It's Our Anniversary!

It's our anniversary month! Quilt Doodle Designs was born during a quilt retreat twelve years ago... and has it ever been a fun adventure so far! So to celebrate I'm having a little sale in my Etsy Shop and at Quiltdoodledesigns.com I have fabric, PDF patterns, select kits, and tea towels all on sale. 

Wow the time has sure flown by so far and I still have all sorts of quilty fun to share with you this next year! 

Josaphine and I are going to go out for some ice cream, a tradition I started with Wilson when we celebrated our first Quilt Doodle anniversary. It's a great way to celebrate!

I also want to thank all of you that have been quilting along with me! I look forward to sharing all sorts of quilting fun this next year too! Thank you for your purchases, hosting me at your quilt guilds, sharing your Quilt Doodle projects with me and stopping by to say 'Hi' when I'm out and about sharing my passion for quilting. 

I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to enjoy a sweet treat.

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josaphine

August's Block ~ Hummingbirds

Happy August everyone! The garden is thriving, and I've picked a few beautiful tomatoes. I'm thinking of making BLT salad for dinner. I've also picked my first zucchini of the season and I'm not sure what to do with it yet. Should I make bread, or zoodles with pasta sauce? Both will be very good! This month's block features a couple of tiny hummingbirds. I have been enjoying the occasional hummingbird visiting my flowers and feeders. I've also have seen them perched on my tomato cages when I water the garden. They are so much fun to watch! I made the hummingbirds in my block a bright green because the ones I see are mostly green in color. You can make your hummingbird green like mine or even blue or pink.

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Go thru your fabric and pull the colors that you are going to use for the block.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. Then cut all the shapes out...

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. Iron everything in place.

I like to use an open toe foot for applique stitch. It's easier to see needle and stitch placement. I am using a brown thread to buttonhole stitch around the

 design. 

~ Hummingbirds ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 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 hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm off to my sewing room to do some piecing. I'm working on a special project for a sweet little baby girl...

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

UFO Blog Hop ~ My turn!

 

Hi! Thank you for stopping by! I have soo many UFO's that it's hard to focus on any one of them! I am overwhelmed at times that I can't seem to find the time to get to them because I am sidetracked by shining objects.... new fabric.... new ideas... new puppy is putting a huge damper on working on anything at this time. She's fearless and a bit of a counter cruiser, total polar opposite from Belvedere. As I try to cut fabric she's jumping up and grabbing scraps. As I sew, she's rummaging thru my batting scraps. Oh my gosh, to get sewing time in I'm kenneling her up which fills me with guilt! 

If you are like me, you have several projects in the works. To help motivate you to work on your UFO's it helps to turn it into a game. (I got this idea from a guild that I visited.) Fill out the below 'My List of UFO'S sheet, roll a dice each month, that number is the project you will work on next. You can download the UFO PDF from my website.

I store my UFO's in these project bins that I got from Costco. They are fabulous to grab and go when I am packing for a retreat or spending the day sewing at mom's. These bins have helped me stay organized! I'm embarrassed to say some of my UFO's are 10 plus years old.

Another UFO I have can also be considered a way to handle scraps from previous projects. I save all my scraps and I cut them down to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares and stash them in a bin. I plan on making a postage stamp style quilt with them eventually. I also think it would be fun to make a granny square quilt too. These squares are also would make a cute scrappy cosmetic bag. My bin of scrappy squares is a great way to manage those small pieces of fabric that I hate to throw away. I know I'm in great company and you understand, LOL...

Here is what I consider a 'shiny object'.... brand new fabric bought for a special project.

We are expecting our first grandchild in October, and this is the next pile of fabric I will be working with for a couple of special projects for new baby girl. We are over the moon excited!

I purchased these soft flannels for some receiving blankets for the new little one.

 I was able to get these done!

I made a set of four blankies for our new granddaughter. We can't wait until her arrival in October! These blankets are fun and easy to make. I use 1 and 1/4 yards of two different flannels. I sandwich two coordinating flannels right sides together and then square them up and round the corners. Pin it all together and sew a half inch seam all around leaving a 3" space for turning. Clip the corner curves... then turn right sides out. I like to do a decorative top stitch all around. That it! All done! They are warm and snuggly and wash up well. I even have a little extra flannel to make some burp cloths to match. 

Hope you have fun blog hopping!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

Monday July 25

Just Let Me Quilt

Lianne Makes Stuff

Karrin’s Crazy World

Ms P Designs USA

Time4Stitchn

Scrapdash

 

Tuesday July 26

Creatin' in the Sticks

Quilted Delights

Days Filled With Joy

Kathys Kwilts and More

Food For Thought

 

Wednesday July 27

Stitching Farm Girl

BeaQuilter

SelinaQuilts

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilt Doodle Designs (You are here!)

Quilting Gail

 

Thursday July 28

Patchouli Moon Studio

Quilt Schmilt

Lynns Blog

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Home Sewn by Us

 

Friday July 29

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Inflorescence

Words & Stitches

Just Sew Quilter

MooseStashQuilting

Flower Block

 Welcome Summer! We just returned from vacation, and I'm amazed at how much the gardens have grown in just a week! My flowers are blooming, and everything looks so nice. My orange lilies are one of my favorites along with the coneflowers! The sunflowers are getting so tall, and I am looking forward to seeing them bloom. I love how their flowerheads follow the sun.  This week's block is a flower block which reminds me of a marigold or even a sunflower. You will make four of these blocks. They are a little putzy to do but well worth the effort. 

