Sew Sweet Simplicity - Finale' (& Giveaway)

Here is my final installment on Jacquelynne Steves' free block of the month series.

The quilt center is sewn, but it's still in an evolving and growing status as I decide on borders.

My goal with this quilt was to use ONE layer cake (Adornit Crazy for Daisies), then supplement with a white background and my own scraps.  I also wanted to create each block with an emphasis on the star pattern using the reds in the layer cake.  Another goal was to be able to use the AccuQuilt die-cutting system to prepare my applique' pieces.  Then I made block #4 and the pattern was great, as usual, but I think I used too much red.

 So I bought a little more fabric and made another block using pattern #1.

Then I made another Block #2 to balance things out.

I needed a few setting blocks, so I used pieces from the layer cake:

I cut 10" squares diagonally in half and paired them with 10" background squares cut the same way to make hourglass blocks, and trimmed them to size.  Not my normal way of doing it, since it created all-bias edges, but with a little starch it will work,  and was a great way to grow the quilt.

Then I tried to put the quilt together.  Oops.

There was a time when I did not own a seam ripper.   I confess, it was a matter of arrogance, really.  I mean, after all, I don't really NEED one, right?!   Thank heaven my cute friend Fran gave me one as a gift.  And for this project, the little gadget and I became reacquainted...

Good thing I recently watched this video so I knew how to use it!!

Fixed the setting blocks and started to audition borders.  Colors are great, but, really, it's so busy!  Maybe I'll have to go with a plain border.  Then I spied it - OH, NO!   That center block is lying on it's side... urghghgh!  Time to get "frog-stitching" again... "Rip-it, rip-it, rip-it".

And of course, the bobbin ran out just as I was re-attaching it to the quilt center... sheesh. 

Whew!  Now it's all put back together as you see in the first picture.  I think it will make a great Spring wall hanging, or I could add a couple more borders for a baby quilt.  Maybe more open space for quilting detail.  I'll have to dream about it for a few more weeks while I learn to use my new longarm machine!

Now for the giveaway info:  Jacquelynne is giving away her fabulous digital e-book! Sew cute!

In addition, I'll throw in a new seam ripper, my orphan block #4 as pictured above, plus a little stack of fabric.   Leave a comment to tell us about your favorite quilting tool or gadget.  Be sure to include your email address if you are a no-reply blogger.

Giveaway will end next Monday (March 2nd).  

Jacquelynne also has a second special giveaway going on today, with more info on Thursday to kick off her 2015 free Block of the Month!   The free patterns for Sew Sweet Simplicity will only be available for the next month.  See all Jacquelynne's details on her blog ↓↓.  Be sure to stop by each of our Sew Sweet team for more inspiration and giveaways.

Jacquelynne ~ The Art of Home

Snoodles ~ Lily Pad Quilting
Teresa ~ A Quilt and a Prayer Sandy ~ UpStairs Hobby Room Deonn ~ Quiltscapes << thanks for the visit! Barb ~ Bejeweled Quilts Sandie ~ Crazy ‘Bout Quilts Deanna ~ Wedding Dress Blue
Barb ~ Garden Path Quilts

Sew Sweet Simplicity #4 (+ Giveaway)

Here is my last installment of Jacquelynne Steves' block of the month series:

 Here's the EQ image

Here is how the actual block turned out.

See the other blocks here:  Block #1  Block #2  Block #3

Next time, I'll be able to showcase my finished project!  Now it's decision time:  table runner, wall hanging, or go for a lap quilt? Hmmm.  We'll have to see!

Did you know you can still get patterns for this free BOM?  Check it out HERE.  You'll receive links for the previous blocks, including two more BONUS blocks and other free patterns. See more inspiration on the SSS Pinterest page.  Each of us on the block-testing team will be giving away this darling pattern bundle:

Leave a comment to win - What's happening in your sewing room/space?  Drawing February 2nd. 

