Winter Break...

It's been a busy week, finishing up last minute deadlines and orders before I take a vacation - yes, you heard me, I am taking a REAL vacation (gasp!). Yep, I am getting away from heaping mounds of snow and headed to the beach and Disney World...a true winter vacation (my first EVER). I managed to get quite a bit on my list accomplished...I still have a few irons in the fire, but they will wait until my return...or at least I hope they will.  I continue to stitch daily on my special design for the October 2015 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine...and I am getting ready to start a couple Halloween models for The World of Cross Stitching magazine that will also be published this fall. Plus you will see Blue Ribbon Designs in a couple of quilting magazines in the very near future...

The last several days were spent finishing up a special custom order...it included a couple quilted window coverings, a project bag, and needlework finishing (a Stitch Starter Ruler Sleeve). The customer supplied the fabrics...which were all gorgeous and fun to work with...and provided a pattern booklet she liked for the window coverings (Graphic Mixx by Atkinson Designs - Corn Rows Quilt). I did my best to make the window coverings AccuQuilt friendly...and was happy to only have to trim down one size of the triangles (luckily I had my favorite trimming ruler - the 6 1/2" Triangle Square Up Ruler by Quilt in a Day - to make trimming the 5" half square triangle blocks easy and accurate). These custom window coverings came together beautifully and I managed to get the binding finished today (whew!).

So, I will be away from my studio/office from February 5th through February 12th...all correspondence and orders will be answered/filled in the order received upon my return on February 13th...I truly appreciate your patience! I am sure I will have some fun photos and things to share when I get back...look out Florida, I am on my way....

This Week In My World...

It's been another creative week in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio and I have been working on a pile of designs/projects...sewing/quilting during the day and model stitching in the evenings. I can't show you any of these special projects just yet, but I did work on a couple other things this week, as well...

I have several personal cross stitch projects that are well underway (and have been for years) from fellow needlework designers. All of my stitching time tends to be dedicated to my own models...but I decided in the new year that if I can get in even a few stitches a week on some of these projects, maybe (just maybe) one day I will have a finish or two... here is Sarah Moon's Quaker Sampler by Needleprint...started many moons ago (no pun intended)...I managed to stitch a new medallion this week...

I also managed a wee bit of time for gift making (for my very patient friends) this week and was able to finish up this special watermelon pincushion, which is on the way to it's new home...and I still have more items to complete - I think I missed every single special occasion and holiday in 2014 (I have been a terrible friend). I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook and now I have a growing list of people who want one...yeah, I'll get to those in my spare time (wink, wink)....this is from a favorite pattern called "Fruit Salad Pincushions" by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.:

I have also been crushing on some fun items this week...a couple favorite pincushions (I switch up pincushions at my machine almost daily - most of them are treasures created by friends - they make me happy!)...and a plethora of sweet Valentine fabrics and owl potholder - gifts from a very dear friend today...

Many of you know I am getting ready to take a vacation in the very near future - something almost completely unheard of...we are traveling to Florida for a week to visit my mother and her new husband at their vacation rental...I know, I can't believe we are getting out of Iowa in winter and going someplace warm with beaches and sunshine! I don't think I have ever been on a winter vacation as an adult (those of you who know me, know I rarely never take time off)...but it is definitely needed - I really need to refresh and clear my head...and spend some quality time with family - now I just have to finish up about a gazillion projects and deadlines before we go. I posted this photo earlier in the week, showing one of our destinations (I haven't been there since my 5th birthday)...we have been gifted five day park hopper passes, so we should be able to enjoy everything...and I am SO looking forward to it...because, we all know I am just a kid at heart!

Finally - the kiddos are doing well. Simba is still trying to find the warmest place in the house...here he is in my stitching nest last night (actually really early this morning)...I was at the dining room table binding a quilt and he was curled up in my comfy chair on my quilt. Schatzi is still a ball of energy...and just weighed in at (wait for it) 85 pounds...can you believe she will be two years old in a couple months?! Here she is at the park a few days ago...tennis balls are her new favorite thing - luckily, I have an AWESOME neighbor who gives me bags full of them. She is super smart and has learned all sorts of commands and tricks...and I can hardly wait for warmer weather so we can do our daily walks around the lake again...

So that's what has been happening this week in my world...busy as usual, but happy, focused, and inspired. I am off to do a little house cleaning - then to my stitching nest...

The Lovebirds

Happy Friday friends and followers - I am finally back to share my Bitty Blocks finish with you! I have been busy sewing/quilting several large (VERY time-consuming) projects that have a rapidly approaching deadline, but I made time this afternoon to bind my mini "The Lovebirds" quilt. Amazing how frustration can turn to happiness, just by switching projects...my mood has gone from "tearing my hair out" to "ready to take on the world" in one hour of time...

I started out making piles of Bitty Blocks using fabrics from my scrap bin (on the first Monday of each month during 2015, Quiltmaker Magazine will post a Bitty Block on their blog Quilty Pleasures...the blocks will be approximately 3″ or 4″ square). The Bitty Block for January is a 3" Bow Tie block....here is a sampling of my blocks....

