Another Happy Aunt

Yay, the quilt is finally finished! My Aunt and I went shopping for the fabric over a year ago and now it's done. Doing a small victory dance behind the computer here. After all the trouble this quilt caused it's another in the finished category. I used the pattern Fireworks by Thimble Blossoms. We picked out an assorted group of taupes and warm grays to make the top, with a cream background. The range of tones really helps make this quilt pop. 

In true Patch flair, the back also got pieced. My aunt had mentioned that she likes how I piece the backs as well, so she got one too. The triangles came off all the blocks, it's the other half of the corner pieces, and an extra block. I love the front of this one but I also love the back! 

I quilted all over using a stipple pattern in a cream colored thread. My aunt was very happy when I pulled this out of the car for her so hopefully she will enjoy it for many years to come :)

- Patch & Chels

More HST for Quilt Along

Another update on the NHMQG HST Quilt Along. As of now I am half way done with 15 blocks completed. It's never been a secret that I despise squaring half square triangles, so I am not sure why I agreed to this quilt. Although these are not my typical colors I am loving them more and more. 

Before this picture I was thinking these blocks don't need sashing. After seeing all them all laid out, they definitely need sashing! Guess I will be changing my plans. 

-Patch & Chels

Tech Tip for the New Blogger

Some of my blogging buddies are taking on the challenge of hosting the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop and asked if I would create an advice or tech help post. That got me thinking, what did I most want to know this time last year as I was just starting to blog. The thing that came to mind was some blog bling! Those little icons in the sidebar that cleaned up the clutter and linked readers to different forms of social media. I had drooled about them since I started blogging. I figured they were out of my expertise. Turns out, they are not difficult.  

The icons themselves can either be purchased (I got mine from Etsy) or make your own for more personalization. They come in a variety of different social media icons.  I just picked my favorite forms of social media to link. It's also fun to look through the styles available. There are so many to chose from, they should match any blog. 

So, now is the confession. I do not know how to write code and have no idea how computer programing works, but, there is a shortcut around that for my non compute friends. Don't worry. The videos show how to step-by-step just pick blogger or wordpress.

How to Install Social Media on Blogger Sidebar 

How to Install Social Media on Wordpress Blog 

Right, not so bad? The best part about the video, was I was able to see her actually do the direction, pause the video, do the task, then move onto the next direction. Breaking the information into smaller parts made it more manageable for myself. 

Another fun note. This is also how I create buttons in my sidebar to link to different events/activities happing on my blog or in the blogging community.

Good luck in creating your own blog bling! 

-Patch & Chels

P.S. If you would like to be apart of the 2015 New Bloggers Blog Hop the links are below ... 

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter 

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs 

Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination

Attention New Bloggers!!

If you are new to blogging you must check out the the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. A wonderful group of bloggers has taken on this monumental task for organizing the hop (insert applause). I was part of last years class and it was hands down the best blogging decision I ever made. Most of my best blogging buddies came out of this group as either alumni or new bloggers like myself. This is a great way to link into the amazing quilting community and gain some followers! Here are the requirements: be an active "modern" quilt blogger blogging for 2 years or less. The discussions will be held on Facebook Group so must have an account. 

Contact (links included): 

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter 

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs 

Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination

These ladies are also hosting an Advice and Tech Help link up, so check back later this week I am posting a Tech Tip for the new blogger! 

Don't be shy come join the party!!

-Patch & Chels

Patchwork City Start

A few of my friends from the NHMQG  decided to take on the Patchwork City quilt as group. We are each working on our own projects, but together for moral support. At quilt retreat the ladies at one point helped me reason myself out of doing the quilt. Then as I started to change my mind helped me reason myself back into the quilt. Let's just say there hasn't been lots of progress around here, but I did get three blocks done. 

Have you ever had a project that you were hesitant at first to start?

-Patch & Chels

Auntie's Update

PROGRESS! This weekend I had some time to sit and sew and that I did. My Aunt requested a navy/cream quilt back over the holidays. If you want to read up the posts are linked here and here. I used the Star Tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew. This just might be one of my most used tutorials ever. She had asked for my Patriotic Star quilt, and was refused. Instead I decided to make her another. 

After sewing all the blocks together, I realized this quilt was a bit small. Currently I am cutting another 11 blocks to put another border on two of the sides. Just when I thought I had checked a big item of my WIP list, it still remains. Any suggestions for backing, binding, or quilting?  I am thinking a combination of hand quilting and machine quilting but not sure yet. 

- Patch & Chels

Stash Bee: Hive Six

Some months I have it all right, and some months I don't. April was a do not have it all together month. Although, the vacation was time well spent, it really messed with my sewing time. This is actually LAST months Stash Bee block for Nicole in Hive 6. She requested Polaroids!  How retro and fun. 

The block was paper pieced and went together smoothly, the hardest part was "taking the picture." What was I going to fussy cut into the centers?!  Nicole also asked us to share the best thing we ever made. Well the best thing was a teddy bear I made my Father using a dress shirt of my Papa's. It was an experience to work in 3D and meaningful to use something so special. 

Signing out a week late .... 

-Patch & Chels 

Sherry Lynn Wood Class

This weekend I had the opportunity to take a class with Sherri Lynn Wood. The NHMQG took the Bias Strip Curve class from her new book The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. The class was not only a great way to learn curves but also improv. Two things I have either never tried or wasn't good at.  Sherri gave us tons of great ideas on how to improv piece and create. The image above is what I have so far from the class. Hopefully I can get this blocked out into a quilt, but it really pushes my brain power! 

-Patch & Chels