Happy Wednesday quilters! And what a beautiful day it’s turning out to be. We’ve been blessed with some really lovely weather over the last couple of days here in WI, with lots of late-summer beauty all around us. It’s maybe not as warm as I like it to be, but I’m certainly not complaining. The sun is out and the sky is blue. Perfect weather for pretty much everything! As you know, I love being outdoors as much as I can be, so this kind of nice weather is a real treat. I’m doing my best to enjoy it while I can before it starts to get cold again.

Well everyone, it just wouldn’t feel like Wednesday without a little Blockhead action, so let’s talk about it! This week’s project is Block #22 “Star Patch“ by my friend Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life – a mother-daughter quilting and design team based in southern Nevada. Sherri finds inspiration in her rich family heritage passed down through generations of women who loved sewing and creating. Her stitching career eventually led her to begin writing her quilting blog. She started A Quilting Life in 2008, and has also been publishing her designs in magazines and books since 2011.

For her contribution to MBH4, Sherri chose a good old fashioned Ohio Star block design. The pattern combines this classic block with a nine-patch center and contrasting corners, allowing for a variety of fun secondary patterns. These were popular blocks amongst pioneer quilters because they are great way to learn quarter square triangles. They also allow the quilter to be frugal by using up a lot of scraps to create a stunning and unique block. Gorgeous angles and wonderful movement within these historic patterns are the reasons why they’ve stood the test of time and remain popular today! To get started on yours visit Sherri’s blog A Quilting Life for the pattern and full instructions by clicking the link below!

If you know me at all you know I love all things stars, so needless to say I was excited to do this block. For my version of “Star Patch” I stuck with the same color scheme I have been using in previous weeks. I continue to use a medium orange Bella Solid called “Ochre” as my background color combined with a mid-gray floral print on black from my Urban Farmhouse Gatherings II line for part of the center squares. I also threw in some light gray Zen Chic for the remaining smaller squares, and white with gray stars for the large center square. I also used a light gray squiggle pattern over black for the outer elements of the star to help pop the center portion. There’s definitely a lot going on!

If you’re still debating on whether or not to do this quilt, what are you waiting for? The blocks are simple and fun, and they goes by super fast if you stick to a block a week commitment. Plus, it’s easy to find all the information you’ll need including previously released MBH4 blocks in the Moda Blockheads 4 Archive listed in the main menu of links at the top of my blog page. You can also visit Moda’s Inspiration+Resources Center Page for more information, along with all released bonus blocks by clicking HERE! If you’re having trouble keeping all the details straight, you can also sign-upo to receive Moda’s weekly Blockheads blog posts via e-mail at the Inspiration+Resources Center as well.

I hope to see you all tomorrow when I go LIVE on “STITCH with Lisa Bongean“ at 1:00PM CST on YouTube! I’ll be discussing the latest round release of the “Meet Me in the Garden“ stitch-along, with special guest and pattern designer of this SAL, Val Krueger. Val will be tuning in via live stream all the way from Vegas to help answer some questions that have come up about “Meet Me in the Garden,” and to highlight some changes to the pattern that she’d like you to be aware of. We’ll also be talking a little bit about what’s going on around The Gathering next week as we welcome Moda to Primitive Gatherings during Moda week. You don’t want to miss it! You can tune in by hitting the “STITCH“ button below!

As if you needed more incentive, don’t forget there will be some prize give-aways to a couple of lucky commenters during the show, so make sure to leave us one! You can also let me know how you’re doing right here on the blog. I love to hear from you. Plus, you might just win a prize. This week I want to say congratulations to Jennifer R. Thanks for your comment last week! As usual I don’t post last names or email addresses for privacy’s sake, so if you think you’re the lucky winner this time around, please check your email! You can also contact Heidi at heidin@primitivegatherings.us if you have not already received a prize confirmation letter from her. She will use your email address to confirm that you are in fact the winner!

Alright, that’s all for today friends. Take care and make sure to make some time to stitch today, and EVERY day! See you tomorrow!  ~Lisa