Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Bitsy

Before I begin, let me start by saying May the 4th be with you!

Alrighty, now I can get to the reason you're all here today. I want to introduce you to Bitsy!

Photo used with permission from Martingale. Photography by Brent Kane. All rights reserved.  

This could be considered a mini quilt or a table topper or a wall hanging... Bitsy is well, small, but full of personality! Above is the original that you'll see in my new book, Seems Like Scrappy. Bitsy uses a charm pack and some yardage and I think I know what you're thinking...

There's no way I'm sewing all of those tiny squares!

Well, I'm here to tell you - you don't have to! I've come up with a genius (if I do say so myself) way to sew with maximum results and as little effort as possible.

Bitsy is so fun and simple to sew, I made another one:

 For this second option, I chose to make a small Halloween quilt and it's super fun and spunky.

I can promise you the sewing steps are minimal. Honestly, I spent probably the same amount of time, if not a little more, pressing the pieces.

 I love how the striped fabric for the binding blends all of the colors together on this one.

Here you can see the quilting a bit better. Since the colors in the fabrics are so vibrant and bold, I opted to do the same with the quilting so I chose an orange thread. It honestly doesn't stand out nearly as much as I would have thought it would, but it completes the quilt nicely.

The best part about Bitsy - I'm sure each and every single one of you has the materials stashed away somewhere to make this right now. We all have charm packs stashed away or sitting on shelves waiting for the perfect opportunity to break into them and use them up. Plus, the yardage for this quilt is minimal, so not much is needed to get started.

This quilt would make a great retreat project or a weekend sewing adventure since you can get results quickly. And with the visual impact it gives when it's done, what's not to love?

Bitsy and several other quilts are brand new patterns featured in my latest book, Seems Like Scrappy due out June 2nd for release. That's less than a month away!!!

If you are traveling to Quilt Market all of my quilts and I will be making appearances and I will post the details as we get closer to the tradeshow. Otherwise, if you'd like to preorder a signed copy of Seems Like Scrappy, you can do so in my shop and enjoy 25% off your preorder.

Don't forget that I have luggage, will travel! If you'd like my quilts and I to come and do a trunk show for you or visit your group for a lecture and/or workshop, please send me an email at rubybluequilts (at) gmail (dot) com. I'd love to come and visit!

I'm almost done with my second Patch Stack and if I get the top done tomorrow, I will try to post pictures later this week. It's turning out awesome! I have all of the blocks done, now I just need to lay it out and sew!

Come on back here each Monday for another quilt preview from Seems Like Scrappy and I will have all sorts of other quilty posts during the week! Have a great day!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Nova

It's still Monday, right? Well, over here I'm considering this Monday Part Two.

So sorry I didn't post yesterday. Let's just say that the holidays and my family don't mix. Someone inevitably ends up at an urgent care or an ER... Everyone is fine, life is good, there was just a little hiccup so I couldn't post yesterday. How about we get to that quilt, shall we?

Photo used with permission from Martingale. Photography by Brent Kane. All rights reserved. 

Quilting by Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting. 

I'd like you to meet Nova! Nova, meet everyone!

Some of you may know, others may not. I have a serious art background. I have been drawing practically since I could hold a crayon. This led me to a college program for Graphic Design which then led to my love of quilts along a scenic journey.

I love quilts for their use of color and texture and math! It's true, there is a LOT of math that goes into designing a quilt. This quilt is an even blend for me of the art and the math in quilts. I always thought it would be fun to create a pixellated quilt, but I just couldn't quite get the look I was going for. Most of my quilting doodles would start out with something like this and then I was onto the next doodle.

I honestly don't even remember how this design ended up going from a doodle to a quilt. There must have been a lack of coffee that morning. I just remember the instant I knew it would work. That was a great feeling.

Nova is created using charm packs and yardage for the background, however for an even scrappier look you could substitute mini charms. I had this explosive type coloring in mind (explosive like explosive drawings, not the big boom kind of explosion) and I had fun playing with the colors and textures to create this effect.

