Monday, September 30, 2013

October's Block


The breeze has a crispness to it and the leaves are beautiful. As Wilson and I take our afternoon walks I am reminded that Fall is here. The familiar smells and sounds are all around us, apple cider, cinnamon, the crunch of the leaves under our feet and the sound of geese honking as they fly south for the winter. (Or so I think they are going south) I thought this block would be perfect for this month. It's called 'Flying in Circles' and features the flying geese block.  Past patterns can be found for a small $1.99 fee at my Etsy and Craftsy shops just in case you are just joining the BOM or have missed one. There are only a couple of block left, it will be so much fun to see everyone's Quilt Doodle 2013 BOM quilts! What do you think about having a blog hop to showcase our quilts in January? Those of you  who do not have blogs can contact me and I will post your pictures and write up on your 'day'. We have some time to think about it, but please email me and let me know what you think about it! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!


So here is how I made 'Flying in Circles'...
Here are the fabrics that I choose to use in this block.  You'll
need 4 different fabrics for this one. If you are using two, it's still doable. Just
alternate the light and dark.

Cut two of each measuring 3 7/8" square

Then cut corner to corner...

Sew the two triangles together using a 1/4" seam...

This will form your corner squares for the block. These
squares should measure 3 1/2".

To make the flying geese I am using the 'Fast Flying Geese' method.
Cut 4 ~ 4 1/2" squares from your dark fabric
Cut 16 ~ 2 3/8" squares from your light fabric
Then with right side together, place two small squares in opposite corners of the large square.
They will overlap. Draw a diagonal line as shown...

 Sew a 1/4" seam on each side of the diagonal line.

~still sewing~

Cut on the diagonal line. Open up triangles and iron.

With right sides together, place another small square in the corner
as shown. Draw a diagonal line...

Sew a 1/4" seam on each side of the diagonal line.

Cut on the diagonal line and open up the triangle and iron.

Voila! One flying geese.... trim off the 'dog ears'....

Here the block is ready to be pieced together.

'Flying in Circles'

The next block pattern will be posted November 1st.  The winner for the October block giveaway will be announced on November 1st.... I can't wait to see every ones 'Flying in Circles' block! Stop back to see this month's giveaway! (It's another great prize!) I will be announcing it on the 15th...
 There's a flicker group! If you haven't yet...please join...Every month post photos of your Quilt Doodle BOM finishes in the BOM flicker group for a chance to win that month's prize! 
There is also a Quilt Doodle BOM Pinterest board.  If you blog about the Quilt Doodle BOM 2013, please send me your link so that I can post your block on the Pinterest board!

Happy quilting!
Congratulations!!!
Quilt Doodle BOM - September
mtncyndi

Craftsy.com
Mtncyndi has won a class of her choice from Craftsy! I love Craftsy! It's a great resource for anything Crafty. You can take a class, buy supplies, meet fellow crafters, oh my gosh the list goes on and on! But most importantly, you can buy PDF copies of Quilt Doodle Patterns! lol..... well, it's not just me on the site... there are all sorts of wonderful designers on Craftsy. It's one of my go to sites for inspiration!
There's more fun and prizes to be won, so keep posting those pictures!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

October!

I love October! It's pumpkin season... that spooky time of year when little goblins lurk around the corners. The great pumpkin is dancing around the pumpkin patch. The air is a little cooler, apples are ready to be picked. Cinnamon becomes my favorite ingredient and fall time smell. I no longer have to think, will it be too warm to bake today. It's a great time to take the chill out of the house with baking. I've pulled out all of my favorite pumpkin and fall recipes! It's also time to cozy up the house with some fall decorating..... I'll start with my pumpkin coffee mug.... I'm drinking coffee out of it right now, a cinnamon sugar cookie blend, yum. I've also pulled out all of my quilty Fall items. Let me share a few past pictures with you...
"Happy Haunting"

'Mr. Bones Mug Rug'

'Frankie Mug Rug'

Mr. Bones and Frankie.... I love my haunted house display!

"Happy Haunting" another picture.... 

'Come Here My Little Sweetie' is a fun paper pieced block.
It is available for FREE on Craftsy.

'Autumn Dance'

'Pumpkin Mug Rug'

'Frankie' tea towel

'Boo' tea towel. This another of my FREE patterns which is available on Craftsy.

