May's Blocks!

 

April showers bring May flowers, we're so happy spring is here and I'm ready to visit some greenhouses and plant some flowerpots. It's also been raining like crazy, and I would love to see the sunshine for a change. It's also been pretty busy around here with the new arrival of our newest granddaughter, she's a doll! I'm such a spoiled grandma! I get to spend time almost every day rocking her to sleep. We are smittened with miss Eleanor. I call her Ellie. Mom and dad live with us while they save and look for a house. I'm pretty lucky to be able to see Ellie every day, it's such a blessing. Now on to this month's block for the Snowman Forest BOM quilt.

Here's a quick recap, if you are just discovering this year's block of the month, it’s sort of a mystery and I am encouraging everyone to use fabric from their stash. You will want the same background color for the quilt to tie it all together but, other than that the sky’s the limit. So, to begin with go dig thru your fabric stash and look for the following.

Fabric Requirements

Blue background fabric- 2 yards

white fabric (snowman faces) - 1/2 yard

green (trees) - 3/4 yard

pieced border - red- 3/4-yard, pink - 1/2-yard, light green- 1/2-yard, light blue- 3/4-yard

orange- snowman noses

scrappy hats- 10 plus fat quarters or a combination of fat quarters and fat eights in a variety of colors such as red, blue, yellow, pink, green, purple. 

Now let's get stitching!

Snowman Hat Rectangle- Sew a background 2” square onto the top two corners right sides together corner to corner. Trim excess fabric leaving a ¼” seam. Press.

Trace 2 noses onto the paper side of the Heat N bond fusible web. (Or whatever fusible brand you prefer) Iron onto the back side of the orange fabric. Cut out all the carrot noses. Iron on carrot nose onto the snowman block using the quilt on the front cover for placement. Applique stitch using orange or brown thread around the raw edges of the carrot design. I like to use a small buttonhole stitch.

We will wait until the quilt is completed and then quilted before we put on the snowman faces, which will use either buttons or yo-yos.

 

Tell your friends! Spread the word! Post the button on your blog!

 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 monthly patterns.

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'm now off to my flower list for when I go to the greenhouse. Then I'm planning on watching some Great British Baking Show and doing some embroidery. I hope that you have a wonderful day and find some time to stitch.

Have a wonderful day,

Cindy and Josephine

Eleanor 'Ellie'

Scrappy Hats Day 4

Welcome to Day 4!

Today we will work on Snowman Block Checkerboard brim.  There are 13 blocks all together for this quilt. These sweet snowmen remind me of school recess in the wintertime. I just love all of the sweet faces and different hats! Reminds me when all of the kiddos used to line up to go outside! I used to be a playground supervisor when I worked at the school as a media clerk. There used to be a mad dash to put on the snow gear if there was new snow. Especially if it was the build a snowman type of snow! So let's make some more snowman blocks for our Scrappy Hats quilt.

If you haven't joined us yet and want to sew along with us... check with the previous postings. The pattern can be found on my website and in my Etsy Shop. This quilt is a great stash buster too!

Snowman 3 has a checkerboard brimmed hat. Following the directions for Hat Brim #3, cut two fabric strips, sew them together lengthwise using a 1/4" seam. Press. Remember to use two colors that are different then the main hat rectangle block.

Following the pattern directions sub cut this into 6 2 block rectangle sections. Lay them out to form a checkerboard strip and sew together, right sides together. Press. 

Here I have my snowman sections needed to form this snowman block.

Sew the main hat block to the checkerboard brim. Then sew the snowman face block together with this section. Press.

~Snowman Block #3~

I have shown here the block with the applique nose and two button eyes. We will work on noses another day... the button eyes are not sewn on until we are finished quilting the quilt.

Just one block today to give those who want to catch up a chance to do so. Feel free the follow the pattern and sew ahead too if you have time. I know we all have different schedules. I do most of my sewing in the evenings and on the weekends.

