Hey gang! How’s it going today? I don’t know what it’s like where you live but I’m looking at a blustery winter wonderland outside my studio window right now. I had originally planned to get some skiing in with Heidi tonight, but after checking the weather forecast for the weekend we made the executive decision to go last night instead. Our little impromptu change of plans caused a bit of scrambling at the end of the day, but it also gained us about ten degrees of air temperature and a lot less wind. In other words – I’m confident that it was the right decision to make. Not only was it my first time on the hill this season but it was also my maiden voyage on the new set of skis Nick got me for Christmas. We took it pretty easy and got eight runs in before calling it quits due to my cold thumbs. Not a crazy amount of runs, but still pretty good considering I haven’t been feeling the greatest. The snow was decent and the lift lines weren’t terrible, which are two key factors that can definitely make or break a ski day. Oh! And the verdict on my new skis is… I LOVE THEM!!! Thanks hubby – you’re a keeper (but we already knew that). 🙂 All in all, it was a good time and Heidi and I were both happy to be outside. Now comes some Arctic air to deal with for the next several days but we’ll be back out there as soon as it warms up a little.

After getting a few hours of fresh air and exercise last night I won’t feel so bad staying cooped up this weekend while Mother Nature gets the next round of sub-zero temps out of her system. I plan on laying low and staying in as much as I can for the next couple of days, and will most likely spend the majority of my time resting and getting caught up on a few things around the house. Honestly… as I type that idea, it sounds really nice and I can’t wait to make it my reality. LOL! Sometimes weekends are for work, sometimes weekends are for play, and sometimes they need to be for rest. This is one of those weekends. We all need to do that once in a while!

What are your plans for the weekend? If undesirable weather is also in your forecast and you’re wondering how to pass the time, I have the perfect solution! I’m happy to remind you that along with the weekend, Friday also brings a new Sewcialites 2 block release! This week Doug Leko is the star of the show with his block, “Innovate.” Thanks to his mother, Doug has been a quilter since he was just six years old. He began his quilting career by working in her quilt shop. Over the years he fine-tuned and perfected his skills with gained experience. After spending some time pattern testing for various designers, he began developing his own quilt patterns and eventually started Antler Quilt Design while he was still in high school.

Doug’s distinctive approach to quilt design often combines secondary design elements and color. His patterns are known for being very pretty but also intricate, and often times more on the difficult side. Sticking with his signature style, “Innovate“ is one of the harder blocks in the Sewcialites 2 series. It features a pinwheel center constructed of half-square triangles and flying geese. The outer elements are done with half-square triangles and corner squares, along with units that are like flying geese but with corner squares added. Now I know it seems like a complicated pattern but Doug’s advice for this block is simple – don’t be afraid! He says, “follow the pressing arrows on the pattern so that all your seams will nest and your points will come out great. You can also press your seams open so you don’t have to worry about bulk. Change the placement of all three prints and your block will look completely different.” Another little hack to make this block a bit easier for you is triangle paper. Depending on which size blocks you’re making, there are a couple of sizes you may need. If you don’t have any on hand, I highly recommend my custom designed Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper, which you can find in most sizes on our website by clicking HERE! You can find the full pattern and instructions for “Innovate“ by clicking the link below! As you know, I’ve decided to use my Garden Gatherings fabric line for this quilt-along, leaving out the five tans. For the background I’m using a selection from the Garden Gathering Shirtings Collection, #49176 15 – a cream fabric with an adorable tiny mustard/orange floral print. Want to do yours just like mine? Click the button below to shop Garden Gatherings fabric while it’s still in stock!For those of you still trying to decide whether or not to participate in Sewcialites 2, don’t worry about being behind. One of the best parts of this quilt-along is that you can do it on your time, however your schedule allows – you can join us at any time! Previously released blocks are 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.

Nothing like a weekend challenge to keep yourself busy. These little weekly assignments are just the ticket to making sure you get a little stitch time in – every day! And the best part is, the price is right – LOL! If you need even more to keep you busy and you missed STITCH with Lisa Bongean earlier this week, you can always catch the replay by hitting the link below. I showed some Valentine’s day ideas – both old and new projects – perfect to express your love this Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to miss it!

Well everyone, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and manage to keep yourselves out of trouble. On my way out I’d like to give a huge thanks and congratulations to Yvonne S. and Judy Z. for their comments here on the blog last week. Thank you ladies – check your email! You made my day with your lovely comments and I’d love to send you a little something to show my appreciation (please remember that I do not post last names or email addresses for your privacy, so if you think you’re one of the lucky winners this week please be sure to 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. If you think you are a winner but have not received a prize confirmation email, please be sure to check your spam folder – it’s not often but our emails will sometimes end up there)!

If you’d like to be considered for a prize, I’d love it if you won! All you have to do to be eligible is leave me a comment here on the blog and voila! You’re in like Flynn. I would like to remind everyone that if you’re using a “handle” or screen name that is different than your real name, please leave your first name and last initial in your comment so we can include you. That’s all for now folks, I will see you next week. Until then, stay warm and take care stitchers!