Sunday, September 13, 2015

Keeping Me Organized

This is going to be very mini Sunday post indeed. 

Last Sunday my list looked like this:
  1. Finish all prep for the BOM
  2. Test a paper piece pattern for Diane, From Blank Pages....this pattern is amazing
  3. complete another row of  "Around the Block"  paper pieced pattern (formally Gridlock)
  4. Complete the Flying Geese
As you can see from the strike through, I managed to test a pattern, an amazing pattern!! and not complete anything else on my list......

I did no sewing other than the pattern test, I did however finalize all the blocks for my upcoming BOM, and spent way too much time on my computer trying to figure out how to load fabrics into EQ7. On a bright note, I did figure it out, and now I can concentrate on sewing some samples and making up the tutorials to go with the monthly block posts!!  

FB Group Link

This Weeks List:

  1. Complete last weeks list, lol
How about you? Are you staying organized? What's on your cutting table, or design wall, or sewing table?

Thursday, September 10, 2015

I've Been Busy....just with Secret Sewing......

I have been really busy in the sewing room, but it seems that most everything is for an upcoming reveal.
So this weeks what I've been doing will consist of sneak peaks.....






Before I do that though, for anyone new to my blog, here is my shameless plug for my BOM starting the first Friday in October called One Block Wonders. Each month, on the first Friday, I will share one block pattern that I have designed with EQ7. To my knowledge I have not seen any of these blocks before, but quilt patterning have been around longer than I have been alive, so who knows.....
Each month the block pattern will work to make a sub pattern or multiple different layouts depending on block placement, giving you many options with one block. So theoretically you could have multiple minis or quilt tops done in the year!, or at the very least have 12 new block patterns in your quilty tool box!!
I hope you will join along and spread the word. I have made a button you can display if you have a blog, so you can link back easily, and let your readers know what you are doing and allow them to find me too!! I have also made a group page on FaceBook, that you can join. This is not mandatory, but so helpful for discussions and questions, and sharing progress pictures. I would love it if everyone who is sewing along would join, even if you never participate, it helps me know who's out there! Also I will be sharing some extras with the FB group that I will not be sharing in the regular blog posts. As the slogan goes, membership has its benefits!!

UpStairsHobbyRoom



What I've Been Up To:

My two cents: I used Shot Cottons by Kaffe Fassett. I love the colours and the fabric is lovely, but.....I bought them online, sight unseen....it is a very lightweight gazy type of fabric, with a lot more give or stretch then regular cotton, so if I had known I would not have purchased these for a quilting project. If you are talented enough to sew cloths, these fabrics would make great summer tops or lined skirts. That being said, I am not that talented...lol, so I am using up the fabric in projects that won't see as much action...

I tested a fantastic pattern by From Blank Pages, called Dusk! Look for an upcoming post with more about that and a great give away!!



And I added another puppy to my growing litter!! Barring unforeseen changes, look for me in Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilt's  Blog Hop October 22nd, sharing what I did with my blocks!!

That's it, I am spending all my time preparing for the One Block Wonders BOM!! Have a great rest of your week and a fabulous weekend everyone!!

Monday, September 7, 2015

Monday Morning Savings


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I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend.....
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Sunday, September 6, 2015

Keeping Me Organized......

Here I am again posting my to do list for the week! 
First, here's how I did last week......

Was under the weather so not everything was completed........

 I did get all the blocks done for the Missing U quilt, but now I have to decide if I want to add more blocks or sashing and borders, or blocks and borders......so a WIP still!! (going full King Size on this one)
 Made 6 more!!

I did get some of the geese together! Progress, and I love my Go Big AccuQulit cutter!!


The ironing board remains the same (farm life....wheat came off this week) and the hexi project had minimal work done to it this week. I did manage to cut some of the white pieces and base them, and organize all the sewing to see what needs to be done better....
I need to look for a larger version of this embroidery thread holder....lol


This is what I did, not on my list, to distract myself while not feeling good....because that works for me....lol

 I designed a feather block, which can be used in so many different ways....

Made another Dog Gone Cute Block......more on that another time...but there is a SAL happening , check that out here

and I've been working on my blocks and all the details for my BOM starting in October
(shhhhh.....the feather block may or may not be part of the BOM) ;)

So now onto this weeks list.....

  1. Finish all prep for the BOM
  2. Test a paper piece pattern for Diane, From Blank Pages....this pattern is amazing
  3. complete another row of  "Around the Block"  paper pieced pattern (formally Gridlock)
  4. Complete the Flying Geese
I think that is more than enough for this week.... How about you? What does your week look like!!

Linking up with
Stitch ALL The Things

Saturday, September 5, 2015

"One Block" Wonders BOM, it's a go!!




I am so excited to annouce that starting in October, I will be hosting a "One Block" Wonders BOM. 
I am still finalizing some of the details, working with some of my great blog sponsors 
and a few amazing fabric companies, 
to bring you what I hope will be a fun year of one block quilts. 
Quilts that are made by making multiples of one block, and depending on the way you layout your blocks,  
different options and sub-patterns will be created.

