My mail box has been very busy! Here are the Friendship Love blocks that have arrived so far. =) You can find the tutorial for the Friendship Love block on this post. When they all get here, I will get a picture of them all together and decide what other colors I need to add. This quilt will be darling!

From Missy @ Missy's Homemaking Adventures. Isn't the pink heart darling! Cuteness!

Kimmy @ Kimmy Kitty Creations generously sent me three blocks and a mug rug. I had the hardest time opening the package because it was wrapped so beautifully! 

Elaine @ Elaine.summercrafter added an ornament of the block. These ladies know how to spoil and are so talented! 

And check out the quilt label Denny @laughsewgarden included with her block! The fussy cut bird is adorable! Or adordable, as my granddaughter says. =D

Miss Donna @Donna's Lavender Nest knows how I love pink. =) 

Dori @The Red Feedsack sent two blocks and a banner! 

Tuki @tukidre is a new quilter! She has some serious skills for a new quilter. =) Be sure to check out her Instagram page to see her work. =)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy Monday! 

My mail box has been very busy! Here are the Friendship Love blocks that have arrived so far. =) You can find the tutorial for the Friendship Love block on this post. When they all get here, I will get a picture of them all together and decide what other colors I need to add. This quilt will be darling!

From Missy @ Missy's Homemaking Adventures. Isn't the pink heart darling! Cuteness!

Kimmy @ Kimmy Kitty Creations generously sent me three blocks and a mug rug. I had the hardest time opening the package because it was wrapped so beautifully! 

Elaine @ Elaine.summercrafter added an ornament of the block. These ladies know how to spoil and are so talented! 

And check out the quilt label Denny @laughsewgarden included with her block! The fussy cut bird is adorable! Or adordable, as my granddaughter says. =D

Miss Donna @Donna's Lavender Nest knows how I love pink. =) 

Dori @The Red Feedsack sent two blocks and a banner! 

Tuki @tukidre is a new quilter! She has some serious skills for a new quilter. =) Be sure to check out her Instagram page to see her work. =)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy Monday! 

I finally got around to making a heart quilt using this fantastic tutorial by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. A big thank you to my Valentine for being the quilt model. =) 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I finally got around to making a heart quilt using this fantastic tutorial by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. A big thank you to my Valentine for being the quilt model. =) 

Happy Valentine's Day!

For the last three years, I have been part of an online bee called Sew Sweet Bee. February is my turn to be Queen Bee. =) This is the block I have asked for them to make for me. It's simply a friendship star with a heart in the middle. Easy! 

Here is the tutorial for a 12" finished block.

From the colored fabric you will need: 

 (2) 5" squares

 (2) 2 ½" squares 

(4) 1" squares 

From the background fabric you will need:

(2) 5" squares

(4) 4 ½" squares

(2) 2 ½" x 4 ½" rectangles 

 Make 4 half square triangles using the two 5" colored squares and the two 5" background squares.

Trim them to 4 ½" and set aside.

For the center heart block section, I used the tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. Keep in mind that in my block, the heart will be made with the background fabric. In other words, it's the inverse of what she is making in her tutorial. 

My pictures should help you understand what I mean. You will use the (4) 1" colored squares, the 

(2) 2 ½" squares and the (2) 2 ½" x 4 ½" white rectangles. 

The heart should measure at 4 ½".

I forgot to take a picture of the next step which is to take all nine of the 4 ½" squares and lay them out in a 9 patch grid. You need to make sure the half square triangle blocks that are making the friendship star are spinning in the correct direction. I know you can figure it out. =) Then you simply sew them together like a 9 patch and press so the seams nest. The block should measure 12 ½" (12" finished).

Aren't they cute!

Let me know if you have any questions! 

Have a happy day!

For the last three years, I have been part of an online bee called Sew Sweet Bee. February is my turn to be Queen Bee. =) This is the block I have asked for them to make for me. It's simply a friendship star with a heart in the middle. Easy! 

Here is the tutorial for a 12" finished block.

From the colored fabric you will need: 

 (2) 5" squares

 (2) 2 ½" squares 

(4) 1" squares 

From the background fabric you will need:

(2) 5" squares

(4) 4 ½" squares

(2) 2 ½" x 4 ½" rectangles 

 Make 4 half square triangles using the two 5" colored squares and the two 5" background squares.

Trim them to 4 ½" and set aside.

For the center heart block section, I used the tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. Keep in mind that in my block, the heart will be made with the background fabric. In other words, it's the inverse of what she is making in her tutorial. 

My pictures should help you understand what I mean. You will use the (4) 1" colored squares, the 

(2) 2 ½" squares and the (2) 2 ½" x 4 ½" white rectangles. 

The heart should measure at 4 ½".

I forgot to take a picture of the next step which is to take all nine of the 4 ½" squares and lay them out in a 9 patch grid. You need to make sure the half square triangle blocks that are making the friendship star are spinning in the correct direction. I know you can figure it out. =) Then you simply sew them together like a 9 patch and press so the seams nest. The block should measure 12 ½" (12" finished).

Aren't they cute!

Let me know if you have any questions! 

Have a happy day!

The weather in Iowa has been gloomy and foggy for weeks. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. =( I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the lack of sunshine makes it much worse. Sewing with pretty colors and keeping busy does help, but I am never quite myself again until spring comes. These last few weeks have been rough. The point of mentioning SAD? No sun also means it is super hard to take decent pictures of the projects I have finished so I can share them here, or on Instagram, for that matter! I decided to stop waiting for a better time and just go with the less than stellar photography. 

First up is Christmas Swoon! 

I made Christmas Swoon last January with the plans to have it done for this last Christmas. Best laid plans and all that... But it is done and I love it!! I did my typical wavy lines to quilt it, but this time I chose to not make the wavy lines as curvy as I usually do. The texture is amazing!

It measures 65" x 65". The back is pieced with the left over half square triangles. 

Next up is another quilt top I made last January using my Cotton & Steel stash. You can find more details in this blog post. This one finished up at 62" x 76". 

I chose to straight line quilt it using my walking foot edge about ¼" away from the seam as my guide.  Totally eye balled it. I love the star and hexagon shape that emerges at the points of the triangles. Oh, and trust me, I stratigcally took a picture where my points matched up perfectly. Not all of them look this good. Just sayin!

For the back, I chose a newspaper print by Zen Chic by Moda. 

 My next project is to get my Patchwork Swoon quilted. Oh, I also have a shop sample I am frantically trying to get done, Sweetie Pie by Lori Holt. Another gal is helping with the embroidery and the hand appliqué parts. It will be cute when it's done. =) 

Thanks for hanging out with me on this Thursday morning! Have a happy day!!

The weather in Iowa has been gloomy and foggy for weeks. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. =( I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the lack of sunshine makes it much worse. Sewing with pretty colors and keeping busy does help, but I am never quite myself again until spring comes. These last few weeks have been rough. The point of mentioning SAD? No sun also means it is super hard to take decent pictures of the projects I have finished so I can share them here, or on Instagram, for that matter! I decided to stop waiting for a better time and just go with the less than stellar photography. 

First up is Christmas Swoon! 

I made Christmas Swoon last January with the plans to have it done for this last Christmas. Best laid plans and all that... But it is done and I love it!! I did my typical wavy lines to quilt it, but this time I chose to not make the wavy lines as curvy as I usually do. The texture is amazing!

It measures 65" x 65". The back is pieced with the left over half square triangles. 

Next up is another quilt top I made last January using my Cotton & Steel stash. You can find more details in this blog post. This one finished up at 62" x 76". 

I chose to straight line quilt it using my walking foot edge about ¼" away from the seam as my guide.  Totally eye balled it. I love the star and hexagon shape that emerges at the points of the triangles. Oh, and trust me, I stratigcally took a picture where my points matched up perfectly. Not all of them look this good. Just sayin!

For the back, I chose a newspaper print by Zen Chic by Moda. 

 My next project is to get my Patchwork Swoon quilted. Oh, I also have a shop sample I am frantically trying to get done, Sweetie Pie by Lori Holt. Another gal is helping with the embroidery and the hand appliqué parts. It will be cute when it's done. =) 

Thanks for hanging out with me on this Thursday morning! Have a happy day!!

