Hey again! As promised I’m back with this week’s Sewcialites 2 block release. If you’ve been following along and have managed to stay on track, you should be just about ready to start Block #7, “Butterfly Garden.“ This block was designed by Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting (patsloan.com). Pat is an accomplished quilt designer, book author, radio/podcast show host, fabric designer, and business owner. She has been sewing since she was a child when she started with clothing for her dolls, and eventually herself. She stuck with that until she discovered and fell in love with quilting. To date, she has now been quilting for over 20 years!

“Butterfly Garden“block is definitely not the easiest block in the series, which is why it’s given the “experienced” rating on the block skill level. I think the trick to success with this one is pinning or glueing your corner squares, thinking ahead, and making sure to get the placement of the fabrics correct. In other words, take your time! Go slow and don’t rush yourself. As you can see, Pat designed this block utilizing corner squares to create the overall butterfly shape. This block is a bit more on the tricky side so if you’re feeling intimidated, don’t worry. Kim Jolly over at Fat Quarter Shop has an excellent step-by-step video tutorial posted on YouTube to help you along if you should need it. You can access that plus the full pattern and instructions at the on the Sewcialites 2 Block #7 Landing Page by clicking the link below!If you’re new to this quilt-along and haven’t seen my progress so far, you should know that for my blocks I’ve decided to use my Garden Gatherings fabric line, without the five tans. For the background I plan to use a selection from the Garden Gathering Shirtings Collection, #49176 15 – a cream fabric with an adorable tiny mustard/orange floral print. If you’ve been following along and have already made your fabric selections that’s awesome! Let me know what they are and what size blocks you plan to make in the comments – I’d love to hear your ideas!

If you’re still trying to decide whether or not to participate in Sewcialites 2, that’s perfectly ok! One of the best things about this quilt-along is it’s never too late to start – you can join us at any time! Previously released blocks will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page along with my blog in the Sewcialites 2 Block Archive, which is listed in the main menu of links at the top of the page.

Newly released blocks can always be found on Kim’s blog The Jolly Jabber, along with a video tutorial on her YouTube Livestream the same day. Each designer will also post their own block to either their blog or their website on that day as well. I will also be posting each block release here on MY blog every Friday for your convenience. Fabric requirements and all block patterns will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page, which you can access by clicking the link below. If you’d like to get automatic updates on Sewcialites 2 you can subscribe to the blog by signing up in the Email subscription box by visiting the Landing Page, or by subscribing to the YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

Well gang, I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have a feeling tonight is going to be late one over at The Gathering as we wrap up the last full day of our Naughty or Nice retreat. We are all having a blast getting to know each other and stitching the days and nights away. I’m super proud of everyone at the retreat. Despite all the fun and games we actually got a ton of work done too. Just look at these works of art!

On Wednesday we even felt a little adventurous so I decided to take everyone ice skating at a schnazzy local rink that gets some of the best ratings in the nation. I can’t tell you how pumped I was about this idea which is why it was so disappointing to get there only to find out they’re not open on Wednesdays. Who knew! Needless to say it was a bummer, but we had fun anyway. Who knows, maybe it was a blessing in disguise… I haven’t been on skates in a long time and a broken wrist is literally about the last thing I need. In any case, there will be plenty of time for winter fun in the next few weeks once the snow starts to hit the fan. Either way I really appreciate everyone’s willingness to join me on my impromptu adventures. I really could not have asked for a better group of ladies to spend the week with!I know many of you are anxious to get your hands on the projects we worked on during this retreat. They included a reindeer-themed banner called “Reindeer Camp“ – a quick and easy project that makes decorating for the holiday super convenient, my latest pillow masterpiece “Oh Sh*t Pillow“ featuring everyone’s secret best friend – the seam ripper, and a charming quilt that Alysha designed featuring a snowman and snowflakes. Due to popular demand, I’ve decided to go ahead and make “Reindeer Camp” and the Oh Sh*t Pillow“ available to pre-order now so that they can ship as soon as we finalize the pattern. Unfortunately the snowman quilt isn’t quite ready yet, but it will be available sometime in the future. Both the banner and the pillow are simple and fast projects that you can easily hammer out in a weekend if you put the effort into it. Like what you see? Click the link below to pre-order now! Our goal is to have these items shipped by December 12th.Well friends, it’s time to hang it up for the night. I can’t believe it’s 6 o’clock already! I swear, where does the time go… I will see you all back here bright and early tomorrow morning for our next flash sale. Have a great weekend! Maybe get some shopping done, stitch a little… Anybody baking anything good? I’m thinking I might do a bit this weekend. In fact, let me know in the comments what your favorite holiday treats are to make. I need some ideas! See you soon. ~Lisa