Splendid Sampler Saturday!!

It's Saturday and today's Splendid Sampler post is doing a little catch up.  Does anyone else feel like summer is rushing by and you can't quite keep up.  Gotta love the summer chaos and fun!!  So let's get to the blocks ;)

First up, the Constant Needle block designed by Laurie Simpson.  I just loved this adorable applique flower ;)  It has been one of my favorites so far, and I am just so happy with how the fabrics came together.  The pinks really add to the pop of the red.  So fun!!

Second is the Selvage Saver block designed by Pat Sloan.  This is another one that I just loved!!!  I have been saving selvages for some time and was so excited to get to use a bunch of them.  And yes, now I totally want to make an entire quilt of these, in monochromatic colors.  Wouldn't that just be awesome!! 

And Third is the Lemonade block designed by Amy Gibson.  I will admit on this one, I struggled a bit with those tiny tiny curves.  I was trying to do it with just the three pins I use on curves, and I should have used more.   I am hoping some of that puckering will come out in the quilting, or I just might need to give this one a second go.   But hey, 1 1/2" curved blocks, not to shabby!!!

And Finally, The Wishful Garden block designed by Kristyne Czepuryk.   And since we all know that I am not much of a hand stitcher, I decided to try out some of the fancy flower stitching on my Bernina for this block ;)  I just love all of those cute little embroidered flowers, and I love that I had an excuse to use some of those fun stitches that I never get a chance to play with ;)   

And with that, we are all caught up again.   Looking forward to next Saturday and some more fun Splendid Sampler Sewing :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Desert Rose!!

It's always a fun day when I get to share a new quilt, and I have been waiting to reveal this one for a bit now.  So exciting!!! This is Desert Rose and it's my stop on the Desert Bloom Blog Tour!!!   EEEkkk, I just love it ;)

This all started way back in January, when Amanda Herring, designer of this beautiful Desert Bloom fabric, was teaching at our local Cedar Retreat.  Amanda and I have been long time friends in this amazing industry :)  I was absolutely delighted when she asked if  I could design a quilt for her upcoming line to hang in her booth at Market!!!   In fact, I was so excited, I went home that evening and drafted up Desert Rose.  It was one of those amazing designs that just wants to come together, and I could hardly wait for the fabric to arrive so I could make it up ;)

But of course, there was some waiting involved ;)  But the fabric came, and my design became a reality.   And here is Desert Rose hanging in Amanda's booth at Spring Market in Salt Lake ;)   Ahh, i just smiled every time I walked past and saw how pretty it looked hanging there.  Ya, and Amanda and I were having a little fun hiding behind the cool canyons :)

And because it is always great to share that we all still need to use our seam ripper sometimes . .  . I have a little story for you today.   So this was Market sewing.  Meaning, you are working with a short deadline.  And sometimes when I get going really fast, I tend to "miss" something.  Sadly, I didn't realize my "miss" until I had gotten to this point (with all 9 blocks, because of course, I am chain stitching) that somehow I had managed to turn all of my Half Square Triangles in instead of out.    Horror!!!

Grab the seam ripper, laugh and cry at the same time while your turn your rows into swiss cheese.   I am happy to report that it didn't take as long as I thought it would to fix these :)  Sometimes its a good reminder, that no many how many quilts you make, it's always good to take the extra two seconds and double check your design by laying it back out again.   And yes, with that said,  I am sure I will do this again in the future.   I think it just goes along with the Market sewing experience ;) 

But it was totally worth all of the unpicking (and a few of those tears)  because I just love this finish!!!  I am over the moon for all of those wonderful points matching up to make perfect little rose blossoms. And I have to say, the pink background was a bit of a stretch for me as white is my "comfort zone" of backgrounds, but it was Amanda's favorite print in the line and I am so glad we decided to use it as the background because I just love it!!!  Always good to try something new and stretch ourselves ;)  

When it came time to quilt Desert Rose I really had some fun and stretched myself again with some super custom quilting!!!  In the center of the blooms I quilted tiny swirls and then in the petal part of the bloom I quilted tiny echoed paisleys.  In the sashing and background of all of the blocks, I quilted tiny swirls, paisleys, curls, and pebbles. (lots of tiny :)    I really wanted the piecing to stand out, so I decided not to quilt on the prints at all, but just to stitch in the ditch :)  And combined with that tiny element going on in the background, it really makes the prints just pop.  So fun!!!

And oh, so much lovely texture.  I will admit, I might have run my hand across the top a time or two to feel all of that amazing texture ;)  This is one of those quilting finishes that I am just so loving and also, a little blown away that I did it ;)   You know how you just keep getting gradually better at something with more practice, but you don't really realize it because it is that gradual change.  Well, when I finished this one I looked up and saw a quilt on the wall I did a while back.  Ya, practice makes a difference ;)  Gotta love a little perspective!

And I love that you can see the design popping out in the backing as well ;)   It is just a double quilting bonus!!!  And don't you just love this super fun grey swiss dot for the backing and that awesome strip print from Desert Bloom as the binding.   It is those little fun parts of finishing that just make me smile every time ;)

And that is Desert Rose!!!    I hope you love it just as much as I do :)    And if you do, I am happy to announce that there is a Pattern in the works and it is Coming Soon!!!!   And of course, like all of my patterns, there will be lots of size options :)   I can't wait to release it!!   Here's hoping the excitement will carry me through the actual finish writting it part :)

I want to say a huge thank you to Amanda for having me as part of this super fun Desert Bloom Blog Tour as well as part of her booth at Market!!!!  Desert Bloom is now available in stores and trust me, you are going to want to sew with this :)    It is absolutely beautiful fabric!!! 

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!

Linking up this finish to Amanda's and Sarah's and Quilt Story ;)

Farm Girl Vintage Anniversary Celebration with Cake, of Course!!!

Today is the 1 year Anniversary Celebration of the release of Farm Girl Vintage and Lori Holt and Fat Quarter Shop are Celebrating!!!  And what better way to celebrate than with Cake ;)   And it's even better when it is this adorable Cake Block!!

I have had so much fun making blocks from Farm Girl Vintage!!!  You might recall my Strawberry Table Topper from the original Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along, and we also made Farm Girl Vintage Blocks at Barbara's Sister's Retreat ;)   Just like this adorable cake block, Lori's block designs are always fun to sew up!!!

And just like always, the hardest part is picking out which fabrics to use ;)  I finally grabbed my little lady who said she wanted a Strawberry Shortcake (after the doll, not the dessert) Cake!!!  She picked out the main print for the cake and then I matched some fun prints to go with it from my pink scrap bin ;)  I just love how it turned out !!!  And now, of course,  I am totally craving some Strawberry Shortcake as well ;)

So do you love Cake??  Well,  join in the Celebration!!!  Check out all of the fun Cake blocks from these fantastic bloggers and then make your own!!!  You will find the free pattern for the Anniversary Cake Block over at the Fat Quarter Shop :)  So pop on over and start your Cake Block today!!

Kerry from Very Kerry Berry

Vickie from Spun Sugar Quilts

Sedef from Down Grapevine Lane

Erin from Why Not Sew?

Kelly from Kelbysews

Pam from Pam Kitty Morning

Debbie from Happy Little Cottage

Greg from Grey Dogwood Studios

Renee from Sewn with Grace

Sinta from Pink Pin Cushion

Lisa from In the Boondocks

Connie from Free Motion by the River

Dana from Old Red Barn Co.

Barb from Me & My Sister Designs

Melissa from Happy Quilting (your here :)

Sharla from Thistle Thicket Studios

Kim from Persimon Dreams

Marni from Haberdashery Fun

Jacque from Lily Pad Quilting

What kind of Cake will you Make???

