Category: Quilt Books

Book Blog Tour! Giveaway!

 

Let’s go on a tour?  A book tour….I know a lot of you are crazy about your embroidery… and who doesn’t have way too much going on and in need of some organization?  
 
This amazing planner by life long stitcher, Christen Brown is such a unique and great idea.

It is designed especially for embroiderers so that you can track multiple projects throughout the year—because let’s face it, who doesn’t have lots of projects going at once?! Set your project goals, track your progress, and manage your time and works-in-progress (WIPs). Each project has four pages to track and record all the critical details: the name of your project, the layout, the stitches and embellishments, due dates, supply lists and more. Plus, flip to the back of the planner for a reference section and even more handy tools.

  • Get inspired to start AND finish your projects with project sheets, tracking logs, and beautiful embroidery photos
  • Keep track of classes, gifts, contact info, and so much more
  • Spiral-bound and tabbed for ease of use
Are you ready to win your copy? Just leave a comment below and tell me how many projects you are currently working on and why you need this planner…I will pick a winner for the planner on Monday June 21st…
 
Also Christen has a couple of other books that I own…do you have these in your STITCH library?Click HERE to order these books for $10 off if you order both!!!

You will also have a chance to win the planner from the other participants on the blog tour, when you visit their sites.

The timing on this is perfect…are you following our Crazy Fall Stitch Along?

Follow along here…all the blocks are posted each week
A

 

All for now…take care…and keep on STITCHING everyday!  Lisa

 

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Sample Spree Summer Quilt Along! Starts today!!!

A fun summer quilt along…who’s in?  

I know you are doing the American Quilter’s SAL…but I don’t want to miss out either!!! So let’s just all do what we can and just keep stitching on…whatever we get done we get done…I did just finish my last Sewcialite Block today!!! Can’t wait to show that off!

Sampler Spree: 101+ Fresh & Fun Quilt Blocks by Susan Ache. 

You will need the book to quilt-along – that is the only place to find the instructions for the 101 blocks we’re making.  The book also has the information to make this quilt.

CT Susan Ache SS QAL Give & Take Flat

Click HERE to order your book!

Give & Take – it finishes at 83½” x 83½”.

Fabric.  How much do you need? 

Page 8.  All yardage is based on 42″ wide fabric. 

  • 1 yard total of assorted cream prints for large blocks
  • 3 yards total of assorted light scraps for blocks – or approx. 3 yards for a single background.
  • 3.875 yards total of assorted medium and dark scraps for blocks – referred to collectively as “dark”.
  • 1.25 yards of white solid for sashing
  • 2.375 yards of peach solid for sashing

The quilt-along starts today!!!! – Wednesday, June 16. 

New blocks will be shared every Wednesday through August 18 – ten weeks of sewing.

Wait.  Ten weeks, a hundred blocks… ten blocks a week? 

CT Susan Ache SS Blocks Design Wall

Yes.  Just remember Rule No. 1 about the Sampler Spree quilt-along – we’re doing this to have fun!  It’s not a race.  Some folks will make ten blocks in two days, others will make two blocks in ten days.  Maybe.  So don’t worry about “keeping up”.  Just enjoy the process.

Sewing by color.  We will be using a single color for the blocks each week – e.g., the first week’s blocks will be Blue. 

CT Susan Ache SS Blocks

The weekly colors are: Orange, Aqua/Teal/Turquoise, Brown & Tan, Green, Purple/Coral/Pink, Navy Blue, Yellow & Gold, Black & Gray, and Red.  And Blue – e.g., Cornflower, Delft, and so on.

And no, that’s not the order of the colors.  We have to keep a few things a surprise!

CT Susan Ache SS Color Bundles

When we discussed doing this, there were two things that convinced us to do this.  One, this is how Susan sews through her scrap bins in the summer.  One color at a time – one bin at a time.  Two, we liked the challenge of it, limitations can spark a whole lot of creativity. 

But – this is not required!  Nobody will be shunned, or voted off the island, for not sewing by color.  Adjust the colors and shades to suit you – your scraps, your color palette, what you like. 

