What I've Been Up To and a Sneak Peak of April's Block (no Fooling around here!)

I am a part of The Bag of the Month Club and have been since it first started 3 yrs ago. Even though I knew I was going to receive the April bag pattern from Emmaline Bags , when the opportunity came to test the pattern before its release I couldn't say no...and boy was I glad I didn't......

 The Gabby Bag

 with an inset zipper in the back yoke of the outside shell....

 which I added an appliquéd 50 to for my 50th (last yrs birthday)....

but one wasn't enough,  I also made one for my sister in law who was celebrating her 50th birthday this passed Feb..

Inside the bag there is another inset  zipper pocket (which is where I added my sister in law's appliquéd 50) and slip pockets to keep your phone, etc organized...

 and the bag has some really cute and fun details, including the strap holders and the side pleat!

 Just love the details and size of this bag, holds just what you need.

I will be making this bag again for sure!!

What I've Been Up To:

I finished my Wiggle Me Colourful quilt pattern for my niece

I  used a digital pattern  called Super Nova and variegated Cairo King Tut thread, just love how this turned out!!

The bobbin thread was a Lilac Purple

I also finished my Around the Block quilt pattern for my nephew:

I used the Phantom Wave digital pattern and Omni Ash Gray thread and love how this quilt turned out too!
With a pieced section added to the back and the contrast in fabric and thread, the back has its own visual appeal too. I call this 2 for 1 quilting!!

And I have been bravely sewing my bindings on both sides when they are black thread on black fabric. The only way this perfectionist can handle the fact that the stitching is never even on the back, but the phrase "done is better than perfect" keeps playing over in my head. It does feel so good to have these quilts done and ready to finally gift....it's only 3 months after Christmas......

One Block Wonders Update:

For the first time since starting the One Block Wonders,  my quilt sample for the month is not only done, it's quilted and the binding is on! 

I used the Omni Ash Grey thread again for this one with the digital pattern Turbulence.

 I love how the black and white border just added so much to this quilt made with the fantastic Basically Patrick line from RJR Fabrics, with a few Cotton Supreme Solids thrown in!! This quilt just says summery fun!!

 I was a little worried about the soft yellow and the black binding I knew I was adding, so I added a 1" black strip to the top and bottom of the pieced section to balance it, and it worked out perfectly!!

Now don't forget to link up your March block or project 

for your chance to win...

A Gift Certificate from 

or a FQ Bundle from 

And as promised a sneak peak at April

March's One Block Wonders BOM Link up

Well it was a late starting month, but I hope everyone had a chance to at least sew one block.....

It was a pretty easy block, so hopefully that helped.....

I had such a great time making mine out of the Basically Patrick and Cotton Supreme Solids 

lines from  RJR Fabrics

It turned out so bright and fun, and I just love how the black and white borders makes it all come together.

Our Prize Sponsors

$25.00 Gift Certificate

You will not have any problem spending that....Sew Sisters has so many fantastic fabrics and quilting supplies that every quilter needs and wants

and

FQ Bundle of some of the Basically Patrick fabric line

You will absolutely love these prints...

An InLinkz Link-up

And our winners are........

FQ Bundle from RJR Fabrics

Anja

$25.00 Gift Certificate from Sew Sisters

Shannon

March One Block Wonders Update

It has been a crazy month...

Lots of catching up to do...some great news shared...
and getting some quilting done on my new LongArm...

and I totally forgot to get back to you with the Prize sponsors for this month....

a fantastic online and Toronto based quilt shop 

is sponsoring a 

$25.00 Gift Certificate for one lucky sewer.

Check them out, they have some great fabric clubs and a deal of the month, 

and an always growing Clearance section full of wonderful fabric deals.

and

is donating a 

FQ bundle of some of the Basically Patrick line!

I had so much fun making my version of this months block with these fabrics along with some of the 

Cotton Supreme Solids line.

Here is what my quilt is looking like.....

I may even get this one quilted before the link up....well....maybe ;)

How about you? Got any blocks made......

Link up is this Friday, but again I will be running it for 2 weeks! So still plenty of time to get the one block minimum done!!!

You can find the free block pattern here, but only till March 31

Happy Sewing

 Don't forget 

Getting Personal

I don't often write personal posts....but I have such great news to share that I thought I had to.......

