Quilted Cats and Bats

Hi creative friends! It has been quite busy in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio and I have been focusing on a wide variety of projects - I have been stitching, sewing, quilting, and even doing some machine embroidery...that's right, I'm working on new designs, magazine pieces, commissioned needlework finishing, Etsy shop items (the shop is freshly stocked), and several large quilting projects...needles are in motion here!

Recently, AccuQuilt contacted me about my "Quilted Cats and Bats"  Halloween wall hanging I designed and made several years ago, as I had uploaded a photo of it to their Quilter's Spotlight (if you haven't visited the Quilter's Spotlight before, take a look - you are sure to be inspired - it's an AccuQuilt community where users share their quilted projects - you can see the AccuQuilt projects I have uploaded by clicking here). They liked my Halloween design, and not only did they want to do a Quilter's Spotlight interview with me about it for their blog, they wanted me to write the pattern for them, as well (how cool is that?!). The Quilter's Spotlight interview was posted on the AccuQuilt blog today, and to be honest, I always find it awkward to read articles/interviews that are written about me - it's a bit strange reading how someone else hears or interprets my answers and what they choose is important to share - writers have a tough (but I'm sure very interesting) job. This was a fun interview and you may learn a little something new about me...

Click here to visit the AccuQuilt blog and read my Quilter's Spotlight interview

To coincide with the Quilter's Spotlight blog post, my "Quilted Cats and Bats" pattern is free for a limited time...AND during the month of October, appliqué dies, including the ones I used in this project are on SALE!

For those of you visiting my blog for the first time - thanks for stopping by, I hope you will relax and take a look around! I love to create using AccuQuilt products...and here is a small selection of my recent projects - you can click on the the caption below each image for additional details...

Flowering Snowball With A Twist

Scrap Basket Bouquet

Artful Appliqué

Pillow Pizzazz

Triangular Tuffets

Sewing Stars

Tumbling Table Topper

Cross My Heart

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you found something that inspired you! I'll be back to share more soon, but until then, make a little time to be creative!

Triangular Tuffets

I am in model stitching mode today, but I wanted to stop by quickly and show you the finished chair cushions I made over the weekend. I have two wooden chairs in my studio - one at my desk and one at my sewing/serger machines....these are really not the most comfortable chairs, but like many of you, I work with what I have. So, I decided to make a couple quilted tie-on cushions - to make the chairs prettier and to make my hiney happier. I used the Tuxedo Collection by Doodlebug Design Inc. for Riley Blake, as it matches my studio nicely...and some black grosgrain ribbon with white polka dots for the ties. The top is pieced 7" equilateral triangles and the bottom is a 7" hexagon...both cut on my Studio Fabric Cutter using Nested Bullseye Dies by AccuQuilt. I was able to accurately cut all the pieces in just a couple minutes and started sewing right away...I fused a piece of Pellon SF-101 Shape-Flex Interfacing to the wrong size of each hexagon, to make the bases nice and sturdy. I quilted the tops with cotton batting and muslin, then filled the tuffets firmly with fiberfill - in fact, I over-stuffed them, because I knew they would flatten out after I sit on them for hours. I added the grosgrain ribbon to tie the cushions in place...and I think they turned out perfectly! It only took me a couple hours to completely make both cushions and they are such a nice added touch to my studio...

I am headed back to my stitching nest for a few hours, then it is back to work on my website...the sun is shining (I will try not to focus on the 45 mph wind gusts - ugh!), so I will be taking both dogs on good walks to the park today, as well. Enjoy you day!

My Creative World...

There is a lot going on in my creative world right now. I just released two new Blue Ribbon Designs for August...I am bagging and preparing two new Halloween Designs for September...and I have two new autumn designs ready for October. Plus, I am stitching models for two holiday designs - hopefully for a November release. I have an area all set-up downstairs where I have been bagging thousands of charts...and now I am waiting for more bags to arrive, so I can continue. I have also been scheduling some sewing time into my days, preparing and designing new items for my Etsy shop. I started working on some new patchwork pincushions...and this time they are square...and I am working on a prototype for a rectangular one that will also hold a pair of scissors. In my spare time, I am drafting a pattern for a special needle case that will hold packages of needles...and a clear-front zipper pouch that allows you to see the contents inside...I even have a few sketches of some small appliqué pieces I want to try. In the next few days, I hope to start listing some new items...

This is a peek at some of the pincushions I finished over the last couple days...the patchwork "four patches" are made from the Whimsy Collection by Joanna Figueroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda...and the white/floral sides are the Lovely Collection by Sandy Gervais for Moda. I used fun jumbo rick rack and buttons to embellish each one...and they are reversible, with both the top and the bottom of each pincushion being patchwork. I am working on these using several other fabric collections...and I have pulled both Halloween and autumn fabrics. Each one measures 4.5" x 4.5" x 1.5". Look for these to be listed in my Etsy shop later this week...

For now, I am off to walk Simba and then Schatzi...afterwards, I hope to do some sewing...and finally some late night model stitching...

Stitching & Sewing

I have been on a very creative path since my last post. As far as cross stitch, I have been working on needlework smalls and a tutorial for a class coming up later this year, I have been preparing five new Blue Ribbon Designs for printing...and I finished charting and started model stitching magazine pieces for both The World of Cross Stitching Magazine and Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine. There will be more details on each of these designs coming in the future....

I have also been keeping busy with sewing and quilting. I finished a birthday gift for my dear friend Lorrie - a knitting needle case using the Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric line by Blackbird Designs for Moda....I had been wanting to make Lorrie one of these cases since she admired one I made for my friend Merry last Christmas. This tri-fold case has plenty of pockets for knitting needles (with a fabric flap pocket cover) and a zippered pouch built in...plus it folds up and ties closed to make it perfect for travel.

