September's Block!

 

Happy September! I'm just amazed how this year is flying by! Kids are making their way back to school. As I drink my morning coffee I like to watch the buses drive by my house. 

I started this month's post with a reminder of the yardage for this mystery quilt. I know that many of you have purchased the kit that I had available. Many of you are also working out of your fabric stash. I have recieved a few emails asking on fabric so here it is!  I've also have had some of you ask about backing so that you can purchase it.

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 Woodland Owl block. While up north this last month I enjoyed listening to the barn owls who whooo, I find it to be a comforting sound. Reminds me of staying at grandma and grandpa's house. I used to hear them here at home, but haven't heard them in a while.  So here's how I did this month's block....

Hop on over to the Quilt Doodle website and click on the BOM tab to get this month's pattern for the Woodland Owl block. Then gather you fabrics for the applique and a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" background block.

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

Pair the shapes with the fabric and iron the applique pieces onto the back side of the fabric.

Cut the shapes out using a sharp applique scissor.

Following the placement sheet in the pattern directions lay the pieces onto your block. Remember to peel the paper backing off before you put them in place. When you are happy with the placement of everything, iron the applique in place.

Using a button hole stitch or satin stitch, sew around all of the raw edges. I used a dark brown thread for my block.

With some black pearl cotton, stitch the owl's eyes referring to the picture in the pattern. I am using a french knot for the owl's eyes.

~ Woodland Owl ~

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 little 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! 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.  

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Chickadee Pair!

 I just love sitting on my deck and watch the chickadees fly about the bird feeders. My chickadees aren't very fearful of me anymore and actually get pretty close to me when I'm sitting outside with my morning coffee. I enjoy listening to their chitter chatter as then skip about the feeders. This sweet little mini quilt measures 8" x 10" when finished and is perfect to use as a candle mat or just as a decorating accent for your home. Like most of my little projects, I was able to stitch this up in an evening. I pulled all of the fabrics from my fabric stash. This chickadee project would also make a great gift for the bird lover in your family. 

To start this project you will need to download the pattern from either my Etsy shop or the Quilt Doodle Website. Print up the pattern and then you're ready to go! Gather your fabrics.... I have numbered and lettered the pieces in this pattern to make it a little easier to assemble the design. Begin with tracing all of the pattern pieces onto the paper side of the fusible web, remember to letter and number the pieces. This will make it easier for you to pair with the fabric. To make the design I am using different shades of gray and greens. Following the fusible web manufacturers directions. Iron your shapes onto the back side of your fabric.

Using a sharp scissor, cut all of your pieces out. Also, cut out your background fabric and backing. I am using a cream tonal design for the background.

Following the placement page from the pattern, use it as a guide and position the different shapes to form the chickadee design. Make sure to peel the paper backing off when you press it in place.

This is the setting that I am using for my stitching around the edge. If you are unsure if you have a good setting for your buttonhole stitch, sew on some scrap fabric to check on the size of the stitches.

I am using a black thread to stitch around the design. I have layered the backing, batting and mini quilt top before I have started stitching around the design. This way I am also quilting at the same time as appliqueing. This is optional. You can quilt after you are done with the appliqueing too. 

I also have done some wavy quilting on the of the design using some matching thread. Square up the edges and cut away any excess fabric and then bind your mini quilt using your favorite method.

~ Chickadee Pair ~

I hope that you enjoy this sweet little mini quilt. It's a beautiful design that can be left out year round as an extra little accent on a table or shelf. I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching. The Chickadee Pair pdf pattern can be found 

HERE 

and 

HERE

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Buster Bear

I stayed up late last night and did some stitching. I've had this sweet bear drawn up for months and months but I have been working on another super secret project... It was fun to work on a mug rug since they are quick and easy and offer instant gratification. I used fabric from my Marcus Fabrics stash and I'm really pleased with the results. I love coloring with fabric. Let me show you how I put this sweet little project together. 