This was one of the first quilt tops I completed for this book, but one of the last to get quilted. I had this image in my head of how I wanted the quilting to look and I just couldn't figure out how to do it free motion. Then one day I started stumbling around online and found Abby through Pinterest or Instagram and she just happened to post a new design for her computerized machine and it was EXACTLY what I had in mind!!! This design is called rain puddle I think... Either way, it's perfect and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. For more information on Abby's quilting services, you can visit her here.

All in all, Nova turned into one of the most fun and free thinking quilts that truly speaks to the inner artist in me. It could also speak to the inner whatever in you! I would like to make this quilt again, but I can't decide what fabrics I'd like to use. At one moment I'll think it would look great in soft yet bright florals and a white background... Then I start thinking it would be fun in a monochromatic scheme for a more subtle approach... And then I look in my stash and come up with too many options to pick just one.

If I can ever make a decision and actually start to cut fabric, I will be sure to post pictures here! This is a very fun, very fast, very forgiving quilt that everyone is sure to love! What colors and fabrics would you choose to make your version out of? You just may sway my decision (whenever I get around to making it)

Have a great day and come back next Monday for more quilts from my new book, Seems Like Scrappy, due to be released this June! For other quilts that have already been featured from this new book, click here. 

Clearing Up Precut Confusion

Has anyone else noticed the variety of names given to different precuts? You think that it must be something new and different, yet to find it's the same exact bundle as something else...

Well, I started researching and looking and sorting and I came up with a little chart to share with all of you to ease the confusion:

What I did here was take the three most popular precuts (5" squares, 10" squares and 2 1/2" strips) and listed what each manufacturer names each precut.

Now, there is a reason each manufacturer may have a different name. It basically all comes down to trademarks and licensing and such. Plus it gives each company an identity for their products in this mass sea of precuts available. Not many quilt shops only carry one manufacturer's products, so each fabric brand needs to stand out and make a statement how they can. Just on this chart alone, 2 1/2" strips have 11 different names between 13 different fabric brands!

I started noticing this confusion when I was teaching classes. Some people would come up to me and say, "I don't have a Charm Pack but I have this stack of 5" squares, will this work?" It's one of those situations where when it happened once, no biggie, but after a few times, I felt there had to be an easier way.

Plus, with the release of Seems Like Scrappy coming up in the near future, I didn't want anyone to have the same confusion and feel they couldn't make a quilt because they don't have a jelly roll that the pattern calls for when they have a Bali Pop sitting on their shelf... It's the same thing...

Now, here's the disclaimer part of this post and it's also clearly stated at the top of the printable:

Not every quantity is the same between precuts... Let me say that again:

Not every quantity is the same between precuts

Most precuts are made with either a manufacturer standard of pieces or they are dependent on how many fabrics were in the particular line of fabrics. Each bundle should be marked with the amount of pieces it contains. Double check before you begin that you will have the correct amount of pieces needed for your project.

To get the printable chart, click here.

I've had some questions in the past of how to save or print these files. When you open the pdf, there will be a series of icons at the top of the screen (they may not show until you move the cursor over them).

Please pardon the grainy look, I took an actual picture of my screen.

If you just want to print this chart now, the first icon on the left is to print (the one that looks like a printer).

If you'd like to save this pdf file to print again and again at your leisure, the icon with the downward arrow is to download the file and save it.

I hope you enjoy and can use this chart because I know how confusing it can be at times. Feel free to share this with your quilting pals and keep it handy.

Last disclaimer, this information was collected and compiled all by my little lonesome. This is an ever changing industry and the names and precuts available are subject to change at the will of the manufacturers. This information is current as of this date, but I'm sure it can and will change in time. If needed, I will reissue an update in the future, but be sure to print out this handy little chart and keep it near your precut stash!

Speaking of precuts... come on back to the blog on Monday (and every Monday for a couple months) to see previews of each new quilt in Seems Like Scrappy, my newest book due out in May! I've already posted a couple quilts, you can see them here and here. Just think, with this new chart in hand and inspiration brought to you each Monday, by the time the book is released you'll be all set and ready to create a new quilt or two! There are 14 quilts in this new book and I've already made duplicates of some... Just remember Monday... I'll bring you a little creative colorful moment to make Mondays not so mundane, alright? See you then!

