First Day of Spring

Hello cute quilters!  Today is the first day of spring and it snowed last night.   What the heck?  Obviously mother nature wanted the new spring flowers to have a beautiful white backdrop allowing them to really POP and say HELLO SPRING!  She's so smart. What better way to get the attention of even the Gloomy-ist Gus, reminding us that warmer weather and brighter skies are headed our way.  The signs are everywhere in nature if your willing to take a moment to stop and take them all in.  

Life tosses us signs if we pay attention.  As I mentioned yesterday I've been in a slump for a few weeks and have been in need of something.  Well that something was a reminder of why I started this blogging and quilting journey.  This one e-mail put it all in perspective for me.  With the permission of sender I'm copy and pasting the exact email.  Thank you Turid for allowing me to share your e-mail.

The attached picture of their quilt made with my free Podunk Posy pattern.   

This is why I quilt, this is why I shared free patterns.  When I say "this" it's not that I could share her picture.  It was"This" moment for her, the comfort she felt. 

Thank you, Turid for sharing your story and photo.  You and your husband are in my thoughts, blessings to you both.  This was just the push I needed to get out of my slump.  

~ Lea Anne ~

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Free Podunk Posy Pillow pattern from Becky and Dean

Nothing makes my little ole heart sing like pictures in my inbox of projects made using my tutorials and patterns.  It's makes all the hours spent designing and writing them worth the effort.  About a week ago Becky contacted me sharing her sweet pillows made with my Podunk Posy Tutorial.  

I knew immediately I NEEDED to make one.  They are right up my alley in cuteness and springy decor.  

Well it's my block but not my idea and not my photos so I had to ask for permission to share her and her husbands creations....yes I said her HUSBAND.  Dean you are every quilters dream husband.  Your little pillow in the front looks fabulous!

Becky graciously supplied her cutting measurements with me.  Thank you Becky it saved me from more quilty math...not my favorite thing to do.  So below is her math.  You can use this to make a few pillows of your own.  First you'll need the directions for my Podunk Posy block that can be found by clicking HERE.  Make 2 of these blocks.

 After the blocks are made, add your sides, then the top and bottom borders.  The block should finish at 17 inches square.

Here's the back of one of  Becky's finished pillow cases.  

 This is how a I made my back panes using the measurements provided.  (2) 17 x 13 backing fabrics.  I pressed a double fold on one side of each of the 17" panels.  Then used my quarter inch foot to stitch the hem.

Here's where my pattern differs a bit from Becky's.  I made my Posy Pillow top and quilted it.  Becky did not.  Her instructions suggest you do a french seam.  You can find directions for making a french seam by clicking here.  Remember use Becky's measurements, not the measurements in the link provided.

Ok, I chose to quilt my pillow top before adding the back panels.  Then I layered on my pieces wrong sides together as shown in the next two pictures.

Secure them in place with a few pins all the way around.

Stitch about 1/8 of an inch away from the edge all the way around, securing the two pieces.

Next I used (2) 2.5 X WOF strips to add a binding just like you would if you were making a quilt.  

You won't need to look to hard to see my pillow top flaw.  Those stand out squares are what happens when you miss cut your fat quarter and use another one.  Same brand, same line of fabric but it must have been a different dye lot.   I couldn't see the color difference at 11 pm.  But it shined like the north star at 7 am then next day.  Oh well I decided to just continue on like nothing was wrong.  So here's another tip.... had I not made an error in cutting, the pillow top could have been made with one fat quarter for the background fabric.  Start cutting your largest pieces first.  I cut the borders first then all the pieces for the Podunk Posy blocks, starting with the larges pieces first.  

Now if I get tired of seeing this as a pillow the pillow form can be removed and it can be hung on the wall as a mini quilt.  First I think I'm gonna wash it, maybe those two patches will fade.  

Thanks again Becky and Dean!  You've made this spring so much more special!

