A Giveaway and Public Service Announcement

Hi Everyone,

How would you like to get this adorable enamel Mushroom mug (that I picked up just for you at the famous Powell's Bookstore) filled with charms of Mushroom and Flower fabric from Sarah Watts and Melody Miller of Cotton + Steel, and some other fun goodies from Market? If so... read on...

(Links in this post are affiliate links, I get a few pennies for promotion at no extra cost to you.)

My first PSA is about Cricut... if you have been on the fence about buying a Maker (intro post here) now is the time they have a super promo The More You Spend, The More You Save! Valid 5.30-6.5.
You can get a bunch of $ to spend to buy accessories.

They also have Free economy shipping (US & Canada) on orders of $99+ using code: MAYSHIP

And a great deal on the Easy Press (it is a special iron for making fun t-shirts) it has the perfect heat settings for iron on heat transfer.  Bring on the heat. Take $20 off Cricut EasyPress.Valid 5.30-6.5.

Last but not least... I have been wanting to tell you about Creativebug... as you all know I love Creativebug. I have been a member for a few years now and every once in a while I tell you guys about them. They have great teachers! Including Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Lizzy House, Heather Ross, and Carolyn Friedlander... honestly it is great. The reason I am talking about them now is they have a special if you sign up now 1 Month for $1  you can do as many classes as you want... and Sonya Philip of "100 Acts of Sewing" with her hot patterns is teaching her three basic pattern classes. Tunic No. 1, Pants No. 1, and Shirt No. 1.
 
The patterns alone would cost you close to $50 this is a great deal folks. If you want to sign up just click on the picture to go to Creativebug.

Look at this Quilt with Anna Maria:



Plus they have painting, cooking, knitting... it's great!

 

Megan was the only comment for the giveaway so she wins! Woot! Giveaway is over :)

The Beginnings Quilt Along Block 7 - Dutchman's Puzzle

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a chance to follow along on my Road Trip to Portland with Sally. I did some instagram stories and everything... more on that tomorrow. (Hint: There is a rumor that there might be a givaway.)

If you are using your Cricut Maker to cut your blocks here is the link to the file for this block, it also has pieces from the Lover's Knot block that is coming later, so add the extra pieces to your project box for later.

The video for this block can be found here:

Please note that you will need the written instructions to go along with the video. Here is a printable PDF. And the instructions are also below.

The Beginnings QAL (Printable PDF)

Block 7 Dutchman’s Puzzle (8” Finished)

For One Block (that is what you need for the quilt)

Cut:

1 – 5 ¼” square of each of the two focus fabrics

8 – 2 7/8” Squares of background fabric

** all seams are ¼” 

Instructions:

1. Mark a diagonal line on the back of each of the background squares.  
   
2.  Line two background squares up diagonally across each focus fabric square as shown. Pin in place out of the way of the marked lines.
   
3.  Sew a scant 1/4" down both sides of the marked lines.
   
4. Cut apart on the marked lines.
   
5. Press toward the background fabric. In this case it is not toward the dark side.
6. Place a background square on the corner of the focus fabric lining up the marked line with the inside point of the pieced unit. Pin.
   
   
7. Sew a scant 1/4" on both sides of the line again. Cut apart on the marked line. Press toward the background. You now have 8 flying geese units.
    
    Note: the seams will come out right on the inside corner of where the last background square and the pieced unit come together.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Square up your flying geese to 2 1/2" by 4 1/2". Make sure that your point is 1/4" away from the edge of the block, by placing the 2 1/4" by 1/4" point on your ruler at the point on your block. Please see the video for more instruction on squaring up.
   
9. Lay out your geese to form the Dutch,an's Puzzle Block. As you can see it forms a cute pinwheel in the center if you use two contrasting focus fabrics.
   
10. Sew two geese at a time to form 4 quadrants of the block. Sew with the goose that has a point on top so that you can keep an eye on where the point is and make your perfect points like you did when we sewed the pinwheels and friendship stars.
11. Sew the four patch together keeping an eye on your points as well. Put a pin through the points at the center seam (shown in the video) then pin on each side, just as we have been doing with the other blocks to keep your points perfect.
    
    

And you are done:

Hope you love it! Come back tomorrow for something fun!

Love,

The Beginnings Quilt Along Block 6 - Sally's Sheep

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited that my best friend will be here on Tuesday, that I had to make the Sheep quilt block in celebration, she loves sheep! Sally and I are driving to Quilt Market in Portland. I can't wait it will be such a fun road trip!

If you are using your Cricut Maker to cut the blocks here is the file for the sheep block.

The Video for this block can be found here:

Please note that you will need the written instructions to go along with the video. Here is a printable PDF. And the instructions are also below.

The Beginnings QAL (Printable PDF)

Block 6 Sally's Sheep (8" Finished)

 For one block (what you need for the quilt)

Cut:

From Background Fabric

1 - 1 ½” by 8 ½” Rectangle (mark as piece A)

4 – 1 ½” squares (mark as piece B)

2 – 2 ½” by 3” rectangles (mark as piece E)

1 – 2 ½” square (mark as piece G)

From Sheep Body Fabric

2 – 1 ½” by 8 ½” rectangles (mark as piece H)

3 – 1 ½” by 2 ½” rectangles (mark as piece C)

2 – 2 ½” by 3 ½” rectangles (mark as piece D)

From Sheep Face/Ears Fabric

1 – 2 ½” square (mark as piece G)

2 – 1” by 2 ½” rectangles (mark as piece F)

2 – 1 ½” squares (mark as piece I)

** all seams are ¼”

 

Instructions: (don't forget to view the video above)

1. Using this diagram lay out your pieces in rows. I like to do this on my large square ruler so that I can move the block around without getting the pieces out of order.

 2.  Mark a diagonal line on the back of the 1 ½” background squares (pieces B)

 3. Place the background B pieces RST (right sides together) with the H sheep body pieces so that the angles are mirrored on each side of the H piece. (View the pictures) Sew on the marked line and trim away the corners. Press toward the H pieces. 

 

4.  Sew the CICIC Row together. Press toward the I pieces.

5.  Sew the DGD row together. Press toward the G piece.

 6.  Sew the EFGFE row together. Press toward the F pieces.

7. Review the techniques we have already covered in the last blocks. Pin the center of the top two rows and then pin the ends. Sew the seam.

8.  Repeat step 7 for the bottom two rows.

9. To sew the center two rows together: Match the face piece with the center piece between the ears and nest the seams so that when you sew them together you have nice corners. Sew the seam.

 

10.  Sew the top two row sections to the second and third row section. Then matching the seam between the legs to the face piece so that they are lined up sew the bottom section to the middle section.

 11.  Your block should be 8 ½” (unfinished)