I have designed all the blocks using EQ7 and to the best of my knowledge I have not seen, with the exception of one, any of these blocks before....but in no way am I going to assume anything....  
We all know how tricky this pattern business can be.....

So starting on the first Friday in October
 and every first Friday of each month following,  for 12 months
I will post a block pattern and tutorial
along with a sample or two of the pattern (I hope)

and while it is not mandatory to join, it is the best way to have conversations if you run into trouble or just want to share, post pictures of your blocks/quilts/minis,  and I share extra info, helps, and give aways there. 
I also post all the links to the blog for the actual tutorials, so its a one stop experience, and you will get a notification so you don't forget. Please feel free to follow my blog as well so you will never miss any of the other fun things that happen there too. (Mondays have sales posts, and the discount/sales code page is always a great thing to check before online shopping!!)


I have also created a button for your blog side bar, so grab the code, its another great way to let your followers know what you're up to and links you to my blog....
and let's be honest....it was just fun to make..... ; )

UpStairsHobbyRoom


I hope you will join me in October!!

Monday, August 31, 2015

Monday Morning Savings....with a Guest Blogger


This weeks Monday Morning Savings is being guest hosted by Jacquelynne Steves. Jacquelynne and I met over social media and her amazing talent just grabbed my attention. She is an artist, fabric designer, pattern designer and author of The Art of Home. (a fabulous free EMagazine) She's here to tell you about her free BOM......

CozyAfternoonBOMButtonRect600pixels

First, I’d like to thank Sandy for allowing me to “visit” with you all today! I hope that this is a bit like having a giant tea party… Everyone go grab a cup of your favorite beverage for our “get together” here today… I’ll wait…

teacup art- Jacquelynne Steves_

Are you back?? Great! Let’s chat!

We have been working on a project over at my blog that I thought you might like- It’s a FREE Block of the Month and it has a teacup theme. Doesn’t that sound cozy? In fact, the name of the BOM is Cozy Afternoon, because when I was designing it, I was thinking about cozy days spent wrapped in a quilt, sipping tea, and just relaxing with some hand sewing or perhaps flipping through a favorite magazine or reading a lovely book (Jane Austen, anyone??)

Binding Cozy Afternoon- Jacquelynne Steves_

There is a little something for everyone with these blocks- the patterns include options for just piecing, applique, and simple hand embroidery, so you can choose your favorite technique… Here is the same block shown all 3 ways… they all look very different, but so pretty :) I really had fun choosing the different fabrics for each technique. (Yes- I made 3 of these quilts!) Do you have a favorite?

Block 4 Cozy Afternoon BOM

Participants from all over the world have been sending me photos of their blocks. That is my very favorite part of hosting my free BOM’s- seeing what everyone creates with the pattern! It’s always so interesting to see how different fabrics and techniques can totally change the look of a block!

Cozy Afternoon blocks

Darlee from Quiltstrings is making 2 different quilts with this pattern. The blocks in the front of this photo show the pattern as I designed it. In the back, however, you will see that she got creative, made the blocks in various red fabrics and used maple leafs as her applique motifs- she is making the Maple Leaf quilt for a special someone and thought that they would really like that:

Darlee1edited

Another photo of Darlee's creative maple leaf blocks:

Darlee-Twitter

Hmmm.... is your creativity humming along now?? What kind of blocks can you make with the Cozy Afternoon pattern?

You can also click here for more ideas about color palettes for this quilt.

Cozy Afternoon Free BOM- Jacquelynne Steves- Different Colorways

Did I mention that this is a FREE Block of the Month? And you get instructions for all 3 techniques (just piecing, applique, and embroidery.) We have already started, but it’s not too late to jump in and start stitching! The patterns have lots of step by step diagrams, so this is a wonderful project whether you are a beginning or seasoned quilter. For example, you will learn my “Birthday Cake” technique for making striped corners on your blocks:

Birthday Cake Unit- Cozy Afternoon BOM

When you sign up, you will receive all of the previous blocks, so you can get started right away! I would love to have you join us!! Just click here to get started. In all, you will receive all 5 block patterns, plus the instructions to make the quilt shown below.

CozyAfternoon_FreeBlockoftheMonth_JacquelynneSteves

And to add to the fun, we are having giveaways and we post photos of participants’ progress on my Facebook page and on our group Pinterest page. LINKS. As I mentioned- seeing everyone’s work is my favorite part of this super-fun event, and a lot of people have said that it is their favorite part as well!

And speaking of fun- Let’s have a giveaway here on Sandy’s blog! TWO lucky winners will receive this delightful digital pattern pack.

Giveaway for UpstairsHobbyRoom- Cozy Afternoon Free BOM

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I hope you will stop by, and invite your friends!! I can’t wait to “meet” you all and see your fabulous projects! Thanks again to Sandy for “having me over” today!!

CozyAfternoonSignUpButton

xx Happy Stitching! xx
Jacquelynne


And a few Sales Reminders....