I hope you are having a Verry Berry Happy Quilting Day!!!

Crossroads Quilt Along - Intersection Block

I know, it is actually the 16th, so this Crossroads Quilt Along post is coming to you a day late ;)  That's what happens when you have to many things to share for one day :)   So today I am excited to share the fifth set of the Crossroads Quilt Along blocks.  This month it is the  Intersection Blocks and I know I say this every month, but these just might be my favorite so far!!

I just love how these blocks look like little flowers poking out of their petals.  So, so cute!!!  And you know, just like all of the other blocks, now I want to make this block as a whole quilt.  I think it would be super fun in all solids.  

If you sewing along or want to join in on the fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and then don't forget to donate the $5.00 for the pattern to the March of Dimes  ;)  This QAL is raising funds for premature babies and Fat Quarter Shop and Moda and All of Us are teaming up to make a big impact!    It is so wonderful to see how much has already been raised!!

And like always, if you are a little nervous about about stitching up this block, you need not worry.  Kimberly and Joanna , have made a fabulous You Tube video that walks you through making the block step by step and has lots of little tidbits to help you with your block!!!  

Be sure to  share all of your Crossroads progress on social media with #crossroadsquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Intersection Block inspiration :)  

Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts (@figtreequilts)
Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)
April of Prairie Grass Patterns (@amrosenthal)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Angie of Gnome Angel (@gnomeangel)
Vanessa of Lella Boutique (@lellaboutique)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)
Erin of Why Not Sew (@whynotsewquilts)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Next month is the chain blocks and I am so excited.  The Crossroads Blocks will be coming back on the 15th of next month.  So fun!!!  Are you Quilting Along??

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Charm Pack Placemats!!!

Today I am so excited to share these adorable, beginner friendly, Charm Pack Placemats with you!!!  A few weeks back, I was asked by the lovely folks at Fat Quarter Shop if I wanted to sew along with Sherri McConnell and Kimberly to make up these adorable placemats.

And wouldn't you know it, almost the same day, I had just shared these fun Grow and Dot. Dot. Dash Charm packs on the blog from my Sew Sampler box.  Do you remember how I was waiting for the perfect project for them.   Serendipitous!!!   You see, a few years back, I designed this fun, reversible, table topper that was featured in the Moda Sweet Celebrations book.  We use it for all of our family birthdays and special occasions.   Well I thought, how cute would it be to have matching placemats!!!  Perfect ;)

And aren't they just so fun together!!!   I used the same straight line quilting and a similar black and white polka dot binding.  And thing about Me and My Sister Designs fabrics is that these current lines still match their lines from 3 years ago.  It's like i made it all as a fun set!!!  So excited :)

And you know I couldn't stop there.   Each Charm Pack makes up 4 placemats, and since I had 2 Charm Packs to start with I figured I might as well cut up some more ;)  Doesn't the trimmings just make the happiest little rainbow!

I was able to make 2 more cool colored placmats and 2 more warm colored placemats from the charms in the 2 charm pakcs ;)  Don't they all just look so fun together.  I can't wait to get them all quilted up and bound.

And then, since there are 7 in our family, I figured I best make up one more placemat.   So I went through the remaining charms and made up this fun rainbow placemat.  I have a feeling the birthday boy or girl is going to want to sit at this one ;)

These Charm Pack Placemats are just so much fun to make, and as you can see, it is hard to stop at 1 or 2 :)  Kimberly and Sherri have put together this fabulous video to help you along every step of the way in making your Placemats and have shared more details over at the Jolly Jabbber, so be sure to check it out ;)  

And I just had to share one more picture of the finished placemats.  Aren't they just too cute for words ;)   I can't wait for Sunday, I think come Father's Day we will have quite the matching table ware :) So excited!!!

Thanks for stopping in today :)  I best be off to finish quilting 5 more placemats if they are all going to ready for Sunday!!

Happy Quilting!!!