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!

Wintry Week

It was a bitter cold, wintry week here in Iowa, but I have been keeping nice and warm in my comfy studio. I have been sewing, quilting, and stitching...working on a plethora of new projects. I have been adding more items to my Etsy shop for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day...and I have been finishing some fun custom orders and magazine pieces. Plus, I finished up a special cross stitch design for The Sampler Life (a Yahoo! Group and Facebook Group with a love for cross stitch and needlework samplers) SAL - Ina has been planning this designer SAL for the last month or so and I was happy to create a complimentary design especially for this project - I am not sure when she will be releasing it, but I will keep you updated (you must be a member of The Sampler Life and sign-up for the SAL - click on the links above for more info). I have also been charting more designs and model stitching for Just CrossStitch magazine, so I will keep you updated when those will be published....and one of my quilt designs will be published in Quiltmaker Magazine in the May/June issue (I just finished up the model this weekend). In my spare time, I have been working on a few design ideas that use my AccuQuilt fabric cutters...and a tutorial for the GO! Big Blog Hop taking place at the end of February/beginning of March. Over-all, it has been a busy, but creative start to 2015!

Materials for my model for The Sampler Life SAL complimentary design...
For more details on this special designer SAL and/or to sign up, visit:
The Sampler LifeYahoo! Group or
The Samplerlife Facebook Group

Chain piecing on a cold winter afternoon....

More LOVE pillows for my Etsy shop....

Starbucks in the studio...

Custom Quilt Order - Garden Patch Cats by Helene Knott (Story Quilts) - Broc-Kitty

Custom Quilt Order - Garden Patch Cats by Helene Knott (Story Quilts) - Cobby Cat

Custom Quilt Order - Garden Patch Cats by Helene Knott (Story Quilts) - Walla Walla Kitty

More LUCK pillows for my Etsy shop....

Lock and Key Heart Pincushions listed in my Etsy Shop...

I have also been doing some baking this week...and I made a huge pot of homemade chili - in these cold temperatures, it's nice to have some comfort food on hand. I have also been enjoying hot beverages in several AWESOME new mugs I received this holiday season...when it is below zero every single day, hot cups of coffee and tea are a must...and they have to be in a fun mug that will make me smile!

My favorite molasses cookies...

New Topsy Turvy mugs in my collection that arrived from my very dear
friend Terri...aren't they adorable?!

Homemade chili in the crockpot...

A FABULOUS fishy mug with purple lips, daisy eyes, and a fin handle brings
happiness to any beverage - thanks Miss Mary!!

Today, I have a roast and veggies in the slow cooker...the dogs have been walked...and I am ready to work on some itty bitty quilt blocks (YAY!). I'll be back soon to share these small quilt blocks that are part of a QM Bitty Block QAL with a free monthly block released on the first Monday of each month...this month is a Bitty 3" Bow Tie block! Check out the Quiltmaker's Magazine blog "Quilty Pleasures" for all the details:
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/01/qms-bitty-blocks-adorable-small-designs/
...and I will back in the next day or two to share my bitty blocks....

Tempting Tumblers

What a productive week it has been, even with holiday celebrations and obligations. I have been steadily working through a list of deadlines and marking items off my never-ending to-do list...and that's a great thing, because a new pile of quilt projects is arriving in a few days. Today I thought I would share a couple items I completed for AccuQuilt several months ago...they are fun and colorful...and should brighten up your weekend! I am blessed to be able to work on so many creative projects throughout the year...and the AccuQuilt pieces never disappoint. These two projects were cut using the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter...the GO! Tumbler Bright Baby Quilt and the GO! Tumbler and Flower Table Runner.

If you have been looking to purchase an AccuQuilt fabric cutter, the new GO! Baby Fabric Cutter Starter Set now includes two (yes, TWO) GO! cutting dies - the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished) and the GO! Flower...along with a pattern booklet that includes both the projects I am sharing with you today...this makes it super easy to get started using your fabric cutter right out of the box!

The GO! Tumbler Bright Baby Quilt is made using the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished)...and can easily be made in just about any size you can imagine - just add or remove rows to adjust the size - or change the size of your tumbler. The color layout for this quilt gives it an illusion of rows woven together...and the vibrant colors can definitely brighten any mood. I can see a throw quilt made from this pattern in black, gray, and white prints - it would be perfect in my living room! I actually finished this sample baby quilt in just a couple easy days of sewing (and the entire quilt was cut in less than an hour!)...and the tumbler die shape has specially designed corners with clipped dog-ears making the piecing process stress-free! If you like working with the versatile tumbler shape, this pattern is available for FREE for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-tumbler-bright-baby-quilt-pattern-2.html

The  GO! Tumbler and Flower Table Runner utilizes both the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished) and the GO! Flower. I truly enjoyed working on this table runner, because I got to add rick rack and button embellishments...and the zig-zag binding was fun too! I was able to cut the entire runner quickly and easily...and both the piecing and the appliqué were a breeze. The size of this runner could also be adjusted, making it the perfect size for your table...simply add or remove rows of tumblers (and appliqué)...and it would be lovely in a variety of fabric prints and colors.
...and there is more GREAT news, if you want to try out this project, the pattern is available for FREE for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-tumbler-and-flower-table-runner-pattern.html

Both of these projects are perfect for a beginner or seasoned quilter...and can be done with a traditional or modern flair...plus they are great winter weekend projects! So, take advantage of the free patterns while they are available...and schedule a little sewing/quilting time....

In the coming weeks, I will have a plethora of creative AccuQuilt projects to share with you...so stay tuned...AND...I will be participating in the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Blog Hop in February and will have a special project tutorial to share with you...yep, BIG things are on the way!

For now, I am back to work on a special quilt for a magazine...then, this evening, I will be model stitching a new design for a future Just CrossStitch magazine...I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, as well...