Snow Buddies - A Table Runner Pattern

Hello friends - a quick post this evening to let you know my latest quilt pattern is available in my Etsy Shop as a digital download (and will be added to my website in the near future). "Snow Buddies" is available as a high quality PDF that will print on 13 pages of standard letter size (8.5" x 11") paper.

The thirteen page digital file includes:

Page 1 - Cover Page with Color Photo 

Page 2 - Supply Page

Page 3 - Quilt Diagram

Page 4 - General Instructions and Notes

Pages 5 to 10 - Cutting and Piecing Instructions and Diagrams

Pages 11 to 13 - Applique Shapes for Tracing

This fun snowman table runner finishes 36" W x 12" H and incorporates both traditional piecing and applique...and you will want to have some basic quilting and applique knowledge. The instructions/diagrams are very thorough and I think a beginner could definitely tackle it! Snow Buddies is a great stash and scrap buster...the pattern is written to easily adapt the fabric you have on hand. I am super excited to bring this original quilt design to you...and I'm working on several more, along with some long overdue new cross stitch designs. 

I hope this new pattern makes you smile and you will want to make some Snow Buddies of your own! This pattern has been a long time in the making - I actually designed it in 2015 - I had requests for it at the time, but it just never made it center stage. It actually worked out that I had a mini creative meltdown last week - it forced me to step away from needlework finishing orders for a few days and work on something more fulfilling. I am now back in my "happy place" and in my studio working on client finishing projects. 

I do have a small pile of handmade finished items to add to my Etsy Shop, as well - a few miscellaneous (smaller) zipper pouches and a seamstress stocking...a small assortment of items I need to photograph and list in my "spare time"...I just keep adding to the pile.

I also still have that list of things to share with you here - including recent fishes, plus what I have been up to in the kitchen...and a little designer announcement that I need some feedback on...so, stay tuned, I'll be back again soon... 

Snow Much Fun

A couple months ago, I was busy working on today's feature project...yep, when we were all preparing for summer, I was hard at work on a snowman project (such is the life of a designer - always working months in advance)! I designed this "Snow Much Fun" wall hanging pattern especially for AccuQuilt...and now that they have released the pattern on their website, I am finally able to share it with you.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know I like to use my AccuQuilt cutting die shapes in unique and creative ways...like how I designed a plethora of animals using only the GO! Owl cutting die in my GO! Talk To The Animals quilt. For the GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging, I had the challenge of designing a quilt that made a fun selection of snowmen using only the GO! Holiday Accessories die and the the GO! Circle-2", 3", 5" die....add in the GO! Square-8 1/2" (8" Finished) for the applique background blocks and the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) for binding and you can EASILY cut this out this intricate wall hanging in an afternoon.

Since this project pattern was created for a July release, I wanted to use a bright assortment of colors...and Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids seemed the perfect choice!...and although you can't see them in these images, I used some actual buttons for embellishing (instead of appliquéing some of the very small circles). I also had fun naming each of the blocks for the pattern instructions (like "Snowman Stargazer", "Snowman Snow Globe", "Snowman Love").

If you want to try one or more of these blocks, but the wall hanging seems a little daunting, here are some other suggestions...make one block and use as a mug rug...use your favorite blocks to make a table runner...one block would make a cute winter potholder or trivet...or use four blocks and make a mini quilt. Any of these options would make a heartfelt holiday gift!

So, go visit the patterns section of the AccuQuilt website and download this wintry wall hanging pattern...which for a limited time is FREE - yes, I said FREE!
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-snow-much-fun-wall-hanging-pattern.html

(and during the month of July, the GO! Holiday Accessories die and the GO! Circle-2", 3", 5" die are on sale)

....and if you want to see more on how to make this cheerful project, AccuQuilt has posted a video with more details and tips for cutting all the shapes...

I hope you will make a Snow Much Fun project...and if you do, please be sure to share a photo with me - I would love to see your interpretation of my design!

Quilt Block Christmas

Like I mentioned in my last post, in the next few days, I will start shipping two new winter designs to needlework shops that participate in my automatic program...I am THRILLED to have two new seasonal pieces ready for you! Today I will tell you all about "Quilt Block Christmas" (BRD-117)...and you can read the previous post to find out all about "Woodland Tree Farm" (BRD-116).

