Woodland Polar Bear

 

It's hard to believe that this is the final block... the year has flown by. Our last block is a sweet polar bear sitting in a woodland sled. Today's posting will only be about the polar bear block. I will be posting the finishing instructions in a couple days in order to break it up a bit. It's a lot of information for one posting. I will also be announcing some giveaways! Not only do I post on the blog, I will also post reminders on the Quilt Doodle BOM Facebook page and also on Instagram when the finishing instructions are posted. The finishing directions will be FREE on the Quilt Doodle Website as a PDF download. They will be posted as soon as the blog posting for finishing is up. This will give you a day or two to make this month's block. 

I have printed up the pattern, gathered my fabric and have cut my final 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" background square.

Following the fusible web manufacturer's directions, I trace the design shapes onto the paper side of the fusible web.

Pair the shapes with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer's directions, iron the fusible onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Then cut all of the shapes out.

Peel the paper off the back of the cut out shapes and then position everything in place following the placement sheet on the printed pattern. Remember shapes will overlap. Notice how the hat brim is 'behind' the bear's head. Iron everything in place.

Using a buttonhole stitch on my sewing machine I stitched around all the raw edges. I used white/cream thread to go around the bear, hat brim and pom-pom. I used brown thread to stitch around everything else.

I used black #12 pearl cotton to stitch the bear's eyes, using French knots.

~ Woodland Polar Bear ~

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 65" x 80". This month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. All of the other month's patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  It's not too late to join in on the fun. You would just have a some catching up to do!

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I will be posting a couple more times this month showing the construction of the final quilt top. Directions will be available as soon as the postings are up. 

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block.  This design would also be adorable on a tea towel for some holiday gift giving!

Happy quilting,

Cindy 

~Woodland Holiday BOM 2021 ~

Woodland Friends

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving... I am going to smoke a turkey which I have never done before. My son brought home a 13 pound turkey that a co-worker raised on his hobby farm. I'm praying to the smoking gods that I do a good job on cooking this turkey. I've got the big ol' bird brining in the fridge in an apple cider herb mixture. (shhhhh, I have a backup turkey breast that I will be roasting in the oven too, there's never enough leftovers!)  Friday is the official start of the silly season and I'm planning a fun weekend with my mom and sisters. There'll be a downsized version of black Friday shopping and the holiday baking will begin on Saturday with our annual cookie day. I'm looking forward to visiting with all my sisters and seeing my nieces and nephews. Today I want to share with you a new fusible applique design that is perfect for the holidays and can be left out all winter long. This design features a snowman and a woodland deer. 

I made a 'tea towel' using some pretty blue plaid shirting. I like using my applique towels to tuck in baskets and draped over cabinet doors showing the design. I thought this blue fabric from Marcus Fabrics would be the perfect background for my design. 

The pattern can be found in my Etsy shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Designs website. Print the pattern up. When you print up PDF patterns make sure you are printing 'actual size' or at 100 percent, otherwise your printer may be shrinking your design down to fit within you preset margins.

I am using my new fabric line, Season Sampler from Marcus Fabrics for this design.

Trace the design elements onto the fusible web. I like to save all my scrap pieces of fusible web in a zip lock bag to use when I have smaller pieces to trace. I also love using mechanical pencils for my tracing. I have a pencil can full of them near my sewing machine.

Then pair up the shapes with with fabric... iron onto the back or wrong side of your fabric following the manufacturers directions.

Cut the shapes out, I like to use my applique scissors for this.

Following the manufacturers directions, iron the design in place. Some of the pieces will overlap to create the design.

Stitch around all the raw edges. I used white thread for around the snowman's body and dark brown thread around everything else.

Using black (or dark brown) pearl cotton, stitch the snowman's eyes and mouth with French knots. I used a pencil to lightly mark where the French knots will be stitched.

~ Woodland Friends ~

I hope that you enjoy this sweet design. I would be cute on a table runner or an apron. It would also be adorable made into a pot holder or pillow too! The PDF pattern can be found in the Etsy Shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Website.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving of fun with your family and friends.

