Love on Point Small Quilt

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my January project created for Therm O Web with you! I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you on the Therm O Web blog. Each month, I share a new project and you give you my tips and tricks for using their wonderful line of fabric, craft, and sewing products. For the month of January, the blog is focused on sewing for yourself, organizational projects, quick sew quilt blocks, and using up scraps. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my "Love on Point" small quilt. My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. This is a fast and easy project, perfect for using up scraps and great for beginners. I chose to use up some Valentine fabric scraps from last year. You can make this quilt as small or as large as you like - simply adjust the number of 5" finished blocks you use. My finished quilt is 25" x 25" - a great size for a wall hanging or a table topper. I hope you will stop by the Therm O Web blog and check out my project and tutorial...

This is an easy, Valentine project that can definitely be a scrap buster...make it as planned or as scrappy as you like! It combines easy appliqué blocks and simple foundation pieced blocks. For this post, I used HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets, HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray, and HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing...plus, I give you tips for using each of these items! Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the exact wrought iron quilt hanger I used, along with other supplies listed, visit my Love on Point Small Quilt Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!).

Let's talk about the StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets. I know I have shared these before, but they are so wonderful, I just had to share them again! We all know, I love the foundation piecing method (I have taught several classes on this technique and I have several patterns that use this technique). StitchnSew EZ Quilt Block Sheets provide great stabilization/support and are easily removed by tearing away, up to the stitches, without distorting stitches/embroidery. These sheets are super soft and tear easily....and they are made to fit your inkjet printer, so you can print directly on the material! I can't tell you how much I love these sheets compared to regular foundation piecing paper - they are a favorite in my studio!

If you have questions on any Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/love-on-point-small-quilt-featuring-heatnbond

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique...

I am creating monthly projects for the ThermOWeb Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled for February 15th and I am working on another fun, seasonal idea (think St. Patrick's Day ☘)!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Promise Me Fabric Tour

Happy Wednesday and welcome to my first blog post of the new year. I am thrilled to be today's stop on the Promise Me Fabric Tour - thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. Here in Kansas, we started this week off with a giant snow storm, so I am thrilled to be sharing such bright and happy fabrics today! I have some very special projects lined up...all created with the new Promise Me fabric collection designed by Michal Marco for Poppie Cotton. I enjoyed putting on my quilt designer hat and playing with these gorgeous prints. This brand new fabric collection (shipping to quilt shops this month) has a truly wonderful focal fabric with all sorts of gardening tools and accessories, lovely roses, pretty daisies and bees, strawberries, clover (with teeny tiny ladybugs), and florals…all done in a soft, cheerful color palette. These pretty prints make my heart sing!

I knew when I saw these prints (months ago) that they would be great for a pair of pillows, so that was my plan...and I decided to use a couple blocks from my Farmstead Finds quilt pattern. I used my strawberry block and my daisy block to make the pillows, adding a patchwork border and hand-dyed rick rack from Lady Dot Creates to each one. These are definitely going to brighten my front porch this spring!

...and as I do for most Poppie Cotton fabric tours, I created a couple project bags and a pretty little pincushion. I made a large strawberry block project bag - that measures approximately 14" x 14"...and a large patchwork project bag that measures approximately 12" x 14", featuring the focal fabric at the bottom. I added a couple special zipper pulls (isn't the Poppie Cotton Strawberry Pull adorable??). I also used the fabulous roses printed on the fabric selvedge to make tags for the bags. 

After I created the project bags, I foundation paper-pieced a house block (my own design) for a 4" x 6" pincushion. I added a pocket under the window to hold a pair a small scissors...and I used a 1/4" button for a doorknob. I lovingly refer to it as my "Strawberry Cottage" pincushion. Doesn't it make you smile?!

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour and are feeling inspired - thank you for visiting with me today. For more creative projects using the Promise Me fabric collection, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog. If you love this fabric collection, be sure to check out your favorite quilt shop - Promise Me is shipping to shops this month.

