...all created with the new Kaisley Rose fabric collection. I had so much fun putting on my quilt designer hat and working on several kitchen project ideas with these gorgeous prints. When I first saw this collection (a few months ago), I instantly thought of a table runner and tea cozy. This new collection has lovely nature motifs, a gorgeous alphabet, and whimsical roses...all done in a striking color pallet. I truly enjoyed working on these cheerful projects - these prints are just "so me" and make me smile! So, let's take a look at what I created...

Tulip Table Runner
At the heart of my kitchen collection is a springy table runner. My Tulip Table Runner is made up with simple four-patch blocks and appliqued tulips. I used fusible applique and attached the pieces with a blanket stitch. The exquisite details in this fabric collection really shine and the colors just bring it all together! This floral table runner measures 33" L x 12" W and can be enlarged by adding additional blocks. I used Poppie Cotton Country Confetti in Strawberry Lemonade for the sashing/border and backing.

Cloud Nine Tea Cozy
The showstopper in this collection is a patchwork tea cozy. I fussy cut small squares from each print to show off the magnificent details - I wanted to showcase the delicate motifs. The bunnies, deer, birdies and bees really spoke to me...so for the back, I used the Sofia print in red, that way I can admire the entire nature scene. I used coordinating hand-dyed 3/4" twill tape by Lady Dot Creates for the lifting tab and lined my cozy with  Poppie Cotton Country Confetti in Strawberry Lemonade. This piece makes my heart sing!

Alphabet House Mug Rugs
To bring the collection together, I created a mug rug design. It features the tulips from the table runner and a cottage designed from the house in the Sofia fabric print. Again, I used the fusible applique method with a blanket stitch to attach the pieces. I added mini rick rack to the house roof and a teeny tiny button for the door knob. I thought the Mia print (alphabet) was perfect for the cottage. I made two different colorways to show off more prints in this collection...and I plan to make a couple more. I can see this design being done in wool - wouldn't that be extra cute?! - I'll have to find time to dig through my wool stash and play!

Tenderhearted Tea Towels
To complete my set, I decided to spruce up some tea towels. I used a couple heavy plaid tea towels purchased from a quilt shop. I added a strips of fabric from the standout Sofia print to each towel and accented each with hand-dyed rick rack from Lady Dot Creates. These happy towels are the perfect addition to my kitchen - the fabric banners are such a lovely finishing touch and make the room feel cozy and inviting...

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. I will work on patterns for any/all of these designs, if there is interest - drop me a comment or e-mail, if you would like to see a pattern available.

Could you feel the love and joy I put into each piece?! I am already working on quilt ideas for the next Poppie Cotton fabric tour in May...it is for the upcoming Farm Girls Unite collection...and it is STUNNING. 

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

Nothing But Blue Skies

It's a sunny afternoon here in Iowa and the winds have started to calm...maybe, just maybe, spring is around the corner! If I have my way, soon I will be mowing the lawn and planting new flowers...and I can finally do my long training walks outside.

I have been hanging out in my studio all week, still working on a huge freelance job...but it is almost complete and I am excited to move on to new projects! I have a nice pile of custom project orders ready to assemble, so I am looking forward to a few solid days at the sewing machine. Plus, I am really enjoying my latest model stitching and can't wait to share a new cross stitch design with you soon.

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, I decided to design a handful of quilt blocks for AccuQuilt's 2016 Quilt Block Contest. If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects...I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together my entries for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out all the entries for this year...and if you like my blocks, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with AccuQuilt dies...plus it really should look good enlarged to fit a 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE. My cheerful and colorful blocks all follow these specific guidelines and were designed especially for this contest.

This year, you can vote once a day for one block - now through April 21st (so make sure you pick your favorite). You can view all the entries by visiting:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest
...or if you have a favorite block below, simply click on the link below it to cast a vote - I would greatly appreciate it. You can also visit the contest link and type "Belinda" in the search bar to see all eight of my entries.

It is fun to look through all 149 entries and see the diverse group of talent this contest attracts....even the entries that don't follow the guidelines (and I was surprised to see quite a few) are interesting. So, go check out all the design inspiration and cast one vote for your favorite each day...and if that happens to be one of my entries, I would be thrilled!

Ribbon Star
http://wshe.es/x4aRfIa3

A Splash of Summer
http://wshe.es/HQS7jg0X

Sunny Park
http://wshe.es/SeYsaOil

Shady Park
http://wshe.es/GrcxFKlp

Ninja Star
http://wshe.es/038UK8Eb

Nothing But Blue Skies
http://wshe.es/WR9LS8TJ

Wrapped Up
http://wshe.es/9eiC9BVt

Rays Over Rows
http://wshe.es/mX6IDiBS

These blocks all bring me joy and I hope you see something special in one (or more) of them. With your votes, I have the opportunity to win some AMAZING quilty prizes (including a feature in Quiltmaker Magazine), so thank you for taking the time to look!

I'm off to do some design work for the next few hours - then my husband and I have dinner reservations at a favorite restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary (we celebrated 16 years this week!). Enjoy the rest of your weekend....

Do The Math...

Today I have a new design to share with you that I created  especially for AccuQuilt. This geometric quilt was a treat to design...and I truly enjoyed making the sample. It is called the GO! Add It Up Bed Quilt and is a great size at 60" x 60". Head on over to the AccuQuilt Blog to read my guest blog post and see my tips and tricks for making this bright and cheerful modern quilt...and for a limited time, you can download the pattern for FREE (yes, I said free) - just visit this link: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-add-it-up-bed-quilt-pattern.html. This quilt is comprised of 12" blocks that come together rather quickly using strips and squares - this design uses uses the following GO! Cutting Dies:

• GO! Square-3 1/2" (3" Finished) (55006)
• GO! Square-5" (4 1/2" Finished) (55010)
• GO! Strip Cutter-1" (1/2" Finished) 7 Strips (55052)
• GO! Strip Cutter-1 3/4" (1 1/4" Finished) 5 Strips (55083)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) 3 Strips with Angled Guide Lines (55017) (binding)

My AccuQuilt guest blog post gives you tips for making perfect strip sets and flawless straight seams which will make your project shine - I hope you will stop by for a visit and read all about this "positive" quilt!

Why not try doing a little "addition" and make a GO! Add It Up project yourself?!...there are many possibilities with this versatile 12" block...for a smaller project, how about a table runner or a set of pillows?...feel free to be creative!

I have more exciting projects to share with you in the next several days...please stop back and visit with me again soon...