Tuesday Tips-Free pattern links

I like to share links to free block of the month patterns.  I have been doing the free scrappy block of the month patterns with Country Threads (who are now retired) and handed their block program over to Farm Chick Quilts.

Farm Chick Quilts.

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/september-online-block-of-the-month-and-ufo/

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/october-online-block-of-the-month-and-ufo/

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/november-online-block-of-the-month-and-ufo/

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/december-online-block-of-the-month-and-ufo/

Next week she will be posting a picture of the quilt and the finishing instructions.

If you need to find other links for this quilt use one of the above links to get to her website.  Go to archives on the lower right side of her page,  click on the month you need.  Then go below the archives and click on the 1st of the month on the calendar.  That should take you to a page on the website where you can click on the block of the month pattern.

I also have posted links to http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/p/bom-2015.html, I have lost track of this one as I can't keep up with the applique.  She has just started a link for her 2016 project.

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/p/bom-2016.html

It is a row quilt with a Christmas theme and I really like the picture she has posted. 

Last Friday, Bonnie Hunter, www.quiltville.com, started her yearly mystery quilt which runs from Black Friday until the first of the year.  She releases the fabric requirements a few weeks before the clues begin and then on Black Friday morning you can count on finding the first clue on her blog, http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/allietare-mystery.html.  The thing I like about Bonnie's quilt is almost anyone can follow along as she gives step by step pictures and tutorials.  Her quilts are scrap quilts so you can go shopping in your stash and then fill in by going shopping.  Every Monday she has a linky party where many quilters post their work-in-progress pictures.  This gives motivation and ideas.  Don't get discouraged if you can't keep up with the super quilters, just print off or save the instructions and do a little of each step.  Finish the quilt at your own pace.  Remember its not a speed event but about enjoying the journey!

Today is starting out as a great day.  The sun is shining bright, the dishes are done, vacuuming done, and the blog is written.  Off to the shower and then headed to the studio to quilt!  What are you working on today?

Have a terrific Tuesday! Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips

Tuesday Tip 1:  Take some time to enjoy the roses, get away with family and/or friends.    Last Tuesday I was in Shipshewana for the Quilt Show.  We got in some early shopping at A Little Bit of Lolly's in the basement of Davis Mercantile  before the quilt show opened.  They had a happy hour of $1.50 fat quarters from 5-6pm.  We also enjoyed the local flea market on Tuesday.  Both Tuesday and Wednesday nights we ate at the Blue Gate Restaurant.  The homestyle food is so good.

While on our trip I didn't work on handwork, instead I was reading Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts.  I miss reading and had picked the book up at the airport in LasVegas because we were going to be waiting for our flight for a couple of hours.  It was a great book and I finished it after we got home from Shipshewana.

 

Tip 2:   Use the App - Axis 360 for accessing books.  My next adventure in reading will probably be in audio books.  My friend, Corry, introduced me to the application for your phone or IPad called Axis 360.  It allows you to check out books from your local library.  You must have a library card from your library first!  I was able to simply sign-up on line and enter my library card number and boom, I was connected to a whole library of e-books and audio books.  I will be turning off the TV and listening to more books.  This will be so much easier than running back and forth to library to pick up audio book tapes/CDs.

 

Tip 3:  Below are updates for the free patterns I have been posting. 

 

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/june-block-of-the-month-and-ufo-number/

 

http://www.quiltdoodledesigns.com/Junes_Block_2015.pdf

 

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/06/qm-bitty-blocks-i-heart-this-one/

 

McCall's Freebie Fridays:  http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/blog/2015/06/26/friday-free-quilt-patterns-flying-colors-baby-quilt/

 

Have a terrific Tuesday and I hope you have time to sew a few stitches.  Today I will be linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips-Tutorial for fabric box for fat quarters

I found this tutorial on how to make a fabric box on Mad for Fabric Blog.  Its a great tip on how to store fat quarters.  I keep all my fabric in Sterlite drawers.  Making these fabric boxes would help organize my stash within the drawers.  Right now, my drawers are bulging fabric and in no way is it organized.  http://www.madforfabric.com/2015/04/30/diy-fabric-box-tutorial/
I also have piles of fat quarters laying out while I was trying to pick out Lucy Boston blocks.