Each block will measure 8" x 8", this includes the seam allowance. 

Gather your fabric, pattern, ruler and rotary cutter and let's begin! 

From background fabric (5):
    Cut 80 – 1 ¼” x 1 ¼” squares (A)
From green fabric (13):
                Cut 16 – 3” x 3” squares (B)
From brown fabric (15):
                Cut 4 – 3” x 3” squares (E)
From gold fabric (12):
                Cut 16 – 3” x 3” squares

                Cut 16 – 1 ¼” x 1 ¼” squares (D)

Isn't it a happy block! Next time we will work on bumblebees!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

Yardage, Fat Quarter Bundles and Season Sampler Kits can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.

HERE

The Season Sampler Quilt kit is on SALE. You get the pattern along with the fabric for all four quilts along with the panel! It's a great deal.

Butterflies

 Welcome Summer! The garden is actually looking really good, I'm so happy. The last couple of years my veggie garden has been an epic failure. The butterfly weed is in full bloom, and I have been enjoying the butterflies visiting the garden the last couple of weeks. It has been blistering hot here in Minnesota, more like August weather so I have been busy watering everything so none of my flowerpots dry up.   This week we will work on butterflies. You will make 4 butterfly blocks total. They   are done the same way as the blocks that we made for spring.  

Each block will measure 8" x 8", this includes the seam allowance. 

Gather your fabric, pattern, ruler and rotary cutter and let's begin! Referring to the pattern, cut out all of the pieces and label them to make assembly easier. As you sew the sections together remember to press to the dark side. It is also very helpful to use a quarter inch foot on your sewing machine as you sew this block together.

From background fabric (5):

                Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 2” rectangle (H)

                Cut 32 – 1 ½” x 1 ½” squares (A)

                Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 1 ½” squares (B)

                Cut 8 – 2” x 2” squares (C)

                Cut 8 – 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” squares (D)

From Stripe fabric (1): Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 5 ½” strip (E)

From light pink fabric (8): Cut 8 – 3 ¾” x 3 ½” rectangle (F)

From blue floral fabric (3):  Cut 8 – 3 ¾” x 5” rectangle (G)

I find it to be helpful to lay all of the parts out on my cutting board in the configuration that they will be sewn. 

Follow the pattern directions sewing the squares to the corners to make the 'triangles'. Press everything well. Then sew the three sections together to make the butterfly block.

For more direction on the block layout you can also refer back to the spring butterfly block. It's the same block but with different colors for the butterfly.

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

Yardage, Fat Quarter Bundles and Season Sampler Kits can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.

HERE

The Season Sampler Quilt kit is on SALE. You get the pattern along with the fabric for all four quilts along with the panel! It's a great deal.

UFO Blog Hop

 

Mark your calendars for the UFO Blog Hop! We will be working on our UFO's and sharing them with you! I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is working on. I know I have a list of items I could be working on.....  I've included a list of all of the participants down below.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

Monday July 25

Just Let Me Quilt

Lianne Makes Stuff

Karrin’s Crazy World

Ms P Designs USA

Time4Stitchn

 

Tuesday July 26

Creatin' in the Sticks

Quilted Delights

Days Filled With Joy

Kathys Kwilts and More

Food For Thought

 

Wednesday July 27

Stitching Farm Girl

BeaQuilter

SelinaQuilts

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilt Doodle Designs

Home Sewn by Us

 

Thursday July 28

Patchouli Moon Studio

Quilt Schmilt

Lynns Blog

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Quilting Gail

 

Friday July 29

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Inflorescence

Words & Stitches

Just Sew Quilter

MooseStashQuilting

July's Block ~ Bluebirds

Happy July everyone! The pace of family events has slowed down a little bit. It's time to sit back and enjoy the summer and have some cabin time with the family. I am looking forward to our annual family vacation. I've already started to make some lists and prepack a few things for the cabin. 

 This month's block features a couple of bluebirds. Earlier this year I had a set of bluebirds visit my bird feeders. They were so beautiful!  I had switched up the blend that I usually use in my feeders, and I had so many feathered friends visit. I should have written down the brand and the blend, but I didn't and I haven't been able to find it since. It was a fruit and nut blend that had cayenne pepper in it to keep the squirrels away. I'll keep my eye out!

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Go thru your fabric and pull the colors that you are going to use for the block.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors

Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. Then cut all the shapes out...

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. Iron everything in place.

I like to use an open toe foot for applique stitch. It's easier to see needle and stitch placement. I am using a brown thread to buttonhole stitch around the

 design. 

Using pearl cotton or DMC floss embroider the bird's eyes and flower centers with French knots.

~ Bluebirds ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 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 hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm looking forward to the long holiday weekend. I'm off to make some red, white and blue treats to celebrate the 4th of July!  I'm thinking of making an angel food cake with strawberries and a batch of blue adult snow cone slush. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine