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Thursday, December 31, 2020

Show Your Stripes Blog Hop Sign Ups

 Today I am happy to announce a new stitching blog hop.


What is a Blog Hop?

It's like a "show and tell" online.
Our blog hops feature sewing and quilting and are like joining a quilt guild without leaving home.  Once the theme (challenge) is presented we set to work sewing.
We inspire each other with projects, tutorials, or patterns.
Anyone can follow along.

There are about 2 months to sew something and join in on the fun.  
It's another easy theme that should have you thinking of lots of things you could make.


The Challenge: 

Add a stripe, or two, or three to your project.
It can be striped fabric, striped binding (a favorite of mine), or strips of fabric to make stripes.
It's your interpretation of a striped project.  
Anything with a stripe.  You decide.
Just "Show Your Stripes!"

The Rules:  

Post on your assigned day at 12:00 am Eastern time.
Have a giveaway or don't have a giveaway. It's totally optional!
Visit everyone's blog on the list and leave a sweet comment. Make friends!!!!

Are you in?


Send me an email with the following information:
Your first name
Your email address
Your blog name
Your blog URL

Subject Line: Stripes

PLEASE, email me the info.
I do know most of you, but if you don't send the info, I have to look up all your information.

If you have emailed me and don't hear from me within a few days, please email me again or contact me on Facebook.  Sometimes Hotmail eats my homework...lol

Remember, this is for fun.
Let's grow together!!!!


Tuesday, December 29, 2020

My Stitching Resolution Blog Hop - 2021 Stitching Goals

Today is My Stitching Resolution 2021 reveal.

I have invited my blogging friends to join a blog hop that doesn't require stitching,
 it's all about their stitching plan for the new year.  

They are sharing new ideas and inspiration for stitching in 2021.  
All they have to do is finish this statement in a blog post:

My stitching resolution for 2021 is _____________________________.

We are all sharing today - it's a one day only blog hop!


Wednesday, December 30th


Visit each blog and leave a super sweet comment about their goals!

What's mine?

Here are the top 5 things I have in mind for 2021:

My stitching resolution for 2021 is
(in bold to make me accountable)

1.  Finish my goal to make quilts from the 

The blocks are so fast to make and I want a quilt to represent each block.
I have made quilts representing 10 of the blocks, only 20 to go.
(unrealistic for 1 year, probably, but a girl can try!)



2.  Write 30 Quilt Blocks in 30 Days Volume 2.

I've had requests for more, so I am putting this here - accountability.
(there would have to be a blog hop too!)



3.  Continue partnering with Carol to host fun blog hops.
(behind the scenes this year, Carol at Just Let Me Quilt had my back
when I needed encouragement and more time!  Thank you, my friend!)

We have a lot of great ideas for the new year!

This is for the next hop.
  I'll announce more details tomorrow, but if you want to start a project with a stripe,
 you will be ahead of the game.




4.  Write patterns, organize patterns, fix pattern links, give needed attention to Etsy store, and Blog!

This blog needs so much attention -
(broken links, pictures disappearing, links to nowhere (thanks Craftsy), and new design?)
((this is truly unrealistic to do all, but I would like to fix all the Creatin' in the Sticks media))



5.  Keep one planner and write it down!

Keep track of schedules and ideas.
(between work, Thermoweb projects, blog hops, and designing deadlines I SHOULD keep one planner instead of 3 or 4 calendars.  I need luck with this one!)




Those are my top 5 stitching goals for the year!
(Luck is needed for sure!)

Here's to a healthy and happy 2021!
(it just has to be better)




Triangle Medallion - Island Batik Ambassador December Challenge

  The December Challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors is
"Medallion Quilt"
and
today I am excited to share my quilt
Triangle Medallion.


We are to make a medallion quilt which is all about a center block and borders
using
Island Batik fabrics.


I went in a different direction and may have stretched the challenge a bit.
I took my inspiration from an article in the Fall of 1995 magazine, Quilt, called Corn and Beans.
At first glance, the quilt in the article looked like a medallion quilt made of half-square triangles set on point.  After reading I learned the quilt was all triangles stitched in rows - perfect!


I cut the triangles for the rows with the Accuquilt GO! Half Square Triangle-4" Finished square (55710 from the Accuquilt Go! Qube Mix and Match 8" Block.
This is my favorite way to cut triangles - the accuracy is amazing.
The fabrics are from a lot of past Island Batik quilts. I wanted to make the quilt look scrappy.

The center focus block features one of the fabrics from the new summer 2020 Island Batik collection, Bliss by Barbara Persing. (Design: Dot RIngs - Color: Ravine)


Each piece was stitched with Aurifil 50 wt and a Schmetz Microtex (Sharp) Chrome 70/10 needle.  If you haven't tried these needles, they are perfect for the tight weave of the Island Batik fabrics.


I had so much fun watching this quilt come to life with each row.



I did the quilting edge to edge with my
using Glide Trilobal Polyester 40 wt white thread.  




Triangle Medallion is about 50" x 50"
It's not a traditional medallion quilt, but it has a center and borders.
It's bright and it's so fun to see all the Island Batik fabrics come together to create this scrappy look quilt.



This is my last post as an Island Batik Ambassador.
It's been a super 2 years and I want to thank 
Island Batik and the industry partners
 for the great products and super fun challenges.
The experience has been priceless!

It's time for me to take on some new challenges.

I will miss my Island Batik Ambassador family
but I'll still be designing quilts with Island Batik fabrics
and
I am really looking forward to plans to come.



Monday, December 28, 2020

My Stitching Resolution Blog Hop is Coming

 Have you started a stitching planner for 2021?

Are you waiting for the perfect block of the month to come along?

Looking for a sew-along for next year?

You will find ideas for all of these and more in the 


My Stitching Resolution Blog Hop!

I'm excited to cheer for
this awesome list of bloggers
who are ready to inspire with new Stitching Resolutions for 2021.

This is a one-day event you won't want to miss!


Follow the Pinterest Board for all the links.

Don't miss this fun blog hop with a little something for everyone
including a giveaway or 2...

See you on Wednesday!

Thursday, December 10, 2020

My Stitching Resolution Blog Hop - Sign Ups

We have all had our share of challenges in 2020.
  Honestly, this year has left me uninspired and exhausted. 
 I'm looking for my quilting friends' help.

It's time to start a new year with inspiration and love.  
Our little quilting community is a great place to learn and share friendship.

I have put a blog hop together that is totally different than what I've done before.

What is a blog hop?

It's like a "show and tell" online.
Our blog hops feature sewing and quilting and are like joining a quilt guild without leaving home.  Once the theme (challenge) is presented we set to work sewing.
We inspire each other with projects, tutorials, or patterns.
But, we won't be sewing for this quick hop!

The Challege:

This hop doesn't require stitching, it's all about your stitching plan for the new year.  Let's share new ideas and inspiration.  All you have to do is finish this statement in a blog post:

My stitching resolution for 2021 is _____________________________.

Maybe you have a new block of the month you are joining, a quilt you want to make, a ufo to finish, a new skill to conquer, or you want to be a better stitching blogger.  Anything will do.  Of course, if you have pictures, buttons, or diagrams to share, please do!

Let's share and grow!

We promise not to police you through the year to make sure you are doing it.  This year has taught us all that we need to be flexible and change plans if needed.

This is a 1-day hop!  We aren't writing books, just a simple post to share what you are planning for 2021.

The Rules:  

Post on December 30th at 12:00 am Eastern time.
Have a giveaway or don't have a giveaway. It's totally optional!
Visit everyone's blog on the list and leave a sweet comment. Make friends!!!!

Are you in?


Send me an email with the following information:
Your first name
Your email address
Your blog name
Your blog URL

Subject Line: Stitching 2021

PLEASE, email me the info.
I do know most of you, but if you don't send the info, I have to look up all your information.

If you have emailed me and don't hear from me within a few days, please email me again or contact me on Facebook.  Sometimes Hotmail eats my homework...lol

Remember, this is for fun.
Let's grow together!!!!

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Hearts on Fire Blog Hop - I'm IN!

 Carol at Just Let Me Quilt
just announced sign-ups for our newest blog hop.


What is a blog hop?

It's like a "show and tell" online.
Our blog hops feature sewing and quilting and are like joining a quilt guild without leaving home.  Once the theme (challenge) is presented we set to work sewing.
We inspire each other with projects, tutorials, or patterns.

You don't necessarily need a blog to join in.  
We can host your project.

Get all the details about the hop
and how to sign up over at Carol's blog:

I was supposed to host the hop in January, but Carol has stepped in to pick up my slack.
  What a year!

I have an idea for a very short and simple hop to end the year
that does not require stitching.
More on that soon...
(Think about what you want to accomplish next year)

In the meantime, I have signed up for the Hearts on Fire Blog Hop.
Are you in?


Thursday, December 3, 2020

Have a Warm and Cozy Christmas

 It's going to be a warm and cozy Christmas
with this new quilt and pillow.

Warm Letter Quilt
and
Cozy Pillow Cover


 It's getting colder and colder.

My newest patterns over at Thermoweb will help you to stay cozy this Christmas.


They make great gifts too!

The fabrics are one of my favorite color combinations in
Art Gallery Fabrics “Merry & Bright” collective by AGF Studio.


These products really made it easy to piece this quilt and applique the scarf:
StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets 

iCraft purple tape

HeatnBond EZ Print Lite  iron-on adhesive 

Check out my post over at Thermoweb for all the details.



The quilt is a great size for gifting:  40" x 60".


Have a warm and cozy Christmas!




Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Virtual Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop

 It's time to make Christmas happen here in the Sticks

and

my friend Carol at Just Let Me Quilt
has a way of pushing me to get my projects finished on time.

Welcome to 
Creatin' in the Sticks!

I'm excited to kick off the
where bloggers are sharing Christmas cookies recipes, traditions, 
and/or 
sewing projects.
Thank you, Carol, for including me!

Merry Christmas!


It's been a crazy year and I think we are all ready to start a new one.
Then Christmas comes along and things seem a little happier and brighter.

I've been busy making a few things
including these ornament potholders.


They are 8" potholders and so fun to make.
The perfect way to use leftover Christmas fabrics and batting scraps.

A double layer of cotton batting inside and the stripes are a 
pleated effect to add extra heat protection.

It always seems like my kitchen lacks in Christmas decor
 and these will be super cute hanging on the backsplash.

They would make great gifts too!

But you are here not only for Christmas inspiration but for some virtual cookies.



These cookies are so good and not too sweet.
A friend gave me some last year and I just had to have the recipe.
They are made with a pie crust - there is no way that can be wrong!!!
Cranberries, walnuts, orange zest, and drizzled in honey.

It's Christmas in a bite!

They remind me of my Grandma making pinwheels
out of leftover pie dough with cinnamon sugar and butter.

The recipe is over at diethood.

If you want more cookie recipes, you are in luck.


Please leave each one a sweet comment.
Spread some Christmas cheer.


Thank you for stopping by
and
thank you, Carol, for this fun hop!


I hope your Christmas is amazing!