 

Every month I post the links for free block of the month ideas. 

http://farmchickquilts.com/news/may-online-block-of-the-month-ufo/

Quilt Doodle Designs:
http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/mays-block-my-favorites.html?spref=bl

Bitty Blocks:  Bear Paw
http://www.quiltmaker.com/content_downloads/BittyBearPawBlock.pdf

McCall's Freebie Friday:
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/blog/2015/05/01/friday-free-quilt-patterns-liberty-starshine-table-runner/
Here's a link to all Freebie Friday patterns.
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/?s=friday+freebie

I had made a commitment that I would quit drinking Diet Coke when I returned from Paducah.  My son has made the commitment to quit smoking.  I am showing my support by giving up my beloved Dt. Coke.  I went cold turkey when I finished my last bottle from the trip.  It has been one week.

 

Our first stop in Paducah was Hancock's of Paducah.  Along the back wall were these fabric stamps used for making batiks. 

Below is our scrumptious lunch at the Patty's booth.  They had a meal deal of pulled pork sandwich, a drink, and side order of new potatoes and onions.  Yummy!

 

 Thursday night we left the quilt show and headed out to Patty's Settlement for another quilt show and dinner.  They are famous for their pork shop dinners.

 

We had some fun taking each other's picture at the quilt show. 

 

I have been wanting to make one of the sinks shown on Pinterest using a treadle.  This table would have been perfect but no way to get it home. 

 

My friend, Cathy K., has been working on her Cathedral Windows quilt for a long time and its lap size.  I can't imagine how long it took to get this quilt King size. 

 

We crossed the street to Patty's Settlement and started to enjoy the gardens and scenery.

We headed inside to be seated for our meal. 

This cute display was at the entrance to the restaurant. 

The pork chops were melt-in-your-mouth good.  Dinner was followed by a choice of pies.  I had the Sawdust pie.  It was delicious.  It was pretty quiet on the bus trip back to the hotel.  With full tummies and tired feet, we were all happy to arrive back at the hotel for a good night's sleep.

 

Today I am linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

Saturday Stuff - Monthly Free Pattern Links

Snuggling under this quilt this weekend while fighting off this virus or bug that I have caught.  Below are some of the free patterns I try to post each month.

 

Free pattern from Superior Threads website
http://www.superiorthreads.com/downloadableproduct/23486/

2015 Quilt Doodle Block of the Month - April's Block
http://www.quiltdoodledesigns.com/Aprils_Block_2015.pdf

McCall's Freebie Friday

 

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/content_downloads/Spring_Splash.pdf

Quiltmaker Bitty Blocks

I can't find April's Block yet.  I will post it later when it becomes available.

Row Quilt Options

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/03/qm-bitty-blocks-the-row-quilts/

 

Farm Chick Quilts ( used to be the Country Threads block of the month)

 

http://farmchickquilts.com/uncategorized/april-online-block-of-the-month-and-ufo/

http://farmchickquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/February-Block-PDF.pdf

http://farmchickquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/March-Block.pdf

 

Have a blessed Easter weekend.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Tuesday Tips - Shopping Prep & Organizing Basket Pattern

(Kathy O, Maribel, Cathy K and myself)

I am preparing to attend the International Quilt Show in Chicago on Saturday.  I am attending with my quilting peeps, Kathy O, Maribel K, and Cathy K.  We are so jazzed up about seeing what the new trends will be this year.  We are also planning at going to Paducah this year.  Kathy O and Maribel are new to Paducah.  I always think it is so exciting to see Paducah through a newbie's eyes!

Maribel has asked me for some advice on how to prepare.  I thought this would be good information to share.  This is just MY opinion on how to prepare for the overwhelming experience of walking into the convention center at Paducah and loosing sight of your budget instantly.  Believe me....temptation will greet you at the door!

I keep a running "Wish List" on a little note pad by my sewing machine all the time.  That way when I go shopping to the local quilt shop, JoAnn's, shop hop or Paducah, I always know what I NEED.  On that list should be two kinds of lists:  NEEDS and WANTS.  That is why I call it a Wish List.  Needs will be things like sewing machine needles, thread to match a project, new rotary blades, etc.  If you need to match fabric, make sure you tape a scrap of fabric to your list for matching.  These are items you absolutely need to finish a project.  The other side of the list is WANTS.  This side consists of things you have seen in magazines, on the internet, suggestions by quilting peeps, new fabric lines or books coming out that you need to check out. 