Book Quilts: Tiny Bits & Aura

It's here! It's finally here! So what do you do when your first book is released? In my case, I pack up and head over to Shipshewana for a little time at the MAAFRA Regional Fabric Show. My bags are packed and I think I remembered everything. I'll find out once I get there! But last but not least, I have to show you the last two quilts from the book!

Copyrighted Image provided by Martingale, Brent Kane, photographer

Tiny Bits is really the only quilt in the book that was designed for a baby quilt. Granted, it can be used as a small wall hanging too, but it worked so well with Ten Little Things by Jenn Ski, I just remade this quilt this past weekend out of her new line Oink A Doodle Moo. Not only is it fun to say, but it's super cute too! 

Copyrighted Image provided by Martingale, Brent Kane, photographer

And then there's Aura. What a gem. I have to say, I think this is my favorite quilt from the book (if I have to choose one) and I just remade this quilt too! I can't wait to show it to you. I made it out of Honey Honey by Kate Spain and it looks so different. I'll be working on the binding on my way to Indiana and I'll be posting from Shipshewana with pictures of the reworked quilts. 

Both of the above quilts used charm packs and minimal yardage. How simple is that?! Who doesn't have a charm pack sitting around? I know I do! They're so simple to pick up at the quilt shops and I swear they just jump in your arms and beg to come home with you! 

Now remember, the book is officially released today and should show up in your LQS shortly. (Yippee!!!) I can't believe it's finally the day I've been waiting for. I hope you all enjoy the book and please let me know what you think! I would love to see pictures of any quilts that you've made from patterns in the book. It'll make my day!

Oh, and be sure to hop on over to the Stitch This! blog by Martingale today. They were kind enough to let me guest post over there about Seamingly Scrappy. I'll keep you posted from Indiana!

Wiggly Whimsy - Moda Bake Shop Day!

My latest recipe for the Moda Bake Shop just posted a little bit ago. To see the recipe, click here.

 This all started with my trip to Spring Market this past May. I met Barb & Mary from Me and My Sister Designs and it was a pleasure. I fell in love instantly with their newest line Good Morning and came up with an idea to use as a new recipe.

 This design is so simple, yet complex looking that it's one of my favorites (at least at this moment, it changes often).

 The fun colors really stand out against the white and pop. On the flip side, just imagine that if you used a nice dark solid like Teak or Chocolate Brown with "manly" prints for the squares what it might look like...

So, which fabrics would you make this out of? I have just a few stray Charm Packs that I'm thinking have wound themselves into projects on my "to do" list.

Bake Shop Time Again!

Head on over to the Moda Bake Shop to check out my latest tutorial, Santa's Cookie Mat!

 This was inspired by miniature quilts and postage stamp quilts. When you combine the two ideas and use Charm Packs you get the most adorable blocks that finish at 3". My pieces seem to be getting smaller and smaller and smaller...

Plus, I got to share one of Santa's cookies... Wasn't that nice?

I used a new piecing technique (I guess you could call it that) to speed up and simplify the whole process and I love it. Worked like a charm! (hahaha, get it? Sorry, coffee hasn't kicked in yet this morning)

I hope you all enjoy it and I'd love to see your version if you decide to make a Santa's Cookie Mat.

I'll be back soon with some other new tutorials, a new recipe and some new quilting too!

Like a marathon...

Did I mention before that I should have 2 new patterns out very very soon? Yep, you got that right, 2 new patterns. It's been a week or so of marathon quilting and this week will be followed up by marathon binding and movie marathons (Yay!!!)

 This is the first of many bags I'll be making in the near future... This is the newest Charmed Living Series pattern, the Charmed Living Tote. It's going to have instructions for two sizes (this is the smaller of the two) and I just love it!!! By the way this bag and the next few projects are made with Curio by Basic Grey from Moda (Thanks Moda!!!) it will be in stores this September. Trust me you'll want to add this one to your wish list!!!

