Almost to the End…

Hello stitchers… Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I hope you’re in a “sewcial” mood this holiday because it’s time once again for another Sewcialites 2 block release! This week we’re featuring Block #20 – “Fascinate by my friend Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life. You’ve probably heard of Sherri and her blog sometime along the way in your quilting journey but if not, I definitely recommend that you check out her work. She is part of a mother-daughter quilting design team based in southern Nevada along with her daughter Chelsi Stratton. Fitting, considering Sherri has always found inspiration in her rich family heritage, passed down through generations of women who loved sewing and creating. Keeping the familial tradition alive, her life-long stitching career led her to start her highly successful quilting blog, A Quilting Life in 2008, and eventually to publishing her designs in magazines and books as well. On top of all of that, she’s also a talented Moda sister who has designed over 16 fabric lines under the Sherri & Chelsi name since 2015. Busy lady!

Sherri describes her favorite designs as typically involving scrappy squares or star blocks of some sort. Fascinate is an intricate mix of four-patches, half-square triangles, and squares that creates an advanced skill level look within a beginner level block.

To make things easier for you while working on Fascinate,” Sherri recommends used strip piecing for the four patch units instead of cutting small squares. This makes the block not only easier to piece, but also more accurate (especially when working with very small pieces). Color wise, if you follow the pattern as it’s written, be sure to pay attention to the direction of the darks and of your half-square triangles. Speaking of half-square triangles, as always I highly recommend using triangle paper where you can when doing this block to make sure your half-square triangles are accurately sized. If you need to stock up, you can get my custom Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper by clicking HERE

If you’ve been following along you know that for my blocks I’m using my Garden Gatherings fabric line, leaving out the five tans. For this block I chose to go with dark navy for the outer half-square triangles, and green, yellow and pinks for the four patch units. For the background I used a selection from the Garden Gathering Shirtings Collection, #49176 15 – a cream fabric with an adorable tiny mustard/orange floral print. It’s looking pretty sharp, if I do say so myself!I keep saying that one of the things I love most about this quilt-along is that you can do it on your time, however your schedule allows. In fact, please don’t let the fact that we’re closer to the end of this QAL than we are to the beginning scare you off. Many of the blocks are fairly simple to make and can be done in an afternoon, so catching up is a snap once you find the time. You can always grab patterns for previously posted blocks on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page by clicking the button below. You can also visit the Sewcialites 2 Block Archive on my blog which is listed in the main menu of links at the top of the page.

Newly released blocks are posted 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 are 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.

It seems like only yesterday that we were starting this QAL so it feels a bit on the unbelievable side that we’re getting ready to wrap it up in just four short weeks – truly just in time for spring. The timing really couldn’t be better if you ask me. I think it’s a pretty quilt, who’s cheerful palette fits the bill for spring and summer décor nicely – I have several thoughts on how I might display mine…

Well gang, that’s about all I have for you today. I’ll admit I’m ready to relax after starting out the week dealing with a nasty kidney stone that my doctor reports was about the size of a pea (no pun intended – ha ha). It didn’t help matters that there was a ton of activity going on here at PG that I really didn’t want to miss out on. Sometimes though, it can’t be about what our brains want because our bodies simply object – and this was just one of those cases. 🙁 If you’ve ever had a kidney stone before you know they are no joke. The pain is some of the worst I’ve ever felt! I tried to power through but even I need a break sometimes. Needless to say, I’m super grateful to finally be feeling better after all that, and looking forward to resting up as much as I can over the weekend with my sweetheart.

Before I head out I want to say Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all my friends and supporters out there. It’s been a great year so far and I have you to thank for much of it! Today in honor of the holiday and to say thanks for all your great comments here on the blog, I thought it would be a great day for double prizes… So let’s do it! Congratulations to Mary Lou D., Sylvia M.,Catherine D., and Alice V., it’s your lucky day! Please check your email for a message from Heidi (Note: 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. If you think you are a winner but have not received a prize confirmation email, be sure to check your spam folder – it’s not often but our emails will sometimes end up there)!

