Thursday, January 31, 2013

February BOM



This months block is named 'Garden Pinwheel'. You will need a light and dark for the block... a scrap for the applique flower and yo-yo. I had to add the yo-yo,  love them!  You can also embellish your flower with a button, or both a yo-yo and button!
 
The pattern for 'Garden Pinwheel' can be found in my Craftsy Store.
January's block is also available on Craftsy and also can be found in my Etsy shop... now that the February block is out, January's block is now available for $1.99
 
So here is how I completed this months block, if you have any questions feel free to email me any time!
Following the pattern directions, cut 8  4 1/2" squares from dark fabric
cut 4  4 1/2" squares light fabric
cut 1  4 1/2" square for the block center from contrasting light fabric
(If I were to do this block again.... I would cut 8 squares from the light fabric
and 4 squares from the dark fabric.)

Trace flower on to heat n bond, iron on contrasting dark fabric scrap.

Cut flower out and iron on the center square. Using a blanket stitch sew around the edge of the design.
I used my sewing machine and a contrasting gold thread. If you prefer needle turn applique you can do that too!


To make the pinwheel section, layer 1 light square and 1 dark square right sides together. (4 total)
On bottom, measure 2 1/4" and mark, draw a line from this point to the corner, repeat on all
4 squares. This is your sewing line.

Sew on the line....

Iron 'open' and then trim the cream excess so that the block measures 4 1/2" again, repeat on all 4 blocks.

Trim excess fabric to a 1/4" seam...

Lay the completed squares out as shown to form
the pinwheel block.

Sew the blocks together using a 1/4" seam.

Make a yo-yo using a 30mm yo-yo maker or a 3" fabric circle.
Attach to the center of the flower. I blanket stitched around my yo-yo.


Garden Pinwheel
12 1/2" square (this includes seam allowance)



Just a few notes on this month's block. If I were to do it again, I'm thinking a light background and dark fabric for the pinwheel would be lovely too.  That's what I have pictured on my drawing of the quilt. I may be redoing my block.... I haven't decided yet. The applique flower is completely optional. I will be 'throwing' in flowers and yo-yo's here and there on some of the blocks. If you are using only two fabrics.... here's what I would do... for your center block, pinwheel and yo-yo, I would use a 'dark' fabric. For the background and flower... I would use the light fabric.  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 March block pattern will be posted on March 1st! The give-away for the February block will be announced on February 15th and a winner will be picked on the 28th....

Happy quilting!
Congratulations to our January winner!
Ditzler's block which was posted to the flickr group is the January winner!
Ditzler..... please email me your address so that I can mail your prize out to you!
She won these lovely fabrics!


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Crockpot Potato Soup

It's super duper cold here in Minnesota and I'm in need of some comfort food! This recipe is awesome! It's quick and easy and sure to warm your tummy! This would also be a great recipe for a quilt retreat, or when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen so you have more time to quilt!


Crockpot Potato Soup

1 30 oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns {I used Ore Ida's O'Brien Potatoes}
3 14 oz. cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup onion, chopped (I left this out since I used the O'Brien s)
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 pkg. cream cheese (Don't use fat-free, it won't melt)

Put everything except the cream cheese into the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. One hour before serving, add the cream cheese and stir in as it melts. Yummmmmmm! 
Serve with crusty french bread and your favorite toppings... cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon bits etc.

Crockpot Potato Soup and Cheddar Biscuits....
Hubby ate what was left of the French Bread.... 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery


The Fat Quarter Shop is hosting their sixth annual Designer Mystery Block of the Month club.  This mystery quilt is filled with basket blocks, star blocks, house blocks and flower blocks guaranteed to fill your home with color and style! Twelve amazing designers teamed up to bring you this beautiful quilt. You will receive 12 different blocks featuring the Avalon collection by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. Each block finishes at 12" and will be an easy to intermediate pieced block (no templates, applique or paper piecing).

The Designer Mystery Block of the Month Club runs from June 2013 to May 2014.

This club ships around the 10th of every month. 
If you become a member of the 2013 Designer Mystery BOM, you will also receive a bonus 2.5" mini charm pack of the Avalon collection with your first block!

Read more about the club on the Fat Quarter Shop Blog! I myself haven't decided yet if I want to join. But I keep going back to their website and I ohhh and awe at this beautiful quilt. It's so bright and cheerful!

Happy quilting!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

FNSI, I Made A Schlep Bag!


 It was a fun FNSI... I made a Schlep Bag... I don't know why it's called a Schlep Bag... but I love it and have always wanted to make one. I found my free pattern to make it HERE. I dug through my batiks thinking I would have more than enough fabric to make one only to discover that many of my remnants left from other projects are too narrow for the 8" squares. Not wanting to do any math... I used brand new fat quarters and yard cuts that I had on hand. (I sure hope they weren't for something else that I forgot about....)
My pieces are all cut and ready to go!

My finished Schlep Bag
I hope that you had a fun day sewing too! It's not too late to join the Quilt Doodle BOM 2013! I have a tab on top of my blog with all of the details so far. 