See you tomorrow for the next section! Remember to post your blocks to Instagram #scrappyhatsqal @quiltdoodledesigns

Happy Quilting!
Cindy and Belvedere

Super Quick Mug Rugs

It's time to think about Christmas in July. This is the time of year I usually start a project or two to get a jump on the holiday season. Now if I could only keep up with doing a little holiday sewing each month from now until Christmas, I certainly would get a lot done. But I would also be better prepared for the holidays. I like making mug rugs for quick gifts and also for decorating. Did you know that on the bottom of my Snow Globe panel I have included three adorable rectangles featuring snowmen that can be used to whip up into mug rugs? Let me show you how I do it...

Using my ruler and rotary cutter I fussy cut around the rectangle designs at the bottom of the Snow Globe panel.

 I then cut strips to sew to each side, then I cut strips for the top and bottom of the mug rug. Scraps of fabrics left over from your Snow Globe quilt would be perfect for this. Or maybe you have some blue fabric that matches the panel that would work too! Then layer your mug rug with a piece of fabric for the backing and a scrap piece of batting, you're making a quilt sandwich. Quilt as desired. These small projects are a great way to practice your free motion quilting.

It's also fun to embellish these mug rugs with star buttons for an added touch.

To add even more, you can embroider the mug rug before you add the borders and quilt it. I like to use variegated pearl cotton to embroider with.

The Snow Globe panel can be found in my Etsy Shop. I love how you can leave it plain or embellish it with stitching. 

Stay Cool! and let's get started on some Christmas in July projects!

~Cindy and Belvedere

August's Block is Out! Snow Much Fun BOM...

Happy August everyone! It's hard to think about winter and seems like so long ago now.  I've got a super cute block to share with you this month, it features a snowman and a sweet little hound dog. This last winter was Belvedere's first and I have to say he didn't mind the snow too much as long as it wasn't sub zero temperatures. Belvedere saw the world as a giant snow cone when he went outside. He enjoyed eating fresh snow and didn't seem to be too concerned about deep snowdrifts. This surprised me since he's got such short stubby little legs. There were times I would just see the top of his head and the tip of his tail as he plowed thru fluffy snowdrifts.

For this month I came up with a sweet snowman pulling his dog on a sled. I had Belvedere in mind when I drew this design up. Basset Hounds are known to 'poop' out on long walks and will melt into the sidewalk when they are done with their walk. It doesn't matter where in the walk you are, you could be blocks from home. Belvedere pulled this stunt when he didn't want to come inside recently. He melted himself to the back patio and there was no moving him until he was good and ready. I'm sure this will also hold true this winter. A sled will come in handy because I'm sure I can get Belvedere on a sled if a treat is involved. My sweet hound dog has a lot of 'bassitude'.

 This is the last applique design you will be doing for this year's BOM. It's hard to believe we are already this far with the quilt! The design is placed on a pieced on point quilt block. 

The on point quilt block will be used for the May thru August applique designs. So let's get started.... First go to my website and download this month's free directions. Remember it's only FREE this month, then there will be a small 2.99 fee after that. So download and print it up NOW even if you don't expect to get to it yet.

Here I have the design elements traced and ironed onto my fabric scraps. I then cut them all out.

Using the block picture as reference I have the pieces placed on the block. I then iron them in place.

After I stitch around the pieces I use a pencil and lightly mark the snowman's face so that I can embroider it with French knots. I have laid the carrot nose on the design to use as a reference for the eye and mouth placement. 

I have also drawn the sled rails so that I can embroider them using a backstitch.

I'm in love with this sweet little hound dog...

~Let's Go Sledding~

To finish this cute design, I embellished my design with some special buttons from Just Another Button Company. I do have these buttons available in my Etsy Shop. Pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs Website. It's a Free download this month only.  I will not be sewing my buttons onto my quilt top until after I have it all done and quilted. I will also be offering some extra postings for you wool workers out there too! This BOM will be offered the first of every month. Like always, it's FREE for the month that the block is out, then there's a small fee if you have to play catch up to get the block. 

Happy Quilting!

Cindy

If you would like to post this image on your website or blog to spread the word. Please grab the image above and link it to my blog.

