Hey everyone. Wow, what a day ! If I didn’t know any better I would think I was still down in TX judging by the heatwave going on outside. As much as I love the swelter, it’s a bit odd to have a heat index of 106° in WI, even during the dog days of late summer. Amazingly, the humidity level is tolerable and hovering around 50%, which for these temperatures at this time of year is nothing short of a miracle. Normally, it would be closer to 100%, which makes being outdoors for an extended period of time pretty uncomfortable when combined with the heat. Dangerous even! That being said, I hope everyone is staying safe in these temps and drinking lots of water throughout the day. If you’re not one for extreme heat and sunshine, I definitely suggest playing it safe by finding a nice cool place to stay indoors and get some stitching done instead. I mean, what else is there to do in a situation like this other than hit the beach? Choices, choices.
Even though it’s a bazillion degrees, I hate to say it, but there are signs all around us that summer is starting to wind down. Everything is lush and green, gardens are in full bloom, and days are starting to feel noticeably shorter. Harvest time is definitely right around the corner. Does anyone else feel like this summer went by particularly fast this year!? I swear, there’s never enough time… Hopefully your summer projects are coming to fruition right along with the season’s change since we’re about ready to welcome the next wave of new ones – particularly a couple of stitch and quilt-alongs that just started along with a couple more that are about to.
Most of you know I recently launched my Twilight Stars Quilt-Along back in June, but for those of you who aren’t aware, I highly recommend checking it out. Fans of a rusty color palette in particular will LOVE this QAL! It combines my Rustic Gatherings fabric line with the Spellbound line by Jackie MacDonald of Sweetfire Road, featuring rusty oranges paired with shades of black, gray, and white. You can use my fabrics or choose your own! Sound like something you might be into? You can read the full details, get a supply list, and see current block releases at the Twilight Stars Quilt-Along Info Page by clicking the Twilight Stars Quilt-Along button below!
Another project that just recently launched is my Black Star Flower Farm Stitch-Along. Heads up appliqué lovers! Whether you prefer wool appliqué on cotton, or you’re strictly an all-cotton kind of quilter, check out Black Star Flower Farm! This is a FREE Quilt-Along that will have block releases on a monthly basis for a total of 13 months. We are currently still on Block Release #1 and will be through September 9th, 2023. Block patterns are FREE for one month from their release date. They will then be available on the regular website for $8.00 each (plus shipping) when then next block releases. There will be a finishing option including sashings, borders, and binding for an additional charge available at the end of the program. Full details and optional kits are available on the Black Star Flower Farm Info Page by clicking the Black Star Flower Farm button below!
Who’s ready for a good Christmas Quilt? I sure am! That’s why I’m super excited to say that tomorrow is the official kick-off of my highly anticipated Joyful Gatherings Quilt-Along! This will be a FREE weekly quilt-along that will include 25 blocks featuring my latest Joyful Gatherings fabric line, specially designed to be finished just in time for Christmas! You can get full details by tuning in for my LIVE show tomorrow on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean YouTube channel by clicking the STITCH button at the very end of this post. The show starts at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time and will be followed by CommentSold around 2:15 p.m. as usual. If you already know you want to participate and are ready to purchase your fabric, feel free to purchase your fabric now by clicking the Joyful Gatherings button below!
Are you a Blockhead? Last but not least of the upcoming quilt-alongs that I wanted to mention today is the Moda Blockheads 5 Quilt-Along, starting just after Labor Day. If you’re new to Blockheads, here’s a quick recap… Blockheads is a block-of-the-week program that was started by Moda in 2017. It was designed with the goal of introducing quilters to traditional fabric and quilt designs. The original Blockhead designers were Lynne Hagmeier, Betsy Chutchian, Jan Patek, Jo Morton, Carrie Nelson, and myself. Currently, the program has expanded to include almost all of the Moda designers, with the purpose of inspiring quilters by providing a free block-of-the-week pattern series for stitchers of all kinds. The program also gives quilters a chance to get to know the Moda designers on a more personal level, which I think is really cool. Blockheads 5 will start after Labor Day (appx September 6th, 2023) with FREE patterns releasing each Wednesday through mid-November, 2023. There will then be a short recess over December before we start the second group on January 3rd, 2024. This second phase will run through July, 2024, giving you the opportunity to make a larger sampler quilt if you want. Once the QAL starts I will post each block release here on my blog once it releases, and then to a convenient archive so you’ll be able to go back to them if you need to. For more information on Blockheads 5 you know what to do… Click the Blockheads 5 link below!
Well, what do you think? Does anyone of these QALs pique your interest? All of them? Either way, you should certainly be in no need for a project to do at this point… There are literally four great ones right here at your finger tips! Let me know which ones you want to tackle, and which ones you plan to pass on in the comments – I’m curious to know what you think! Remember, for more information on these projects and more, watch me LIVE tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CST. You can tune in by clicking the STITCH button below. Have a great night and I will see you all there! ~Lisa
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