'Witchy Poo' tea towel. This would also be a fun design on a trick or treat bag!
These are just a few of the fun fall items I decorate my house with. All of these patterns are available on Etsy, Craftsy and also my website! (There are some cute little widgets you can click on the sidebar to take you instantly to my online stores
) My patterns are fun to do and many of them can be completed in an afternoon, well maybe not the embroidery ones.... Chances are good that you already have fabric in your stash to complete a fall project or two, just in time to decorate for fall! I hope that you enjoyed my little fall picture show and take time to check out my patterns! I'm off to get another cup of coffee in my pumpkin mug....

Happy Fall!
Happy Quilting,

Saturday, September 28, 2013

July 8, 1863

The block I complete for this weekend from Rosemary's book is called 'Surrender of Vicksburg'.  In Cora's diary entry she writes... 'It is reported that Pemberton has surrendered 'Vicksburg' but I do not believe it... Even if Vicksburg has fallen I think that things look brighter for us than ever."  
No surprise here.... I choose similar colors as portrayed in  Rosemary's book.
I'm thrilled with the fabrics that I found in my stash!

I love my 6 1/2" square ruler for trimming up the blocks!

The foundation paper that I printed up using Rosemary's CD breaks the
block down into two easy to sew pieces.

'Surrender of Vicksburg'
July 8, 1963

  Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'A Glorious Rainbow' out of Rosemary's book. I'm starting to dream about actually getting this quilt done! I'm closer to the halfway point, or at least feel like I am. Starting also to ponder the thought of starting a Dear Jane quilt project. Another, it will take me years to finish quilt. Hope that you have a wonderful week and find some time to quilt!

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

June 29, 1863

 
This weeks block is called 'Smallpox'.  Rosemary has included two diary entries. On June 29, 1863 Cora writes about a friend that has contracted smallpox. In the second entry dated July 11, 1863 Cora writes that her friend is starting to recover. I don't know very much about smallpox so I did some reading about it. Abraham Lincoln came down with smallpox after he gave the Gettysburg Address and was sick for about four weeks. Lincoln's valet caught the disease and died. In December 1862, Richmond's smallpox hospital admitted 250 patients. 110 of these patients died. Luckily we have vaccines to protect us from smallpox. 
Interior of Civil War Hospital, Washington, DC
Civil War Hospital, Washington D.C.

Here are the fabrics that I decided to use for this block. While digging through
my Civil War bin, I have discovered that I don't have much red left.
A trip to the quilt store is in order! Red's my favorite color so it boggles my mind
that I am short red...

The block is broken down into easy to sew strips.

Here I am sewing the strips together.
'Smallpox'
June 29, 1863

The first Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'Surrender of Vicksburg' out of Rosemary's book.

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!



Sunday, September 15, 2013

A Chickie Pin Keeper


Thank you Madame Samm and Kristen for a fun pin cushion blog hop! I love pin cushions and thought it would be fun to make a chicken pin cushion. I love chickens, wish I could have a couple of chickies, I love fresh eggs. Did you know it takes one dozen egg whites for one angel food cake! Those little chickens have to work pretty hard to supply me with enough eggs for one cake. Usually this time of year the Minnesota State Fair is just getting over, I used to spend an entire week with my sister in law and nephew at the fair. Nathan used to show chickens every year. I have learned more than you could ever know about chickens just spending time with the 4-H kids. So I thought it would be perfect to make a chicken pin cushion! But first let me share a few pictures of my nephew's chickens from a few years ago...




Not all little chicks are yellow... some are brown...
I made this little chick out of some felt.

Two little baby chicks in the garden... I made a thread and
button keeper using a chicken feeder that I picked up at Fleet Farm.
Here's mama chicken....

Isn't it a cute set! A mama chicken pincushion  and a baby chicks thread and button keeper.
So cute for the sewing room! They are sitting in my mom's sewing room right now. ( thought she would
like them so I wrapped them up for her for her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I Love You!!) 
For my giveaway... I have two  1/2 yard cuts of Primo Plaid to giveaway to a lucky winner. I used
Primo Plaids for the Mama Hen that I made for this hop. All you have to do is leave a sweet comment about anything quilting. For a second chance to win, be a follower too! I'm using rafflecopter again for my giveaway. Wilson and I will pick a winner on September 20th.


I get to share today with a great group of quilters... make sure to check out their posts too! 
It's a pincushion parade!

Happy Quilting,

September 16
Quilt Doodle Doodles (you are here!)
The Stitchin' Post