To make sure that you don't miss any of it,  join my mailing list. Not only will you get all of the BOM 2018 postings and updates, but you will also hear about all sorts of other fun quilty goodness too!

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May's Block, Snow Much Fun!

No one is happier to welcome May than I. It sure has been a long winter here in Minnesota. I'm loving that the days are a little warmer and the trees are thinking about budding, a little later than normal but that's ok. I have crocus that are finally blooming, I was afraid that they bloomed during the last snow storm and I had missed seeing them bloom. I was thrilled to see little pops of purple poking up thru the mulch. The robins were confused with the last snowfall, but are back to building their nests and singing joyfully in the morning. Our last snow pile by the back door hung on for the longest time, but finally disappeared yesterday. Now the cold of winter is just a memory as Belvedere and I bask in the sun's warmth on the deck. So while we enjoy the longer days and sunshine, let's remember those snowy days of winter and continue to work on our Snow Much Fun BOM.... it'll be so cozy to snuggle under next winter!

We will be changing up the block design this month. In total you will make four of these on point pieced blocks.

These blocks will be used for May, June, July and August. So let's get started.... First go to my website and download this month's free directions. Remember it's only FREE this month, then there will be a small 2.99 fee after that. So download and print it up NOW even if you don't expect to get to it yet. May's block is a sweet little snowman with his adorable hound dog. He's got a treat and his little dog needs to sit to get his treat!

This is the layout for the on point square block. You will use the 4" ad 4 3/8" blocks that you have cut out of the 9 fat quarters. The key to this block is to make it scrappy looking.

To start out you will cut the 4 3/8" squares in half corner to corner to form triangles.

As I mentioned, the key is to make these blocks scrappy looking. So to make it easier, I form 4 stacks of triangles (one for each block) making sure to evenly disperse the different colors amongst the 4 piles. You will use 8 triangles for each block.

Line up the 'straight' side of the triangle with the 4" block right sides together as shown.

Sew a 1/4" seam.

Then line up the second triangle the next side of the square block, right sides together as shown.

Sew a 1/4" seam. This will form a pieced triangle section. Make 4 for each block.

Line up the diagonal edge along the side of the 10 3/8" background square, right sides together. Sew a 1/4" seam. Sew a pieced triangle then to the opposite side.

Sew the pieced triangles to the remaining two sides.

'On point block' 

You will need a total of four of these blocks for May, June, July and August blocks.

Trace the snowman block design pieces onto your fusible web (Heat n Bond or Wonder Under) and the iron onto the wrong side of the fabric and cut the shapes out.

After the pieces are cut out follow the placement sheet and center the snowman and dog design onto the block. Iron in place and then applique around the shapes with dark brown thread using a buttonhole stitch.

I find it helpful the place the carrot nose on the snowman to draw in where the French knots will go to make the snowman's eyes and smile. I use a brown pearl cotton from Valdini to do the hand embroidery for the snowman's face and arm.

Can You Sit?

To finish this cute design, I embellished my square with some special buttons from Just Another Button Company. I do have these buttons available in my Etsy Shop. Pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs Website. It's a Free download this month only.  I will not be sewing my buttons onto my quilt top until after I have it all done and quilted. I will also be offering some extra postings for you wool workers out there too! This BOM will be offered the first of every month. Like always, it's FREE for the month that the block is out, then there's a small fee if you have to play catch up to get the block. To make sure that you don't miss any of it,  join my mailing list. Not only will you get all of the BOM 2018 postings and updates, but you will also hear about all sorts of other fun quilty goodness too!

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I hope that you have fun with this month's design. I pretty fond of the little hound dog.
Happy Quilting!

Cindy

If you would like to post this image on your website or blog to spread the word. Please grab the image above and link it to my blog.

Button kits are available in my Etsy Shop too!

Fabric kits are available in my Etsy shop for the 2018 Snow Much Fun BOM! The kit includes your border and block fabrics. This year's quilt is a flannel quilt that will be super warm and cozy when it's finished. I am also working with Just Another Button Company for some adorable buttons to embellish your quilt with. These buttons are available in my Etsy shop.