CT Susan Ache SS Checklist Stack of Fabrics

We are stitching blocks in book order because we are stitching all blues!!!!

Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL
Lisa Bongean/Sample Spree QAL

We at Primitive Gatherings are stitching ALL blues blocks this time….the blocks are made up of Indigo Gatherings & Starlight Gatherings.  We are using 1 cream background Bella Porcelain    You also can pre- order your Starlight Gatherings HERE.  The highlighted areas are shop-able links

Do I have to make every block? 

Of course not – what’s the rule?.  There are one-hundred blocks necessary to make the Give & Take quilt, so you can skip a few.  If there are blocks you really love, and love making, then make more of those.  Playing around with the light/dark placement, and the colors, in many of the blocks will change the look of the block.  

CT Susan Ache SS Blocks 2

Will there be other setting options? 

Yes.  Susan will be sharing a couple of different options along the way, including a couple of projects made with just one block from the book.  (And so will we.)

Who is sewing along?

Quilt-along stitchers – Instagram / Facebook / Blog:

So are you ready?

CT Susan Ache SS Layer Cake Squares

This is one reason why so many of us love Layer Cakes.  They are often used for photos, and then folded to make little collection bundles.  With Susan’s book and this quilt-along, the bundles were quickly taken apart and sorted by color.  

Can I tell you a secret?  The squares look so pretty in the boxes that pulling squares out and cutting them up will be really hard. 

But not impossible. 

We’ll see you next week. 

For a PDF of this blog post – Sampler Spree: A Checklist

If you missed any of the earlier posts with Susan:

 

 

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Lisa Bongean

travel adventures- part 2

 

Hey…When you have a long weekend in St. George UT what can you do?  Stitch, Hike,  Spa, Netflix and stitch some more…

THURSDAY:On our way to Zion!  Up early, bundled up in warm clothes for our 42 degree, winter hike on my first trip to Zion National Park.

I had so much fun and want to go back to do more trails…look at this rock I was at a rock shop..

FRIDAY: We stitched in the morning and had massage appointments at Red Mountian Spa…I had the best massage ever!  Ask for Trevor…he helped with my TMJ, Arms, hands and neck…It felt so amazing!  I just may have to stay there sometime!

SATURDAY: We stitched and in the afternoon we went to this trail…it was an off-road adventure for sure.

Inside that hole in the above pic…

Some deep breaths…some meditation…and some mind-clearing for what lies ahead…I know I will visit this place, again and again, this next year…I will just close my eyes and I will be there.  This is priceless.

Simple is best!

After our hike we stitched into the night while watching Bridgerton on Netflix.

SUNDAY- Another day of stitching while watching my Green Bay Packers lose the NFC playoff game…But the best team won that day…we beat ourselves.  We finished up watching the last couple of episodes of Brigerton.  I completed almost all of my projects I  took along for the trip.  I can’t wait for you to see or receive them!

MONDAY-We packed up and headed back to Las Vegas where I jumped on a plane and now I am in Minneapolis waiting to catch my last flight home….

I also want to acknowlege we had much to celebrate during this weekend…I’m so proud of you Val…two new knee surgeries and 35lbs gone.   I so happy that you are my friend….

Thanks for hanging out with me here,  I know it’s mostly rocks…but it was amazing in person…if you want to see more of my trip I did post a video of Zion in my Facebook group Stitch With Lisa Bongean.

Have a great week….Look for more videos, quilts and wool projects coming soon!

Take care of yourselves. Lisa

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Lisa Bongean

travel adventures- part 1-revised

Hey Everyone…just stopping in to write about my travels…I just decided it was time to get back to normal for me.  I know it’s not the time for everyone, but it is for me.  I started with going to Atlanta to the world market to look for furniture for our new build (check out the progress here) and for new home dec for our store for fall and Christmas …as it will be that time just when we are moving in!  This table and stools will be our conference table..Also thought you might want to see that companies are still decorating with antique quilts…

There was so much to choose from…three skyscrapers full of shop owners to buy for their stores.

