100 Blocks

If you pick up a copy of the new 100 Blocks you’ll see that block up there in it.  I made the block well over a year ago and completely forgot about it until this magazine showed up at my door.  But with my pregnancy brain I forget everything…so I guess it’s not that surprising.

I won’t lie…the best part is the mug they sent me with my block on it.  Perfect for a hot-chocolate-every-night gal like myself.  It doesn’t take much to make me a happy camper.   :)

If you bought a pattern over the weekend they’ve all been sent…so if you didn’t receive yours or if you don’t receive it in the mail soon…please let me know!  cluckclucksew@gmail.com

Tutorial: Quick and Easy Bowtie Blocks

With the green light from Jolene (inspired from this quilt she made) I’m sharing a quickie tutorial for these fun little bow-tie blocks. 

For each block start with:

4 background squares 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

2 print squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Sew the print squares diagonally from corner to corner on two of the background squares, right sides together.  I eyeball mine using my machine guides…but I suggest drawing a pencil line from corner to corner on the back of the print squares or using the tape trick. 

Trim the corner leaving a 1/4" seam allowance and press out.

Lay them out, sew right and left sides together, press towards the print triangles…then sew the top and bottom together.

The unfinished block should measure 6 1/2" x 6 1/2". For a baby size quilt like mine above…I made 42 blocks and laid them out in 7 rows of 6 blocks each. This is a fun way to use scraps and extra pieces of those solids you don’t know what to do with! 

Bright on white

Fresh from the dryer quilts are hard to resist for monkeys jumping on the bed.  This quilt turned out better than I’d hoped and was a birthday gift for my Mom.  The backing fabric I bought from Lori is fabulous…usually I stick with small print fabrics for the backing, but not anymore.

Now that the snow has come my boys are going bonkers being inside all day.  We’ve kept busy doing lots of crafts….salt dough is always a favorite.

I’m really sick of kids crafts.  :)

I got the memo that you want to know what that cute grey bunting fabric is from my last post!  It’s Sweetwater’s newest line called Reunion.  Yardage comes out in January and pre-cuts hopefully will start popping up soon?  Not sure about that one.  But that’s what it is!

If you’ll be near Rexburg, ID this weekend stop by the White Place Flea Market at Hemming Village from 10-5….I’ll be there at some point..should be fun!

Monday doings

Thank you for all the baby-girl well wishes…we are excited (and nervous!) I’m not quite sure what to do with girls?  It will be a fun adventure.

Today (besides being freezing) I’m getting the binding sewn onto this quilt…binding is torture for me lately…I’d rather fold laundry.

This pretty stack is sitting on my table (from the lovely Lissa) and I’m wondering when I’ll actually have time to cut into them…it could be awhile. For now they are just fun to stare at.

I’m on a mission today to get real snow boots…from a real shoe store (a.k.a. not Target).  Because being lopsided, tall, and clumsy + snow is not a good combo for me….ever.

My friend Jera just barely got her pre-cut fabric shop up and running….so checkout Quilting in the Rain if you get a sec.  I love the name of her shop since she’s in Seattle…and that she has some of my patterns in kits (with more to come).

Pink

I forgot to tell you I’m 100%  (4 ultrasounds later) baby #3 is a GIRL …and I’m a little bit excited to add some pink into my life.  I’m not sewing anything for this baby until after Christmas…because I know once I see the spring fabric lines I’m going to want all those too.  It’s just fun to buy pink and have a reason to buy it. :)

Sew to Swap blog tour

I’m participating in the Sew to Swap blog tour today….a book I was lucky enough to participate in.  Written by Chrissie Grace, illustrated by Ariel, and published by F+W Media.

It turned out lovely…the projects and photos are beautiful, as are the amazing illustrations.  I’m happy that Chrissie asked me to be a part of it with some seriously talented folks:

The book is available here, here (use coupon code Sew2Swap), or many other retailers.

Next up for the book tour is:

November 10 My Three Sons

November 11 Twin Fibers

November 12 Stitchy Quilt Stuff

November 13 The Creative Juices of Ariel

November 14 Texas Freckles

November 15 Quilt Dad

November 16 Artsy-Craftsy Babe

November 17 Little Miss Shabby

November 18 A Cuppa and a Catch Up

November 19 A Quilt is Nice

November 20 A Little Sweetness

November 21 House of A La Mode

November 22 I’m Just a Guy Who Quilts

November 23 Little Bit Funky

November 27 In His Grace

Fresh and Clean

My old pillow covers were gross.  They live on the floor 90% of the time because for some reason pillows are meant to be thrown on the floor by little boys + husband...so it was time for new ones. 

It’s a fun quick project and I forget how much I enjoy looking at new pillows on my couch, plus that patchwork pillow was all scraps…gotta love that.   I used this tutorial to install an invisible zipper in them so they can go into the wash often.