Happy quilting,

Cindy

Belvedere

It is with great sadness that I am writing to you today. Our sweet Belvedere crossed the rainbow bridge last Friday afternoon after a short battle with canine lymphoma. We had hoped that we would have much longer with him but on Friday his health suddenly went downhill. Words cannot express how lost we are without him. He was our goofy boy and he had a big personality. We had no idea what we were in for when we brought him home as a puppy. He was willful and stubborn and did everything in his own time. He had the biggest heart and would do anything to please us. He was my walking buddy, my snuggle bunny and Sunday football watching hound. He loved ice cream, peanut butter, pizza and chicken Mc-Nuggets. He loved chasing squirrels and his friends, Maddie and Lola. The house is too quiet and I miss his big voice. I am lost without him...

Rest easy sweet boy and run free... we know that you are no longer in pain and that eases our hearts.

With Love,
Cindy (ma-ma)

Christmas Gnome

 

It's hard not to start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I did invest in a couple of new trees this year. A smaller tree for in the dining room and an adorable pencil style tree for in the four season. Both of them are prelit which is awesome! I did put the pencil tree up in my four season. It's not decorated, I am loving the shape and size. I try really hard not to start pulling out the gnomes and snowman before Thanksgiving. I'll be hosting a small Thanksgiving dinner so that is helping to keep the little Santas at bay until the day after! So my tree will just look adorable with no decorations until after Thanksgiving.

 I have been doing some holiday sewing and I'd love to show you what I've made the other day. It's so cute! It's a sweet little gnome in Santa's sleigh, or it could be Santa... wink, wink.... Instead of putting this applique on a tea towel, I made my own using some green shirting fabric which I thought would make a great background. For the applique I am using scraps from my new fabric line, Season Sampler by Marcus Fabrics.  

To make your own tea towel, I used a piece of material measuring 18" x WOF, I then folded it in half right sides together. Then sew around the edges a 1/4" leaving a 3" gap for turning. Then turn the rectangle right side out and press. I then did a top stitch around the rectangles edge. Voila! A pretty tea towel to applique on! (My towel is a bit smaller then what yours will be.)

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web following manufacturers directions.

Rough cut the shapes out and pair with your fabric colors. Then press onto the wrong side of your fabric.

I am trying out a new fusible web, well new to me. You need to know I am not a paid representative for this company. I'm just trying something new then what I usually use. So far I like this brand. It fused my applique well and I'm happy with it. It says that you don't need to stitch around the edges, but for me a design doesn't look done unless there is stitching.

Cut all of of the shapes out and following the pattern placement sheet, arrange the pieces onto your towel, remembering to peel the paper off. Notice how some of the pieces overlap. Following the manufacturer's directions, iron in place.

Using a buttonhole stitch, I stitch around the gnome's nose, beard, mustache and sled rail with white thread. I use a brown thread to go around everything else.

~ Gnome and Sled ~

This cute new design can be found HERE and HERE.

This towel would be adorable put on display hanging out of a gift basket, wrapped around a bottle of wine or draped on a cabinet or oven door. This design would also be cute stitched onto a 10 minute table runner or turned into a quick candle mat or mug rug. There are just so many possibilities! Have fun with it!

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Juggling Snowman

  Let me show you my sweet applique design Juggling Snowman... I love Christmas and the whole holiday season so I drew up this whimsical snowman. He such a happy fellow, juggling snowballs. Of coarse I had to find a way to use my favorite embellishments, buttons and yo-yo's...

The design is shown here centered on a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" square.

Juggling Snowman



Let's make a fun table topper quilt with my Juggling Snowman applique design! Following the directions center the design on a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" block. When I sew around my applique snowman, I use dark brown thread and a buttonhole stitch found on my sewing machine. I use a 'small' stitch setting on my machine. ( width- 2.5mm length- 1.2mm) I use white thread to stitch around the snowman's head and body. I then use dark brown thread to go around everything else.

The snowman block will be the center block of our table topper. I wanted my table topper to be scrappy so I decided to use a Cozy Christmas Jelly Roll from Riley Blake. I just love this fabric line! Makes me think of baking cookies with grandma! I open up the jelly roll and layed all of the fabrics out next to my machine. Grouping together similar colors... I used two light colored strips to frame my snowman block. Your center block should now measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2".