I really loved these jingle bells!

I did manage to stitch one thing in Atlanta…This will be a pillow in my book in April, Farmhouse Urban Patchwork Gatherings.Lisa Bongean After Atlanta…it was off to see the California store…after 1 year of not coming to CA…it was time.  Dru picked me up from the airport, and we went straight to my favorite eating place.  The Goat & Vine…(I think we ate there a total of 3x out of the 5 days I was there.  Then I went to Big Bear Lake on Saturday and Sunday with my friend Roxanne.  We hiked and sewed…I make 960 HSTs.   This is the ski hill from our hiking trail.

We might have shopped and eaten a little too!  We are in the famous breakfast place in town?  Anybody know where?

Then back to the CA store to do two Social virtual sewing zoom gatherings with a combined total of 50 customers.  It was so fun to see everyone, stitch, talk about what was going on, and even saw some sewing rooms!  Thank you to all who joined it…it was a fun day, and I hope to do it again soon!

Next up was a flight to Vegas…yes, I know I thought we were going to drive, but the flight was too reasonable, and then I didn’t put anyone out too much by driving all day.  Val picked me up at the airport, and we started on our way to St. George, UT, but we had a side stop at…Sherrie McConnell’s house!!!  Sherrie is my Moda sister.  I miss all my Moda sisters, and it was fun to see one of them, at least!  Val machine quilts for Sherrie too!

Sherri showing us her sewing room!

All the quilts….in the vault.  Follow Sherri (A Quilting Life)  on Youtube, where she has a podcast with her beautiful daughter Chelsi and lots of videos on quilting!

And here we are in her podcast studio… It is part of the spare bedroom…who knew????

We set the timer for the photo. We got nicer ones…but I like this one!

Sherri made us a delicious lunch of potato soup and chicken salad croissants and then sent us back on the trail..to St. George…I’ll post more on St. George…in part 2.

Happy Saturday…Hiking again today!

 

 

 

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2021…A New Year…a New beginning…

Happy New Year Everyone!

I know this blog post is not posting on Jan 1.  I find that you either love a new year or are not impressed with having to make new resolutions. I feel that you can make resolutions, goals, commitments, or whatever you want to call them… any time of the year can be new beginning.

In January…I do make my lists, figure out my goals and I start organizing.  This all takes a lot of time and thought.  I do not rush it. I want to feel comfortable with them and make sure they are not too big, too small, attainable, or completely out of reach.  Am I pushing myself enough?  Or am I taking the easy or simple way out?

I hope you hang out with me this year…Here on my blog, on my YouTube Channel- Stitch with Lisa Bongean, or on our Stitch with Lisa Facebook group.  We are excited about 2021.  Here is a rough list of what will be going on with me and Primitive Gatherings in 2021. Stay tuned for all the FUN!

101 Itty Bitty Stitch Along– Books are here and we will be shipping them soon!

Every day deserves to be celebrated, and with 101 Itty Bitties to choose from, it’s easy to make that happen. Use wool scraps and a bit of hand stitching to create 2″ squares with motifs and sayings for holidays, seasons, sports, gardening, pets, and more. The designs are quick to complete and make perfect take-along projects. Tuck the tiny treasures into vignettes, turn them into wearable art, add a magnet and display them on your refrigerator, tie them to a gift, or send one to a friend to brighten their day–the possibilities are endless. Make an Itty Bitty (or 101!) and make every day a celebration!

101 Itty Bitty Celebrations

American Quilter’s Stitch Along– Starts Feb 1st- Fingers crossed the fabric come in, in January.  You will need a FAT QUARTER bundle of American Gatherings fabric.  Patterns will be free downloads.  We will be raising money for veterans with each bundle sold and auctions and donationsLisa Bongean's Stitch Along

Moda Block Heads 3 is finishing up- I will be posting my layout soon.

Moda Block Heads 3 -Block 20
Lisa Bongean Moda Block Heaeds 3 Block 20- Contribution

Sewcialites with the Fat Quarter Shop- I am keeping up and doing two sizes  3″ & 9″.

