Hey, everyone!

At what point does a jam-packed monthly calendar become more like an American Ninja Warrior challenge than a schedule? For me, I think October may very well have answered that question already. Between being in Houston, TX for the h+h americas trade show all last week, the Joyful Gatherings II Quilt-Along heading into its final stretch, my annual Countdown to Christmas Quilt-Along kicking off today, AND a brand new Weekend Edition Quilt Series quilt making its debut while I was gone, it feels like this month hit the ground running and hasn’t bothered to slow down since!

As I mentioned, one of the main reasons October got off to such a busy start was because I was traveling for the h+h show during the first part of it. It’s a trade show for wholesalers so, as always, I had a blast catching up with friends and industry folks, seeing what’s new, and getting a firsthand look at all the inspiration packed into the show floor. There were new fabrics, notions, tools, and plenty of creative ideas to take in, and with so many exhibitors and designers gathered in one place, there was certainly no shortage of things to see — it’s always a great time!

Of course, just because I’m out of town doesn’t mean things slow down at PG. While I was busy taking it all in at h+h, the newest quilt in my Weekend Edition Quilt Series was also busy making its debut back home last Friday! I didn’t get a chance to blog about it at the time, but I definitely don’t want this month’s release to get lost in the shuffle, so let’s talk about it now.

If you’re looking for a project that won’t make you question your life choices halfway through piecing it, Brick by Brick is about as beginner-friendly as it gets! This one is made using my Pumpkin Spice Gatherings fabric line, a warm, vintage-inspired fall collection filled with cozy creams, rich oranges, tans, reds, greens, purples, and blacks. The quilt uses just three jelly rolls for the entire quilt top and binding, so there’s no complicated shopping list or mountain of different cuts to keep track of — just straightforward piecing and a finished quilt measuring 58″ × 74″. Patterns and kits are available now by clicking the button below, and remember… if you order your four yards of backing with your kit, you’ll also get 20% off your backing!

Now, I know I just said October is flying by, but someone please tell me how on earth did we get to the final stretch of the Joyful Gatherings II Quilt-Along already? This week marks Week #5, which means it’s time to work on blocks 21–25! If you’ve been following along week by week, these are the final five main blocks before we wrap things up next week with the cornerstone blocks.

Just like with all of my quilt-alongs, there are also PRIZES to be had for participating in Joyful Gatherings II! To refresh your memory, each week Heidi randomly chooses one lucky stitcher who posts their progress in my STITCH with Lisa Bongean Facebook group. At the end of the quilt-along there will also be a nice grand prize, so make sure you’re posting photos of your work by Thursday each week for a chance to win!

Since we’re on the topic of quilt-alongs, now seems like a great time to talk about yet another Christmas-themed Primitive Gatherings Quilt-Along that just started TODAY! This year’s annual Countdown to Christmas Quilt-Along is called Sew This is Christmas, and just like our previous Countdown to Christmas quilts, this one’s also a mystery! That means you’ll have to stitch along with us to discover exactly what the finished quilt looks like. The quilt-along runs for six weeks, with a new clue released each Wednesday from October 7 through November 11. Each clue is just $5 to purchase and download, and by the time you reach that sixth and final clue, you’ll get the big reveal!

This year’s Countdown to Christmas quilt features a festive mix of fabrics from my Joyful Gatherings II and Candlelight Christmas collections, and you’ll have two sizes to choose from. The smaller version finishes at 66″ × 79½”, while the larger quilt finishes at 93″ × 106½”. Whether you’re looking for a more manageable size or want to go big for a quilt that makes a real statement, there’s an option for you!

Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? For many of you, I know it’s hard to blindly trust a mystery quilt when you have no idea what you’re making, but have faith — when have I ever steered you wrong? If you’re ready to take the trust plunge with Sew This is Christmas, hold my hand, head over to the official quilt-along information page at lisabongean.com, and click on the “Quilt-Alongs” tab. That’s where you’ll find all the details, including fabric requirements, kits, and clue/pattern downloads so you can get started!

Whew — there! Now that I’ve basically got you all caught up, I can safely say meet me back here on the internet tomorrow by tuning in to my YouTube channel, STITCH with Lisa Bongean at 1:00 p.m. CST for your weekly dose of me and my gang! I’ll be talking more in depth about my h+h americas experience and will fill you in on some of the cool stuff I saw and purchased there. I’ll also discuss the final stretch of the Joyful Gatherings II Quilt-Along and what you need to do to prepare for finishing it up. On top of that, we’ll obviously be giving Sew This is Christmas the kick-off it deserves, so don’t miss it! Click the STITCH button below to watch and I’ll see ya there. Until then, have a wonderful evening and happy stitching! ~Lisa