Podunk Pickin's #41 ~Binding tip~

Welcome to another week of Podunk Pickin's. 

Let's see who the random number churner picked from last weeks participants.

This week feature is a quilt binding tutorial from Joys Jots, shots and whatnots.  We can never get to many quilty tips or tricks.  Thanks Joy for sharing a fast and easy way to measure for binding without doing a bunch of quilty math.  

Now it's your turn to link up anything you've been working on sewing or quilting related.  Old or new blog posts, tutorials, tips and tricks for sewing and crafting, basically anything you like.  You don't need a blog to link up, you can link from other social media.  Feel free to share my linky party and copy my Podunk Pickin's image.  If you'd like to see the past Podunk Pickin's linky parties just click on the image on the right side of my blog.  Have fun and make sure you visit some of the other links, everyone loves visitors and comments!

An InLinkz Link-up

Welcome the jungle

This week I've been a bit under the weather and have not been able to do much of anything.  I'm not going to get into the details of my health right now because I'd rather share with you my garden.  Since so many of you enjoyed the pictures of my quilts hanging over Mr. Podunk's hand crafted garden gate, I thought today while I'm picking a few things I  might as well take some pictures.

It really could be cleaned a bit before showing it off but this is real life in Podunk.  Buckets, hoses, and tools are almost always right where we need them.

We've started something new this year.  Tons of grass clippings.  It's like walking on a cloud the clippings are so thick. If your interested in our new method by Ruth Stout you can read more about it here.

While looking through the pictures I noticed it looks like a jungle and a mess.  But what happened is we planted by the specifications on the plants.  Now I'm not bragging but our plants are much larger than the packaging said they would be.  Next year we'll need to widen our rows.  Below you I've labeled what we have planted.

  

We've already harvested a few early crops, that will give room for the cucumber vines below to fill in the empty spots.  Another experiment was the cucumber patch.  We always have planted the large variety.  This year we also chose some smaller pickling cucumbers.  It's nice not to have all those seeds in your pickles.

Outside view of the cucumber plants.  Every couple of days we find new vines trying to sneak out into the yard.  They are easy to tuck through the fence and back on the right path into the garden.

As I walked pass the cucumber vines I could hear lots of buzzing.  The vines are covered with large wood bees taking a sip from the cucumber blossoms.

I hadn't planned on doing any real work in the garden today but my sweet potato vines on the left were about to grab a hold of my green beans.

A quick pulling back with my rake and I'm ready to pick some cucumbers and head back to the house.

Not all of our plants do well in the garden.  Pepper plants seem to like the heat that comes off of the siding by the garage.  They get about 12 hrs of sun here and they love it.

All peppers love sunbathing.  We have jalapenos...

Sweet banana peppers...

And Bell Peppers of all colors.  Right now they are all still green.  But soon they turn red, yellow and orange.

The reason for going to the garden was for a cucumber to make a smoothie.  I thought about peeling that cucumber...oh what the heck lets eat the peel also, more nutrients!  The blueberries and strawberries were pulled from the freezer.  And that big glob of white stuff is coconut oil.  It has antibiotic qualities.  Remember at the beginning of this post I'm a little sicky-poo.  Of course there's a little honey(more antibiotics) and homemade probiotic yogurt for it's healing properties.

This made enough for 3 glasses.  Breakfast, lunch and supper.  In the background is the rest of my supplies for making all natural concoctions for healing.  I had to break out the garlic pills after trying to eat a garlic clove 3 times a day.  I only ate one and barely manage to swallow it down....whoa! YUK!  I love garlic in my food but eating a clove is not pleasant.  Hopefully all this self torture works.

Only time will tell, I'll let you know how it goes.

~ Lea Anne ~

Podunk Pickin's #40 ~Brick Cottage Lane~

Welcome quilty friends to another week of Podunk Pickin's.  Podunk Pickin's is a weekly linky party for sharing what you've been working on during the last week.  Each week a link up from the previous week will be randomly picked to feature during Podunk Pickin's.

Starting this week I've decided to be my own random number generator.

And the feature this week will be ....

Myra from Busy Hands Quilts!  Congrats Myra!  Your Brick Cottage Lane would make quick work of my scrap bins.  Hop on over an see how the different colorways of this quilt can make it look totally different.