Jacquelynne ~ The Art of Home

Snoodles ~ Lily Pad Quilting
Teresa ~ A Quilt and a Prayer Sandy ~ UpStairs Hobby Room Deonn ~ Quiltscapes << thanks for the visit! Barb ~ Bejeweled Quilts Sandie ~ Crazy ‘Bout Quilts Deanna ~ Wedding Dress Blue
Barb ~ Mountain Quiltworks Barb ~ Garden Path Quilts

Sew Sweet Simplicity #3

Here's my third block in Jacquelynne Steves' free block of the month series:

For the daisy center, I again used my Accuquilt cutter.  A leaf motif made perfect daisy petals, and it cuts up to 6 layers at a time - quick and easy!  Nice.

Keeping it "sew" simple with fusible web and a blanket stitch for my applique', as on Block #1 and Block #2.

This block uses so many half-square triangles, I went with a fun and simple way to knock out 8 HSTs at the same time!  Checked with my handy little pocketbook Quilter's Bible for the formula:

Mark diagonal lines in an X

Layer and STITCH 1/4" on both sides of lines.

 CUT in a in + and x

YIELD = 8 "instant" half-square triangles! (Repeat twice for all the light red HSTs)

 Beautiful!

One more block to go in the series!  If you haven't signed up yet, you can join in any time - check it out HERE.  You'll receive links for any previous blocks.  This month (and next) there is also a BONUS block! See more inspiration on the SSS Pinterest page.  Each of us on the block-testing team will be giving away a pattern bundle. 

Leave a comment to win - quickie hand-made gift ideas?  Drawing January 1st.  And for more bonus items, visit Jacquelynne's blog to sign up for her newsletter, with a free pattern...

and a chance to win a precut mini-kit for Sew Sweet Simplicity.

Jacquelynne ~ The Art of Home

Snoodles ~ Lily Pad Quilting
Teresa ~ A Quilt and a Prayer Sandy ~ UpStairs Hobby Room Deonn ~ Quiltscapes << thanks for the visit! Barb ~ Bejeweled Quilts Sandie ~ Crazy ‘Bout Quilts Deanna ~ Wedding Dress Blue
Barb ~ Mountain Quiltworks Barb ~ Garden Path Quilts

A new arrival, prize-winners, a little music; other random stuff.

Our family is growing!  We are thrilled to announce our new arrival!  Meet "MO"!

photo courtesy of Sue McCarty

Little "Mo", as his previous owner called him, has arrived and we are busy setting him up in the studio, complete with his Statler computerized system.  I'll need to familiarize myself with all his bells, buttons and whistles, (and hundreds of pre-loaded patterns) then we'll get busy after the holidays.  My husband and daughters at home will also be learning to operate little Mo, too!  So stinkin' excited!!  Meanwhile, Bertha is still busy stitching up custom quilts - one more to go before Christmas.

~~~

And, Congratulations to my winners from three recent blog hops, whew!!

Kathy won a pattern bundle sponsored by Jacquelynne Steves on the "Sew Sweet Simplicity" hop.  Such darling patterns!  Love those cheery cherries.  Next week will feature a new block and a new pattern bundle giveaway.

Vicki won a copy of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks vol 10, plus a happy little stack of charm squares and supplies to make my "Spring" quilt block featured in the magazine.  The applique' pieces are cut with my AccuQuilt cutting system.

Robin won a little Cardinal pincushion/ornament #littlebirdiepincushion from my "Twas the Night..." hop with the SewWeQuilt online guild.

And did you notice?  Her name is ROBIN!!  OK, so I couldn't resist making this one for her as well.  

Want to make your own Little Birdie pincushion?  

Here's the link → Little Birdie FREE Tutorial

For the robin, I pieced the head strip and used the same print for the rest.

For the Cardinal ornament, I used a black pigma pen to color in around the beak, 

then I used a large needle to add a ribbon through the seam for hanging.

Then I made a few more.  You know, for Christmas. 

~~~

And if that weren't enough excitement for one post, it was concert week last week!  I sing in the biggest backup group in the world, and it was such a delightful week as we sang with our guest artist Santino Fontana (voice of Prince Hans from Frozen, and a darling!), along with the Muppets!  That's right, from Sesame Street!  Big Bird, the Count, Grover, Bert & Ernie, Rosita, a new-to-me little sweetie--Abby Cadabby, and of course, my favorite little Elmo!  Here's a highlight:

2014 Christ2014 Christmas Concert highlights

It was a great concert! ♫♪ Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street? ♫♪ ♥♥♥