They've bloomed!

It didn't take long to stitch up these simple blocks.  One charm pack and a little yardage and a whole lot of cuteness.   The simple things in life just make this ole country girl happy.  I've been picking wild berries on the property, cooking a weeks worth of meals for when I'm gone later in the week and still had plenty of time to stitch all of my Boonie Blooms.  How?  They are so easy!

25 blocks complete

Not much waste or leftovers.  It's nice to have a little extra just in case there's an UH-OH when making the applique pieces.   I'll be using my homemade 1.5" template to save what I can of the centers.

I also wanted to take time today to talk about the applique on this quilt.  

Over the years I've tried many different invisible threads for quilting and invisible applique.   Most of them didn't meet up to my low standards.  Yes I said low.  All I ask of an invisible thread is.... to be able to handle a little heat from my iron.  It can be shiny or matte, thick or thin JUST DON'T MELT!  Superior Threads Mono Poly has never let me down.  I did a little test today to see if it could handle 5 seconds on a cotton heat setting....Yes she can!  The instructions suggest a lower temperature but it's nice to know that I don't need to worry about things getting to hot.

The pictures below shows the tiny stitch I used on this applique.  The arrows are pointing to the very hard to find thread.  It's super fine and very strong. 

Of course with any product there's downsides, but the positive out weighs the negative, so it's no big deal that ...

1.  it will not work with my auto needle threader

2. It also hates my auto cutter.  Oh it cuts but the thread pops out of the needle and the bobbin thingy that catches and holds the thread can't catch and hold this fine thread.

I sewed for over 20 years without auto threaders and cutters so it's no big deal.  

~ Lea Anne ~

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Boonie Blooms

 Good Monday Morning!  Hows everyone out there in bloggy quilty land?  I missed each and everyone of you so much!! ((((((HUGS)))))  I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be home for a few days!  And what better way to recharge than to start a new little quilt.

The plan for the Moda 30's Playtime by Chloe's Closet charm pack has changed, something  simple and quick is what I need right now.  Working with one charm pack can be a challenge, but doable.  Originally I thought about making another Dresden quilt.   That involves to much cutting and I've already designed a pattern using a Dresden and a charm pack(with some yardage).  My Cherry Blossom Marmalade quilt uses one charm pack.  The tutorial can be found the the Tutorials tab at the top of the page.

This one will have a little leftover fabric, SCRAPS, YEAH!  

Here's a quick little peek.  Now you see where this is going.  What can I say...I'm a sucker for flowers.  So grab a charm pack or cut up your scraps to make your own because this one will be ready to share soon!

Linking this post to 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Makers

Main Crush Monday

~ Lea Anne ~

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Home is where the heart is

Just wanted to pop in and thank you all for your prayers and wishes.    My dad is on the mend and doing well.   Dr. Barksdale is amazed at dad progress, calling him "The Poster Child for Heart Bypass Surgery".  Of course dad let everyone know  it was because he had quilters all over the world praying for him.  He's still got a long way to go before returning to normal activity but I think he might set a new record there also.

For those of you that read my blog on a regular basis you know that my brother passed 8 yrs ago leaving me an only child.  The stress of being the only one can get the best of me at times.  Thankfully there's been an abundance of support from my extended family.  I don't know if I could ever thank or repay them for all they're hard work in the last week.   Even with all the help I'm wiped out emotionally and physically so today I've returned home for a much needed break.  There's plenty of weeding to help me de-stress before returning tomorrow.  Hopefully I can squeeze in a little sewing also. 

Thanks again, and hope to see you soon with some quilty updates!

~ 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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