Now it's your turn to link up anything you've been working on sewing or quilting related.  Old or new blog posts, tutorials, tips and tricks for sewing and crafting, basically anything you like.  You don't need a blog to link up, you can link from other social media.  Feel free to share my linky party and copy my Podunk Pickin's image.

An InLinkz Link-up

The making of an Heirloom

Every quilt I make has a special meaning to me.  I've often talked about this here on the blog.  My quilting designs are inspired by the world around me, good and bad.  Every quilt has a story to tell.  So when someone asks me to make quilt just for them... it can be quite the challenge.  This quilting project has been years in the making.  It's shameful that its taken so long but that's my process.  I need to be inspired.  And if it takes years then that's what it takes.   The quilt below you've seen many times over the last couple of years.  It's the third quilt I've made using men's shirts.  If your interested in reading more about them you can use the search tool in the sidebar, search Connie's shirt quilt.  It will bring up a list at the top of the blog of many posts.

A little history on this quilt before continuing.  My friend Connie made the shirt quilt blocks.  I was asked to put them into a quilt.  I wanted it special she would be happy with anything.   The center applique is my own design, representing their marriage. And the baskets, one for each member of her family.

When quilting for someone else you need to know what they want.  Well Connie gave me quilt design and quilting freedom.  You would think that would make my job easy.  NOPE.  What she really was saying is " We're friends you should know what I like".  And I think do.  She's a simple down to earth kinda gal.  The little things in life make her the happiest.  So here's what I took into consideration when designing and quilting this quilt.    

1. She's not a quilter
2. She may want to cuddle with this quilt to comfort her missing her husband
3. This quilt will become a family heirloom

Now I need to translate those 3 facts into a quilting design.

1. Not everyone likes heavy quilting, especially non quilters
2. Quilted to death doesn't cuddle and she may use it as comfort when missing her late husband
3. Pantographs and all over quilting designs don't make nice heirloom quilts.

Several design ideas and about 3 days later a design was finally marked on the quilt top.

You would think straight lines would be easy but when the fabric shifts....things won't line up!  UGGG!  Well all that's over and I'm super excited about the design and that I'm finally nearing the end of this project. Delivering these quilts to Connie will be an exciting and emotional day.

 Here's the other two quilts made with the shirts.  Both were quilted super simple. My thoughts when quilting them is they could be used as everyday couch quilts or gifts to her children.  No need for fancy quilting if it's a utility quilt.    I'll be doing machine binding on the two below and hand binding the quilt above.

So you know I love to hear feedback from my followers so here's my questions for you.  

1. When making a quilt for others do you consider their likes and dislikes or do you just pick fabrics you like and quilt what suits you.
2. Do your quilts reflect emotion?  Example...when I'm sad I tend to add more browns and blacks to my quilts.  When I'm overwhelmed by daily chores my quilt designs are simple patterns such as charm quilts with simple quilting.

Happy Stitching!

~ Lea Anne ~

What next? and a WINNER!

Wow!  What a great response to my question about my next free quilt pattern in my last post about Porch Blooms.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.   I have to admit I was shocked that so many of you loved the one quilt I thought wouldn't get any votes.  The winner is Moon Flower Magic!  This will be the next free pattern in this series.  I've not started making it yet, well to tell you the truth I need to purchase the navy background sometime this week.   But as soon as I find the right blue fabric you'll be the first to know.

Now it's time to announce the winner of last weeks giveaway. Drum roll.....

Kate at Life in Pieces, CONGRATULATIONS!  I'm sending you an email for you snail mail address.  Kate shared her own quilt design made in EQ for using my Back Porch Blooms Block.  It's a super cute quilt design.  Hop on over and take a look at the borders...I may need to steal this idea...LOL!  Here's a little peek at the center portion of the quilt.  Love the patriotic colors.

If you'd like to join in the quilt along there's still time.  I've decided to extend this quilt along out another month.  The original plan was to have the last link up in August, but I've decided to go one more month and have a link up in September.  Just a little teaser for the next two months giveaways below.

So if you'd like to join in you can find all the tutorials for this quilt along here.  Or you can find them in the TUTORIALS tab at the top of this blog.  Or by clicking on the Back Porch Blooms image in the sidebar.

Happy Stitching!

