Thursday, September 6, 2018

Bountiful Bags

Today's post is all about projects bags...yes, piles of them...large project bags, small project bags, and tool bags. I have been done some serious sewing...that is, until my fancy sewing machine decided it needed to see the doctor...yep, she is acting up, so will be headed in for service (this afternoon)...she needs a little TLC (hopefully just a good cleaning). Until then, I am using my basic Singer without all the bells and whistles...which works, but is not ideal. As you can see, I have been managing to fulfill orders - they are just taking me a bit longer {sigh!}. I am still steadily working through requests, so if you are waiting, thank you for your patience! Here is just a snippet of what has been on the sewing table and keeping me busy...
















Time to get cleaned up and head to the quilt shop (Joyce, I'm headed your way!) - say a little prayer or send some positive vibes to me and my baby (my sewing machine)...

I'll be back very soon with some cross stitch finishes and a couple other sewing projects...plus details on my latest magazine published designs...

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Startled Superstition and Hayride Happenings

Can you believe how quickly the summer months have passed?? - I can't believe it is September...where does the time go?! Halloween items are popping up everywhere...and stores are already getting out their Christmas holiday displays...personally, I'd be content to keep the summer months here just a little bit longer...but it is time to start working on Halloween and holiday items, if you want to have them completed in time to display this year...

I have a couple new cross stitch designs in the current issue of Just CrossStitch Magazine (October 2018) that will fit right into your autumn stitching schedule!

The October issue features a Halloween Ornament Spooktacular that includes six ornaments to stitch up and decorate your Halloween tree....and yes, you can find Blue Ribbon Designs in this feature. My Halloween ornament this year is titled "Startled Superstition" and is a fun, quick stitch!  You can locate my ornament and all the details on page 43. The entire ornament is worked in cross stitch - with a few back stitches and some long straight stitches for the cat whiskers (NOTE: I used French knots for the bat eyes, but I see the magazine omitted them from the pattern - I'm not sure why). I used Weeks Dye Works linen (Confederate Gray) and Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (a DMC conversion is also provided). There are TONS of fabulous ways to finish your Halloween ornaments - for this particular ornament, I chose a flat-finish....and I used two-tone twisted cord in green and black for a special touch. Please also note - the color photography in the magazine for this ornament is WAY off and completely over-exposed - the colors aren't even close - I am including a photo of the actual ornament laying on the magazine for reference - I am not sure why they lightened the photo so much that the colors are muted and barely resemble the actual piece (I was extremely disappointed in how they represented this project)....



This is the autumn issue, so you will also find a Designer Q & A and a seasonal project I created especially for this issue. If you turn to page 50, you can read a short question and answer session with me, followed by my autumn project titled "Hayride Happenings" starting on page 51. This fall-inspired pincushion is stitched on Weeks Dye Works linen (Beige) with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (a DMC conversion is also provided) and is stuffed with crushed walnut shells and trimmed with lovely hand-dyed chenille (Jack) from Lady Dot Creates.





 You can find this issue of Just CrossStitch magazine at your favorite needlework shop or on newsstands now...
Blue Ribbon Designs is also featured in the Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue, which is arriving in homes and shops now - I'll be back to share details soon!

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Slice of Summer

To vote for my block, visit: http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL
Happy Wednesday friends!

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, (of course) I made time to design a quilt block for AccuQuilt's 2018 Quilt Block Contest...and it is time to vote!! Here is a link to my entry titled Slice of Summer:
http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects - I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together an entry for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out my entry for this year...and if you like my block, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with available AccuQuilt dies (plus it really should look good enlarged to fit the 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE). My entry follows these guidelines and was inspired by the sunshine and joy quilting brings to my heart...

This year, you can vote for your favorite(s) once every 24-hours - now through August 15th. You can view my block entry by visiting:
http://wshe.es/0cshMgXL

...there are some GREAT prizes up for grabs, so I would really appreciate it!