I am going to share my current list so you get a feel for what I am explaining above.
NEEDS:

1. Handi Quilter 18 needles
2. Handi Quilter Bobbins
3. Grandma's Recipe Spot Remover in spray bottle
4. Soft Fuse 18" x 3 yds $20
5. EQ Printable Premium Cotton Satin fabric sheets
6. Threads for longarm

WANTS:

1. Smart Needle Essentials Sew Caddy-Ladybug $12.99
2. A Pattern to make Selvages Quilt
3. Farm Girl Vintage book by Lori Holt
4. Riley Blake Fabric for Farm Girl book
5. Civil War Remembered book by Country Threads

Notice that I also listed prices on several items.  This is so I know if I am getting a good price on the item.  If I buy at the show instead of on the internet then I won't be paying for shipping.

My friends and I have talked about our budgets and will help hold each other accountable.  I have even offered to hold their credit cards for them, if necessary! 

While on Linked In yesterday morning, I found this cute basket pattern and wanted share it with you.  What a cute way to use up scrap fabric, batting, and interfacing.  All of us need additional storage.  You could adjust the pattern to make them smaller or larger to fit your needs.  I think little tabs on the ends would be cute embellishment.
http://quiltsocial.com/a-tisket-a-tasket-this-sewing-table-needs-some-baskets/

I would love to hear how you plan to shop when attending shop hops or quilt shows.  If you can't leave a comment you can email me at quiltcrazie@msn.com.

Today I have linked up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday by A Quilt Story.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Work in Progress Wednesday

Good Morning!  Its warmer and its not raining, snowing or sleeting this morning.  I am hoping for slow melting or we will have a lake in the backyard along with lots of mud.  With three dogs in the house, not looking forward to wiping feet off.

I have been working on my own quilts this week.  I can't tell you how long this top has been hanging around waiting for quilting.  Its quilted!  Its only 18" x 24".  The full reveal picture on Friday.  Another small quilt is loaded and on its way to being finished also.  The big push is on to finish 7 quilts for our local quilt show March 21 & 22.

I bought this kit on the I-80 Shop Hop years ago.  The finished small quilt in their shop was framed beautifully.  We'll have to see if it gets framed, since that can be costly.  It will look nice hung in my new kitchen.

I hope you are having a productive day.  I have vacuumed the main floor, cleaned off the dining room table from all my quilting piles, cleaned off the counter tops from valentines decorations and put out Easter decorations.  The dining room table looks like a dining table.  Because I have not cleaned and organized my sewing area, I had moved upstairs to the dining room table which doesn't look so great when company stops by. 

The quilt on the table is called Window Box, pattern by Lynnette Jensen.

I made this quilt for Quilter's Garden Quilt Shop when I was their sample maker.

 

I have not posted the links for the free patterns I like lately.  So today is catch-up day.

 

Quilt Doodle Designs BOM 2015

http://www.quiltdoodledesigns.com/Marchs_Block_2015.pdf

 

McCall's Freebie Friday

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/blogs/?s=friday+freebie

Quiltmaker Bitty Blocks

February

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/02/qm-bitty-blocks-basket-block/

March – Row Quilt Options

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/03/qm-bitty-blocks-the-row-quilts/

March Blocks

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2015/03/qm-bitty-blocks-home-sweet-home/

Farm Chick Quilts ( used to be the Country Threads block of the month)

http://farmchickquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/February-Block-PDF.pdf

http://farmchickquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/March-Block.pdf

 

Hope you have a great day.  Today I am linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced.

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Friday Finishes - Free 2014 Patterns

Have you been working on your Block of the Month (BOM) quilts and keeping up.  Or, we are just finishing January, so there is still time for you to join us.  Several people have asked me for a reminder to check for the next month's block.  So here is your reminder quilters.  Tomorrow is the big day for February's blocks.

There are five quilt designs that are free currently.  They will not remain free forever, so if you are interested, print the pattern off now. 