~ Lea Anne ~

Podunk Pickin's # 39 Winnie the Pooh

Good Morning quilting friends.  Summer is in full swing in Podunk.  You know its finally Summer when the Wild Blackberries are ready to be picked.  Picking them becomes a part of our daily routine for about a week or two.  The weather can make or break the berries.  And this year is a MAKE!  So many huge berries.  That means this winter we'll have plenty of homemade cobbler to warm those cold nights.  We might even make a batch of jam for gift giving throughout the year. 

Well that's enough about Podunk, lets get to what you've been doing over the last week.  As usual I let the random number generator pick from last weeks participants.  This will be the last time I use the random number generator.  I'm not sure it's really random when I can predict what number it will pick.  So after this week I will be picking the old fashion way with paper, pen, and a bowl.  But for this week the predictable program picked #8, Congrats to Koko Toby.

Koko shared this adorable baby quilt of her own design.  Lot's of fussy cutting and quilty math going on here.  I'm looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

Now it's your turn to link up anything you've been working on sewing or quilting related.  Old or new blog posts, tutorials, tips and tricks for sewing and crafting, basically anything you like.  You don't need a blog to link up, you can link from other social media.  Feel free to share my linky party and copy my Podunk Pickin's image. 

 

If you'd like to see the past Podunk Pickin's linky parties just click on the image on the right side of my blog.  Have fun and make sure you visit some of the other links, everyone loves visitors and comments!

An InLinkz Link-up

Back Porch Blooms Linky Party #2 with A GIVEAWAY!

How about we start out this party with a few new ideas for using the Back Porch Blooms block.  To make this even more fun I'm going to let you pick the next quilt I make using this block.  

Quilt #1 is called Butterfly Garden.  It's a large wall hanging that measures 66x39.  I think it would look adorable in any sewing room.

Quilt #2 is called Bachelor Button Boogie, it measures 69x69.  All the open space in this one is hard to resist if you're like me and love to quilt it to death.

Quilt #3 is called Moon Flower Magic.  This one would be great for using up oodles of scraps.

So which one would you like to make?  Just leave a comment on this post telling me which one makes your little ole heart sing and the one with the most votes will be the next free quilt pattern.

To save space and time I'm not going to go over every new free pattern made using the Back Porch Blooms block.  Instead I'm going to tell you if your new here and wondering what I'm talking about just go to the tutorials tab at the top of my blog and you'll find several free patterns using the Back Porch Bloom Block.   Or you can click on this image in the sidebar to be taken to all posts about the Back Porch Blooms quilt along here on my blog.

It's not too late to join in the quilt along.  I'll be hosting at least one more linky party and giveaway next month.  So here's the rules for the link up.  

1. One link per person during the week of July 12-18, 2016
2. Your link must contain progress on your project using the Back Porch Blooms block.
3. Your project can be of your own quilt design using my Back Porch Blooms pattern or one of my free back porch blooms patterns.
4. It can not be the same post you linked up last month
5. All post not containing a Back Porch Bloom will be deleted.
6. By linking up you're automatically entered to win this months give away.  Comments on this post will not enter you in the giveaway.  The winner will be announced on July 19, 2016

This months giveaway is a bundle of half yard cuts of Indian Summer by Bentartex.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the beautiful Blooms in the linky below!  Don't forget to visit a few of the other links.  Everyone loves visitors and comments!

~ Lea Anne ~

An InLinkz Link-up

Podunk Pickin's #38 Wagons West

Let's just jump right in and do this thang.  The random number generator was used to pick one person from the last Podunk Pickin's linky party.

 And the lucky number is...

# 9 was Karen from Quilts...Ect.   She linked up this amazing dresden with hand quilting.  OH MY!  Someday I hope to hand make just one quilt....someday.  I absolutely love her dresdens that look like they are twirling in the wind...cute!

Now it's your turn to link up anything you've been working on sewing or quilting related.  Old or new blog posts, tutorials, tips and tricks for sewing and crafting, basically anything you like.  You don't need a blog to link up, you can link from other social media.  Feel free to share my linky party and copy my Podunk Pickin's image.  If you'd like to see the past Podunk Pickin's linky parties just click on the image on the right side of my blog.  Have fun and make sure you visit some of the other links, everyone loves visitors and comments!