To everyone else, here's a reminder.  If you make something using one of my tutorials or patterns please let me know and share your pictures with me via email.  It lets me know that all my time and effort making patterns is worth it.   Since I don't sell patterns the only thing that makes it worth my time and effort is your sharing.  I won't share any pictures here on my blog without your permission.  So if your bashful for whatever reason...you're safe with me.   But you shouldn't be bashful...I mean really...just look at my big error in the picture above.  To error is human.    

~Lea Anne ~

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Podunk Posy and Watermelon Jelly

I'm so happy to finally have the Podunk Posy quilt quilted and bound.  As many of you already know I love designing and  making quilt tops but quilting them usually takes me awhile.  I went back through my blog posts to see when I put it on the frame.  Sadly it was put on the frame in December before moms long bought of hospital stays.   I've some excuses this time for my procrastinating even though I've had plenty of time to get it done.  

 Before moving on with this post I'd like to let the newcomers to my blog know the "Podunk Posy" is a free quilt pattern on my blog.  You can find it the Tutorials tab at the top of my blog.

 If I had to pick a favorite part of quilting I'd pick the binding.   Normally I machine stitch it to the front then hand sew it to the back.  On this one I chose to the quicker route by 100% machine attached binding.

The quilting really didn't take that long, most of it is free motion.  The scallops around the tulips were made using a ruler, and of course there's a little stitch in the ditch on the stems just so I could travel to the next area for free motion work.

They say the trick to a successful quilting design is repetitive shapes throughout the quilt.  So I  mimicked the scallops and meandering in the inner border.  

Is it a success?  I'm saying it is, because its complete and I still love this super simple quilt.  Isn't it funny how some of our most loved quilts are the simple squares.

In the quilt blog world a quilt isn't complete until you successfully photograph your new lovely.  To be honest the photography is more difficult than the entire quilting process.  Lighting, props and then you have the chickens who want to be a part of the action.  These chickens follow me everywhere because they know I'm the one who feeds them.  I hadn't planned on using them in my photo shoot but it turned out for the best.  

Until they started fighting.  The black chicken below is Beulah the bully.  She rules the roost.  If she doesn't settle down I see a frying pan in her future.  With all the ruckus I managed to get a good picture of the pieced backing.  To tell you the truth I love the back just as much as the front.   This is my new favorite way of backing a quilt and here's why.  I quilt on a frame which means my backing needs to be almost perfectly square.  Getting a large piece of fabric perfectly square isn't easy.  I can't tell you how many times I've loaded a quilt back to the frame thinking it was perfect only find it was NOT.  Loading a quilt backing to a frame by pinning it on like I do can take about 20 to 30 minutes.  So since I'm horrible at squaring up large pieces of fabric but pretty darn good(if i do say so myself) at cutting and piecing quilts... why not just have a nice large scrappy squares backing....problem solved!  

With all the clucking about backings I almost forgot my other little finish.  

"Watermelon Jelly"

MMM...yummy!  Have you ever had Watermelon Jelly?  Oh my... it's ridiculously delicious.  My mom made it when I was a little girl.  I've asked her for the recipe but we can't find it in her thousands of recipes.  She said one of her older customers gave her the recipe years ago.  I'm sure a similar recipe  can be found by doing a google search.  Anyway this little table topper or wall hanging was made using the leftover clip corners from my "First Kiss" quilt(another freebie pattern).  The gingham is from my vintage stash and works perfectly with the Pam Kitty fabrics.   I was shocked when Pam left a message saying she loved the gingham and would like  to know what line of fabric it came from.  The older fabrics don't have names on the selvages so I've no clue.  I can only guess it's age.  And my guess by fabric quality would be about 20 or 30 yrs old. 

 I'll be posting one of my quicky tutorials for this little cutie later in the week.  No actual piecing instructions but measurements for cutting making one yourself.

Here's a couple more pictures because I took about 30 from two different cameras.  Getting the perfect shot in the perfect lighting is difficult.

I've come to the conclusion outside pictures are great for props.  You can go on little adventures trying to find new and interesting spots for your quilts.  But there's nothing better than a well lit room in your house.  With outside pictures your at the mercy of mother nature in so many ways.  

Happy Stitching!