I am already working on project ideas for future Poppie Cotton fabric releases - just wait until you see what they have in store for this year! Plus, I will have a new ThermOWeb project tutorial posted next week (on the ThermOWeb blog on Monday)…so, be sure to stop back soon...

Sugar Cookie Hoop Ornaments

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my December project created for Therm O Web with you! I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you on the Therm O Web blog. Each month, I share a fun, new project and give you my tips and tricks for using their wonderful line of fabric, craft, and sewing products. For the month of December, the blog is focused on holiday gifts, star-themed projects, photo fabric projects and ornaments. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my "Sugar Cookie Hoop Ornaments." My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. This is a quick and easy project, perfect for holiday decorating and gift giving. You can make them as simple or as complex as you like...and I provide templates for five different ornaments! These are the perfect size to tie on a package, hang on a tree, or decorate a holiday dining table. I hope you will stop by the Therm O Web blog and check out my project and tutorial...

This is an easy, happy project that is perfect for fat quarters or fat eighths or scraps. For this post, I used HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets, SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray, SpraynBond Fusible Adhesive Fabric Spray, HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Adhesive Sheets and Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets...plus, I give you tips for using these items! Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the exact wooden embroidery hoops I used, along with other supplies listed, visit my Sugar Cookie Hoop Ornaments Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!).

Are you familiar with HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Adhesive Sheets? PeelnStick Fabric Fuse Adhesive Sheets contain a permanent, double-sided, press-on adhesive specifically designed for fabric and patches. No sewing or ironing needed…simply press-on and go. It is machine washable and dryable... and very strong, with an instant bond. For today's project, I cut it in strips and used it to attach the gingham ribbon around the outside of the wooden hoop.

If you have questions on any ThermOWeb or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:

https://blog.thermoweb.com/sugar-cookie-hoop-ornaments-featuring-spraynbond/

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web blog and will be sure to post here when a new tutorial is available. My project for January is scheduled to be posted on the 15th...and I finished it up this week...a little hint, it is a Valentine's Day project....

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts

My cookies at the photo station...

Greetings friends! I had to stop by and visit with you again today - I wanted to share how my holiday spirits were lifted over the weekend...

My dear friend Leslie and I took a Christmas cookie decorating class and we had the best time. We had signed up for this class almost two months ago and had been anxiously awaiting the date. We took the class from a local small business owner that teaches cookie decorating classes in her home. Cindy's Cookie Co. is located in Olathe, KS...and if you are in the area, you should check her out! We arrived at 1:00 PM on Saturday afternoon for the 2-hour class. There were ten total students and she had everything set-up so nicely! We each had our own workstation with six fresh baked sugar cookies, several bags of royal icing and all the tools needed to complete our decorating. This was my first time working with royal icing and I did pretty good for a first attempt - in fact, everyone did...we had a great teacher. She gave an educational lecture on each of the tools and supplies, her tips and tricks, and where to purchase materials...we had a practice sheet to work with the icing before starting our cookies...plus she had a bottle of water and a snack at each workstation. 

The teacher's sample cookies...

My first cookies decorated with royal icing!

Once we decorated all six cookies, she had shopping set up, a station where we learned to tie bows for our cookie boxes, photo albums of her work for inspiration...even a staged photo area where we each placed our cookies for a photo op. She took pictures of each of us with our cookies...and had a gift bag for us when we departed that included a shiny new cookie cutter! It was a super fun afternoon and I am already looking forward to taking another class with her in the future. Best of all, the cookies were delicious. Goody, goody, yum, yum, yum!

Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter

A very quick post this early morning to let you know the latest Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter has been emailed to subscribers. This e-mail contains all the latest noteworthy news and showcases my latest pattern releases.

To read the lastest newsletter, visit: Blue Ribbon Designs Newsletter December 2023

To subscribe to my newsletter, visit: Subscribe to the BRD Newsletter 
I won't fill up your inbox - I only send a newsletter when I have actual news (new releases or products)...several times a year.

