Hey everyone! I hope you’re having an excellent Friday. It’s been a very rainy day here in Wisconsin so far, and it looks like we still have more to come before it’s all over later this evening. I’m hoping it will be ending just in time to get a good sunset out of it. Nothing beats the sunset over the water after a storm, and wow – do we get some great ones around here! The clouds, sun, and sky combined with the reflection off the water makes for such spectacular color, it’s almost like magic. God really is great!
As another weekend approaches, I’m excited to be at home with my family for the next couple of days. Of course as usual, I’ll be taking a whole bunch of things home from the studio so I can make some progress on a few of the many projects I’m working on at the moment. Good news – I do have one project that came to fruition recently and is now complete. For those of you who have been following along with my “Heartfelt“ charity quilt-along project, I’m happy to say that it’s all finished and has been sent in for auction! I promised you a photo of it once it was all quilted, so here it is!
In case you’re not familiar, “Heartfelt” is a darling heart-themed quilt-along designed to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, an awesome organization that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening conditions. This charity driven project is a heart-themed quilt made up of six stunning sampler blocks, each featuring pieced hearts – it’s super adorable! If you’d like to make your own and contribute to this great cause, follow the link below for more information!
It always feels good to check a project off the list, especially the ones that are done for a good cause. Even though “Heartfelt“is in the books, I still have the O’ Say Can You Sew, Moda Blockheads 4, and Meet Me in the Garden quilt/stitch-alongs in the works (along with a bunch of other things) so obviously there is still plenty of work left to do. Speaking of Meet Me in the Garden, don’t forget that the “Round One – Square on Square” video tutorial is scheduled to release this coming Monday July 18th, 2022 at 1:00PM CST. I hope you’re ready to get your hands dirty because we’re about to officially get to work on this long anticipated stitch-along. You can tune to watch Val and I tackle Round One by clicking the STITCH button below!
Since Meet Me in the Garden is still hot off the press, we still may run into a kink here and there along the way, but don’t worry! If that happens we’ll let you know as soon as we’re aware of it – both here on the blog, and LIVE on YouTube during “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” Fortunately things have been going great so far, aside from one little nuance that was brought to our attention. If you’re quilting along with the Meet Me in the Garden stitch-along, please note: in the layer cake portion of the cutting instructions (page two) it states that you will need only one layer cake square for 5 – 3 ¾” squares. Instead, you will actually need two layer cake squares to have enough fabric for this portion of the instructions.
Seems like there’s a lot going on around here, doesn’t it? LOL! Never a dull moment at Primitive Gatherings. The shop has also been busy this week with stitchers from near and far coming to enjoy the 25% OFF fabric SALE that we have going on. If you haven’t heard about it, let me give you the deets! Now through July 17th, 2022 enjoy 25% OFF all fabric in stock – including pre-cuts and yardage (minimum of 1/2 yard cut). Sorry but the offer does NOT include my Garden Gatherings line or any fabric that is already on sale.
Whether you have a project in mind or you need some outside inspiration to help you think of your next one, now is a great time to stock up on pre-cuts and yardage alike! Visit us in-store or online to order yours before it’s too late!
It’s crazy to think that according to the calendar, summer is already a third of the way through! Before we know it we’ll be thinking about falling leaves, chilly air, and pumpkin spice lattes… Ooo as good as that sounds, I’m not quite ready yet! We all have a lot to accomplish before we can start down that rabbit hole. I know you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with summer projects right now, and that’s ok. Challenge is good for you! Some of the best advice I can give you to help stay on track is to adopt methods and techniques that help you work smarter, not harder. Efficiency is key!
My custom designed Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper is a perfect example of one of the ways you can save yourself a lot of grief during a tedious project – especially those of you participating in my O’ Say Can You Sew quilt-along. In fact, I want to say thank you to those of you who went ahead and purchased the TWO recommended packs of 1″ Finished PG Triangle Paper for upcoming Clue #5. Trust me, they really are going to make your life a heck of a lot easier. I know half square triangle are scary for a lot of people, but by using these papers you’ll see how truly simple they really are. Never used them before? No problem! Yesterday during my LIVE show on “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ I did a hands-on tutorial on my custom designed Triangle Papers, showing you exactly how to go about using them correctly from A to Z. I also have a handy chart to help you figure out what size paper you need for your project, which I have posted both below and in the main menu at the top of this page. You can also watch the tutorial by clicking the STITCH button below! Still need to purchase your PG Triangle Paper so you can be ready for Clue #5? You can do that simply by clicking HERE!
Alright gang! That’s enough information for one post… I don’t want to overload anyone. LOL! I hope you all have a safe and restful weekend and that the weather cooperates for everyone who has a chance to spend some time outdoors. It’s always nice when I’m able to get out of the studio and into the sunshine. Whether I’m at work or play, I’ll take it either way! One of my favorite things to do lately is to sit in my boathouse while I read all your comments and answer questions. No reason I can’t take my office wherever I go – as long as I have a good wifi signal that is! What are your plans for the rest of the summer? All work and no play or do you have something fun coming up? Is anyone coming to retreat any time soon? Let me known in the comments – I always love to hear what’s going on with all of you! Enjoy your weekend everyone – and remember to set some time aside to stitch every day… Dr. Bongean’s orders!
Super busy summer here ! Vacations, guest, grandchildren visiting etc. I am coming to retreat mid October. Sounds like a long way off, but as you say it will be here soon enough!