Alright everyone, that’s a wrap! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you’re able to spend some time doing whatever it is that makes you happy. Maybe that’s getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Or maybe you enjoy going for a drive to see the sights, shopping til you drop, or staying INside to stitch while you watch the replays of all my past STITCH with Lisa Bongean episodes all weekend… Whatever it is, enjoy yourself, be safe, and I will see you next week! ~Lisa


17 responses to “Almost to the End…”

  1. Sharon S Avatar
    Sharon S

    I am so sorry to hear about your kidney stone. I hear it is extremely painful. Sometimes your body says to take a break and that’s what you need to do. People will understand. Take care of yourself.

  2. Judy Zoll Avatar
    Judy Zoll

    I personally have not had a kidney stone, but my husband is plagued by them. It had been several years since he has had “an attack”, but come to find out he has been forming stones in each kidney. He has been symptomless until just recently. One is 1” and One is bigger than that. We’re waiting for procedure day. In preparation I have fused my wool appliqué pillows so I’ll have handwork to keep me busy

  3. Alice B Avatar
    Alice B

    BLESS YOUR HEART! Kidney stones are the worst!!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Feel better soon!

  4. Mary Connelly Avatar
    Mary Connelly

    Happy National Quilting Day tomorrow! Our monthly group is meeting tomorrow. Perfect!

  5. usairdoll Jodi Avatar
    usairdoll Jodi

    Feel better soon !

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day !

  6. Sue Hoover Avatar
    Sue Hoover

    My brother had a kidney stone. He also said it was painful. Maybe drink a little more water? That’s one of the things his doctor said to avoid another one. Hope you have a great weekend.

  7. Lisa Marie Rettig Avatar
    Lisa Marie Rettig

    Glad you’re feeling better!

    Your quilt certainly will be bright and cheerful.

  8. Charlene Morris Avatar
    Charlene Morris

    Glad to see you are feeling better. Kidney stones can take down the strongest people.
    This weekend is stitching for sure. I starched fabric for carousel last night and cut background for one of the small projects in quilting box. I love the box because it allows me to use scrappy background from stash and all projects are quick and fun.
    Have a great weekend

  9. Jeanne Wilcox Avatar

    Love that line of fabric you’re using. Yes kidney stones aren’t fun. I’ve had a few. Love to watch your videos. Happy stitching.

  10. Cindy Rux Avatar
    Cindy Rux

    So glad to hear that you are recovering from the kidney stone! They are very painful and most times worse than labor pains. Coming from a registered nurse that makes sewing her therapy. 🙂

  11. Jennifer Nail Avatar
    Jennifer Nail

    I so wish I was doing the sewcialites blocks. They look beautiful in the garden gatherings fabric. I signed up for the quilt box and the wool box. Not much time left in a day!

    1. lisabongean Avatar

      You can always print them and save it for a rainy day!

  12. Laura VS Avatar
    Laura VS

    Glad you’re feeling better. My husband has had them and I know how miserable they can be.

  13. Sharlene Andoe Avatar

    Sorry to hear your having Kidney Stone pain. Yes, the pain is unbearable and does require medical attention and rest. Hope you continue to feel better as this St. Patrick’s Day weekend is here! Thank you for keeping everyone updated with the Sewcialites 2 blocks! I love your fabric selection for this Fascinate block! Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

  14. Sheryl Ditillo Avatar
    Sheryl Ditillo

    Glad you are better and can enjoy the weekend.

  15. gijane279-Liz Avatar
    gijane279-Liz

    OH OUCHIE kidney stone, I can’t imagine how painful that was! Glad you’re recovering!

  16. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    Glad you’re feeling better!! Need to be able to drink green beer!! Love those Ruben sandwiches !!

    Enjoy reading about all your projects and wonder how you keep it all straight!!

    Take care

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