Week 13 Patchwork Flower by Corey Yoder for Moda BlockHeads

Happy Wednesday!  This week we have a very sweet block by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts. Before we look at Corey's block, I want to share a new book by Moda All Stars, Merry Makers.

Just as summer is ending, this holiday book will hit the shops in a couple of weeks.  Whoa! I need a little Fall and Halloween time, thank you very much, but I'm not like the rest of you who probably shop in the summer and can enjoy the Fall and be totally ready for Christmas and the holiday season. I'm never ready. 

Pick a project, or three, to make to give, or as a treat for yourself!

This is a great book full of projects of all shapes and sizes.  I hope you will pick up one. And, so just for fun, we (Martingale) are offering an e-book to one of my followers, but you must leave me a comment about the book or favorite handmade gift you have received. If your comment is chosen by the random number generator, I hope you have provided an email address. Just saying. This contest closes midnight central daylight time, Labor Day, September 3. Winner will be announced next Wednesday, here, on my blog.

This is my project, Winterlude.  Not the typical red and green, but it could be.  I love decorating with blues, especially indigo, during the winter. The beautiful indigo floral is from Rachel Remembered and the stars and sawtooth border are a combination of indigo prints throughout my lines.

I hope you leave me a comment for a chance to win.

Back to BlockHeads....

My version of Corey's Patchwork Flower, Block 13

Moda BlockHeads2 

This block is 6" x 12" finished

Isn't this a sweet set shot? LOL I love getting things out to create a photo.  This block begged for a special photo on the little green bench.

Thanks Corey, for such a sweet block!

To download Corey's pattern, please CLICK HERE and you will go to her blog and her tips for putting the block together.  My suggestion is to label your color choices on the pattern, or better yet, download Corey's line drawing for coloring before you cut. Did you know she offers a line drawing with each block? Pretty cool, I think! I cut too many background squares for the flip and sew corners. LOL. They will be welcome in another block I'm sure.

Be sure to visit all the other BlockHeads to see what they have made.

Links below.

The blocks are growing, and I planned a shot but someone distracted me....

adorable Miss Molly

Closing out this week with 2 other cool cats, my grandkids, Reed and Madison.

Happy Sewing.  Happy first days of School. 

Happy end of Summer ( we still have a hot September ahead)

Until next time ~

Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

                                                          http://blog.modafabrics.com/

BlockHeads week 12 Jace's Star by Lisa Bongean and more

Hello and Happy Wednesday...another week has raced by and here we are in Week 12 with Lisa Bongean and her block called Jace's Star, a 6" block that is as cute as can be.  Get your 'I'm ready for tiny piecing' mojo in gear. Starch your fabric before cutting and you'll be ready to cut and sew.

Here is my version of Lisa's block. Thanks Lisa, I love it.
My fabrics combine Evelyn's Homestead and Hope's Journey.

Click Here for Lisa's blog and her pattern.

Happy Sewing!!

Be sure to visit all our BlockHeads designers to see what they have made.

Links below.

This week, I was away at a terrific retreat. 

My fellow retreaters got much more accomplished than I did, and their work is SO inspiring.

Many of us were doing some secret sewing, so I didn't take many photos, except of my own work, which I can't show yet.

However, you  can see this....

I gave a class on making needle cases using my 1" Betsy's Thimbles templates...

These are made from 1 pack of Moda Candy, aka Mini Charms.

Some sewed their thimbles by hand, or with EPP method, and some rotary cut thimbles to machine piece quickly.  Aren't they sweet?

and the inside, most with pockets and, a piece of wool for the needles.

and a closeup

SEW sweet!

Want to see more? Visit the blog post Sherri made for August 21. Details about Betsy's Thimbles EPP papers and Acrylic Templates  with www.paperpieces.com and, more photos are on the post.

Click here for Sherri's post.

Thanks Sherri!!!

After having such a good time sewing with friends, it was quite a downer to come home to a downed tree.  A big storm with high winds went through my neighborhood Saturday night and the big nice shade tree in the front yard was no match.  We are really going to miss the shade it gave the house.

Damage is minimal, we think.  Could have been much worse if it had gone through the living room window.  Now we wait for a roofer to come by and check it out.

Blue skies now. And that a really good thing.

Everyone take care.

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Direction Block 11 by Sherri McConnell for Moda BlockHeads

Hello Wednesday, Moda BlockHeads day! Today's block is by one of our new blockheads, Sherri McConnell of the mom and daughter design team Sherri and Chelsi. Hope you take time to visit Sherri's blog, A Quilting Life. Don't you love that name for a blog, or anything??

Here is my version of Direction.

Top photo is how the pattern is written.

And, this photo shows me happily thinking I knew what I was doing, LOL!

I pieced geese.  Supposed to be a chevron.  Really, I like them both.

I have them pointed left, but in the quilt you will want to decide on which 'direction' suits you.

Click Here for Sherri's pattern Direction, on her blog.

Be sure to check on all our designers, links below.

This week I feel fried inside.  So many things, obligations, deadlines, 

responsibilities to get accomplished. 

Ever have this feeling, like you are drops of water on a hot skillet???  It's not pleasant.  I always have a lot going on, always busy, but never have experienced this weird sizzling feeling.