Sewcialites-2-Loyal Lisa Bongean
3″Moda Bella Solids & Urban Farmhouse Gatherings I & II

Ready will be starting another monthly Wool Stitch Along?  Early Spring 2021.

We will continue to offer Video Tutorials on techniques and projects.– Let us know if you have any suggestions that are not on our list.  We are learning and buying better equipment for 2021.  Please share our videos and comment, “Like” and subscribe to our channel.  We are starting to make a little money on these videos, however, it takes lots of watched hours to make it add up.  The more who watch it, the more we can do… and it will help pay for what it takes for us to keep creating these videos!  STITCH WITH LISA BONGEAN is our YouTube Channel

Here is our latest video on Prepping, Stitching and Connecting wool pennies for wool applique.

star spangles pennie mat

Wool Box subscription– I am working on designing and completing our projects way ahead of our ship dates.  A lot of planning has to go into these with our subscription at 1300.  If I  use an FQ of flannel or wool…that is 325 total yards…just so you can understand what this means.  This subscription is closed.  We just added more spots and are filled up at this time.  Watch our group for info on when you will be able to join if we have some openings.

Photos from previous wool boxes.

We have five Moda fabric lines coming this year…American  Gatherings, Urban  Farmhouse 2, Yuletide Gatherings-Flannel, Homestead Gatherings-Wovens & Starlight Gatherings.American Gatherings- January arrival- probably February…36 SKUs

urban farmhouse gatheringws

Urban Farmhouse 2- Arriving April 2021-40-SKUS

Yuletide Gatherings

Yuletide Gatherings Flannels- Arriving July 2021-40 SKUS

Homestead Gathering Wovens- wait for more info-Arriving September- 40 SKUs

Starlight Gatherings…wait for more info…arriving October 2021

 

Primitive Gatherings is  BUILDING a new store/warehouse and retreat house…all set to be finished in May/June 2021.  Visit this page to see updates on a regular basis.  Or look on my blog header for THE BUILD.

Today we have a LIVE so join us at 2pm CST…that is 3PM East Coast, 1 MST and 12 PST….see you then…We will be live on Youtube..link is above.

I know this is a lot of information…Know that you helped make this all possible..Can’t wait to share our year together…Love Lisa

 

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Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 & Giveaway!

Uneven 9 Patch Quilt Block a tutorial featured as part of the Block Heads quilting series by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

Happy Block Heads Wednesday!

Here is another great Quilt Block FOR OUR QUILT ALONG PROJECT: STARRY EYED
Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

My 4″ STARRY EYED- quilt block was made with   Urban Farmhouse Gatherings

How do you pick your fabrics for your blocks FOR YOUR QUILT ALONG PROJECT?

I started with two Layercakes…one of Urban Farmhouse & Indigo Gatherings

I have my unused 10″ layercake squares to the left…I have all the fabric that I have used in previous blocks in baggies sorted by color.  So I try to use a new fabric that I have not used before and then if I need just a little something I use one of previously used fabrics…

I start cutting and then laying out my pieces from A-to how many letters there are in the block…

Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean
Planning what fabric to use in this block…

then I put all the fabrics on the design board to see if I like them…

Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa BongeanNow… I think it looks OK…but what If I gave it a little more oommmph!

Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa BongeanJust by changing one fabric I like it better…now…there is nothing wrong with the first attempt, but sometimes you need to play a little…

This week on all the designers blogs you can enter to win a Moda BlockHeads 1 Book!  The coolest quilt book publisher… Martigale… is sponsoring this today!  Winner will be picked on Monday!Moda Block Heads 3 Quilt Along Project Block 15 featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

And don’t forget to print your block 15 pattern from our Moda Block Head Quilt Along Project in this link below:

Click HERE to get Corey’s pattern!

Here is the list of ALL the participating Moda designers for you to visit and enter their givea-way!

Click this Icon to visit Primitive Gatherings!

primitive gatherings logo featured by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

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