Good Morning and Happy 2017! 

One major goal my hubby and I have this new year is to get this kitchen completely finished and we are so close! Over the holidays, Russ got the backsplash installed. All that needs to be done is the grout. We are going to use a light grey colored grout.

Here is the big picture of how the kitchen looks. So close to being done! 

My first quilt of 2017 is for baby Millie. Millie's daddy is a cat person and I fell in love with Erin Michael's new fabric line for Moda called Meow or Never. I was so glad to have an excuse to play with it!  It's perfect for her and I think her daddy will appreciate it, too. =) 

I quilted it with my go to wavy lines. I like the texture it gives and its easy. =)  I get to give it to her today! 

Until next time, have a happy weekend!! 

Good Morning and Happy 2017! 

One major goal my hubby and I have this new year is to get this kitchen completely finished and we are so close! Over the holidays, Russ got the backsplash installed. All that needs to be done is the grout. We are going to use a light grey colored grout.

Here is the big picture of how the kitchen looks. So close to being done! 

My first quilt of 2017 is for baby Millie. Millie's daddy is a cat person and I fell in love with Erin Michael's new fabric line for Moda called Meow or Never. I was so glad to have an excuse to play with it!  It's perfect for her and I think her daddy will appreciate it, too. =) 

I quilted it with my go to wavy lines. I like the texture it gives and its easy. =)  I get to give it to her today! 

Until next time, have a happy weekend!! 

It's been a crazy busy December and I know I am not alone in the being busy department. On top of the loveliness of the Christmas season, Cotton Creek Mill is moving to a new building. I can't wait to share all about that when we are done getting settled. We will be reopening for business on January 3rd. Can't wait!!

Earlier this month, I celebrated another birthday. I am okay if they go by unnoticed, however, when blogging friends remember and send a precious gift...Well, being noticed is an honor. The first gift is from Capi who sent a Goody-Goody Binding Kit. Totally love it! 

Such a thoughtful gift from a thoughtful friend...Thank you, Capi!!

My friend Karen @In The Sewing Basket had this t-shirt made for me. Seriously! Is this not the best?! 

On the home front, baby Millie is now home. She was released last Saturday. =) 

Her big sister is happy to have her home for Christmas, as we all are. =) 

From my home to yours, I want wish you all a very Merry Christmas! =) 

It's been a crazy busy December and I know I am not alone in the being busy department. On top of the loveliness of the Christmas season, Cotton Creek Mill is moving to a new building. I can't wait to share all about that when we are done getting settled. We will be reopening for business on January 3rd. Can't wait!!

Earlier this month, I celebrated another birthday. I am okay if they go by unnoticed, however, when blogging friends remember and send a precious gift...Well, being noticed is an honor. The first gift is from Capi who sent a Goody-Goody Binding Kit. Totally love it! 

Such a thoughtful gift from a thoughtful friend...Thank you, Capi!!

My friend Karen @In The Sewing Basket had this t-shirt made for me. Seriously! Is this not the best?! 

On the home front, baby Millie is now home. She was released last Saturday. =) 

Her big sister is happy to have her home for Christmas, as we all are. =) 

From my home to yours, I want wish you all a very Merry Christmas! =) 

I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

Millie is doing very well! She is over her birth weight, holding her own body temperature, and breathing on her own. What she needs to learn to do is learn to eat and suckle. For now, she practices on her pacifier and is being fed mother's milk through a tube to her tummy. I am so very thankful for God's kindness....

Meanwhile, big sister, Tally, has a new baby of her own to take care of. I think she is in love. =) 

Next time I will get back to sharing quilts! 

Have a happy Monday!

Millie is doing very well! She is over her birth weight, holding her own body temperature, and breathing on her own. What she needs to learn to do is learn to eat and suckle. For now, she practices on her pacifier and is being fed mother's milk through a tube to her tummy. I am so very thankful for God's kindness....

Meanwhile, big sister, Tally, has a new baby of her own to take care of. I think she is in love. =) 

Next time I will get back to sharing quilts! 

Have a happy Monday!