Hey gang! Welcome back to my blog. As usual, the week flew by faster than a speeding bullet. I have been busy finalizing details on a bunch of projects that I’ve been working on, including my 2022 summer blocks of the week, and tying up any loose ends on our upcoming Hogs for Heroes fundraising event. I’m really excited to be participating in Hogs for Heroes again this year. It’s such a fun and awesome way to help WI veterans, and I’m super proud to be involved. Last year we raised over $30K! I’ll be talking more about the details on how we’ll be raising money for Hogs for Heroes this year very soon, so stay tuned to the blog for that! In the meantime, if you would like to know more about Hogs for Heroes and what they’re all about, follow the link below for more information.

I sure hope you were able to join us on Tuesday for the first, “Shop Talk with Shelley,” our new segment on my YouTube Channel, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” Shelley and Jess went over a few shop announcements including new spring retail shop hours and some clarifications on my, “O Say Can You Sew“ Quilt-Along. Speaking of that, Jess would like me to remind everyone that you can find the FREE downloadable PDF for each of the “O Say Can You Sew” Quilt-Along blocks here on my blog for one month after their original posting date. New clues post the first Monday of each month. After one month the block is no longer free. It will then be posted to the Primitive Gatherings website. Blocks will only be posted to the website AFTER the next month’s FREE block is posted to the blog. Again, once they are posted to the website, blocks are no longer free. There is a $5.00 charge for each block once it is posted to the website. CLICK the link below for CLUE #1!Remember, if you don’t have enough scraps to complete the project we have red, white, and blue fabric bundles perfect for the “O Say Can You Sew“ Quilt-Along that are available on the website for purchase now. You can find those by clicking the link below!

If you have any questions about the “O Say Can You Sew“ Quilt-Along, please revisit my blog post with all the details by clicking HERE. You can also feel free to give the shop a call at 920.722.7233!

Looking for a club to join? Jess is thrilled to announce that her monthly Wednesday Wool Club will be starting this May! If you love wool appliqué you’re going to want to get in on this club. Jess describes Wool Club as a sit & sew that focuses strictly on wool appliqué projects. If you’re participating in our subscription wool box, this is the perfect opportunity to put a dent in those projects! Whether you’re new to working with wool appliqué or a seasoned pro, everyone is welcome at Wool Club!

Wednesday Wool Club will run all day from 9AM until 9PM and includes both lunch and dinner prepared by Chef Erica. The cost is $40.00 per person, per full-day session. If you are only able to attend a half-day session, that’s ok too! The morning session will be from 9AM until 4PM and includes lunch, and the evening session will run from 4PM until 9PM and includes dinner. The cost of half-day sessions is $25.00 per person, per session. The first Wool Club will meet May 18th, 2022 at The Gathering. Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis so sign up today by calling 920.778.8031 to guarantee your seat! You can also email thegathering@primitivegatherings.us to register.

In other Primitive Gatherings club news, evening Hexi Club is also coming soon! I wish I could tell you more about it but we are still working out all the details on this one. What we can tell you is that it is definitely coming soon, so if you’re a fan or hexi quilts like I am keep watching the blog for more information! I’ll be posting it as soon as I have it.

Aside from news and updates, Shelley and Jess also have some super cute spring quilts in the shop to showcase this week. If you’re looking for a project that will be perfect for the spring and summer months, we have just the patterns for you. Let’s take a look at what they found! First up we have “Sweet Strawberry,” from Martingale’s Piece & Love book. Traditional patchwork meets a more modern aesthetic on this little gem, with its large-scale, colorful motif. It combines reds, pinks, and greens to make this larger-than-life strawberry quilt.

“Sweet Strawberry,” is done with quarter square triangles, and measures 41″ x 50 1/2″ when finished. Wouldn’t this sweet little quilt make a perfect lap or baby quilt? To make it even easier for you, Jess has put together kits for “Sweet Strawberry,“ which you can find along with the Piece & Love book by clicking the link below!

We keep saying spring is coming, but with the cold and dreary weather so far, I’m beginning to wonder. You really have to hand it to the wild birds that migrate each year. What a journey! It’s a marvel they can survive such harsh conditions. Along with the ducks, geese, and robins (just to name a few) we’re also currently seeing a lot of sparrows returning home from down south. They are such cute and tiny birds – and so tough! That’s why I love this next quilt. “Sparrows” is done with large pieces and minimal triangles – which is great for those of you who aren’t the best with triangles but want to get some practice in.

With its patriotic color scheme and adorable design, “Sparrows” is the perfect quilt to display in your home this summer. Can’t you just see it hanging on your porch swing this 4th of July? Finished, “Sparrows” measures at 65 1/2″ x 71″ making it a nice size for a bed or couch as well.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer season here in WI is go to the farmer’s market. There’s nothing better than local, home-grown veggies roasting away on the grill for dinner on a hot summer night. “Tomato Pincushion Quilt“ reminds me of the giant, plump tomatoes I’m lucky enough to get all season long from a stand just down the road from me. I can’t wait for it to open for the year!

The “Tomato Pincushion” quilt kit comes in a keepsake box measuring 11″ x 11″ x 4″, which is perfect for storing your blocks as you go. The box kit includes the quilt pattern and all the fabric you’ll need for the quilt top and binding (backing fabric is not included).  This 58″ x 70″ quilt is done with larger blocks and a boarder, making it simple and fun to make! We only have a few of these box sets left in the shop, so if you have your heart set on it, don’t hesitate to get your order in!

Well folks, they tell me the weekend is finally upon us. It looks like another cold and rainy couple days are in store for us here, which I guess is going to have to be ok. I still have not figured out who to call and complain to on that one… Looking on the bright side, it’s perfect weather to get some shopping done at Primitive Gatherings! Don’t forget, we are now featuring the “Sticker of the Month.” Each month I will release a new custom, Primitive Gatherings collectible sticker. With every purchase of $30.00 or more you will receive one of these adorable stickers as a FREE GIFT while supplies last (order must total $30.00 before tax and shipping)! Once the month is finished, stickers left over from that month will be offered for sale. We only have a limited quantity, which means when they are gone, they are gone! Take a look at this cute design we came up with for April!

Shelley and Jess did such a good job with their first Shop Talk, don’t you think? I’m super proud of them! Way to represent girls! If you liked “Shop Talk with Shelley“ remember to tune in weekly every Tuesday at 9AM CST! If you’d like to watch the replay from this week just hit the button below!

Alright, now that we’ve covered all the announcements and updates, let’s talk prize winners! I love all the comments we’ve been getting here on the blog, on our facebook pages, and during my LIVE show “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” It’s so much fun to hear what you all are up to, I really enjoy reading them every week! Without your online support we would never be where we are today, so thank you to everyone who continues to comment on and “like” our posts each week, you’re the best! Ok, on with the fun part… Sandie M. and Barbara F. – you are our lucky blog prize winners this week! As always, I don’t want to post last names or email addresses for your privacy, so if you think you’re one of these lucky winners please check your email! You can also contact Heidi at heidin@primitivegatherings.us if you have not already received an email from her. She will use your email address to confirm that you are in fact the winner (in the case that there is someone with the same initials, she will determine the correct person with matching email credentials)! If you’re not a winner this week, please keep trying. You can’t win if you don’t play!!! Have a great weekend everyone! ~Lisa