Friday, July 27, 2018

Sprightly Studio

It has been a busy month in the studio and I have been steadily working through an array of creative projects (hence my absence). Needlework finishing, project bags, custom sewing/quilting and needlework designs have all been in the works...even a few Etsy items...and more packages of fabric and finishing are on the way. It is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my customers supply for their custom bags...and such a treat to finish so many lovely needlework pieces. My husband is still traveling extensively for his job, so I am trying to balance my heavy workload with the household, yard, and a puppy - some days are quite challenging...but busy is a blessing...and I am still here, chugging along. To those quietly waiting on your order - I haven't forgotten you and I appreciate your patience!! Here are just a few photos of some of my recent projects...







This assortment of Stitch Starter Ruler Sets has been listed in my
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

...and for those who have asked...I know it has been quite a while since I posted a photo of our little boy Garin...here he is with his big sister Miss Schatzi. Garin is up to 58 pounds and has quite a personality...and yes, they have quickly become best friends...


Sunday, July 1, 2018

Geometric Gems

Hello friends - happy July! It's a hot and humid Iowa afternoon - the calm after the storm and flash flooding. I am just about ready to settle into my sewing nest for a marathon project bag session (the piles are overwhelming)...but before I get started, I thought I would quickly stop by and share some of my quilting designs. These six AccuQuilt patterns/projects were created as companion patterns for six cutting dies. For those of you unfamiliar with the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutting System, every cutting die includes a free pattern in the packaging to help you get started. Each of my quilt designs shown below accompanies a corresponding AccuQuilt GO! Cutting Die...not only did I design each pattern, but I also created each sample. Today, I am sharing the projects I created for the GO! Circle-6", the GO! Circle-8", the GO! Strip Cutter-5" (4 1/2" Finished), the GO! Strip Cutter-3" (2 1/2" Finished), the GO! Strip Cutter-4" (3 1/2" Finished), and the GO! Rectangle-4 1/2" x 8 1/2" (4" x 8" Finished).

If you purchase the GO! Circle-6", inside the packaging, you will find a free pattern for the GO! Circle in the Square Wall Hanging. This unique, modern quilt uses basic patchwork and machine appliqué...and the sample uses lovely fabrics from the Mix Bag 2017 Collection by Studio M for Moda. It finishes at 40" x 40".




The GO! Circle-8" includes a free pattern for the GO! Petal Power Table Topper (which also works well as a wall hanging). Measuring 32" x 32", this cheerful project sample was created with Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids. Blocks are created by sub-cutting the circles into quarters and using machine appliqué to apply them to basic patchwork - this design may look complicated, but it is actually obtainable for a beginner!




Inside packaging for the GO! Strip Cutter-5" (4 1/2" Finished), you will find a free pattern for the GO! X Marks the Spot Baby Quilt. This quick and easy baby quilt is the perfect gift for an expectant mother and would look great in a variety of fabric prints! For the sample, I used the Sew Cherry 2 Collection by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs. With a finished size of 40.5" x 40.5", using basic strips and squares, this baby quilt can be put together in just a day or two...




If you add the GO! Strip Cutter-3" (2 1/2" Finished) die to your collection, you will find the free pattern for the GO! Mind Over Matter Table Runner inside the packaging. This is the perfect summertime table runner when using the same red, white, and blue color scheme as the sample (I used Andover Fabrics for the model). I can see this runner in a variety of holiday and seasonal fabrics. It measures 16" x 45", but could easily be adjusted to fit just about any length!




One of my favorites is the GO! Chains of Love Bed Runner that I designed for the  GO! Strip Cutter-4" (3 1/2" Finished). This comfy bed runner finishes at 42" x 84" and the sample was worked up with soothing Island Batiks. Rows could be added to make this a bed quilt...or subtracted to make this a table runner...and it would look lovely in solids or prints....




Finally, here is the GO! Give it a Whirl Throw Quilt that I designed for the GO! Rectangle-4 1/2" x 8 1/2" (4" x 8" Finished). This sunny lap quilt finishes at 48" x 64" and the sample was created with Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids. You could easily add more blocks to this quilt to increase the size...and it would look great using a variety of fabrics. Although it may look complicated, it is quite easy to create with this large rectangle and can be pieced rather quickly...




All six of these AccuQuilt GO! Cutting Dies are quite versatile and would be nice additions to any collection. For more information on the GO! Fabric Cutter, GO! Cutting Dies, or other AccuQuilt products, visit their website: https://www.accuquilt.com/