I will be back later today with a fun post sharing what I did this weekend... Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Four Winter Wishes - New Cross Stitch

Greetings friends - I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit today!

These last couple weeks have found me in my happy place, working on new patterns and designs. Today, I am here to share my latest cross stitch pattern release, "Four Winter Wishes." If you have been following along, then you know this is my fifth pattern release in the last two weeks - two cross stitch patterns and three quilting patterns!

My heart has been smiling while working on all sorts of creative projects - so let's talk about the latest one. Yes, it's another NEW cross stitch release alert! I just listed another winter/holiday cross stitch design called "Four Winter Wishes" and it is available in both paper pattern and digital format in my Etsy shop. Here are a few more details...

Four Winter Wishes (BRD-135)

This set of four winter/holiday designs is in a traditional sampler format - and includes both Cross Stitch Over-One and Cross Stitch Over-Two...and some Back Stitches (if finished, as shown). I finished these four designs as ornaments with a beaded edge, but they work perfectly as bowl fillers, finished with your favorite method...they would also look lovely as small framed designs. The fifteen-page pattern contains charting for the Four Winter Wishes counted cross stitch designs (in color and black and white), stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, personalization page, enlarged Cross Stitch Over-One charts, and complete finishing instructions (to finish as shown). Models are stitched with Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss (DMC conversions included) on 32-count Examplar from Lakeside Linens, but most any neutral fabric will do...just make sure the white snowflakes will be visible. 

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1625845067
Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1611661922

I really hope you like this winter/holiday/Christmas design - I found my joy working on this special pattern!

I have another new cross stitch model in the works and two more quilting/sewing patterns, as well...so stay tuned for those...

...and, I have needlework finishing and custom work to complete for clients...piles of sewing to complete for my Etsy shop...and another project tutorial for the ThermOWeb blog that will be available December 20th, so I will be back to visit with you again before you know it! 

Thanks for stopping by today and for always being so supportive of my creativity...💗

Farmstead Finds - NEW Quilt Pattern

Greeting friends - happy Friday! I am back today with yet another new quilt pattern release...yes, my friends, I have been quite busy this week, getting more new patterns written. I want to thank you for your enthusiastic response to my latest cross stitch and quilting designs - the kind words have been very encouraging. 

This pattern has been a LONG time in the making. Those who know me well, know that I have wanted to convert many of my cross stitch designs and motifs to quilting patterns....this has been on my BRD bucket list for years! I have created a couple quilts from my cross stitch designs in the last year or two, but this is the first one I am releasing as a pattern for purchase. The special blocks in this quilt were created by converting four of my cross stitch motifs from some of my classic gameboard designs. I am calling this quilted wall hanging/throw quilt "Farmstead Finds." 

This quilt measures 42" x 42" and I added hanging pockets on the back to make it easy to display. I used a fat quarter stack of Prairie Sisters Homestead from Poppie Cotton, along with several Farmhouse Favorites (Country Confetti in Marshmallow White for the background and Country Confetti in Waffle Cone for sashing and binding...plus Gingham Picnic in Grass for the flower stems and strawberry hull)....but the pattern is written to use your favorite fabric collection. One of the reasons this pattern has been in the works for a few months is the amount of details and number of graphics I had to create - this pattern is 35-pages...yes, 35-pages of color images! Each block has step by step instructions and diagrams...and since it is all traditional quilting, I believe that even a beginner could tackle it. It is precut friendly and is great for fat quarters, charm packs and a small amount of yardage.

Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1609839334
Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1624014727

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my new quilt pattern. I will be back REALLY SOON to share another new cross stitch pattern release. Plus, I am long overdue for a post featuring all the fun finishes I have had lately. I am also putting the finishing touches on my December tutorial for the Therm O Web blog - it is a holiday project and will be posted on their blog on December 20th, just in time for last minute gifts. I also hope to have a newsletter ready to send in the next week...and if I can fit in in, a new FlossTube video...so stay tuned, more from BRD soon!