I then made eight log cabin blocks using the 2 1/2" strips. It's a challenge for me to make something 'scrappy' I tend to over think things. Don't over think it... your blocks will turn out great! Use the photo above as a quide for your log cabin block layout. In order to get a 16 1/2" square, my center square is offset. I think it adds a bit of charm and actually enhances the scrappy look of my 'table' quilt. Finished blocks should also measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" square. Again, try not to fuss too much about planning out a scrappy block. Make a total of 8 log cabin blocks. Now the fun part is the layout. Again, I tend to over think layout... so have fun and arrange your quilt blocks out with your Juggling Snowman block in the center. Sew your quilt top together. If you want to add an additional border onto your quilt top, you sure could at this point. I did add a 2 1/2" border using the same fabric that I used for the background for my Juggling Snowman block. Then layer your quilt top with batting and backing and quilt it. Instead of embroidering the snowdrift on the snowman block, I quilted it. Leftover strips and scraps from my jelly roll make a wonderful scrappy binding for my quilt. I love scrappy bindings. This table top quilt is also a great size for a lap sized quilt. I was able to get project done in a weekend and it would make a wonderful gift for someone special.

This happy quilt is one of my favorites... I'm
ready to serve some tea and Christmas 

Juggling Snowman is such a happy snowman design.

This is one of my favorite projects and a trunk show favorite when I visit guilds. This is a wonderful project to make to give to that someone special. I love that I can use it on my table and it instantly screams Christmas festivities shall begin! This sweet design can be found in my Etsy shop as an instant PDF download.



 Quilt Doodle Designs Etsy Shop

This mini quilt could be made with any appliqué center. Just think of all of the possibilities…. You could use my Christmas Delivery design or even Peppermint Santa. Find a fun jelly roll that coordinates and you are on your way to a fun project! 

Happy Quilting!

Cindy & Belvedere

Woodland Chickadee November's Block

 

This month's block is a sweet block is a sweet chickadee. It has been another hectic couple of weeks, some of which was my own making. I got to enjoy back to back quilt retreats with all my favorite people. During all of this, Belvedere has been feeling under the weather. Those of you who know me, know Belvedere is my beloved basset hound. I ran him to the vet before the first retreat and had the lab confirm what's wrong with him during the second retreat. Belvedere has been diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma. It's a grim diagnosis for any pet, we are all very sad. We have decided to make our sweet four legged family member comfortable and spoil him rotten. I'm cooking him chicken and rice, sneaking him pizza and chicken nuggets and lavishing him with extra snuggles. Luckily he still loves his afternoon walks and visits to the dog park. Many of the critters featured in this quilt are animal friends that Belvedere loves to see on our walks or from our four season. The only ones he hasn't seen are a bear or a moose. That's pretty good for a little city puppy!

Have you started to make the flying geese sections yet? I am also offering the flying geese sections on the website and am also recapping what you need to finish this quilt...

I recommend 5 yards for a pieced backing.

I am using a cotton fabric for my backing since I'm using flannel for the front. Also I thought it would be a good time to start doing some of the additional piecing that is required for the quilt. So this month you can start making some flying geese blocks using the red and brown fabric. The directions can be found below. These directions can also be download for FREE on the Quilt Doodle Designs website until the conclusion of this BOM quilt. You'll find it under the BOM tab. There will be another section for you to work on next month if you would like.

This month's posting is sorta long.... lots of info! This month I thought we would make the Chickadee block.   So here's how I did this month's block....

Start out with a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for the background....

These are the colors that I pulled for my chickadee. The pattern calls for a dark gray for the chickadee's wing and tail feather. I am using 'scrap heap' by Laura Berringer from Marcus Fabrics. There are 'gray' areas in the print, so I will be using those tones for my chickadee's wing and tail feather.

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I then cut the different pieces out and pair them with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer's directions I iron the shapes onto the wrong side of the fabric and then cut everything out. Following the pattern placement diagram I then peel off the paper and position everything in place centering the design onto my background square. Iron in place. Using my dark brown thread I then stitch a small buttonhole stitch around all of the raw edges of the design using my sewing machine.

Using a dark brown or black pearl cotton or DMC thread, embroider the chickadee's eye using a French knot.

What a sweet chickadee face....