Quilt Block Christmas combines my passion for needlework with my love of quilting. This design is perfect for framing...or select your favorite quilt blocks to make ornaments! The chartpack contains charting for the entire sampler/ornaments, stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, and complete finishing instructions for two styles of ornaments/fobs (backed with linen or backed with cotton/wool fabric). There are many other fun finishing ideas that can be taken from this design - you could easily make a needlebook or floss ring tag using one quilt block square....or make a pinkeep ...or create your own sampler by stitching a couple/few of your favorite blocks...one block, on it's own, makes a great small framed design...there are endless creative possibilities! I also have plans (in my spare time) to make an actual wall hanging quilt based on this design...

The models are stitched on 35-count Linen hand-dyed fabric from Weeks Dye Works...and a good hand-dyed substitute is Chantilly Creme from Lakeside Linens. I stitched the models with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss...and DMC conversions are provided.

Visit the following links for more information:

Additional Photos

Design Specifics and Supply List

Look for this new design (along with "Woodland Tree Farm") in needlework shops very soon...I am hoping it will be ready for shipment in the next few days...

"Flurry Friends"

Several months ago, I designed a pair of winter season kitchen towels for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine. The editor asked me to design for two 15" x 25" White Showcase Huck towels (made by Charles Craft) - each with a
4 1/8" x 5 1/2" 14-count insert panel for cross stitching...they wanted a winter design for the January 2103 issue. I had fun designing these two kitchen towel inserts with a country winter scene...and I just had to add a snowman on each (hence the title "Flurry Friends"). I got my first look at this brand new issue this evening - my designs appear on pages 10 - 11...and the magazine re-titled them "Country Winter" without my knowledge...not really a typical Blue Ribbon title, but I guess I have to roll with it. Of course each design would look GREAT framed on their own - the stitch count for each is 58W x 78H - in fact, they would look fabulous on hand-dyed linen (maybe in a wintery blue or gray) and would be perfect for a weekend stitching project! The models are stitched with DMC 6-strand cotton embroidery floss - but they could be easily converted to your favorite hand-dyed floss. I could see them matted together (sided by side) and placed in the same frame...hmm...if there were more hours in the day, I would have to stitch them again. This issue is hitting mailboxes, needlework shops, and newsstands now...so be sure to add it to your collection...

My "Flurry Friends" designs (aka "Country Winter")
Photo credit: Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine (January 2013)

Stars Over Pines

Today I give thanks...

I want to start by thanking all of my blog followers; thank you keeping up with my blog, your comments, your support, and your encouraging words! Although I don't leave comments for all of you, I want you to know, I do keep up with your blog posts and find so much enjoyment reading about your projects and creativity. Over the last month, I see I have quite a few new followers - WELCOME - I am so thrilled you found my blog. I am contemplating a giveaway once I pass the 200 followers mark...so stay tuned for more information once I achieve this milestone...

I also want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who supports Blue Ribbon Designs! I can't believe I have been at this (designing counted thread) for almost seven years...and I am getting close to releasing my 100th design. I feel extremely blessed to have a career in the needlework industry...and I hope my designs keep you excited enough to keep me around for many years to come.

So, to show my appreciation to all my wonderful/creative/unique needlework fans, followers, and friends, I have posted a new complimentary chart on my website...and you are hearing about it here first! It is titled "Stars Over Pines" (seen below) and is a winter holiday piece (it complements "Acorns and Owls" and "Bluebirds and Daisies"). To obtain a copy of this new complimentary pattern, simply visit my website: http://www.blueribbondesigns.com/ and click on "Freebie" in the left-hand menu - you will see a photo of this new design at the top of the webpage - click on the statement "CLICK HERE FOR CHART" (directly under the photo) - a new window will open containing the design in PDF form (you will need Adobe Reader to view/print the chart). Please remember, this design is protected by copyright law - thank you for respecting my copyright. I hope you enjoy this special design - my gift to you for your continued support, friendship, and encouragement...and if you haven't stitched any of my designs before, I hope this chart will entice you to purchase some of the larger designs in my catalog from your favorite needlework shop...

Thank you for bringing me joy - your support means the world to me...

A Teeny Tiny Sneak Peek...

It is that time again...I am frantically model stitching on a couple new designs for release this fall. Everything else is put on the back burner, as I work hard to get things ready for my framer. That means blog posts are at a minimum...and I have little to share with you, other than my current project. So...here is a teeny tiny peek at what I am currently working on...it is a new winter design...and I still haven't come up with the perfect title (I have a few ideas, but the right words haven't surfaced yet). This should be enough to keep you guessing for a while...just a peek to whet your appetite...now back to my stitching nest...