My goal was to get these runners and table topper bound and on tables by the 4th. It's always a satisfying feeling when a goal is met, no matter how small!Here's hoping that you and yours had a safe and happy Independence Day. We had a beautiful worship service in the morning and spent the evening with church friends enjoying delicious food, fellowship, fireworks and freedom! What a difference a
read moreMy goal was to get these runners and table topper bound and on tables by the 4th. It's always a satisfying feeling when a goal is met, no matter how small!Here's hoping that you and yours had a safe and happy Independence Day. We had a beautiful worship service in the morning and spent the evening with church friends enjoying delicious food, fellowship, fireworks and freedom! What a difference a
read moreInspired by the runners and table toppers that I saw on Doodlebugs and Rosebuds blog a short while ago, I decided to try my hand at some of these. I found this great patriotic border print and grabbed my 60 degree ruler. In no time at all I had these two runners and a table topper pieced and ready to go. I loaded one piece of backing fabric, sandwiched in some left over batting scraps, and
read moreInspired by the runners and table toppers that I saw on Doodlebugs and Rosebuds blog a short while ago, I decided to try my hand at some of these. I found this great patriotic border print and grabbed my 60 degree ruler. In no time at all I had these two runners and a table topper pieced and ready to go. I loaded one piece of backing fabric, sandwiched in some left over batting scraps, and
read moreWhen I made the blue and yellow version of To The Nines, I didn’t know when I started how big I wanted to make that quilt. I made nine patches with width of fabric strips, and ended up with a lot more than I needed. I really cannot use the other topper as it is now part of my trunk show, so another topper needed to be made.

I had plenty of yellow to sew alternating patches with the nine patch blocks.

The top went together quickly.

Now for borders, the first one is white to separate the main ...
read moreI purchased an Accuquilt Go die cutter awhile ago and have made so many great projects with it, including tumbler block baby quilts and Dresden Plate table toppers. But I wanted to use a combination of dies to create some other basic, well-known quilting blocks.

My original purchase of my AccuquiltGo! included a combination die (above). It has on it a 2” finished square, a couple 2” finished half square triangles (HST), and a 4” finished square.
Hey, that’s all I need to make the basic Bear’s Claw block! Perfect.

I haven’t yet purchased any of the ...
read moreIt’s the first week of March, and we are finally experiencing seasonally appropriate weather in Minnesota. The polar vortex is gone! High temps are in the 40s (F), the sun is shining and the bird are chirping. Although we still have some snow on the ground, it is melting slowly. Spring is just around the corner. Halleluiah!
If you are looking for a quick spring sewing project, then the team at Sweet Treasures Quilts has the perfect idea for you! They have kitted up a lovely version of my Crossing Petals pattern, featuring a collection of prints by Lella ...
read moreI decided to participate in 2021 table scraps trt challenge. I have a few table runner/ toppers that I have bought over the years, that I would like to make, but, they aren't part of any goal setting that I have been doing. It isn't part of any finishing goals ( they aren't started) or before I die goals ( I have time). They are just hanging around saying pick me, pick me. The challenge will give me a chance to think about, and, hopefully, finish a few projects.
This month, I picked an easy project that was already ...
read moreMake a colorful quilted wall hanging to add a retro vibe to your home decor. Easy paper piecing and large blocks help you create this artwork in no time!
Photograph by American Quilter. Used with permission.
“On Broadway” was just published in the January 2021 issue of the American Quilter magazine by the American Quilter’s Society. I was inspired by the theaters on Broadway and love this photo setup! Lots of gold and bright colors, just as the ones we see as we walk the streets of Midtown Manhattan.
The quilt measures 60″ x 60″ and the blocks finish ...
read moreDid you change your decor this weekend? I did some decorating, a bit of cleaning, and got rolling on some sewing for the holidays. I have this Christmas panel pretty much done as I’ve been working on it over the past month. I’ll break it into a couple of posts to show you what I did.

I began by cutting it up. I really don’t need a door panel, so it became a set of three table runners or wall hangings.

I auditioned fabrics to put with the truck panel first. This was the best red, and ...
read moreThanksgiving as a decorating holiday gets short shrift, don’t you think? This year, the turkey décor is viable for a mere 26.5 days, because in my house, the Christmas tree goes up before the leftovers have cooled.
So, I’m going to enjoy this little table top gem every moment I can. If you want to make one for yourself, here’s the pattern.

The post Turkey and Decorations appeared first on Gray Barn Designs.
read moreMonday’s Strength
My spirit was deeply touched when I read these beautiful Scriptures at PeaBeas’ Photos and Scribbles. I’ve decided to do a series on them.
29He stilled the storm to a whisper;
Do you have storms in your life that need to “be stilled”? I know I have, I still do and I will in the future. Hence Psalm 46:10: Be still and know He is God. We can attain physically stillness via detachment or some other tool, but to still our minds is indeed another issue.
How does one still the mind?
At a ...
read moreSaturday's Song
“Burn the Ships” by For King and Country touches my heart and aroused my curiosity as to the origin on the title. The story behind the song is hereand is an encouragement to those who long to release the shame and guilt of their addictions. Though “addictions” may lead one to think of drugs and alcohol, let us remember we all have addictions of one kind or another.
However, we also have hope in Christ Jesus as Paul shares in Philippians 3:13-14. The “it” Paul ...
This sweet little quilt features colorful pinwheels spinning in a soft summer breeze. Grab your favorite mini charm pack and some coordinating fabrics to create this cheerful scene, all wrapped up by a dancing ribbon. Summer Breeze finishes at 26 1/2" square, making it the perfect size for a seasonal wall hanging or kitchen table topper.
Don't ask me where the time has disappeared to since my last post, I honestly don't know; it seems like just yesterday I was putting away the dishes after Thanksgiving and here we are clear through Advent and today is Christmas eve! I've been busy adding stitches to many things, all in preparation. As you can see from this photo on the left, I stuck to the challenge and finished the table
read moreDon't ask me where the time has disappeared to since my last post, I honestly don't know; it seems like just yesterday I was putting away the dishes after Thanksgiving and here we are clear through Advent and today is Christmas eve! I've been busy adding stitches to many things, all in preparation. As you can see from this photo on the left, I stuck to the challenge and finished the table
read moreSometimes I do designs for MadamSew, and this little table topper is one of those with two new block designs. The Tree and Bell blocks are 10 inches square, and are set in the round. For here, I’d like to show you how I quilted it. The patterns for the two blocks are on the Madam Sew Blog post Two Christmas Quilting Blocks. Check out some of MadamSew‘s Weekly Deals for great bargains while you are there. After I made the blocks, I put a border on of a Christmas print with Santa faces and lots of Christmas ...
read moreI am so excited to be part of the 2019 Virtual Cookie Exchange and Blog Hop hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. I hope you will visit the other bloggers and enjoy their many yummy cookie recipes.

I am a paper piece pattern designer from Wisconsin, and I LOVE to create holiday patterns. Last Christmas I designed this HOLIDAY BUDDIES table topper .

I love the Caroler, and thought he needed a caroling partner.

This is my CAROLING DOGGIE.

These CAROLING BUDDIES would make an adorable set of holiday potholders.

Let’s ...
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