 I also made for Moda a Charmed Living Runner out of Curio (Mom pieced this one and the next one, I just quilted them - Thanks Ma!) with one of my favorite quilting designs.

 And the Charmed Living Topper with a modified version of the quilting design from above.

 And this one is the color version of the newest quilt pattern Sciuridae, which should be out shortly too. As I said this is the color option, the main pattern is out of gorgeous Civil War scraps... It will be getting quilted this weekend....

 And I apologize now, but I love my new camera and I love my squirrels. If this page takes forever to load, it'll be worth it. Much to the disappointment of my Dad and all my "farm" friends - I admit - I, Rebecca Silbaugh, have turned into a "yuppie". How so? I bought a corn feeder for my squirrels and corn cobs to go with it. Yeppers, according to the people I grew up with, I'm probably on the same level as the people who show up to the county fair in stilettos and suits... Owell!!!

 Oh, and I put out some really old peanuts, this one really liked them...

 My Hubbin and I were standing right inside the glass doors to go out to the patio literally feet away from this table. This squirrel was whipping it's tail trying to scare us, but he couldn't resist the temptation of a table full of peanuts...

 Loved watching him eat and bury peanuts in the yard... I hope we don't get peanuts growing now...

And just look how HUGE my Japanese Maple got. I swear I blinked and it tripled in size from last year. Here's how it looked last September...

It's at least 4' high and 5'-6' wide at this point. If nothing else all this dreadful rain we've been getting is giving some love to my tree!!!

So, patterns should get finalized this week and in stores in a couple weeks. Let me know what you think! I'll be showing more pictures too and hope to have the larger sized bag done soon too! Alright, it's past my bedtime and I'm falling asleep, so I'm gonna log off now while I'm still awake. Show you more soon!

Look what I just found!

I just spotted this version of my Charmed Living Topper pattern over at JEllen's house of fabric blog. If you live around North East Ohio, They are a new shop in Lyndhurst and Joyce, the owner, is a very sweet lady. I have yet to visit their shop myself (bad kid I know, but this sewing needs to get done somehow) but we met at a local show and I can't wait to get to the shop to see it in person. Thanks Joyce! It looks wonderful and just in time for Halloween. If you'd like to read more about JEllen's house of fabric or to see more of their Halloween version of the Charmed Living Topper, click here.

I have much more to tell you about, but it's going to have to wait until after work. Actually if I do not get off this computer soon I will be late so, we'll chat more later!

Happy Sweetest Day!

Some of you might be asking 'What is Sweetest Day?', well, in Ohio - more specifically Cleveland - the story goes that back about 100 years ago or so a few confectioners and Hallmark Card Co. got together to create this holiday to promote giving and wellness and sell some of their products too. I know many people who have never heard of it before, but this is your chance - you now know and can do something a little extra sweet for your "Sweet" and surprise them today.

Still don't believe that it's real? Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry on it - just click here. Many people around town know all about it but refuse to give in because it is really a "Hallmark Holiday", but my Hubbin surprised me early. Last night when I got home from work, these were sitting on the table for me. Isn't he the sweetest?! Hahaha - get it? Sorry, back on track.

Alright on to other news, this is the only thing quilting wise that I got done this week that I can show you...

I am debating on not adding the pieced border onto the Topper, but it still might get it if I decide to add it. And I'm not sure if the Runner will get the ending borders either. I like to give you options and there's no rule saying that you have to add the borders or you have to do this (insert pattern step here). This is quilting which is great because you ALWAYS have the option to make it your own. Just remember if you do make one of my patterns and send me a picture of it I will proudly show it here!

I might be painting the sewing room this weekend so I'm not planning on much sewing getting accomplished. It might happen depending on time, but we'll see. Once I get it painted I will show you pictures of that too. Until next time!

Happy 4th to you!