~ Lea Anne ~

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Another Posy Quilt

Just had to pop in this morning and share another Podunk Posy quilt. When quilters make my patterns it just tickles me pink.  Isn't it just adorable!?   You can see and read more about  it over at densyendehimmel blog.

I never get tired of seeing quilts with flowers.  So springy and cheerful.  I like to thank all the ladies in the guild for using my pattern  and sharing your quilty love with me.  If I could hug each and everyone of you I would, you've made my day.

If you'd like to make a Podunk Posy quilt of your own  the free tutorials can be found in the TUTORIALS tab at the top of this blog.

~ Lea Anne ~

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Podunk Posy Quilt~Free Pattern

Recently I was contacted by one of my followers named Anne.  She sent some pictures of the quilt she made using my Podunk Posy pattern.  It's a free pattern that you can find in the Tutorials tab at the top of my blog .

This  makes all the countless hours of writing tutorials and taking pictures worth every minute.  Anne made a modification to the pattern by adding frames around the corner blocks, I think turned out great!

The close up pictures are always my favorite when it comes to scrappy quilts.  I like to look at all the pretty fabrics to see if I recognize the prints or have them in my stash.  Am I the only one that does this?

One fabric really caught my eye... the backing.  I'm not sure who made it but I'd love to have some of it!  Gorgeous!

Anne also asked a very important question that I never thought to address on my blog about my free patterns.  She asked if she could sell her adorable quilt made with my pattern.  WELL OF COURSE YOU CAN!  You made it, do with it as you please.  I only ask that if you make one of my free patterns and show it online or in a quilt show you give me credit for the pattern and of course link back to my blog.  It's not a law, just a common courtesy. 

Thanks again Anne for sharing your pictures with me, it makes my little ole heart sing to know others enjoy and use my patterns.

~ Lea Anne ~

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Quilting Podunk Posy Quilt

 While everyone else is putting the final touches on their holiday festivities I'm working on UFO's in my spare time away from Mamma.  A big hug and a thank you to those that have contacted me in the last few days asking about Mamma.  She's doing as well as can be expected given the situation.  She'll have surgery this week to remove the tumor.   Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.  

                            

Anyway.... back to the quilt.  Most of the time when I quilt there's tons of ruler work.  This time I'm trying to stay away from rulers because it takes a lot longer to finish a quilt.  The only ruler work on the borders are the scallops above the Posy and Butterfly.

You can find the free tutorials for this quilt (Podunk Posy) in the tutorial tab at the top of this page.  Later in the month, time permitting, I'll be adding tabs at the top of my blog for each free pattern offered on my blog.  I hope the change will make it easier for everyone to find my free patterns.

Merry Christmas to you all and God Bless!

~ Lea Anne ~

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Sometimes you just gotta STRUT!

Come on in dear quilty friends, I'm so excited and recharged, ready for the day! So what's got me in such a good mood?  SEWING!!  You never really know how much you love something until it's not there.  Even though I'm not spending as much time sewing, there's plenty of time for ideas to run through my head.  So why not stitch up one of those ideas.  This one really has me excited.  It's going to be simple and a little out of my comfort zone.  Working with only two colors makes me feel like a modern quilter, so trendy.  Oh yes you cool cats I'm strutting my stuff, feeling a little groovy this morning, John Travolta ain't got nothing on this jive!

While we're in the groove let's strut on over to the quilter so you can dig my Podunk Posy quilt.  She's been hanging here for about 2 weeks waiting for some cool quilting ideas.  If you're digging this quilt, you can click on the tutorials tab at the top of the blog to find the far out free pattern.

It didn't take long to draw up some fab ideas, can you dig it?

Well I'm out here chicks, see you on the flip side!

Before you cats split, boogie on over to these groovy blogs where I'm strutting my stuff.  It's quilting to the max!  Be there or be square.

Later!

Judy@patchworktimes for Design Wall Monday

Beth@cookingupquilts for Main Crush Monday

~ Lea Anne ~

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Just what I needed

Okay call me crazy but I'm a firm believer that the powers that be will give you just what you need when you need it, good or bad.  If it's good, enjoy the moment.  If it's bad just make the best of it, laugh, and move on.   So when I received an e-mail from Roxanne I thanked those powers.  Roxanne made my day by sharing a Podunk Posy quilt made for her grand daughter.  It was just what I needed this week.  If your new to my little spot in Podunk and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can find the free tutorials for this quilt by clicking on Tutorials and Patterns at the top of this page.