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2013/12/bom-2014.html

BOM 2014  

I had so much fun organizing last years block of the month club....that I decided to do it again! Wanting to be able to include all quilting levels I have decided it will be based on 2 1/2' squares and strips. This quilt will consist of 10 blocks, sections or strips, one a month. There is no paper piecing in this quilt, but there will be a little bit of machine applique and a tiny little bit of embroidery.  I will have a tutorial with the pattern included each month.  The monthly patterns will be FREE during the month that they are announced, after that they will be available for a small fee. In November we will piece the sections together and December will be saved for putting on borders and finishing touches.

Now here is the part that drives me crazy, in a fun way! Choosing fabrics..... everyone has their favorites.... have fun choosing fabrics!  But I will tell you, tone on tone fabrics will be best in this quilt.  You will be creating a 'scene' in this quilt, it's super duper cute! The 'Logo' on the top of the post is a huge clue! I will be using... fabric from Studio E's Silly Chilly Snowmates, Tried and True and Jingle All The Way from Bernatex, Hoffman Bali Handpaints, and bits and pieces from my fabric stash...

Finished size will be 70" x 84" (Twin Size)

Yardage.... this is an estimate with extra added in...

4 yards background (I am splitting this up between two blues)
1 yard white/cream

1/4 yard gold
1/4 yard dark green
fat quarter of 2 different medium greens
1/4 yard red
1/3 yard black or dark gray
fat quarter medium gray
fat quarter brown
fat quarter orange
fat eighth yellow
heat n bond
dark brown or black thread for machine applique
black DMC thread or pearl cotton
border #1- 1 yard
border #2- 1 1/2 yards

backing - 6 yards

binding - 3/4 yards for 2 1/2" binding

There's a flicker group!  Please join...Every month post photos of your Quilt Doodle BOM finishes in the BOM flicker group for a chance to win that month's prize! Woot woot!  

 

The first block pattern will be posted on January 1st!  The give-away for the January block will be announced on January 15th and a winner will be picked on the 31st....

 

Below is the first block's pattern.  You should be able to find some cute fabric on sale right now for this!

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/2013/12/januarys-block-of-month-2014.html
_________________________________________________________________________________________
This Mystery was just revealed and all clues are posted on Bonnie's website:  Quiltville Celtic Solstice Mystery

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/10/2013-mystery-time-introducing-celtic.html
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Country Threads 2014 BOM (trust me as we go layout)

http://country-threads-chicken-scratch.com/?p=3073
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Aurifil Block a Month by different designers

http://auribuzz.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/pat-sloan-2014-aurifil-challenge-fabric.jpg
__________________________________________________________________________________

 Pat Sloan free BOM called Globetrotting

http://blog.patsloan.com/2014/01/pat-sloan-im-happy-to-announce-globetrotting-my-free-block-of-the-month.html
__________________________________________________________________________________
I have been working on the snowmen heads for the Quilt Doodle Designs. 

 Here's a hint, don't sew the blocks together until you complete the stitching on the noses.  Also, if you are a beginner, don't sew on the eyes until after the quilt is quilted. 

 

I have also been working on the 2014 Country Threads BOM. I love this one because I am doing it totally scrappy.  I am trying to use up all my old Thimbleberries fabrics.  I am working on January blocks and discovered when making all the half square triangles I was getting a lot of bulk.  So I divided the HSTs in half.  One half I pressed to the dark(on the left).  The second half I pressed to the light(on the right.  (I won't tell the quilt police we broke the rule of pressing to the dark.)

 

This allows your seams to nest and gives beautiful points.

Another hit for the large 20" block on 2014 Country Threads BOM.  If you don't have 8 1/2" squares for the corner blocks, consider putting in four patch blocks in the corners.  I made a mistake cutting my fabric and now I don't have anything 8 1/2", so I have decided to put either a four patch or nine patch in the corners.  Sometimes, we just have to make-do since its a scrappy quilt.

Headed out to buy groceries as we are expecting a snow storm overnight.  My plan is to get groceries and get back home to quilt before everyone else decides to go shopping.  Have a great weekend and hope you are making progress on your blocks. 

I have linked up with the following blogs today - Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Link a Finish Friday, Freedom Fridays, and Crazy Mom Quilts.

Yours in quilting,
Terry