I hope you all are enjoying the holiday weekend so far, I know I am! I'm planning on sewing some more tonight and spending some time with family and friends this weekend. The thing I am most excited about is that for the first time in I can't tell you how long I actually have 2 days off in a row this weekend! I can't even begin to tell you the last time that happened.

Well, I was looking through some older photos on my computer and I saw these that somehow I neglected to post on here. This is the original Charmed Living Topper made with Bistro from Deb Strain for Moda. This line was to die for and I hear she's working on another similar line that we shall see in the not so distant future. I can't wait. I do believe I need to make others like this for friends and family so they won't steal mine when I'm not looking.

I embroidered coffee related words in the solid border that I printed off of my computer. It really just finishes the look of this topper and I love it! I love to use Pearl Cotton for my embroidery, if you haven't tried it, you have to. It's nice because it's noticeable but you don't have to worry about how many strands of floss to use (it's just one that's a little more than two strands of floss) and you don't have to worry about multiple floss strands twisting and knotting all of the time. I don't know about you, but there has never been a knot that made me happy...

I often look at other designs and wonder if a little extra embellishment will enhance them as well. It just depends on what fabric I'm working with and what I plan on using it for. I hope this inspires you to take chances and make these designs your own.

This is the back of the topper, just another little embellishment with the extra Charm Squares. And a shot of the quilting, it was really fun to do! Have a great weekend! Stay safe, enjoy yourself, and I'll chat with you again soon!

The Latest!

It's official that the Charmed Living Runner patterns are near completion and will be ready to ship on Tuesday, June 29th. This has been one of my all time favorite patterns so far and I think even before this year is out I will probably have made at least 7 of them. They're so easy and it works well with any fabric. I know I'll be making one or two for Christmas (since the fabric is out I have to do something with it!) and maybe a few others to use here at home. Maybe a gift or two... we'll see.

Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to share with you my newest favorite saying. Not that it pertains to all of us, but let me tell you in certain aspects of my life and many of my friends I know it's just perfect. So the line I heard was - I'm working on my procrastination issues, just you wait and see! Love it! Made me giggle and okay, now back to the pattern.

So here's how this pattern came to be. Just after I had released the first Charmed Living pattern (Charmed Living Topper - read more about it here), it was such a hit the ladies started asking me what else you could make out of Charm Packs. I replied with the poise and grace that I seem to be known for (insert laugh here) "Uuuummmmmm, (big pause) I don't have anything else drawn up, but I'll come up with something." I couldn't believe that with all of the other patterns I had been working on and drawing up that I neglected to include another featuring Charm Packs. How did this happen?!

Shortly after this conversation had taken place, I attended one of the last local quilt shows for the season and found the coveted fabric I was searching for. I had fallen in love with French General's Rouenerries line since I first saw it, I just hadn't been able to get my hands on it until this show. I took it home and spent that evening brainstorming what to do with my latest purchase. After a couple of hours and nothing to show for it productivity wise, a small chat with my Mom was all I needed to refocus and relax a bit.

Once off the phone I glanced over to the pillow I had made of scraps from my Hubbin's quilt and remembered how I would like to take it and make a quilt pattern based on it. Half an hour later, the quilt was drawn out, designed, and all the math was done, I just needed to make it now.

  

I was so elated that I started cutting and sewing the next day. I liked it so much that I thought another version done in completely different fabric would be nice. I made this second runner using Eden from Lila Tueller. And with it having that spring-time feel to it, why not add an applique design? Before you know it, two runners were made, both completely different, but made using the same pattern. The diversity in this pattern is so great, it will work with any fabrics you choose and look tremendous! You can either choose to do the applique embellishment (the instructions are included in the pattern) or leave it out. Or feel free to change it up to match the fabrics you are using. Snowflakes for winter, leaves for fall, whatever you choose.

Also, this pattern is great for gifts. I love to make gifts for friends, but sometimes my taste in fabric and theirs are totally different. If I have to make a big quilt and pick the fabrics, that's one thing. If I have to make it all myself, I might not enjoy it as much because I don't like the fabric. With this pick a Charm Pack that suits your friend, the choosing of multiple fabrics is done for you, and since it's a table runner it'll go fast and they will love it!

