Check out the pretty fabrics I got on sale at Pink Castle Fabrics a week or two ago! Brenda was clearing out a bunch of my favorite line EVER, Hope Valley, so I had to scoop up some of that of course. I’m proud of myself for showing restraint. I really wanted to buy it ALL. Don’t they look pretty stacked in color order like that? Seriously, I could just stare all day.
I snagged a couple oldies, but goodies, from Violet Craft, Joel Dewberry, and Anna Maria Horner.
Also this cute strawberry print that is just begging to be made into a darling little blouse for Lily.
I may have purchased a little of one Hope Valley print to back my Farmer’s Wife quilt, when it gets done, someday. Or a lot. Maybe like ten yards-ish.
What was that about restraint?
Heh.
In other news, I have been off refined/processed sugars for 9 days now, and I can honestly say I don’t miss them. Hoping it will help with my weight loss goals. (Can’t hurt, right?) Plus, overall health is a great bonus, too.
What’s new in your stash?? Purchased any fabric lately? Are you a recovering sugar addict like me? Anything else you want to chat about?
I’ve been talking to five-year-olds all day, and as fun as that is, I wouldn’t say no to some good old grownup talk. Plus, my legs are SO SORE from the workout my friend had us do yesterday at the gym, that I might just be in this chair all afternoon–or at least until a kiddie soccer game comes-a-callin’. Deep Blue, here I come.
xoxo
April
PS I’m updating my blog look soon, so don’t be startled if it looks different the next time you visit. I’m working on making some things easier to find :)
Sharing a little snippet of something I’m working on, fabric in my stash, or something on my longarm–because every Sunday needs a little inspiration. What’s inspiring you today?
xoxo
April
PS I scored big time yesterday at Lizzy House‘s studio sale. Big time.
So this came today. I haven’t even been able to take it out of the box yet, because I’m too busy staring at it. But when it does come out of the box, it will become a free pattern for you, my pretties. (<–Yay!)
I love this job.
xoxo
April
PS What are you loving right now? A fabric line? A holiday decoration? A song? Treat? Fill me in, chickadees.
A beautiful stack of Grand Hotel by Jenean Morrison for Free Spirit. (She’s a doll, by the way.) In stores in May. Must force myself to do some chores and get on the darn treadmill so I can get cutting into it. I have Grand (har har) plans for it.
Any fun mail for you today?
Making something with this today.
And this.
One guess what it is.
Hint:
It’s not for a baby.
I’ve wanted to make one of these for a while.
I’ve also wanted to repurpose an old warped rotary mat I’ve had sitting around. So when Moda announced their Sliced competition, I already knew what I wanted to make. Lucky for me, their criteria matched up quite nicely with this project. I cut up the old mat to use as stabilizer, so that this box stays sturdy and doesn’t slouch.
Yippee for a lovely new place to store all that ribbon!
The contest is judged, and doesn’t take votes, but I’m sure lots of nice comments on my project wouldn’t hurt. ;) You can check out my entry here, and all the entries here.
xoxo
April
PS: If you see the crocheted project by akaLauni over there, that’s my mom. Show her some love too, will ya? Mwa!
Welcome to day #8 of Quilt Uber-fest! I’m excited to show you my block, and tell you a little about it. First though, I need to thank Scott of Blue Nickel Studios for all his hard work, and his unfailing dedication to making this little blog hop all work out. He’s been great at coordinating and putting up with all our questions. Thanks Scott!
Now on with the show!
When we were given the requirements for our block, we were asked to design something using only log cabin construction and/or half-square triangles. My mind immediately jumped to the oh-so-trendy and oh-so-fashionable chevron pattern that is all the rage right now. (Don’t believe me? Check this out over at Pinterest.) I’m not sure why, but there’s just something so unfailingly classic about a chevron pattern, and that’s how log cabin blocks and half-square triangles feel to me, too. I mean really, where would quilting be without either of those two elements?
Then, I received my fabric. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if my little old block design was going to be able to hold its’ own with such vibrant, busy prints. But hey, I’m always up for a challenge, and hey again, I have a seam ripper, so I got to work. And let me just say: it speaks volumes about the talented Nel Whatmore that these several showstopping fabrics can coincide so excellently within the same block.
I explained the chevron part to you already, and as for the dreams? Well, the fabric line we’re working with is called Sleeping Beauty. So, here’s how I like to imagine it: A princess, asleep for a hundred years. A prince, instantly enamored the moment he sets eyes on her–she’s beautiful, of course, but also has killer taste–her outfit? Chevrons, perhaps. Or maybe that’s her curtains. He kisses her, she wakes up, they get married, have their happily ever after. She excels at being a trendy, fashionable princess even though she’s missed hundreds of thousands (millions?) of pins on Pinterest. Silly? Yes. But hey (again), she had a heck of a lot of time to dream up any number of classic styles and trends, so it makes perfect sense to me.
Classics are classics for a reason, and some girls stay trendy even in their sleep.
(And some girls sleep in yoga pants and a t-shirt. Just saying.)
Click here to download the PDF (sans my silly ramblings).
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Only 2 more days to enter the contest…
Yay! It’s been one year since I launched Prairie Grass Patterns, and boy has it been a ride! Some of you have been here with me from the beginning, and some of you are brand new friends–and I’m so grateful to all of you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you would give a little bit of your time and caring to support me and my dream. Really, truly, it just…there aren’t words to describe it. But thank you. Sincerely.
Enough with my jibber jabber…let’s get on to the party part!
Giveaways galore this week–so let me explain. Before I show you the goodies, here’s how it’s going to work: A comment on this post will get you your first entry. Any comment you leave on other posts this week (Today, October 3 through Sunday, October 9th) will earn you additional entries. Winners will be chosen Monday, October 10th.
Here goes!
There are 3 AMAZING giveaways this week, something to suit each level of quilter–from beginner to very advanced.
Beginner Basics
A copy of Elizabeth Hartman’s The Practical Guide to Patchwork
Rotary cutter, mat and ruler (Yes, those are mine, but I’ll send you new ones, I swear!)
Charm pack: Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater for Moda
Stash Builder
Fat quarter bundle from AdornIt! in their newest line, Vintage Groove, Grey colorway.
Layer cake: Jovial by Basic Grey for Moda
Jelly Roll: Spirit by Lila Tueller for Moda
Charm Pack: Clothesline Basics by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Quilting Queen
Russian Rubix
Fat Eighth bundle: Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda
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There they are! The three amazing giveaways I have for you this week. To enter, tell me which of the three prizes you would LOVE to win.
And that’s not all…
“Like” Prairie Grass Patterns’ Facebook Page for a chance to win an additional Grand Prize! If the Facebook page gets to 300 followers, I will do a special Grand Prize giveaway next week, so be sure to share with your friends!
Finally, for Happy Anniversary week, use coupon code HAPPYWEEK to get 20% of your ENTIRE ORDER in my shop! Code expires 10/10, so be sure to use it quick. (And you just might notice, PDF PATTERNS ARE HERE!!)
Hooray for Prairie Grass Patterns, and for one year anniversaries! Be sure to check in all week for more fun freebies, recipes, and tutorials, plus my day to share my block for the Quilt Uberfest is coming up too. Today it is Karen Linton’s turn, with her block “South for the Winter.” Head over to get your free PDF!
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Hello!
My name is April. I'm a quilt pattern designer, twin-mama, and color lover. Welcome to my little space, where I blog about all the things going on in my studio and creative life. Relax, and stay a while!My Cute Quilting Bee
Bees and Blog Hops
