Scribbles, Still Lifes, and Simba

Hello friends - I know a post is overdue, and I do have quit a bit to share. Somehow, once again, this month has totally gotten away from me...and to think - Thanksgiving is next week...where does the time go? First a few personal things...then a few creative things...

Today, I start with some some sad news - many of you are are aware, but I know some of you are not...we had to lay Simba, our little rescued Shih Tzu, to rest last week. He was getting ready to turn fifteen and had been experiencing some health issues that escalated over the past several months. I won't go into too much detail, as my heart is still broken...he had dementia and would constantly spook himself, flinch, and shake...which was quite worrisome and of course caused quite a few daily accidents...and in his last weeks, he really was disoriented and wasn't sure where he was most of the time...and he was not sleeping. We did try medication that worked for a little over a week, but he became immune to it quickly and the symptoms continued to worsen. The most important thing to us was that he was happy, comfortable and not suffering, as he brought us (and our family and friends) so much joy and unconditional love. We knew it was time and it was the best/right decision for Simba. I thought I had prepared myself, but it has been WAY more difficult than I anticipated - Travis has reminded me that he was by my side 24-hours-a-day for almost 14 years, so it will take some adjustment. The good news is Schatzi is taking great care of me and giving me extra love and affection. Thank you for the comforting notes, cards, comments, love and support. The photo above was taken a couple weeks ago...a rare moment when he was relaxed and I captured it to share with my husband - it makes me smile.

On to other news...last Saturday, Travis and I made a road trip to Iowa City to see Michigan play football - yes, most of you know, although we are in Iowa, we are both HUGE Michigan fans. I was excited to go to a college game under the lights - especially with our Wolverines being undefeated...and we had quite a few friends that were at the game and tailgating. Michigan losing probably would have broken my heart, if it wasn't already hurting from Simba...but I must say, a highlight was seeing all the Hawkeye fans storm the field in a manner of seconds...their excitement was fun to see and I can appreciate it (even if they did upset my team).

Travis continues to improve after his back surgery and he was able to go on his 10-day fishing trip to southern Louisiana a couple weeks ago. He took some great photos for me and I thought I would share a couple with you. I sure wish I would have been along to see this sunset...

On the last of the personal news...
I am headed in for another oral surgery in the morning - I will be having a sinus lift and my implant put in place. More stitches in my mouth....and soft, cold foods for a few days again...and a couple days of rest. I think the most annoying part (besides try to rest) is having to take a week off from the gym...the last time it was torture. So if you don't see me around or hear from me for a few days, don't worry - I will be resting and healing.

On to some creative things...here are some photos of what I have been working on and what has been going on in the studio. I have been completing quite a few custom orders and some holiday needlework finishing (most of which I have been asked to keep secret until after Christmas). I have also been doing quite a few AccuQuilt projects. I was lucky enough to be one of the first to use the new Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...and I created the samples they used to introduce this user-friendly software at Quilt Market. I created multiple blocks and used the software to digitize and create a new version of my GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging (shown below) - yes, all those blocks were appliqued in the hoop....and now I am working on a few more top secret projects that use the software, as well. There is a lot to share on that subject, so I will save it for it's own special post...I will also post about the sampler quilt you see below....and about the new Qube Companion Sets...yep, I have A LOT  to share with you in future posts - I have fallen a bit behind, but I will get you caught up! The final photo is a peek at my upcoming AccuQuilt blog post tutorial project for November - look for more on that in the future, as well...

Thank you  AccuQuilt - a new rotary cutter, cutting mats, and rulers!
I really needed these....

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt 

New Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...

GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging - each block was digitized and
then appliqued in the hoop on my embroidery machine....

Sneak peek of my November project for the Accuquilt Blog

That gives you a pretty good idea of what has been happening the last couple weeks...tonight, I am cutting and preparing some more customer projects for assembly line sewing...and finishing up the set-up on my new cell phone (my new iPhone 7 Plus finally arrived and I am switching over from Android - it's a bit of a job, but I am almost done). If I am lucky, I'll put in a few stitches on a new model before bed...

Creative Catch-up

Hello friends! Finally - I have a minute to blog (whew!)...it has been an INSANE month and I have quite a bit to share. Please excuse my absence - between quilt market projects/my workload, my husband having back surgery, Simba (a senior Shih Tzu) needing quite a bit of extra attention right now (he will be 15 in November and is having some health issues), and the weight of everything on my immune system (of course I get sick), I have been a little overwhelmed. I am, however, hanging in there and keeping my creativity flowing....and doing my best to remain positive...and tonight (while happily listening to the Cubbies game), I found a quiet moment to share some photos with you. Here is a taste of what has been happening in the studio this past month (these are some of the things I can share)...and I'll be back tomorrow to share my AccuQuilt Blog project for October (it's an AUTUMN design)....

I finished up quite a few customer needlework pieces...here are some images...these were stitched by a favorite customer that pretty much lets me finish her pieces how I see fit - she gives me a few details, but I get to be creative and pick all supplies - which makes the process REALLY fun for me!...and even more fun, a couple of these are my cross stitch designs!

Of course, I have had more orders for zippered project bags and tool pouches (here are photos of a few)...I have a bunch more in the works...and at the time of this post, a few are still available in my Etsy shop (which is RARE!) - including a couple made from Halloween fabrics...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

I have also been working on some large quilting projects...I finished another BIG team quilt (Auburn Tigers) for  customer and have been working on a couple other sizable pieces (which I can't show just yet - but I can share a photo of some of the pretty Robert Kaufman fabrics I have been working with)....