Let me know what you think of this design, as I said I'm sure you will be seeing more of it in the near future. I have one already cut out and another shortly behind it in the to do list. Also, If you make this design and e-mail me a picture of it I will post it here on the blog. I love to see show and tell! Well, thanks for chatting and now I need to go sew. Yeppers, another runner. They're addicting, I'm warning you. Until next time!

Another Cold Spring Day

I have been enjoying today as much as I'd like to think if it were sunny and warm. I admit I am a freezer queen and I, most of the time, could be a little warmer, but I do like days like today. I think a big part of it is my favorite fleece pants that are going to be packed away for the summer and you get to enjoy and use quilts. Needless to say it's been a pajama day and every once in awhile it's a good thing for it to be cold outside so you can stay in and relax and get other things done. I can flat out tell you now that if it were warmer today I wouldn't have gotten nearly half of what I did accomplish today done because I would have been fretting over 'Should I work outside or stay in?' And in the process nothing would have gotten done.

But, it was colder and I have gotten so much computer work done today it's ridiculous. Gotta love it. Unfortunately not as much sewing was done as I would have hoped, but I'm choosing my battles wisely and if I get all of this done today, then on Tuesday I can spend the whole day sewing again! See how it works?!

I promised you in the last post that I would show you pictures of my 'Red Quilt'. Well, here it is all finished except for I think one thread that stills needs to be buried. I always forget about it until I take a picture of the quilt and it's right in the middle staring back at me. I'll get it eventually. I collected these fabrics over probably about 6 years: a half yard there, a quarter yard here. The funniest part of it was, I liked some fabrics so much I got them twice if not three times. I came up with this scrappy-ish design and just put it together. I honestly could not tell you my rhyme or reason for putting it together looking back, but in the future I can guarantee that it's the inspiration for a new pattern. Just trying to decide which fabrics I'd like to use in the new pattern.



What else do I have to tell you? Thinking, thinking, thinking...Well, progress is currently being made on the latest Charm Pack Pattern Design, I don't quite have a name for it yet, but it'll get one soon. Usually once they pattern has been made I have an easier time naming it. What else, I feel like I had alot to tell you, and my mind went blank.

It must be the spring weather that's given me a rejuvenation on certain things. My Japanese Maple tree that I planted last fall is growing like mad, and the Stargazer Lily bulbs that also went in the ground last fall are coming up as well! I wasn't expecting them for another month or so, but everything seems to be blooming early this year. I'm planning on expanding and actually having a true flower bed in the front of the house, but we're slowing working on it and planning exactly which plants I want to put in where. It's exciting and I can't wait to start working on it. But I have plenty of quilting to get done first!





Well, I'm going to go relax and enjoy myself a glass of wine and maybe read a little of my book. Oh, that's what else! I'm reading the Benni Harper Murder Mystery series from Earlene Fowler. I can't get enough of them, but between everything else, I try to read a few minutes here and there. If you see them you should read them! And I heard the latest in the series was released last week. Oh, which also reminds me that the other series I'm reading is the series by Jodi Barrows about her family's history. Very good, but I've been in suspense for months now. I read the first three books and the fourth was supposed to come out last year and it got postponed and postponed again but I'm hoping with Market in a couple weeks she'll have it by then. I'll let you know, but you should really check them both out!

Okay, back to that glass of wine, I hear it calling my name...

Making Progress!

I did it, I can't belive I did it, but it happens sometimes! I got so much "stuff" done this week in so many different aspects of my world. And on top of it all, Skip to My Lou is at Cottonpicker's ready for you to purchase!



For starters, yes Skip to My Lou is ready! I always enjoy the first day or so that a pattern hits the market. This particular pattern was a blast to make and I just love the colors of it. It's a decent size, big enough for a smaller bed quilt, yet not too large so it'll fit on the couch or go with you as a lap quilt.