“Dr. Bongeon’s orders” cracked me up. I don’t know how you can keep up with all your activities even if you have a zillion people helping you. You are a detail infused human being. You’re the idea person,designer and even if you have help, you are driving the bus so to speak. So I’ve got my triangle paper and am ready for next August 1st clue. I decided to save my contemporary Stars summer quilt fabric for another project. My red and white quilt is equipped with sleeve and label ready to mail in October. Mid August our big trip to Gualala California. Last year I put a quilt in their Redwood Art Festival. It’s very ot today in Southern California. I washed my car yesterday, hoping it would trigger a summer rain. Tha KS for keeping us occupied and indpired.
I’m absolutely loving The Pumpkin Carving contest blocks. You are amazing. Thank you for keeping me sane!
I’m sure hoping for some rain in our neck of the woods. It’s been so dry here, we need a good soaking !Can’t wait to try the triangle paper, I’ve always made them the old fashion way, takes FOREVER, HAHA!! I’m loving this sew along, can’t wait to see where its headed next. Love all of your quilts, especially with the little triangle so this is going to be fun!! Enjoy your weekend! Thanks so much !
Love the half square triangle paper chart! Thank you!
I love getting your emails! We have 100° plus weather predicted for the next week. Please pray for rain in Texas, we are in severe drought. Besides trying to stay cool, I am working on a quilt for our great grandson!
We also had a lot of rain today! We are coming to the PG retreat Center September 8-11. We can’t wait!!!
For my summer, I’m sitting with my right hand in a brace with no stitching or any thing else for 8 to 12 weeks. Just in time to go on the Hawaii cruise!!!
Sorry to hear Debby, feel better soon!
I’ve been keeping very busy judging Clothing, Sewing, and Needle Arts for 4-H’ers in county fairs all over Iowa! It’s amazing what these kids are learning and the projects they are entering! And yes, I’ve seen some awesome QUILTS too!!
Going to a quilt show in the Northwoods this weekend then babysitting the little granddaughters and hopefully a little swimming in the lake!
I love, love, LOVE the Northwoods! I’ll be vicariously living through you. Have fun!
Your heartfelt quilt is adorable! I am working on the cross stitch project and have been a little stalled at the moment. I need to finish last month’s row and then get this month’s row going. Your chart for the triangle papers is so helpful! Thanks for posting it. I tend to use my Accuquilt GO! for HST’s but I do like the triangle paper sometimes. I have some of your papers for those smaller sizes. It does make it nice and accurate. 🙂 We are getting ready to move in about 5 weeks to a new state for a year. I am making lists and trying to figure out which projects to take with me. I have so many hand work things to do as well as sewing machine projects. I hope I can choose wisely. We will be in a small apartment. I wanted to thank you for your stitchery videos. They encouraged me to try new stitches on my wool appliques. You had such clear instructions and you showed how to make new stitches. If you were only left handed! 🙂 I also use a pillow now when I stitch because of you. So much better! Thanks so much for your blog. It is such an inspiration and encouragement to me. Have a lovely time at home this weekend. K-
Going on the cruise to Hawaii! Can’t wait to spend all that time with you!
Thanks for taking the time to show us about the triangle paper again…it makes it much easier for me since I learn better when I see it versus reading it on paper! I am also looking forward to Meet Me in the Garden and plan on cutting my fabric today…..I got covid 3 days ago and started Paxlovid yesterday hoping I will feel up to cutting my fabric today, at a slower pace though. I want to keep up but having each video is SO much help to always be able to refer back! Thank you for all the fun! Debi Whiffen
Feel better soon Debi!
I miss you!!!! I’m due for another retreat, but nothing in the works til October….when you won’t be there. 😢
I’m beginning to think I’m a PG TRIANGLE paper addict, I literally have a drawer filled with ones that are not assigned to any particular project (YET!) the stack of packets is probably 8″ high many sizes!!! Can you say firm believer in being prepared! LOL SERIOUSLY many of them we in various areas of my former house and I didn’t realize until I moved to Texas that I had so many. It’s sew nice to have dedicated sewing areas now!
I will be coming to visit the gathering in late September with some of the Cali ladies… I was delighted to be asked to join them! So far it’s Traci R., Shirley M. and Cindy H. that I’m aware of. I’m driving from TX so I’m planing lots of fun stops on the way there and back.
I use the triangle papers and they are easy and work great. I like to use your small ruler to make sure the cuts are the exact size and I haven’t goofed up. The chart is very handy and I downloaded that several months ago and put it in a plastic sleeve for reference. I have so many projects I’m working on so I can’t sign up for anything else till I finish what I started. Would love to do the Meet Me In The Garden one day and also visit the retreat. Between working in my gardens, catching up on some sewing projects and doing some non sewing projects, my plate is full. Have a wonderful summer.
Thank you Julia! We’d really love it if you came to visit!
Summer is flying by ! At the moment I have Covid for the second time ;-( so just resting at the moment. Will be traveling to see our grandkids in a few weeks. Thanks for all the great projects and inspiration, now to just feel better.
Oh boy, a second time?!? No good! I hope you feel better soon!
Spent the weekend watching my grandkids play baseball and softball. Came home with a win and a championship
This weekend I’ve been catching up on email, laundry, some videos as the past week storm in MD left us with no electricity & slow internet. Still have tree branches to be picked up. I’m going to look for your latest video on using the triangle papers. I bought the PG packs with various sizes but haven’t had to use them yet. And I need to print that chart
I’m currently on the road to the Gammill Summit in Utah for some classes on long arm quilting