Happy Quilting,

Monday, January 21, 2013

A Rooster, Puppy and Kitty Cat

It's always fun to present to you NEW designs. I have been busy this weekend and got a few items done. They're cute and whimsical and so much fun to do! All of these patterns can be completed in an afternoon and would be fun projects to do at quilt retreat.

Kitty Kat Mug Mat
It's so cute! I'm not allergic to this cute little kitty cat! The pattern
can be adapted to match the little kitty in your life.

Wilson is pretty fond of this mug mat.
Who can resist Wilson with a treat of his own!

Rooster stands proudly on this tea towel.  Inspired by my sister-in-laws
farm friends.  I love visiting her farm and seeing her chickens, she has so many
beautiful birds.

Kitty Kat
Quilt Doodle Pattern #308

Wilson Mug Mat
Quilt Doodle Pattern #309

Rooster
Quilt Doodle Pattern #224
As you can see, I had a bit of an animal theme. All cute little friends that inspired some fun projects. If you're looking for a new quick easy projects, these are great ones! They can be found in my Etsy Shop and as instant downloads through Craftsy.  These patterns will also be available at the International Quilt Market through Pattern Peddlers. And hopefully found in a quilt store near you!

Happy quilting!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day




Mark your calendars and plan a trip to your favorite local quilt shop! I have several favorites that I would like to share with you... I live in the Twin Cities area and there are sooooo many great shops.... here are just a few that I love to visit....
Eagle Creek Quilt Shop
333 2nd Avenue West
Shakopee, Minnesota

A top ten shop ~ Quilt Sampler Magazine 2003
Best of Quilt Sampler Magazine 2007

I love to visit Eagle Creek Quilt Shop, the staff is super friendly and the coffee is always on...
It's located in a restored train depot.

This shop is located pretty close to me, so when I'm out of thread, or I'm out of needles, or  need
a fat quarter or two, this is my go to shop... Quilt Cove is located in Eagan, Minnesota

As you can see, it's full of samples and all sorts of quilty items!

My all time favorite shop in the metro....
located in White Bear Lake
It's a Top Ten quilt Shop 2001

Love Bear Patch Quilting for all of the lovely fabric and samples.
I can almost always find what I'm looking for here!

Right now the Quilt Dog is hosting a Quilt Doodle Trunk Show!
They are located in Cloquet Minnesota. Stop on by and check out my Trunk Show!

The Quilted Dog is also having a Quilt Doodle Tea Towel of the Month Club!
Stop on by and check it out!!!
I love my local quilt shopSo here are a few of my favorites... if you live in Minnesota, there are so many great shops! If I blogged on all of them... I would be here all day blogging away... they are all wonderful! So call a friend, and take time this week to visit your favorite shop, or one of mine. Here's a listing of even more great quilt shops...Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Blog Tour

Happy quilting!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Giveaway Announced

Before I announce the winner for the 'In Your Words Blog Hop', I wanted to share an email I recently received and some pictures. I love getting pictures of finished Quilt Doodle projects because I think it's so much fun to see them done in various fabrics....

"Dear Cindy:
I made place mats for Christmas instead of the mug mat.  Thank you for your creative patterns.  I have also attached two pictures of where we buy the fabrics - a narrow alleyway with tiny tables and cloth hung everywhere.  It is called "The Beach".  The fabric comes in 6 yard pieces.  They do not cut what you need, you buy the whole piece.  It is heavy cotton cloth, which has been "waxed" to give it a high shine.  I don't think anywhere else in the world uses this fabric except here in Africa, specifically the Congo.  My husband and I are here on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  In the evenings, I have time for a little sewing.  This project has been fun to do.
Thanks again, and Happy New Year!
Sister JoAnn Billings"
The Beach


Frosty made up as a place mat with an African flair... love the added snowflakes.
Thank you Joanne for sharing your photos with me. I have enjoyed seeing the wonderful fabric! Now onto my giveaway for the Words blog hop. Thank you everyone who left comments! I read them all and plan on answering them in a day or two. I appreciate everyone who took the time to stop by and read the Doodle Blog. So big drum roll please................................................................................ Wilson let's pick a name out of our giveaway hat!.......................................................................and......................the...............................winner......................is.........................................ta-da-daaaa............da.....

'GPC' who stopped by on Wednesday, January 9th
and left the comment....
"Beautiful!"
Here's what she won!!!
Congratulations!!!

Happy quilting,

Sunday, January 13, 2013

BOM January giveaway





It's been so much fun to see everyone's January blocks so far! Love it!
Remember to post your finished blocks to the flickr group for the January giveaway! I hope that you have a chance to check out everyone's blocks. They are all fabulous!

For the January giveaway I will be giving away some fabric to add to your stash.
Some nice neutral colors.... a fat quarter and half yard cut... winner will be announced on February 1st. So you have until then to post your block.
Just post your Quilt Doodle BOM January blocks to the
flickr group for a chance to win.
Remember when you post questions, please make sure that you leave me an email address if you are a no-reply blogger so that I can answer your questions. If you want to be added to the reminder email list; please email me your email address.  I send out an email when the new block and tutorial are out each month.
Here's a sneak peek at February's block....
Happy quilting,