To get started with this pattern, just pick a focus fabric as your jumping off point and pick six coordinating prints. It's a great showcase for that larger print that you're just not sure what to do with but you loved it so you bought it. Or it's even great for a child's bed if you have a wonderful novelty print that you would like to showcase.



And as always, my Quilt Tester was on hand to make sure that the photoshoot went well and that the quilt was up to the standards he likes. I love this dog and let me tell you, he is definitely a quilting dog!



As far as the other "stuff" I got done this week, I quilted a couple of tablerunners last week and got the bindings on them. They just then needed to be stitched down, check! I also have my red quilt that I just love (It's the first quilt I made for myself and it's all reds with some yellowish oranges in it); I've only been working on it for almost forever (not kidding) and all it needed was the binding stitched down so I could use it, check! I'll have to get a picture of it to show you, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

The agenda for this week is a forecast filled with quilting. Especially this weekend the weather is supposed to be really rainy and yuck, which means perfect quilting weather. I've got one pattern I'm currently testing as well as a few others that are just ready to be on the sewing table. I am notorious for having several projects going in multiple stages at any given time. I have a few that need to be quilted, a few that just need to be pieced and a ton that need to be cut out. But that's the fun of it all, the anticipation of what's next to come and getting to the next step with each quilt.

Speaking of which, the next pattern due out you'll love. It's a follow up to the original Charmed Living Topper. I absolutely love Charm Packs and the alternative of using small scraps to make something "charming". I just finished the second design and just need to take pictures and finalize the pattern and it should go to the printers soon. I'll keep you posted on this one. You're gonna love it!

Alright, I think I've been chatting too much as ususal, but I'm just so excited for this pattern to be out and like I said, the anticipation of what's to come! And by the way, if you are a quilt shop interested in my patterns, please e-mail me at RubyBlueQuilts@Gmail.com or call me at 440-428-5780. Or if you can't find my patterns at your local quilt shop, ask them to contact me. It's that easy.

Have a great weekend and I'll be sure to put up more pictures shortly!

Did you miss me?

I know you think I must have been on vacation or just neglecting the blog, but you might be slightly off. If you've been to Cottonpickers in the last couple of weeks or to one of the last of the local quilt shows, you know I've been busy! While Mom was at shows and on the road from show to show I was at the shop and taking care of the Steppin Out Quilt Tour that just finished up. It was a lot of fun. We have been all over the place and have seen so many friends and so many wonderful projects my head is spinning with new ideas of things to make and design.

Speaking of designs, here are some more pictures of the Charmed Living Topper. Thank you to all who have commented on the design. It was really fun to make and I hope if you decide to make one too that you have as much fun as I did.

This pattern is designed to use 40 Charm Squares, but to create just the top you only use 33 squares. The other 7 were used on the back as an added accent piece which is completely optional. Also then, you have some flexibility if you find a Charm Pack that does not contain a total of 40 Squares.

Just because I designed the pattern to use Charm Squares does not mean you have to have a Charm Pack to make this Topper. It is a great way to use up some of those small scraps that you might have laying around that don't work well in other patterns. Oh, and here are the official quilt testers of the Studio. Let me introduce you to Paco (Binding Supervisor) and Duncan (Layout/Pressing Supervisor). These are my boys that are constantly in or around my quilts in the house. As alot of people say that I know if they have animals in the house, if it doesn't have dog or cat hair on it - it's not done yet.

Alright, I know you must be wondering what patterns are next on the docket. I'm honestly not sure of the particular order they will be arriving, it changes often. But I can tell you this - there is a mix of all sorts of patterns and fabrics from 1930's and Civil War reproductions to Batiks and just fun prints I can't take my hands off of. There are small quilts, big quilts and other projects too. I'll let you know as soon as the next one gets printed and where you can find it.

Thanks for chatting, I know it's been awhile and I'll try to keep you in the loop a little better. Now I'm off to work on some new projects, oh and some Christmas gifts, and continue on some existing ones. You know how it is, I don't have one project, I have one for every day of the week and then some. Take care and I'll talk to you later!

~Rebecca