What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

OK -- I see I have some gardening to do in the fall!! I spent another hour yesterday removing more creeping vine from the rocks surrounding the pond. That is always a precarious job because you are standing on the rocks, staring down into the water, and if you slip - well, then it's time for a dip amongst the water lilies! 

I would say that over half the backyard is cleaned up now, but the gardener guy is still going to come this week, as there is the side yard and the front that need to be taken care of ...

Yesterday was a transition day. While I accomplished stuff, I was almost like a slug on a rug! I wasn't going anywhere fast! But that's OK. I don't really have any time-sensitive stuff to deal with, but there are always loads that I want to accomplish. 

I started by spending almost an hour in the backyard weeding and cleaning up! I decided to cave and call the gardener guy, who will come next week, but in the meantime, I'll continue to clean up so it doesn't look like a complete jungle. It's really not ...

 I finally got the mouse quilt home and bound!I had it custom quilted and it is GORGEOUS!Pattern is called Field Mice by Meags and Me.Next up is the quilt top I made for Avery, but it may end up with another little boy.He was obsessed with garbage trucks.He still is to a certain extent.We shall see where it's new home is.Stay tuned!This is the quilt top I pattern tested for Sandra Healy 

I *finally* finished all the hand stitching on my Blue Lagoon quilt top.I just had gotten out of the habit of doing handwork but decided to pick it up and start working on it.Do you ever just put something away and forget about it?I made a small box for handwork projects and will bring that in the camper.It is relaxing for me to do this at night instead of just playing on my phone.Wish me luck

I had the opportunity to work on 2 of the new patterns coming our for Meags and Me. I love pattern testing for these guys!  Patterns I did were Tweet Tweet and Bird Brain.  Tweet Tweet is at the quilter's and I just finished Bird Brain last night.Here are pics from Bird Brain.I did a machine free motion straight stitch around the applique.I used the same for the legs, beak and ( ) on the birds.I

I have come back to the real world with a bang and a half, realizing that I've got a bunch of quilt-top-making to get done in the next couple of weeks!  But before I elaborate on that, let's see how my list (from two weeks ago) went....

1.  Finish the pattern testing quilt top.

Done!  And I can even share a picture of this one - Paper Hearts by Kelli Fannin Quilts!

2.  Finish ...

It's been a great week, and it's drawing to a close - and it's Friday!  We all know what that means, too - it's time for us to get our whoop whoop on!  Are you ready? Let's go!

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Since I've been gone all week, I haven't done any sewing to speak of.  Mostly I spent my spare time by the hotel pool while my husband was working....

1.  Quilt a couple of ministry quilts.

I only got to one of these, but isn't it pretty?  And it turns out it was exactly what was needed for a specific request...

2.  Write the tutorial for the first prototype.

It's in progress!  Hallelujah!

3. Finish the blocks for the second prototype and ...

I did some pattern testing for Cake Stand Quilts.  Of course it is near and dear to my heart being peacocks and all.My eldest daughter raises purple peafowl.I decided that I would make my version with purple birds.I used a mint background.My LAQ did peacock eye feathers for the quilting.I LOVE it!I used a Tule Pink for the vase.I found this cute print for the back.It's a wall hanging size.I am

I have been busy pattern testing again for Meags and Me.  I have a finished top from a panel a friend sent me too.  I have made the three bears and Goldilocks several times now.Working on getting the embroidery pattern perfect for them to sell.Here is papa bear.Mama bearBaby BearGoldilocksThese are so cute and this is going to make a great baby quilt, eventually.A friend is having a baby and is

I paper pieced this saying quite awhile ago.I pattern tested for Pitcher's Boutique.She has a whole series of designs for this theme.Then I bought some backing fabric and promptly put it all away and forgot about it.Until recently.I was cleaning in my room and found it.I am slowly unearthing old projects and putting them on my "to do" list.I finished this today!This is the front of the pillow

 I recently tested another new pattern. This one is for a quilt.

The pattern is called Wind Drifter and the cover is shown in the photo above. The pattern includes instructions for two sizes of finished quilt: 32.75" by 32.75" and 65" by 65". I made the smaller one for a shop sample and to test the pattern.

The pattern uses fat 1/8s and yardage for background. I made the smaller size because it is so much easier to display in my shop. There is really nothing very difficult about this pattern. It is mostly rectangles and ...

 I'm always on the lookout for a good, new bag pattern. This one caught my eye and I finally had a chance to test the pattern.

The bag has a top zipper closure and customizable interior pockets. 

The handles can be made short like I did or longer to go over your shoulder. This is a shop sample and short handles are easier for me on a display bag so I went with the shorter handle length. If I was making this to use myself I would make them a little longer.

The wallet has plenty of pockets for ...

I have finished very few quilts this year so I am excited to share this with everyone. It is a cheerful quilt and a fun pattern to make. As you likely remember, I tested this pattern for Sew Preeti Quilts. Preeti writes delightful patterns and has several listed in her Etsy Shop.

I did make an internal compromise with this project. I really wanted to spend some time and quilt the center of each block with a picture of sorts. I had them all planned out. However, life is so crazy right now and I decided ...

Last week I mentioned I had been asked by Preeti of Sew Preeti Quilts to test a pattern of hers. She recently released her newest design, Masala Box. The pattern is really adorable. Here is Preeti’s version.

This is the sort of pattern that is right up my alley. I love patchwork and also simplicity. Fussy patterns are not my favorite. This pattern is set up for strip piecing (which is quick and efficient) or if you have a box of 2 1/2″ squares, you could make a scrappy version and use those bits up!

I am testing another pattern for My Sew Quilty Life.  The pattern is called Prissy Pumpkins and it is SO cute!  I have chosen to use (mostly) the All Hallows Eve fabrics by Fig Tree.  I have added in some of their new Pumpkins and Blossoms as well as a few cute cat fabrics (of course!).  You can see some of the fabrics here.  It is always a mess when you do the fabric pull isn't it?There are 4

I had the opportunity to test another pattern for Meags and Me.  The soon to be released pattern is called Heart Mania.  I chose pinks and golds for the color pallette.  It was a super easy pattern to work with.  I got everything all cut out and then worked on fusing the hearts.  I stitched around the hearts and traced the stitching lines for the hand stitched hearts.  Then I put it all

The Purple blocks for June RSC 2021 are complete. YIPPEE!!! Here they are:

Reddish Purple

Bluish Purple

True-ish Purple

Since I had purple on  my mind, I saw purple everywhere and lots of it. Here are a few glimpses.

Hydrangeas

Allium something - Ornamental Onion

Purple and Hairy Leaves!!!

I saw a Purple Wall!!!

In Berlin, MD

Noticed this sign on vacation in Berlin, MD

A purple butterfly!!!

Pansies :-)

O Beautiful - Don't know thy name

One purple shell on the pathway to The Inn Berlin

Do you like Dark?

Or Light

Here are the secondary blocks, using the triangle leftovers ...

 My friend Jayne (Twiggy and Opal) has released a new quilt pattern today and it's a winner! I was so thankful that she asked me to test it out for her. I had so much fun with it and just love the finished quilt top....

You can (and really should!) purchase a copy of the pattern here. 

I had so much fun with the design I decided to see how small I could go with the blocks. The other day I made this two color block...

which led me to pulling out the pantone colors of the year.... Ultimate ...