Good afternoon everyone! It’s been yet another beautiful Wednesday so far here at Primitive Gatherings and The Gathering. The store is busy with happy shoppers while the creativity is flowing over at the retreat house. Both designers and guests alike are getting things done as we “sewcialize” and continue to celebrate Moda week together. I’ve been up late stitching well after midnight every night this week, and up early each day despite thinking I might get to sleep in once or twice. No luck on that one, but it’s worth getting to spend quality time with my friends and fellow Moda designers in person.

One of the projects I’ve been working on is this week’s Moda Blockheads 4 release – Block 23 “Gentleman’s Fancy“ by Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilt Designs. Brenda began her stitching journey early in life after being inspired by her mother and grandmother to start embroidering. Though she wasn’t a quilter as a child, Brenda always admired her grandmother’s quilt designs. As an adult, she decided on a career based on environmental, interior, and graphic design, and eventually followed her dreams to pursue quilt pattern, needlework, and fabric design. 

Brenda apparently wasn’t only influenced by the women in her life. She tells us that her block, “Gentleman’s Fancy“ was inspired by her dad – a man she describes as always being “dapper” and looking sharp. The square-in-square design of “Gentleman’s Fancy“ created by multiple flying geese elements results in an interesting layered look – almost resembling a pocket square sticking out of the pocket of a sophisticated businessman. Don’t you love it? You can get the pattern and full instructions for “Gentleman’s Fancy” by visiting Brenda’s blog at the link below!

I kept it simple and only used two types of fabric for my blocks this week. I stuck with the same medium orange Bella Solid called “Ochre” as my background color, and combined it with one single, yet busy mid-gray chain-link print on charcoal black from Zen Chic. Though I kept my fabric choices at a minimum, the print combined with the motion of the flying geese elements still provides a lot for your eye to look at.

It’s hard to believe we’re already on Block 23 of this QAL. I guess it’s just like with everything else –  time flies when you’re having fun! If you haven’t started MBH4 yet but are thinking you might like to, there’s still time! It’s easy to find all the information you 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-up to receive Moda’s weekly Blockheads blog posts via e-mail at the Inspiration+Resources Center as well. 

I’m not the only busy bee in the studio right now. Kali, Jess and Heidi were on location yesterday at Whistler’s Knoll Vineyard shooting photography for my next fabric line release, Red and White Gatherings –  scheduled to arrive this October.

I absolutely LOVE this collection and can’t wait to see the beautiful photos! If you’re not familiar, Red and White Gatherings is made up of cream-based whites and a stunning mix of reds, ranging from middle of the road to dark and deep. Print patterns include floral, linear, and geometrical designs that span from tiny to large giving you a wide spectrum of visual variety.

The photo shoot yesterday was all for the pages of my correlating design book, that is also scheduled to come out sometime in October. The book contains ten unique designs (12 total quilts – some with more than one version) – all based on “Red & White Gatherings” fabric. Excited yet? Because I sure am! Don’t forget! Pre-cuts and yardage of “Red & White Gatherings” AND the project book Red and White Gatherings are officially available to pre-order from our website now by clicking the link below! Not to mention, now is a great time to stock up on “Red & White Gatherings” because all pre-cuts are 20% OFF (for a limited time)! Quilt kits are not available yet but will be coming soon! Please note: Pre-orders should be the only thing in your cart when you are ordering. If you have other, non pre-order items to purchase you will need to order them through a separate transaction!

I’m sorry to those of you who were bummed about “Shop Talk with Shelley“ not being broadcast yesterday. Since my entire film crew was working on location somewhere else, we had no choice but to make the sacrifice. We did however, do a little impromptu LIVE later in the afternoon because we had some exciting news to announce that we just couldn’t wait for… 2022 Holiday Mugs are now available to pre-order, just in time for Christmas! What’s even more exciting is that this year we’re also offering Holiday Mug Gift Boxes as well, making Christmas shopping for that special quilter in your life a total breeze! Choose between a variety of combinations suited for both coffee enthusiasts and non-coffee drinkers. Whatever the preference, these boxes are PERFECT for anyone “suffering” with an insatiable fabric addiction. Be part of their problem AND the solution, all in one! This is seriously the stuff best friendships are made of. LOL!

Both the mugs and the gift boxes are available now as a pre-order only, and are expected to ship the beginning of November! Mugs alone are only $24.00 each (plus $7.99 shipping) and gift boxes are $55.00 (plus normal shipping). They are 4.25″ tall and hold 16 oz. I know as soon as you saw these you thought of a bunch of people this would be perfect for – right?!? If that’s the case I can’t stress enough to get your orders in NOW so that they arrive in time for Christmas! Not to mention, what we have in stock now is the only inventory we’re getting. In other words, once they’re gone, they’re gone so don’t wait! To watch watch me talk about these great gift boxes and what they contain more in depth, click HERE! Please note: As always, pre-orders should be the only thing in your cart when you are ordering. If you have other, non pre-order items to purchase you will need to order them through a separate transaction!

I know it seems crazy to be thinking about Christmas shopping already, but it’s seriously not a bad idea. Every year it seems like I promise myself I’m going to start the process earlier but then never do, and end up scrambling at the end to get it all done. Have you started your holiday planning yet? How about holiday projects – what are you working on already? Let me know in the comments! Speaking of comments, this week I’ll be sending Carol K. a sweet little prize as a way to say thank you for keeping up with my blog and leaving me such nice comments! As usual I don’t post last names or email addresses for privacy’s sake, so if you think you’re the lucky winner 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! You too can win something nice just for telling me what you think, so don’t be shy! Leave a comment or two. I always love hearing from you.

That’s all for today but I’ll be back on YouTube LIVE tomorrow at 1:00PM CST on “STITCH with Lisa Bongean,” were I’ll be talking all about Moda week and my shenanigans with my Moda sisters (and brother). I would really love to see you there! Then on Tuesday, will be back at 9:30 AM CST for “Shop Talk with Shelley!” Until then, stitch like crazy and I will see you soon. Bye for now! ~Lisa