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the monthly blocks can be sewn together to create a sampler quilt...but I thought I would do something different. I have a cute little 12" quilt stand that was in desperate need of a new miniature quilt...so I thought, why not use the Bitty Blocks to make a set of small monthly quilts. This month, I decided to use my 3" Bow Tie Blocks to make a mini Valentine quilt. I settled on an appliquéd center block featuring birds, hearts, and a flower - all cut with my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters. I used an assortment of GO! dies and one Studio die (GO Square-6 1/2" (6" Finished), GO! Queen of Hearts, GO! Simple Shapes by Edyta Sitar, and Studio Flowers #3 (Mini). I also used the GO! Strip Cutter-1" (1/2" Finished) to cut a strip, folded it in half and pressed to make a flat flange border.

Next, I added my 3" Bow Tie Blocks as a border...I played with the layout and my different fabric combinations to find the grouping I liked best...

Next I added a small sleeve on the back and binding, so it would be ready for hanging...

So, here it is...my finished "The Lovebirds" miniature quilt...it was just what I needed to bring a smile to my face! As you can see from the photo above, it fits perfectly in my little stand...and it definitely brightens up my living room...

Now, I am waiting to see what the February Bitty Block will be...I am thinking I will *have to* make a mini St. Patrick's Day quilt next! I'm sure I have plenty of green fabric scraps...

Love Is In The Air

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my thoughts were actually on Valentine's Day, as I was designing three Valentine themed projects for AccuQuilt and sewing/quilting the samples. Today, I am excited to share the GO! Lovebirds Apron, the GO! Hugs and Kisses Bed Runner, and the GO! Sweetheart Wall Hanging. I really enjoyed creating these three projects and you can read all about them on the AccuQuilt Blog, where I did a guest post...that's right, today I am a guest blogger on the AccuQuilt Blog - and I am sharing the details on these three projects...

The GO! Lovebirds Apron is made using a kitchen towel as the base (which makes this a super quick project), then adding seasonal machine appliqué! You can find out the type of towel I used and some fun tips by visiting: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND...this pattern is FREE for a limited time: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-lovebirds-apron-pattern.html

The GO! Hugs and Kisses Bed Runner was such a delight to work on and only uses TWO cutting dies to make the Xs and Os...to find out just how simple this project really is, check out my guest blog post on the AccuQuilt Blog: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND....this pattern is FREE for a limited time too!!: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-hugs-and-kisses-bed-runner.html

Finally, here is the GO! Sweetheart Wall Hanging - a combination of simple strip piecing and machine appliqué. Visit the AccuQuilt Blog to find out my tip for making the applique shapes stitch up crisp and flat: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/
AND...of course, this pattern is available for FREE for a limited time, as well!!:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-sweetheart-wall-hanging-pattern.html

I hope you take a moment to read my guest blog post...then go download these special Valentine projects...and I would love to see/read about your Valentine's Day creations - please share them with me!

For now, I am back to work on some springtime quilt designs (always months ahead of the game!)...and then this evening I will be in my stitching nest working on my special October project for Just CrossStitch magazine.

I will be sharing my Bitty Blocks finish soon, so be sure to visit again later this week...

Saturday Sneak Peeks

Each and every evening, I plant myself in my stitching nest and work on new cross stitch designs...my days are just better when I pick up a needle and thread. Just CrossStitch magazine has been keeping me super busy and I am happy to tell you that you will see Blue Ribbon Designs in multiple issues this year! I am enjoying stitching and finishing each project...and although I can't share any of them with you just yet, here are a few peeks...

I previously shared you will see two sets of Halloween designs in JCS magazine this fall...

You will see a Blue Ribbon Designs ornament in the 2015 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue...and one in the 2015 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue...here are the backs (I know, I'm a big tease!)...

....and you will see a very special design in the JCS October Issue...a little hint - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (and we all know how important this is to me)...I'm stitching the model(s) right now...and here is your peek...I can't wait to share this heartfelt design with you...

So my Saturday "day" will be spent at the sewing machine working on new AccuQuilt design samples...and my Saturday "evening" will be spent in my stitching nest...not a bad weekend!

Designing, Creating, Organizing

I have an abundance of creative things to share with you this week...be prepared to be inspired! I have been working on a plethora of deadlines - both needlework and quilting...and I am so EXCITED I can  finally share some of my recent projects with you!

In December, I was designing and creating sample models for AccuQuilt...I was asked to design a couple projects to aid in organizing your sewing room...I had a BUNCH of ideas, but the two they decided to use were for fabric baskets and a sewing machine organizing mat. I had so much fun designing and creating the samples, as these types of projects are right up my alley!