Elephant Parade pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts

My daughter Amanda and her husband Ryley just gave us the happiest of news...

I'm going to be a Grandma.

I am so excited and as you can see, I've been preparing! lol

And Amanda loves the quilt and Zebraz wall hanging so much the baby's room is going to be themed around Elephants!! (cue big smile on this Grandma's face!!) 

Their will be more sewing.....lol

I have already purchased.....

Ellie

 and downloaded this free pattern from Birch Fabrics

and I think I may need to get this from BubbleBrick (a Canadian company!!)

they have some super cute custom wood buttons, tags, and signs(and more). 

This is a baby shower guest book idea....how absolutely adorable is this!! I'm thinking for the wall in the baby's room with family/friends writing something to the newest member of our family.

Well that's my news, come sometime in October their will be a new love in my life, and I will have a new name....lol

Any suggestions? or do you just kick it old school with Grandma....

UpStairsHobbyRoom Designs

First I wanted to say thanks to everyone who reached out with their lovely comments! I appreciate you not holding my open moment against me!! It felt good to be real, and it helped me work through how I was feeling.....enough said!

I realize I have been very lacks in my post lately. Trying to get ahead with the One Block Wonders BOM and starting out on new adventures all at the same time, has caused a blogging short fall,
and a few collaborations with The Quilting Bee in Fonthill Ontario have changed my creative course for sure!! (This is also where I purchased my Innova Long Arm! More about that in another post)
I was sent some Free Spirit Fabric and asked to design quilts that would compliment the fabrics. I came up with 2 patterns and  I know I shared them over on IG, and thought I had shared here too, but.....I'm either really behind.....or very forgetful....


The first quilt I designed was with Tula Pinks' Eden line. I'm calling this one Bliss Medallion. The pattern comes with instructions for 2 sizes. This is the 51.5" and the larger one below is 69.5" square

 Then I sent it back and Kelly quilted it. It is just stunning. The quilt should be at Quilt Canada in June.

The next project was designed around the Leaf Dance line: I am calling this pattern Cross My Heart
Can't wait to see how Kelly quilts this one. It has some great negative spaces to fill!! It also should be at Quilt Canada.

This is just one of many ways to lay out your blocks!! I love both of these patterns and their potential for change, with colour and fabric choices and/or block placement!!

Since going down the design "rabbit hole" (wonderland) I have also opened up a Craftsy Pattern Shop where I have started to sell my patterns. (you can always link from my blog, either with the Craftsy button in the sidebar or the Craftsy Shop tab at the top of my blog) This is a very new adventure for me,  a little scary and a lot of work, but so creatively rewarding, so for now Craftsy is the only locate to purchase. If my little business takes flight and enough customers need a different location to purchase I'll look into more options, but for a start up business, this was a very good option!!

Also all of the One Block Wonders BOM blocks will become full patterns and all will be published over in my Craftsty Shop, and I am happy and surprised to say, all the full patterns right up to March's are all listed and ready for purchase.

Thanks to all who have already purchase my patterns. Would love to hear feedback,  and can't wait to see your finished projects! Also if you would take the time to link your finished projects to the patterns in Craftsy, your work will inspire others and I would love to see all the different ways my patterns come to life!!!

Have a great day, and Happy Sewing!!

One Block Wonders....March......We Are Half Way Thru.....

We have reached the half way mark....and I so appreciate all the support from the One Block Wonders FaceBook Group!  ! You know who you are, the few faithful commenters and sewers....
Hugs to you all!

It has been so much fun being able to share some fun prizes each month.....

So Let's Get To It......

 

The winner of the RJR Fabrics, Bugsy FQ Bundle is .....

Laura

And 

The winner of the All This Wood labels is.......
Denny

and our bonus winner this month is...
Lynn 

This Month's Block:

One Plus One

Find the pattern in my Craftsy Pattern Shop (here):  

Full patterns will be available for sale, as I get them written up, in my Craftsy Pattern Shop (Oct-Feb. are already posted). They will include colouring sheets, full material lists,  full instructions and multiple layouts/sizes.....hope you will check them out!

Sweet and simple.....

Hope you like it...