Designing quilts, writing tutorials and patterns is time consuming in a positive way.  When you love what you do and do what you love it's not work.  And when someone else loves it enough to make it also....Euphoria!   The close up picture below was an added bonus because I love seeing the print of the fabrics.  Looking closely at each piece to see if I have it in my stash, or know the manufacturer.  Do you do this too?  I'm pretty sure the first Posy below the butterfly is a David Textile from about 4 yrs ago.  If its not, its really close to the piece in my stash.

Of course I had to run to my stash and check it out!  Whatcha think, the one on the right?  Pretty close isn't it?!  In my picture it doesn't look as bright but that just my poor lighting this early in the day.

Thanks Roxanne!  Your quilt is FABULOUS!  I know most of my followers are as obsessed with quilting as I am so we'll all be waiting for updates when it's quilted.

~ Lea Anne ~

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Podunk Posy Final Assembly Tutorial

Before starting the tutorial I'd like to thank everyone for the overwhelming response to this quilt.  When the idea was born I never dreamed that so many quilters would fall in love with it.   I'd also like to welcome and thank the new followers of my blog.  

So lets get this Posy party started with a few reminders about the quilt.  First, all the tutorials for the Podunk Posy quilt can be found in the tutorials tab at the top of this blog.  I'll also list them at the bottom of this post.  Second, I've given several options and tutorials for the final border corner blocks, but any 12" block will work.  Third, this quilt can be made with or without the inner borders.  The only difference in the two layouts is of course the two inner borders and adding one more Posy block to each side of the quilt.  One will finish at 72 inches and the other at 78 inches.

                                      

Okay!  Now that we have all that out of the way grab some chocolate, turn on your favorite tunes and lets get this quilt done!  I'll be listening to a little classic country, you know nothing says Podunk like a little Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.  Throw in some Merle Haggard and George Jones and we're having a dandy ole time...YeeHaw!

Piece your Posy blocks as show below, pressing seams open.   Repeat 3 more times with a chocolate in between each set...Not a piece of chocolate between each Posy!  You'll pass out from a sugar high!

Add your corner blocks to two of the Posy strips.  Tip.  The butterfly is larger on the top make sure she's facing the right way before stitching.  Press towards the butterfly block.  Set these aside for now...you better get another piece of chocolate while your up.

Attach the two Posy sets without corner blocks first as shown below.  Press towards the center of the quilt.

We're almost there! 

It's so exciting to be putting the final borders on the quilt top, grab another chocolate, and do a little country boogie...that's it girl shake those tail feathers!

Okay all that's left is to attach the borders as shown below. 

Here's how I pressed my last borders.  See how the last border(on bottom of picture) wants to naturally go towards the corner block, but the tulips want to go towards the borders(center of quilt).   We're going to clip the seam allowing the quilt to lay as flat as possible.

  

Carefully snip the seam allowance, almost to the stitch line. 

Now you can press the tulips towards the center and the edge by the corner block towards the corner block.  Whew! that was a little scary, huh?  I think it calls for a couple of chocolates to calm the nerves...Oh yes, all better now.

And the front lays nice and flat.

As always if you make this quilt or any of my quilts I'd love to see them and share your lovely on my blog, so let me know and send some pictures, we all love pictures!

You can find the rest of the tutorials for this quilt below or in the tutorials tab at the top of blog.  Should you find an error in any of my tutorials please let me know so I can correct it ASAP, we don't want everyone to know I'm not perfect!  LOL!

Center Panel and fabric requirements

Inner borders

The Posy Block

Corner block option #1 Butterfly block

Corner Option #2 Checkerboard

Corner option #3 Bunny block

Corner Option # 4 Scrappy Baskets Block


I'm linking up this post over @
Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday
and
Linky Tuesday over at Free Motion by the River

~ Lea Anne ~

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