New Year - Increase Shipping Rates - boo and a Sale - YEAH!

Hi again,

I'm blogging today as a public service announcement of sorts. 

Once again on January 17, 2016 our USPS will be increasing it's rates, 

a 10% and 22% increase depending on the class of postage. 

I offer a flat rate postage in my etsy shop, however, priority rates are increasing

 and unfortunately I will have to increase my rate as well.

In addition, international shipping rates are also taking a hike in price. 

Until January 17th you can enjoy a slightly lower rate shipping 

AND

I have my clearance items up to 70% off.

On the 17th my shipping rates will increase from $5.95 flat rate U.S. to $6.50 flat rate fee.

International rate will go from $26.50 to $30.00 USD - I can fit up to 9 yards in a flat rate padded envelope - send me a custom order request for accurate (cheaper) shipping :)

Many new fabrics were added to clearance 

and I may be adding more as the days go on. 

I just have too much fabric.

I have had my shelving not only fall once -
but actually twice - once was just this last weekend and well it was a mess

as you can see.

All other etsy shop items will be up to 30% off.

 I have to clear some bolts, please take advantage

 if you are looking for backing fabric etc.

I can barely walk in my sewing/shop area.
Many clearance fabrics are $3-4 a yard.

Message me if you need more yardage than what's listed.

 I just might have it in stock after all.

Thank you for reading and helping me clear out this January.

p.s. clearance sale ends January 25, 2016 midnight.

Charm Box Quilt Mini - Fat Quarter Shop Top 10 Videos 2015

I have had the privilege of making several of the free projects that are offered by the Fat Quarter Shop over the years. 2015 was no exception.

I am not sure how many video tutorials were produced to accompany the free patterns

 but I know what the Top 10 best are.

Over the next few days the Fat Quarter Shop, 

along with several bloggers, will recap the best 10 of 2015.  

Today we look back at the Charm Box Quilt. 

I'll be honest, I didn't make it first time around.

I had quite a bit happening in my life in 2015 that prevented me from sewing as much as I'd liked to.

Anyhow, I decided that it's 2016 now, sew I will this year!

Recently, well, it's stretches further back than that, 

I have been smitten with Lori Holt's fabrics and projects.

 I would say it really began in 2011.  I met Lori in Salt Lake City as quilt market. 

I fell in love with her patterns and fabric and as you know - she hasn't stopped since.

Her latest fabric line is Calico Days. 

I loved it so much, I bought bolts of the entire line for my etsy shop.

Calico Days seemed like a perfect project for my Charm Box Quilt.

Here is the video that Fat Quarter Shop made to accompany the free pattern.

This pattern couldn't be easier. I decided on making the mini version.

Typical for me, I couldn't just make a plain old small quilt.
I decided to doctor it up with a little hand stitching.
I used the Aurifil 12wt. cotton thread for 'big stitch' quilting.
That heart template is from Laundry Basket Quilts 
and it fit perfectly inside my light squares in the middle of the quilt.

I used a brown pigma pen to make my 'big stitches' with the template as a guide.
I wanted the stitches to be as even as possible...
I needed a guide let me tell you :)

Here is the mini as I was stitching my hearts, notice I just pinned basted this project.

 I added more colorful stitching in the sashings.
I love the big stitches on this.

I may add more stitches to the border but I haven't quite decided how much.
If I quilt it more, I'll be sure to post the update to instagram...
Speaking of instagram....
Use #charmboxquilt and #FQSTop10 when you share your pictures on Intagram & tag @fatquarter shop for a chance to win a $100 gift card.  The contest will end February 1st.

I suggest you check out the other bloggers that whipped up a Charm Box Quilt today.

Melissa of Happy Quilting

Remona of The Stitching Scientist

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset

Anorina of Samelia's Mum

Kim of Persimmon Dreams

Shruti of 13 Woodhouse Road

Connie of Free Motion by The River

Natalia of Piece N Quilt

Gerri of Planted Seed Designs

I have a few favorites from the list above ;)
bet you will too.

Great Granny Twist Blog Tour - Twisted Great Granny Pouch

I have had the Great Granny Squared book by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet since it was released. 

Super cute quilts,projects and fabrics that I can never resist thumbing through.

When fat quarter shop challenged a group of bloggers to make a block with a twist....

many ideas started flowing for me.

I began with the new Sweetwater Valentine inspired line called First Crush.

In order to make a pouch, you need the book for cutting measurements.

I chose 5 fabrics and cut out a block using 1.5" strips. 

In order for a pouch to be made from a block, 

I modified the "letter F" dimensions in the pattern 

to the following: 2- 3.5" x 1.5" strips background

                       2- 1.5" x 2" strips of background

The rest of the measurements were the same as a 1.5" great granny block.

It measures about 9 1/4" square when sewn.

Once the block was sewn,

I layered it with 10" backing and batting just as I would for a little quilt.

I quilted it with cross hatch straight lines using coordinating Aurifil thread.

Next, square up the quilted block, I tried to make sure

 there was an inch of background fabric all the way around the block.

It measures about 7" square.

Remember this number can vary with the amount of quilting that is done.

I cut out a 3/4" square from 2 sides of the block... opposite sides. 

I chose a zipper that was about 14" because I wanted red for this bag.

The picture makes it look off but the zipper is connected on one end. 

I sewed the zipper to each 'long' side of the pouch. Turned it to the right side and top stitched the zipper in place.

Actually using such a long zipper allowed me working room for sewing it on.

Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures of these steps. 

Next, match the sides of the bag - right sides together and pin from the zipper to the cut out out square area. 

Sew this seam carefully. 

Then pinch open the 'square' bottom and fold it flat. 

Sew a 1/4" seam across. This creates the 'box' bottom of the pouch.

Repeat for the other side BUT make sure your zipper is open half way.

Turn your bag right side out.

I loved this little pouch so much that I went on to make pouches

with 2" strips and 2 1/2" strips.

This grey pouch used 2" strips and a mix of fabric from my etsy shop.

The quilted block was trimmed to 9 1/2" and 

a 1" square was cut from the sides of the pouch to 'box' it.

Here is a large pouch done with Hello Darling mini charm squares.

I auditioned the look of this bag by folding the block in half before I quilted.

You can see the quilting is pretty basic - just straight lines.

This quilted block squared up to 12 1/2".

3 pouches....

perfect for gifts this season

Now as you know the Fat Quarter Shop is hosting this twisted tour 

and they kicked it off with their twist called the Great Granny Circle.

Here is the video on you tube for it.

Super cool idea....wished I'd thought of it!!

I hope that I have inspired you to make a bag or pouch from one of your granny square blocks!

Here is the list of other bloggers that had Twisted fun with their Great Granny blocks.

Lori Holt Bee in My Bonnet

Fat Quarter Shop

Sinta of Pink Pincushion

Katie of Good Golly Ginger

Many more bloggers tomorrow

December 15, 2015

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage

Tina of Emily Ann's Closet

Renee of Sewn with Grace

Tricia of Notes of Serenity

Wednesday December 16, 2015

Melissa of Oh how Sweet

Marni of Haberdashery fun

Nadra of Ellis and Higgs

 Thursday December 17, 2015

Jennie of Clover & Violet

Erin of Why Not Sew

Sherri of This & That Patterns

Rachel of P.S. I Quilt

Sharon of Daisy Cottage Quilting

Friday December 18, 2015 

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studios

Pam of Pam Kitty Morning

Jamie of Busy Bee Quilts

Daisy of Ants to Sugar

Gerri of Planted Seed Designs

Again, I sincerely hope you enjoy the twisted blog tour.

Big Clearance sale on Etsy

Just wanted to pass on that I am having a HUGE sale on my etsy site. 

All clearance is 50% off.

$3-8 a yard depending on the manufacturer -

Moda $3-6 and Japanese Yuwa is $8 a yard.

There are over 80 fabrics on clearance. 

I have up to 30% off nearly everything else.

I will be increasing the discount as it gets closer to the end of the year. 

I am trying to scale back my shop significantly in preparation 

for eventually going back to work outside the home.

I am not closing...just scaling back the inventory so it is more manageable.

No Bake Jolly Bar Quilt - Free Pattern and blog hop

As you might know, the Fat Quarter Shop has been creating 

You-tube videos for a couple of years now.

I have, in fact, made several of the quilts and projects. 

One of my favorite pre cut fabrics to use is the Jolly Bar. 

A Jolly Bar is a 5" x 10" cut only available at the Fat Quarter Shop.

It's basically half of a layer cake. 

Sometimes I just want to sit and sew - having a cut like this provides variety to the projects that make without doing all the cutting ahead of time.

It's a win win for me. 

I have talked about my mother in law on my blog in the past. 

I pretty much got her in to quilting when I joined the family.

As time has marched on, 

she has developed some arthritis

 and cutting fabric is difficult for her sometimes - okay all the time. 

She asks me to cut quilts for her to sew and there are times

 when a precut fabric is a huge time saver for me. 

I have a lot less to cut.

I chose Holly's Tree Farm by Sweetwater fabrics

 because this project was so close to Christmas and I really wanted another Christmasy quilt.

I am in LOVE with the red ford pickups with a tree in the bed. 

Someday I hope to find a vintage one but for now my Target version will have to do ;)

thank goodness for Target decor.

Back to the quilt....

The free pattern from the Fat Quarter shop can be found HERE.

Here is the video the Fat Quarter Shop made about this pattern.

Here is my quilt top. Yep quilt top.

I always have great intentions to make, quilt and bind before a holiday but rarely finish.

I have a 100 excuses and really it's okay.

 I will finish it because I love this quilt and fabric.

It will probably be done by next Christmas - LOL.

There are several other bloggers that have made a No Bake Jolly Bar Quilt this season too...

Check them out - I know I am going to because I'd like to see a finished quilt ;)

Sherri of A Quilting Life

Melissa of Happy Quilting

Heather and Megan of Quilt Story

Denise of Pieced Barn

Paula the Sassy Quilter

Christina of WIPS and TUTS

Andy of a Bright Corner

Jane of Quilt Jane

Caroline of Sew Can She