Finally, here is a sneak peek of tomorrow's post...a fall project I have been working on for the AccuQuilt Blog....

Thanks for visiting today - I've missed you...and stop back really soon to check out the "pumpkin" project...it makes me happy!

Finishing Frenzy

Needlework Finishing - Pincushion/Bowl Filler...

It's been a finishing frenzy in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio the last few weeks. I am getting ready to take a rare mini vacation with my husband...and I am "one of those" who has an extremely hard time relaxing - especially when I have work waiting for me...so, I have been super focused and working round the clock to finish up the projects on my to-do tables before we head off for a little rest and relaxation. I am down to one last project (that isn't time sensitive) - and although it won't be complete before I leave, I have a great start on it and it will be waiting for me when I return home. I have been working on a variety of creative endeavors, including: needlework finishing, custom sewing, custom quilting, and freelance designing. Here is a picture trail of some of the projects I have completed (some I can't share with you just yet)...

Needlework Finishing - Flat-Finish Ornaments

Needlework Finishing - Flat-Finish Ornaments

Needlework Finishing - Stuffed Ornament with Pocket on Back

Needlework Finishing - Stuffed Ornament

Needlework Finishing - Flat-Finish Ornaments

Needlework Finishing - Flat-Finish Ornaments

Custom Project Bags and Custom Tool Bags

I got to cut into these gorgeous Robert Kaufman fabrics...

Major pin basting...

After receiving a tremendous stash gift from a dear friend, at her request,
I made her this Amy Butler "Birdie Sling" bag...

I also have to share, I received a fabulous surprise package in the mail from my very dear NH friend (which came at the perfect time!)...and it had the most adorable squirrel ribbon/trim (along with several other goodies and a hand-written letter)....isn't it wonderful?!

...and speaking of squirrels...
Anyone have a pet squirrel?? 🐿 A neighbor's tree is filling my backyard with acorns...this is the first bucket full of the season...I have to gather them before each mowing or it makes for very bumpy lawn care...

For now, I'm off to clean house and get the laundry complete...then I will be working on a quilted wall hanging later today...and maybe have time for a little model stitching tonight. For my friends in the United States, enjoy the long holiday weekend...

In A Happy Place

Beautiful butterfly spotted on an evening walk...

Hello friends - I've missed you! I was ready to sit down and write this post a few days ago, but the air conditioning in our home stopped working during a heatwave and the temperature in my studio loft was well above 90 degrees...so I really didn't want to use my computer or my sewing machine until it was fixed. I was thrilled to see the repairman yesterday afternoon and it was a quick fix (whew!)...it just took the rest of the day to get the house back to a normal temperature. I am thrilled to return to my studio today - back to business, and functioning without overheating! I have a pile of projects to catch-up on...including an assortment of needlework finishing pieces, a quilted wall hanging, and several custom sewing/quilting projects. I did manage to get some model stitching done the last couple days which was a great thing! The last few weeks have been business as usual - lots of creativity and custom/freelance work, lots of time in the gym, dogs walks, and household/yard projects - I've been in a happy place...keeping busy and focused and finding some personal clarity. Of course, I have been taking some photos along the way....

More custom zippered pouches for a customer...

More custom tool bag/zippered pouches for a customer...

My prize package from the AccuQuilt Quilt Block Contest...lots of goodies!
I also received a Craftsy Class (I chose a "quilt as you go" class) and
an AccuQuilt merchandise credit - which I used today to order some
Studio applique cutting dies (I'll show you which ones when they arrive).

Simba taking over my stitching chair...

Schatzi in the yard...

Schatzi at the park...

I'll be back tomorrow to share my latest magazine piece published in Just CrossStitch magazine...and maybe a photo of my current cross stitch model in progress....I am so excited to share a peek of this new design with you...we'll see how much progress I make tonight...

Spring Projects and Creative Sparks

It is a lovely, sunny afternoon in central Iowa...and Schatzi and I just returned home from a 6+ mile training walk. I love this time of year when beautiful blooms are around every corner and the air is fresh and clean. I have been getting in my walks and training each day and I continue to be full of inspiration in my studio...plus I am spring cleaning and simplifying a room per day (so far I have the dining room and kitchen complete and I will be working on the living room tonight). There is something refreshing about deep cleaning each spring and letting go of unused items - and with my husband away on business for two weeks, it is the perfect time - for me, a room a day is manageable and I can fit it into my busy schedule.

Here are a few photos since my last post...several completed pieces from my studio and some inspiring images from my training walks...

Another fun zippered project bag I  created for a birthday gift...
I love it when fussy cutting works perfectly!
Fabric is long retired - Garden Party by Blackbird Designs for Moda.

Tote bag I created to match the project bag - both my own designs...
this set was sent to a very dear friend for her birthday...
Fabric is long retired - Garden Party by Blackbird Designs for Moda.

Miss Schatzi and I were startled by a female mallard duck flying out of a bush...
then we saw this amazing nest with eight eggs...

Sweet pea plants in bloom at my local park...

All the recent rain has brought out the blooms...this was my first daisy spotting...

Another zippered pouch made for a faraway friend's birthday...I placed several
wrapped treasures inside...

 These five custom "tea themed" zippered project bags and tool pouches
shipped out to a new home yesterday...

I spotted a beautiful iris garden on my walk this afternoon - this beauty stood out to me...
perhaps a bit of inspiration for a future project...

Time to get Simba walked, have a bite to eat, finish up another quilting project...and then get to work on today's spring cleaning. I hope you are having a happy and productive week!