I made several prototypes of my Strippy Catch-All Basket Pattern before settling on the construction and fusibles. AccuQuilt wanted them to be a bit sturdier to hold cutting dies, and while that wasn't the original plan, these will hold the AccuQuilt dies, as seen in the photo below. These are simple strip piecing, light quilting, and basic sewing...and can be made in a variety of sizes! They are great for organizing just about anything: rick racks/trims, sewing notions,rulers, threads, and cuts of fabric...and you can make them match your sewing space by choosing fabrics that work well with your decor. If you would like to make some of these fabric cubes for your sewing room, you are in LUCK, as the GO! Strippy Catch-All Basket Pattern is FREE (yes, I said FREE) for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-strippy-catch-all-basket-pattern.html

The sewing machine organizing mat is also the perfect pattern to utilize when organizing your creative space! The blocks and sashing strips are pockets that are the perfect size to hold all your tools...and your sewing machine sits atop the mat to hold it firmly in place. The sashing strip pockets (gray fabric) are 1 1/2" wide, which may seem narrow, but they are perfect for pencils and marking pens, a stiletto, a seam ripper, a quarter inch ruler, and my favorite - small scissors with a fob attached, which I am always misplacing (point of scissors goes in the pocket, the handles sit atop)...those are just a few ideas. I designed a standard size mat, but you could (fairly easily) adjust the size depending on your machine type and the space you have available. Also, as the AccuQuilt photo shows below, you can use it for your fabric cutter - the GO! Big fits perfectly (I love this idea)! I can't wait to make a few of these for my sewing room - or at least one - you know, in my spare time. If you would like to make one for your creative work-space, I am THRILLED to tell you that the GO! Sewing Machine Organizing Mat Pattern is also available for FREE for a limited time (how awesome is that?!): http://www.accuquilt.com/go-sewing-machine-organizing-mat-pattern.html

The AccuQuilt Blog also has a feature on getting organized - so stop by for a visit and read their tips for storing your cutting dies: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/

I am off to my sewing machine for a few hours, then to my stitching nest - I have more deadlines quickly approaching...but I will be back soon with another update...I have so many interesting ideas and projects to share this week...

Bunches of Bitty Blocks

Today, let's tackle fabric scraps...now, I know not all of you have this problem, but those of you with a fabric addiction (myself definitely included), will understand. My fabric scrap bin is extremely out of control - it's truly overflowing! You see, I have a large plastic bin under my fabric cutting table (very convenient - perhaps too convenient)...and every time I cut out a project, the scraps get tossed in the bin (because I just can't bring myself to part with any small pieces of fabric that I think I could possibly use for something in the future - we all know, I LOVE fabric!). Every once in a while, I go on a scrap busting binge and try to  minimize what is in the bucket...but truth be told, my deadline list has been so tight, it leaves little time for anything else. So, when Quiltmaker Magazine announced on their blog Quilty Pleasures that they would be having a low stress monthly project for Bitty Blocks, I just knew it would be perfect for working with my scraps. On the first Monday of each month during 2015, Quiltmaker Magazine will post a Bitty Block on their blog...the blocks will be approximately 3″ or 4″ square...and even better, this is a FREE project - you provide the materials, they provide the instructions. The plan is to make Bitty Blocks during the month and then sew them into a row....then the rows will be sewn together to create an unique throw-size sampler quilt made from bunches of Bitty Blocks. So, I am doing my best to fit this project into my schedule and tackle my excessive scrap pile...

To shame myself into dealing with my fabric scrap stash, here are a couple photos (yes, this mess treasure trove is contained under my cutting table!)....

I haven't quite decided if I am going to do the sampler throw-size quilt...OR, in typical Belinda fashion, change things up and do a monthly small project. Since I am in a Valentine mood, I decided to pull red, white, and pink print scraps from the bin...and, as you can see, I found plenty to work with.

The Bitty Block for January is a 3" Bow Tie Block (you can find the simple instructions here on the Quilty Pleasures blog)...yep, the finished size is a 3" square...but don't let that scare/worry you, the instructions make it super simple! For each finished block, you need just two contrasting fabrics...and you cut/piece squares:
Fabric A: two squares 2″ x 2″ and two squares 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″
Fabric B: two squares 2″ x 2″
So we are talking about small scraps here...which I obviously have covered!

To make this project even more fun (if that is possible), I used my brand new GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter to cut the 2" squares for the Bitty Bow Tie Blocks this month...yes, that is a GO! Big on my cutting table and I am just giddy - it is truly spectacular! I am going to sharing my GO! Big fabric cutting experiences with you...and I will be part of the GO! Big Blog Hop that starts next month (stay tuned, as I will have a project tutorial for you). As usual, I'm getting completely off track...more on all of that in the future - let's get back to the bitty blocks!

I made quick work of cutting all my blocks and stacked them in piles...then started chain piecing....

Following the super simple instructions for the January Bitty Block, I had a pile of 3" bow tie blocks made and pressed in no time - and they are SUPER CUTE!

I have a plan for these, but you will have to wait and see - join me here in a few days and I will share my finished bitty bow tie project with you! For now, why don't you try making a few Bitty Blocks yourself?...they are addicting! You can find all the details for the January Bitty Block here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/fabric-cutters-compared/go-big-fabric-cutter/go-big-electric-fabric-cutter-starter-set.html
...and if you have additional questions, Quiltmaker has done an additional blog post that gives some color ideas and things to consider when starting this monthly project:
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/01/qm-bitty-blocks-things-to-consider/
I hope you will try making some Bitty Blocks...and when you do, I hope you will share your photos and ideas with me...it's always more fun to sew and quilt with a friend!