I dug thru my Marcus Fabrics stash and pulled some colors that I thought would work for the bear design.

I then traced the design pieces onto the paper side of my fusible web. Following the manufacturers directions I ironed the pieces onto the back side of the fabric. Using my sharp OLFA applique scissors, I then cut everything out.

Following the placement sheet in the pattern, I position all of the pieces in place. Using a hot iron and following the manufacturers directions I fuse everything in place. Then I layer the backing, batting and mug rug front together and pin everything in place.  I like that I'm able to 'quilt' as I do the applique. This is totally optional... you can quilt your mug rug after you have all of the applique done too.

I am using a dark brown thread to do all of my applique stitching around the design.

Following the design in the pattern, stitch all of the little details using some black pearl cotton (or DMC thread). I'm using a running stitch for the flight of the bumblebee,

Such a cute face! I stitched Buster Bear's eyes using a couple of French knots.

I then square everything up using my ruler and rotary cutter. I then bind my mug rug using the same fabric that I used for the background and backing of the mug rug. 

 

~ Buster Bear Mug Rug ~

This was a fun summertime project and took me an evening to complete. What I love about it is that I was able to put it together out of fabric I already had, I bet you can too! The pattern can be found in my Etsy shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Designs website under the PDF pattern tab.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

The Buster Bear Mug Rug can be found HERE

August's Block!

 

Happy August! July sure flew by! Summer is two thirds gone... since it's been so dry here some of our trees are showing touches of fall color due to the stress of our hot, dry summer. School supplies are appearing in the stores so I know fall is right around the corner! Many of you have asked when we will start putting the quilt together. Not yet.... we have a few more blocks to make. We will start making some of the quilt components next month so there isn't so much to do at the end.

While working on this month's block my machine decided to cough up a thread ball and refused to sew nicely. So I switched machines mid appliqueing. I decided it'll be ok even though the blanket stitch doesn't match exactly. I used the galloping horse rule. What's that you ask? Well, if you can't see it from a galloping horse, then it's ok. There's also the 20-20 rule. Will you see it twenty feet away, driving by 20 miles an hour.... Once the quilt is done and quilted, those few wonky stitches will disappear. I know that I will see it and it may drive me crazy, but no one else will notice. If you look closely at this month's block I'm sure you will see what I'm talking about. Have I looked at my machine yet you wonder. No.... I'm still sulking, I'll give it a good cleaning and change the needle tomorrow and see if that helps. If it doesn't, Lucy will get a trip to the sewing machine guy for a good cleaning, not my pipe cleaner job.

Let's get to this month's block. This month's block features a buck. I put a red scarf on mine, you can adorn yours's with any color scarf. This block goes together pretty quickly. The pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website as a FREE PDF download this month. So go on over to the website and download and print your pattern so that you don't miss out on it. Hint: download the monthly patterns and print them up even if you don't have time to make the block. Keep all of the patterns together in a folder for when you are ready to make the Woodland BOM 2021 quilt. .

Out of the cream flannel, cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for your block background.

 Gather your materials for your block. You will need your 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" background block, fabric for your applique, fusible web, pencil for tracing, black/dark brown and white thread, and applique scissors for cutting you design shapes out.

Trace the shapes of the applique onto the paper side of the fusible web.

I rough cut around the traced shapes and then pair them up with the different colors of fabric. Iron the fusible traced shapes onto the back side of the fabric following the fusible webs directions. Cut the shapes out using a sharp applique scissor.

Peel the paper off the back side of the shapes and following the paper placement page of the pattern, position the design in place. Iron.

When we first started this quilt back in January, I mentioned that you keep track of what stitch you are using to stitch around the raw edges. I keep referring back to this picture which shows what buttonhole stitch I am using along with the stitch width and length. It's so easy just to snap a picture with you phone so that you have it for reference. Stitch around the raw edges.

Using pearl cotton or DMC floss, embroider the buck's eye. Refer to the pattern for eye placement. A French knot makes the perfect eye.