And, I've spent a ton of precious time looking for things I simply cannot find, 

another byproduct of an overly busy mind. 

Retreat starts today, YAY, just in time for a much needed break.

It has been raining here for a week, not constant downpours, but those good soaking showers. Such a welcome relief to 100 degree plus temperatures!

'Direction' is appropriate, today, in the context of "I need direction", I'm thinking I need to get organized and get focused, the sewing room is a disaster, piles of fabrics and projects.  

When you stop laughing...yes, I know those who know me well, are still laughing, the clutter is more than I can handle.

In my desperate search for the certain things, including a new pattern I drew on a big piece of paper, I had to pick up and sort and put away other things that I knew were covering my pattern,

 but to no avail.

I used to be able to visualize the missing thing and go back to where it was when last seen, but that ability has left me.  SO frustrating!  Husband summed it up, "something distracted you". 

Hello and Amen.  Exactly! Thanks Steve!

Now to fix my mess...

and sew it goes...I do get things done. I may not ever find what I'm missing.  I'll rewrite, redraw, remake. and see you back here next week, refreshed and pulled together...LOL

My best to you all, 

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Today...Block 10 Duck and Ducklings by Jo Morton for Moda BlockHeads 2

Happy Wednesday everyone! It's Moda BlockHeads 2 day and today's designer is Jo Morton. Jo's block is a favorite of mine, Duck and Ducklings. 

Here is my version. 
This week's fabrics are all from Evelyn's Homestead.
  I chose a dark background this time.

12" block

To piece the Half Square Triangles, quickly and accurately, I used Spinning Stars Triangle Paper 

for 1 1/2" units.

hmm, it's upside down, but you get the idea. 

 The corner is right side up, lol. As you can see, you need individual triangles to complete the corner section.

 I've noticed my indigos are Photographing like black!  oops, they really are dark blue!

For Jo's blog, and her pattern Click Here

I hope you enjoy making Jo's block, I did!

And the pile is growing.  Love them!

Happy Sewing!

Be sure to visit all our designers to see what they have made this week.  Links below.

Next week, one of our new BlockHeads, Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life, debuts her block.

Another busy week has flown by...writing patterns, drawing quilts, rearranging schedules.
And a family day. 

My ducks and ducklings...

My son, Matt on the left and son-in-law Craig on the right...the splash in the middle is Madison. Only pic I got of her, LOL. They took turns throwing her up in the air.  That little sweetheart is part flying fish...loves the water and swimming.

and here's Reed, tired out, in my daughter Rachel's arms.
14 months, finally walking.  Splashed in the pool, all worn out.
Precious.

 It was a lovely afternoon visiting with family.  Many photos not taken. Sadly I get so busy watching or visiting, I'm not recording the moment...maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Hug your loved ones.

Until next time,
~Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Today's Block 9 for Moda BlockHeads2, is ''With a Plus" by Laurie Simpson

Happy Wednesday!  Today's block is super easy. Thank you Laurie, I enjoyed the simplicity of the block.  If you are behind in making blocks, this cute block will help you catch up quickly!

Isn't it cute?

Click here for the pattern on Laurie's blog.

I tried several options, but this one was the winner,  just scrappy enough for my style.

I thought I'd show you how I twist the seams and clip for a super flat block.

I've been doing the twisting, also called flipping since the mid 1990's and it is done without much thinking.  Now that I added clipping, some years ago, it is almost obsessive.

This first photo shows the seam intersection, flipped, not yet clipped, nor pressed.  If I press to the center, I'm pressing to a seam.  Ba bump. Don't like that, so I clipped on the cream side of the intersection and on the pink side down to the stitching line and pressed to the corner.

The next photo shows the seam clipped and pressed.  If you want, you might like to clip the seam so that all 4 seams press to the center, or all 4 seams press to the outside.

Press well.

All pressed nice and flat.

If you were hand quilting, you would consider the pressing ot the seams even more carefully. It really does make a difference.

And here we have the blocks to date....

It's fun to move them around...and around.

Please visit Laurie's blog  for the pattern, and all of our designers to see what else is going on in their world.  We love hearing from you, and want you to get to know us.  Links below.

It's been a busy couple of weeks.  I'm totally frustrated with being hacked again on Messenger and as  a result, I deleted the App.  You know when a friend is hacked on Messenger, the hacker sends messages to everyone in their contact list. If you respond or God forbid open the file sent with it, then he has hacked you too and then has your contact list.  It is a mess.  and practically impossible to report.  If it should happen to you, delete the message and change your password!!! Even if you only received a message that you didn't open.  

Some of you have messaged me...can't do that through Facebook Messenger anymore.  I'm not planning to reinstall the App.  You can reach me through the blog and, as long as you follow me or leave me an email address, I can reply.  You can post on my Facebook timeline or in our BlockHeads group on Facebook.  You can direct message me on Instagram.  It works really well! and then if you are desperate, just kidding, my personal email is in my profile, right here on the blog, on the right side where you can click on 'View my complete profile."

Besides that mess, I've done a lot of applique and will show you one of these days.  I've had some grandkids time and hosted a bridal brunch for my lovely niece Cara, but mostly have just tried to stay inside and keep cool with almost 2 weeks of 100+ degree heat. Yesterday and today have been cooler, but 100 degree days WILL return. UGH!

Happy sewing!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/