An InLinkz Link-up

Quilt Camp Free quilt pattern

Every now and again I take a walk around the Fabric Manufacturers websites to see what's new.   Of course the new and coming soon fabrics are fun to look at, drool over and dream about buying.  But every so often you'll find a hidden treasure hiding in the free patterns section.  Now you quilters know me, I'm all about free so I had to share this new little free quilt pattern.  It's called Quilt Camp, designed by Barbara Jones for Henry Glass fabrics.  Isn't it just adorable?!  You can download the FREE pattern here. 

 My first thought when seeing the pattern was "Those must be pre-printed panel quilt blocks."  Well much to my surprise they are not.  It's 100% pieced quilt blocks with just a touch of Ladybug applique and embroidery.  TOO CUTE!  And the Quilt Camp fabric line is just as adorable.  Some of my favorite prints, dots, flowers, GINGHAM!  Oh yes, these prints will be on my shelf.  They are expected in stores in August, that gives me enough time to start pinching my pennies for this must have bundle of sweetness.

EDIT, 5 23 2023Quilt Soup is no longer in business.  Images and links in the rest of this blog post have been removed, not by me.

Well after finding the freebie I had to do google search Quilt Camp to see what else was going on with this adorable new line of fabric.  Oh my goodness!! The next few patterns aren't free but the cute-o-meter went off the scale.

You can see both of these patterns  over at the Quilt Soup website.  I tried to purchase them but they aren't for sell yet I guess.  So what's a gal to do but sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the page in hopes of an update about the patterns.  

 And I went to the Fat Quarter Shop and signed up to be notified when this fabric line becomes available for purchase.  Just click right here and you can too!

Happy Stitching

~ Lea Anne ~

Cottage Blooms Pattern

It took a little longer than expected to write the pattern but it's finally done.  Thank you to all who helped with the quilt name.  Each idea was written down and stared at for what seemed like hours until I settled on a combination of a couple different ideas.  So here she is "Cottage Blooms". 

This series of quilts has been so much fun and I'm looking forward to seeing your creations.  There's one more quilt planned maybe 2, it all depends on TIME.  That's what we all wish we had more of, right?  I won't delve into that subject today.  Let's just move onto a happier subject like free patterns.   Cottage Blooms is the 3rd quilt I've made during the Back Porch Blooms quilt along here on my blog.  It's a free quilt along with giveaways, free patterns, pattern ideas and linky parties.  I'm often am asked how I come up with quilt ideas.  The answer is inspiration, one  little idea and I build upon it.  So I thought it would be fun to encourage my readers to do the same.  I give you a block and some fun ideas and let you create your own quilt.  Of course not everyone wants to design a quilt and do a bunch of quilty math so I'm providing a few patterns along the way.

The first free pattern was a simple wall hanging using the inspiration block Back Porch Blooms.  The block itself measures unfinished 9.5 x 18.5.  The large size block is great for making a cute quilt fast.  

The second was Hello Spring.  The inspiration for this one was my followers.  You gals really are the best!  Your suggestions and ideas for the block sparked a wave of new designs.

As much as I love this series and would love to make all the ideas, I just can't.  But I can share with you a few of my favorites and the measurements for making them.

The Ring Around the Posy is another one that was hard not to make.  It's a fun size, 49.5 square that would be great a baby quilt, large table topper or a cute large wall hanging.  You can find it and all the others in my tutorials tab at the top of my blog or by clicking on the Back Porch Blooms image in the sidebar.

Alrighty with all that out of the way we can move onto the Cottage Blooms quilt pattern.  

There's a few things you need to know before making.  

1. Cottage Bloom pattern is for the borders and sashing.
2. You will also need to print or save the Back Porch Blooms block instructions
3. And the On Point Butterfly Block, this can be printed or saved by using the Print Friendly. PRINT FRIENDLY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON MY BLOG BUT THE TUTORIAL IS STILL AVAILABLE TO READ AND USE ONLINE.
4. Cutting list for the entire quilt is in the Cottage Blooms pattern.
5. And the most important thing you need to know is Read all the instructions for the Cottage Bloom quilt pattern first.  

Don't forget this coming Tuesday, July 12th will be the next Back Porch Blooms Linky Party.  You'll be able to link up until July 18.  This linky party is for Back Porch Bloom quilt projects only, all other link ups will be deleted.  By linking up you'll be entered to win this bundle of half yard cuts of Indian Summer by Bentartex.  Winner will be announced on July 19, 2016.

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

~ Lea Anne ~