I'm loving how the buck turned out.

~ Woodland Buck ~ 

I hope that you join me in this years BOM. 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. 

 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 relaxing weekend and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block.  I hope that you have a wonderful rest of the weekend. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

 

Happy July! I can't believe that the 4th of July weekend is right around the corner. We have a low key weekend planned filled with yard projects provided the weather is good. I'm also planning some quality time in my sewing room too. Last year the fireworks were shot off just a quarter mile away from our home so it was such a treat to see the display but I'm sure this year the fireworks display has been moved back to it's normal venue. Our trees have grown so much that we no longer can watch from the comfort of our deck. Haven't decided if I want to brave the crowds this year. I will more then likely be home playing with the dogs and giving them extra treats as neighbors set off firecrackers.

Let's get to this month's block. It's a log cabin with a little visitor. I'm making my bear black, but you can make yours brown or even white. The cabin reminds me of all of our cabin trips that we've taken over the years. A friend of mine lives up north and the bears paid a visit to her yard recently and made quite the mess getting into her birdfeeders, tossing things around. She posted their big ol pawprints on Facebook. From the pictures it looks like they had a grand old time! The pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website as a FREE PDF download this month. So go on over to the website and download and print your pattern so that you don't miss out on it. Hint: download the monthly patterns and print them up even if you don't have time to make the block. Keep all of the patterns together in a folder for when you are ready to make the Woodland BOM 2021 quilt..

Out of the cream flannel, cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for your block background.

Gather your fabrics that you are going to use for the applique design. Trace the applique pieces onto the backside of your fusible web.

Pair the shapes up with the fabric by color. Iron the fusible web shapes onto the back side of the fabric and then cut them out using a sharp scissor. I love my OLFA applique scissors for cutting.

Peel the paper off the back of your shapes. Following the design placement page of the pattern, position the pieces in place. Some of the shapes will overlap. Iron in place on the 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square. I will be using a dark brown thread and white thread to applique around the raw edges.

When we first started this quilt back in January, I mentioned that you keep track of what stitch you are using to stitch around the raw edges. I keep referring back to this picture which shows what buttonhole stitch I am using along with the stitch width and length. It's so easy just to snap a picture with you phone so that you have it for reference.

Stitching around all of the raw edges.....

Love how the block is turning out!

With black or dark brown #12 pearl cotton, embroider the bear's eyes with French knots.

~ Woodland Cabin ~

I hope that you join me in this years BOM. 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. 

 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 relaxing weekend and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block. I'm off to go spend some time in my sewing room! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Flags and Summertime

Flag That I Love

It's hard to believe that July is right around the corner. It's also fun to pull out some of my summertime decorations. These are some of my favorites for July and feature red white and blue or a the flag. 

My flip flop table runner and tea towel are some of my summertime favorites to decorate with. The flip flop design is a free pattern!  It's a quick and easy pattern and makes a great hostess gift. It can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website under the quilting fun tab. It's adorable on a tea towel and can easily be made into a summertime table runner with a few fat quarters. The flip flop design would be ever so cute put on a summer tote too!

I also  have a couple newer designs that feature Belvedere that are fun to put on display for the month of July. In fact I leave mine out all summer. In both designs, I used wool for the applique and machine stitched around everything. You can easily use cotton fabric too. It's up to you.  I used either fabric yo-yo's or big buttons for the wheels on the blue truck.

~ I Woof the USA ~

~ Parade Day ~

There's still time to make these sweet designs for the 4th. All of these designs would be great to work on this weekend or to put on display as part of your summertime decorating. I think we're planning on staying close to home this weekend and be a couple of weekend warriors and work on some yard projects. I plan on firing up the grill for the 4th. I haven't decided if I'll make burgers or brats. I'm just hoping for some sunshine!

Have a wonderful 4th of July,

Cindy and Belvedere

Etsy Shop