~ Woodland Chickadee ~

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. Remember it's a mystery. You will get a new block each month and in December 2021 we will assemble the quilt together. The finished size of the quilt is 65" x 80". Each month the pattern is a free PDF instant download after that it will be available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  It's not too late to join in on the fun. You would just have a some catching up to do!

 I can't believe that there's just one more month left!!! This year is flying by!!!

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! I post links and sneak peeks throughout the month so you are to be sure not to miss anything. I hope that you have a wonderful week and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block.  This design would also be adorable on a tea towel for some holiday gift giving!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Oh Hallows Eve

Growing up my mom had these spooky paper decorations that she would put in the windows. I knew Halloween was right around the corner when mom would tape them to the inside of the windows. I can sometimes find them now at vintage shops. Well, my owl design is inspired by my childhood memories of these black and orange decorations. If you were a kiddo that grew up in the 60's and 70's you know exactly what I'm talking about. I took some liberties and added some green and purple too. The project I worked on today is a spooky owl perched on the moon on Halloween night. I decided to use wool for the applique and Primo Plaid Heather in gray from Marcus Fabrics for the background. This project could easily be done with cotton fabrics too using heat n bond. This design would be lovely on a tea towel or made into a table runner. Today I'm going to use this design to make a seasonal pillow for Halloween. Let me show you how I did it.....

Since I am using wool, I traced all my pieces onto freezer paper. Iron the freezer paper onto my wool and then cut the shapes out using my applique scissors from OLFA.

I used a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" background square for my design. Here I have placed my owl design sheet onto my fabric and ruler to get an idea of placement on my square.

I looked at my owl design and decided the best place to start will be the owls body.

I always test my stitching on some scrap fabrics to make sure that it's the length and width that I want for my project. For my pillow I am using Lana Wool from Aurifil.

This is the stitch setting on my machine. I will be machine stitching my blanket stitch on my design. I love doing handwork, but my stitches aren't as beautiful as my wool working friends. Alas, I will machine stitch mine...

I begin stitching on the Owl's 

body.

I always test my stitching on some scrap fabrics to make sure that it's the length and width that I want for my project. For my pillow I am using Lana Wool from Aurifil.

This is the stitch setting on my machine. I will be machine stitching my blanket stitch on my design. I love doing handwork, but my stitches aren't as beautiful as my wool working friends. Alas, I will machine stitch mine...

I begin stitching on the Owl's body....

Then I stitch the moon, layering it over the body...

I move onto the Owl's feet and eyes....

Then the top of his head... see how I build my layers to make the design?

…. then the beak... or nose....

Lastly, I stitch the bats in place and add a few star buttons. I used micro mini buttons for his eyes.

To make the pillow back. I have sewn two 7 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangles out of the same fabric I used for my design background. I left a 3" gap in my stitching so I can stuff my pillow later. You'll see, it's pretty awesome.

Next I trim my backing piece the same size as the applique front. (12 1/2" x 12 1/2") I then match them up together wrong sides together. Yes, I said , wrong sides together.

For my binding, I cut 2, 2 1/4" x WOF, then sewed them together end to end and ironed them in half lengthwise. The same way you would if you were making binding for a quilt.

Let's get back to our design front and backing. Remember I had you put them wrong sides together. Pin them together with the backside facing up.

Sew you binding on using a 1/4" seam. (Back side up)

Miter your corners.

Then fold your binding over to the front and stitch down using a decorative stitch. Remember to miter your corners. I find my wonder clips to be super handy to hold my corner and binding in place

I decided to use my Serpentine stitch.

Here's a closeup of my binding using a Serpentine stitch. I think it's a nice touch for my project.

If you didn't want to make a pillow, the 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" square makes a lovely mini quilt for a table runner. You could have used batting and quilted it then bound it for a table runner, mini quilt. My mini pumpkins from my garden sure look cute with this design.

To make a pillow, stuff the pillow through the opening you left in the back of the pillow. I used a blind whip stitch to close the opening.

~Oh Hallows Eve~

I hope you enjoyed todays project. My designs aren't just for tea towels! Just a few more days until Halloween, plenty of time to whip up this spooky pillow! I'm off to go buy some Halloween treats. We get tons of kiddos, even on a school night.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere