Text It! Blog Hop and Giveaway

Thank you for joining me here today! Sherri Noel, of Rebecca Mae Designs, has a new book release called Text It! I’m happy to be celebrating this event here with you by sharing my version of her Hustle Pillow pattern. Sherri encouraged us to have fun with the text and switch it up with our own flare.

The first step was the hardest…Sherri generously shared her book with us (it’s filled with quilting eye candy!) – How do I choose which pattern to make for the blog hop?!? Eeny meeny miny moe – Hustle Pillow it is!

Next, what text will I use? I want it to be inspiring and I want it to work with the fabric. This fabric makes me feel creative – that’s it, “Create every day!” That’s absolutely what needs to be said, read and put into action. A shout out of a great big thank you to Paintbrush Studio Fabrics for sponsoring the fabric that I used in this project: Abstract Collage, designed by Ampersand Studios. It is so fun to work with and will be released to fabric shops very soon!

I played with several different layouts for the x pieces, (the kisses, xoxox) taking a picture of each one along the way. My daughter played around with them as well. This is the one we liked the best – creative fun with a splash of balance in the mix.

After creating the letters with fusible web, I started positioning them on the fabric. Sherri gives the info that is needed for measuring the distance from the top and bottom, so the words can be positioned rather quickly. I also got to try out my new Precision Fusing Mat – eesy breezy! I’m so pleased with the quality and ease of using this (note: the grid underneath is a different ironing mat – the pressing mat does NOT have grid marks, but it is clear for using with layouts).

Yay, the top is complete and now to play with the backing and binding. I love this part – the home stretch. And it was at this point that I decided what had been planned to be made into a pillow was now going to be a wall hanging. I want to see this daily in my longarm studio and have a happy reminder to play and create every day.

And Voila! Thank you, Sherri, for creating a beautiful book and a fun blog hop!

Giveaways – YES, 3 GIVEAWAYS!!!

1.       Martingale Publishing has generously offered a copy of the book for me to give away (U.S. only).

2.       Paintbrush Studio Fabrics has provided a beautiful selection of Painters Palette Solid fat quarters (U.S. only)

3.       Aurifil is giving away two spools of thread (worldwide shipping available).

To Enter, follow steps 1-3 below (on Instagram)

1.       Join me on Instagram by following my account @bearpaw_stitchdesign

2.       Give a “like” on my Instagram for today’s Text It! Blog Hop post (3/14/2019)

3.       And add a fun or clever comment on that instagram post of what text you would put on a pillow or quilt.

*Three Winners will be selected by random drawings on March 18^th, 5pm EST. I’ll contact you through Instagram DM.

If you live in Canada, Joanne has a giveaway for the book from her blog, Quilts by Joanne.

Grand prize: Sherri Noel has a final giveaway bundle available by commenting on each of her Blog Hop posts.

Blog Hop Participants – there are giveaways at every stop along the way (love it!)

MONDAY MARCH 4 – BEE HAPPY

PAMELA JANE MORGAN –MYSWEETLITTLESTITCHES                      

SHARON LILABELLE LANE – LILABELLELANECREATIONS

TUESDAY MARCH 5 – INFINITY Quilt

LAURA PILAND – SLICEOFPIQUILTS

LEANNE PARSONS – DEVOTEDQUILTER

KATIE MUTER STARCHER – KATIEMAEQUILTS

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 – PILLOW TALK

KATE COLLERAN – SEAMSLIKEADREAM

CHERYL DAINES BROWN – QUILTERCHIC

DORIE HRUSKA – FOREVER-QUILTING

THURSDAY MARCH 7 – FREEDOM Quilt

JEN SHAFFER – PATTERNSBYJEN

TARA MILLER – QUILTDISTRICT

LYNN KANE – PUPPYGIRLDESIGNS

FRIDAY MARCH 8 – LOVING YOU Wall Hanging

ELLEN AULT –HANDMADE3D

SHERRI NOEL – REBECCAMAEDESIGNS

MONDAY MARCH 11 – COUNTING SHEEP Baby Quilt

DEANNE EISENMAN – SNUGGLESQUILTS

RAEWYN BARGE – STITCHINGFARMGIRL

SUSAN PELLAND – SUEPELLANDDESIGNS

TUESDAY MARCH 12 – HOME PILLOW

JOANNE HARRIS – QUILTSBYJOANNE

PATTY DUDEK – ELMSTREETQUILTS

ANDY KNOWLTON – ABRIGHTCORNER

SANDRA STARLEY – UTAHQUILTAPPRAISER

CINDY PIETERS – STITCHINATHOME

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13 – LIFE IS SHORT Wall hanging

BECCA FENSTERMAKER – PRETTYPINEY

KATIE BOCK – SEWINGWITHKATIE

ALLA BLANCA – RAINBOWSBUNNIESCUPCAKES

THURSDAY MARCH 14 – HUSTLE PILLOW

TERRI BANDEN BOSCH – MEANDERINGSALONGLIZARDCREEK

WILLOW OLSON – BEARPAWDESIGNBLOG  < < < you are here < < <

ERIN SAMPSON – AURIBUZZ

FRIDAY MARCH 15 – SEWING MACHINE MAT

LAUREN WRIGHT – MOLLYANDMAMA

SANDRA HEALY – SANDRAHEALYDESIGNS

CHERYL KRISEL LYNCH –CHERYLLYNCHQUILTS

SATURDAY MARCH 16 – WRAP UP

SHERRI NOEL – REBECCAMAEDESIGNS

You can buy a signed copy directly from Sherri, or find an unsigned copy at Amazon, Martingale, Fat Quarter Shop, or many other retailers. I visit as many quilt shops as I can when I travel and just last week I was happy to find Sherri’s book at Tiger Lily Quilt Co. in Utica, NY – quick stop off of I-90. Fantastic!

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February’s Monthly Color Challenge

I Love February …there are splashes of Pink everywhere! There’s just something about seeing pink hearts that makes me smile and feel like Spring is on it’s way.

For my February block I’ve used Painter’s Palette Solids Bubble Gum & Shell Pink, from the 2019 Trend Fabrics.

Looking to get that scant ¼” seam sewn with ease? I use a ¼” ruler to mark my fabric and then sew just a thread’s width away from the line (see pictures below).

Also, in order to keep my seams nested together, I use this little tool for the added touch of holding everything in place as the seam approaches the presser foot and needle.

Now for trimming your squares…you want to place your center point at the place that is HALF of what your unfinished block should be – that way you can trim up all four sides and keep your center where it should be. Also note that I’m using the diagonal line on my ruler to line up with the seam of the block. And Voila, you’ll have your four squared up sections in no time at all!

If you’ve been following along with Jen and the Monthly Color Challenge you’ve seen lots of beautiful pink blocks this month. If this is new to you, then make sure to check Jen’s post for the link to this month’s pattern in the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge. It’s available for free through the end of February. Also, you can sign up for her email to get the upcoming blocks (Mar to Dec) delivered to your inbox.

Follow everyone’s progress on Instagram #2019monthlycolorchallenge

Follow me here, on instagram & on facebook to see what else is coming up for you in 2019!

Visit PBS Studios to see their full line of solids – there are So Many to choose from! Here is my color selection for all 12 blocks.

Clockwise from the top: Island, Irish Spring*, Banana, Daisy, Tangerine, Burnt Orange, Goldenrod*, Clementine, Burnt Sienna*, Real Red, Crimson, Bubble Gum, Shell Pink*, Thistle*, Lavender, Dewberry, Amethyst, Midnight*, China Blue*, Haze*, Cracked Ice, Gulfstream, Teal*, Dark Sea Green, Android (* = 2019 Trend Fabrics)

2019 Monthly Color Challenge

I am so thrilled to be joining Jen, of Patterns By Jen, in the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge. She has a gorgeous year lined up for you! I will be creating right along with you each month using this beautiful selection of Painter’s Palette Solids that PaintBrush Studio Fabrics has sponsored.

Clockwise from the top: Island, Irish Spring*, Banana, Daisy, Tangerine, Burnt Orange, Goldenrod*, Clementine, Burnt Sienna*, Real Red, Crimson, Bubble Gum, Shell Pink*, Thistle*, Lavender, Dewberry, Amethyst, Midnight*, China Blue*, Haze*, Cracked Ice, Gulfstream, Teal*, Dark Sea Green, Android
(* = 2019 Colors of the Year)

Here in the Catskill Mountains of NY, it’s winter – which is lovely, but it’s missing color and greenery. Soooo, how Exciting that first up for the Color Challenge is a refreshing green. I’ve used Painter’s Palette Solids Irish Spring & Dark Sea Green fabrics.

Make sure to check Jen’s post for the link to this month’s pattern in the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge. It’s available for free through January. Also, you can sign up for her email to get the upcoming blocks (Feb to Dec) delivered to your inbox. Awesome Sauce! Follow everyone’s progress on Instagram #2019monthlycolorchallenge

And MORE fantastic news… Visit PBS Studios and enter to WIN a fat quarter bundle of the 2019 Colors of the Year! Giveaway is open through Friday, February 1st at 11:59 p.m. (CST). Winners will be notified via email. Limited to US participants only.

Please follow me here, on instagram & on facebook to see what else is coming up for you in 2019!

EQ8 + Benartex + Christa Watson = Fandangle Fabric FUN

“Fantastic fun!” ran through my thoughts when I read that there was a Design Challenge using Christa Watson’s Fandangle fabric line with Benartex Fabrics. (Okay, yes, THAT was a long sentence, but feel the excitement!)

All of the EQ monthly challenges have been wonderful. They’ve provided me with the drive I need to reach a goal and develop my skills using the EQ8 software. I always enjoy having a goal and delivering a product I feel good about.

Oh My Stars, by Willow Olson
Bear Paw Stitch & Design

It was a pleasure to design a pattern with these fun fabrics! After seeing a few of Christa’s projects and seeing how well all of the colors play together, I knew I wanted to include the entire fabric line. I also wanted my design to use a package of pre-cuts – because don’t we all love having ALL the colors to choose from??? (Yes, yes we do 😊) A package of 10″x10″ and some background yardage will be just the thing to complete this lap size quilt top (48 x 60).

Thank you for sponsoring this fun opportunity!
Best regards,
Willow Olson

 

EQ8 Design Challenge, B3

Some days you just HAVE to use ALL the colors …Let’s just say I invited everyone to this “block” party 🙂

Giving up three cheers for EQ and their choice on this month’s block for the EQ Design Challenge. It’s a beauty. The block is Arrowheads from the Maltese Cross collection (image below).

After playing around for a bit with the layout and dimension, I decided I wanted to design this into a lap quilt, 50” x 67”. I really like how the center of this design became a flower medallion. It just exudes warmth and cheer (image below).

Sending all of you warmth and cheer AND lots of colorful rainbows!

Willow Olson
Bear Paw Stitch & Design

 

EQ8 Design Challenge, B2

Hi Everyone! I always love a sunny Saturday 😊

I’m excited to share this post with you because the “Do You EQ Challenge” got me to FINALLY explore my EQ8 design software! What was I waiting for? Wellll, you know, I needed to make the choice to have some “me time.” Can you relate? Yes, I’m sure you can. So here it is…

The challenge was to use the Chicago Star Block shown here and design a quilt. Game on! I love designing patterns and BONUS I’m using EQ8! Goals, Check. Happy girl here.

Hmmm, now to spice it up into a quilt top…
First, I put the block on point and then after some various selections I found the flying geese were an absolute match. I love the way the geese make the arrow in the Chicago Star even more pronounced.

Next, to add a a bit of color. I found the gradation of these teal tones to be so refreshing. Just perfect when you’re thinking about diving into some cool water on a hot summer day.

And there you have it, a lovey wall hanging measuring 25” x 25”.
Follow me on Instagram @bearpaw_stitchdesign and Facebook Bear Paw Stitch & Design

Now to go enjoy some lemonade! 🙂

 

I Wish You a Merry QAL Block 2

How have I been spending my time you ask??? Good question! I have been having a blast with a great group of people in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along (QAL). It’s been neat to read the blogs of all the different hosts – 11 in all! – and see how they each approach the process of creating their block. I’ll be coming back to this post with some more updates, but in the meantime, I wanted to post my finished product.

Presenting block 2…