These are the colors that are in the fabric kit available in the Quilt Doodle Etsy shop.

Please note that substitutions may be made when some fabrics 'run out' but the substitutions will be equally as cute! Fabric kit does not include backing or binding

Finished quilt measures 60" x 72"

April's Block Snow Much Fun!

Happy April! Happy Easter! and Happy April Fool's day! So much going on today! I hope that where ever you are from, I hope it's a beautiful spring day! Here in Minnesota it's your typical Easter day, a bit on the cold side, snow on the ground that hasn't melted yet and mud here and there... I'm already looking forward to May.  It's hard to talk about winter and snuggly warm quilts with the appearance of Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies. But, I will try and do my best... This month's block is a camping snowman. My son, John, would say it's an Ice Castle for ice fishing. But I'm sure snowmen also enjoy going camping in the snow covered woods. I imagine that they have fun going snowshoeing on the snow covered trails. Or maybe they like building snow forts like my sisters used to do out in the backyard when they were small.

This month's design is placed on the last of the snowball quilt blocks. If you made all four blocks, all you will need to do is applique this adorable design onto the center of the last block. I have recapped on how to make the snowball blocks for those of you who may just be joining us this month.

The snowball blocks will be used for the January thru April applique designs. So let's get started.... First go to my website and download this month's free directions. Remember it's only FREE this month, then there will be a small 2.99 fee after that. So download and print it up NOW even if you don't expect to get to it yet.

Then following the Snowball Block directions, cut out your pieces out of dark green border fabric and your cream background fabric.

Here I am cutting my 5 1/2" blocks in half diagonally.

Pair together 1 cream triangle and 1 green triangle and sew a scant ¼” seam along the diagonal edge. Iron. Make a total of 4 triangle square blocks.

Following the Snowball block diagram sew the triangle blocks onto the 5 ¼” cream blocks to make a triangle block, 5 ¼” block, triangle block strip. (Make two)  Then sew the triangle block strips to the 5 ¼” x 14 ½” cream rectangle following the Snowball block diagram.

Make a total of 4 snowball blocks. You will only use one block this month and save the other blocks for the January, February, March and April blocks.

Trace all the design shapes onto heat n bond, or fusible webbing of your choice, iron onto fabric and then cut all the pieces out.

Then iron the pieces in place on the block.

After all of the pieces are appliqued in place using a buttonhole stitch and dark brown thread, it's time to add some of the details. I used a pencil to mark the snowman's eyes, buttons and twig arm. I will be using dark brown variegated Valdini pearl cotton to embroider using French knots and a backstitch.

French knots are perfect for the snowman's buttons, eyes and mouth.

Camping Snowman

To finish this cute design, I embellished my square with some special buttons from Just Another Button Company. I do have these buttons available in my Etsy Shop. Pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs Website. It's a Free download this month only.  I will not be sewing my buttons onto my quilt top until after I have it all done and quilted. I will also be offering some extra postings for you wool workers out there too! This BOM will be offered the first of every month. Like always, it's FREE for the month that the block is out, then there's a small fee if you have to play catch up to get the block. To make sure that you don't miss any of it,  join my mailing list. Not only will you get all of the BOM 2018 postings and updates, but you will also hear about all sorts of other fun quilty goodness too!

ISubscribe to our mailing list

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Happy Quilting!

Cindy

If you would like to post this image on your website or blog to spread the word. Please grab the image above and link it to my blog.

Button kits are available in my Etsy Shop too!

Fabric kits are available in my Etsy shop for the 2018 Snow Much Fun BOM! The kit includes your border and block fabrics. This year's quilt is a flannel quilt that will be super warm and cozy when it's finished. I am also working with Just Another Button Company for some adorable buttons to embellish your quilt with. These buttons are available in my Etsy shop.

These are the colors that are in the fabric kit available in the Quilt Doodle Etsy shop.

Please note that substitutions may be made when some fabrics 'run out' but the substitutions will be equally as cute! Fabric kit does not include backing or binding

Finished quilt measures 60" x 72"