My Etsy shop also has new pincushions for sale. I have had several requests for more Blueberry Crumb Cake and Beach House tuffets (to match my stitch starter ruler pockets and stitching pouches), so the ones pictured below have been listed....

I also completed this custom purple set for one of my Etsy Shop frequent buyers - I had fun working on this special project...

I have ten of my new project bags cut and ready to be pieced this week...I just need a few more hours in each day (don't we all?). I also have a pile of needlebooks ready for assembly (which I know several of you are anxiously awaiting)...I am hoping to get to those soon, as well. With massive model stitching on my plate and my husband being home on vacation this week, my time is a little limited...but I will do my best to get these new items completed/listed soon....

Bunnies and Birds...

I received such wonderful feedback on my wool appliqué pincushions and the new project bags I will be working on - thank you for your notes and comments! I managed to complete fifteen more pincushions (and list them in my Etsy shop) - all unique...some with birds and some with bunnies...each with different embellishments and motifs. All of the pincushions have machine appliquéd wool fabric/felt tops and cotton fabric bottoms...and each is filled nicely with about two cups of crushed walnut shells. They measure approximately 6" W x 4.75" H x 2" D...and come with three decorative straight pins. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy making these - they make me smile! I have been struggling a bit lately and spending some time at my sewing machine, working with some of my favorite materials and embellishments really lifted my spirits. I definitely have ideas for more...including some holiday themes.

I know some of you are anxiously awaiting the project bags, and I will do my best to get some completed soon - I have picked out the first batch of fabrics and zippers and I hope to start the cutting and preparations tomorrow. I am going to start by making some with sampler fabrics, as they are perfect to hold an entire stitching project!

I will also have a photo to share with you (very soon) of the needlework smalls for my upcoming release "Berries, Birds, and Blooms"...I am currently working on the finishing...there are four pieces that coordinate with the sampler. I would like to have the two new cross stitch releases to my printer in the next week or so, so they will be available in the not-so-distant future...

Saturday and Sunday Sewing...

I am in a rush to finish up a million things before I leave on my prize-winning AccuQuilt trip on Tuesday morning...I managed to get all the yard work, laundry, and a bunch of correspondence done today...as well as finished up a large pile of sewing for my Etsy Shop - I will slowly be adding more pincushions and Stitch Stater Ruler Sleeves tonight.

These first eight pincushion tuffets and four ruler pocket sleeves (for my Stitch Starter Ruler) are from the fabric line Breakfast at Tiffany's by Joanna Figueroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda. Joanna's fabrics always appeal to me - she uses such soft colors...and her sewing and quilting patterns and books are always inspiring!

The next eight pincushion tuffets and nine ruler pocket sleeves (for my Stitch Starter Ruler) are from the fabric line Bliss by Bonnie & Camille for Moda - this fabric collection was a favorite of mine and I have used it for several large projects, so I am using up what I have left for some smaller pieces...

I have a few more ruler sleeves completed that I will share with you tomorrow...I hope you have had lovely and productive weekend...

French General Goodies

Here are more of the goodies I have been working on this week - twelve more pincushion tuffets....and a new item for my Etsy shop - a Stitch Starter Ruler with Pocket Sleeve. The pincushions shown and four of the Stitch Starter Ruler Pocket Sleeves are made from the fabric line Maison de Garance by French General for Moda. The pincushion tuffets have a pieced top and a wool felt fabric bottom...each has a coordinating wool felt heart embellishment pinned in place with a decorative button pin and two decorative pins (one dark red heart, one white heart). After completing the pincushions, I decided to work on a new item....pocket sleeves for my Stitch Starter Rulers. These pocket sleeves measure 3.5" x 3.5" and hold the 3" square ruler perfectly - they are fully lined with no raw seams...and they use fusible fleece to give them a bit of padding and stability. I have listed the six ruler pocket sleeves shown in my Etsy shop...and I have plans to add quite a few more in the near future...each ruler pocket sleeve purchase will include the Stitch Starter Ruler.

For those of you unfamiliar with my Stitch Starter Ruler:

• It is 2 mil acrylic plastic, making it durable.
• It has marking lines for 1", 2", and 3" seam allowances, so you only need one tool.
• It is clear, making it easy to see your fabric placement.
• It has 1/4" and 1/2" markings on three sides.It has complete 3" ruler markings down the left side - these can be used for: finishing work measurements, measuring between stitched designs, counting threads to figure fabric count
• A stitch Starter Ruler is included in the following Blue Ribbon Designs with charting and instructions to make your own cross stitch sleeve: BRD-100 Holiday Helpings and BRD-097 Blessed Beyond Measure - these two design charts can be purchased at your favorite needlework shop.
• Directions for using the Stitch Starter Ruler

My June "Just Because" Giveaway is still open until Friday at midnight, so if you haven't entered already, visit Tuesday's post for details...

Beautiful In Blue

Last week I received a request for one of my larger pincushion tuffets in shades of blue...so why make one when I can make fifteen? The special request is on the way to its new home...and there are fourteen more wrapped and ready and listed in my shop. They are all made from the fabric collection Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs for Moda...and each one is unique. They all have wool felt for the bottom of the pincushion and a little wool heart attached with a tiny safety pin (easily removable, if desired)....and they each come with two decorative stick pins. Don't they look pretty all wrapped up and ready to travel?? This past week, I drew up patterns for a couple new pieces I will be working on soon...and I have another project for the shop in progress, so I will post more about these in the coming days/weeks....

I'm cutting this post a little short today - tonight is actually date night for me - my husband surprised me with tickets to the Broadway Show "Memphis" which is currently at the Des Moines Civic Center...he is also taking me to dinner, so I have to get cleaned up and ready to go... 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and finding a little creative time to work on your own special projects...