…in With the New!

Hey everyone, I hope you had a nice weekend! Most of you know that I was feeling less than adequate by the middle of last week, so I was pretty relieved once Friday evening came rolling in. I’m not usually one to spend my weekends laying around, but I’ll be the first to admit that is exactly what I did for the last couple of days. I am notorious for not allowing myself enough time to recuperate after an illness so I’ve been trying super hard to take it as easy as I can so that I don’t end up making myself sick again. Despite the logic in that, you know it hasn’t necessarily been easy for me to relent to what my body needs versus what my brain wants. Tale as old as time…

Thanks again for bearing with the time change last week for my LIVE show on Friday. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, no worries. You can always catch the replay by hitting the STITCH button at the end of my post. I went over a bunch of new projects that I’ve been impatiently waiting to release to you for a while now. If you’re unable to watch, no worries. I’ll go through them here for you, one by one.

Let’s start with one of the latest additions to my clipboard banner series called, It’s a Good Day.” I love this banner! I’m a firm believer that a huge factor in finding true happiness in your life is simply choosing it on a daily basis. It’s a Good Dayreminds us that every day is a good day to be happy…

This banner is great if you need a gift in between holidays for a birthday or other occasion, or – just because! It’s easy to cheer someone up. It’s a Good Daymakes it easier than ever! At 12″ x 12″ this banner fits perfectly on one of Scotty’s custom built clipboards, which makes displaying it fast and convenient – especially if you already have the board for other projects. If not, you can easily order it along with the pattern and kit for by selecting “add clipboard” when making your order selections.

If you’re a fan of my seasonal clipboard series and want to keep adding to it, check out All Things Pumpkin.” This seasonal banner features all things…gourd really. LOL! Basically any kind of “pumpkin-like” fruit that we see here in WI around the harvest time.

I had a lot of fun making each and every one of the little cuties adorning this autumn-themed banner, and you will too! Plus, at the manageable size of 12″ x 12″ if you’re new to wool appliqué, this is a great project to get some good practice in without making a huge commitment. Ready to get started? Click above to add All Things Pumpkin to your hanging banner collection!

Next up we have a cute little project that I came up with simply called, Wool Bucket and Rotary Cutter Case.” I’ll admit that it took me a try or two to get this one figured out just right so that the sides were stiff enough but I’m really happy with the final product. The outside of the basket is wool, and the inside is soft flannel.

I designed this project so that when you order the kit you end up with enough for two projects in the end, rather than a bunch of waste. After you’re done with the basket you should have plenty left over from the kit to also get an adorable wool appliquéd rotary cutter holder out of it. I really love the idea of projects that yield more than one thing in the end to show for all your hard work and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint! It makes a great gift or the perfect functional project to keep for yourself.

Looking for a mini-charm friendly project? Try Mini Scrappy Pouch.” This project is pretty much exactly as the title reads – a mini pouch made using a mini charm (plus your binding and lining) perfect for keeping all sorts of things safe and sound all in the same place. There’s no such thing as too many zipper pouches in my humble opinion – I have them everywhere! I keep thread, needles, other notions, bobbins… anything I need to keep contained really – all safe and sound in these little babies. They’re super fast to put together and make perfect gifts for your stitcher friends. Plus, they’re PERFECT for traveling! Grab one for you and a few more to give away. Each comes with a zipper charm to make it extra personal. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned quilter, you can’t go wrong with Mini Scrappy Pouch!

Moving on to some larger scale projects, we have Nantucket Summer,” a quilt originally from our quilt box subscription that is now finally available to the rest of the world. It offers a simple yet eye-pleasing design derived from everyone’s favorite – half-square triangles!

This quilt can conveniently be done using just a charm pack. It’s not a difficult quilt to do but if you’re one of those people who’s not a huge fan of half-square triangles, I highly recommend using my 1 1/4″ half-square triangle paper, which you can find by clicking HERE. To order Nantucket Summer click the link above!

On With 2022 is one of my favorite projects from last year’s wool box, and it just so happened to be the on-going project. This wool appliqué runner features hexis, wool pennies, stars, fancy stitches, and a rainbow of color to dazzle your mind’s eye.

There was a ton of interest in this runner so it makes me happy to finally be able to share it with you. If you do decide to tackle this beauty please be aware that the background wool color and texture included in the kit is subject to change. Also, the Homespun backing is not provided in the kit for this one so if you would like the backing fabric, please make sure to select and put that in your cart. You will need 1/3 yard.

Many of you have heard me talking about my 1883 project from our exclusive Special Edition gift box earlier this winter and after hearing all the rave reviews it’s gotten, I’m sure you’re anxious to get your hands on it. Well, wait no longer! 1883 is now available for purchase as an individual project!

Featured on one of Scotty’s custom designed display boards, 1883 was lovingly designed around the spin-off of one of my favorite shows of all time, Yellowstone! It features a pretty floral motif with a handsome spring robin and is done with wool appliqué. As a little bonus, you’ll also be able to squeeze out the matching pin cushion with any excess wool left over from your kit. As you can see I used the 1883 date on the main project, and this year’s date on the pincushion. How will you date yours?

Did you see anything that you’re extra excited about? Let me know in the comments what caught your eye and what you think your next project is going to be. Remember, if you’d like to see those projects a bit more in detail, don’t forget you can always go back and watch me go through them on last week’s episode of STITCH with Lisa by hitting the link below.

Ok folks, that’s it for today! This girl is exhausted. The good news is, Captain Crab Ass is actually Captain Sweetie Pie today, since he is at home as we speak preparing pork chops, green beans and mashed potatoes for dinner… And yes, without even being asked! We might pick on the poor guy a lot around here but trust me – it’s all good. He knows he’s loved. Have a great night everyone and I will see you all again soon! Until then, take care and have a lovely evening. ~Lisa

 

 

What can a Quilter Do During the Coronavirus Quarantine? Thoughts shared by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

What can a Quilter Do During the Coronavirus Quarantine? Stitch!

What’s going on WITH THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE?  IN WI & CA…

I don’t know what to say, as I do not know what to do, or how to fix it!  But hopefully, the smarter people in this country will figure it out.  The only thing that seems logical to me during this Coronavirus quarantine is to stay home and/or stay in a protected environment with those who choose to not venture out.  We agree only to be  going to work and back.  We have closed the WI store, but are operating our quilting web/online site…We are here if you need anything, but if you don’t need anything at the moment, we understand that too.

Dru and the crew  in CA will decide when or if to close the CA store, if you want to call and pick something up they will have it ready, or if you need it shipped they can do that as well.  If you need a quilt quilted Luke will surely love to stay busy and will have your quilt done in no time. We also know there are more important things going on right now than buying quilting supplies online. Let’s pray we will be all able to bounce back from whatever this deals us.

It was all hands on deck today to get our Wool subscription boxes in the mail, yes I actually stuffed boxes!!!  We do not want them in postal limbo.  What if they decide to shut down our mail? So to be safe, rather than sorry, our crew got them ready and they will be going to the post office tomorrow.   Not to worry, your boxes are on the way!!!  We actually have only 30 boxes unsold for this round out of a 1000, so pretty soon our subscription will be closed.  If  you are looking for some nice little projects the wool subscription boxes are super fun and a great deal… over $100 worth of exclusive designs for only $60! You will have to call the shop in order to buy them at this time 920-722-7233, the subscription is $60. They are $82 after they have been revealed.

Let’s Stay Safe DURING THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE:

As Quilters, we should be relishing the fact that they are telling us to stay home.  There is so much to do.  We can stay in our sewing rooms for days/weeks and be just fine with it!  Let’s stitch to our hearts content and post our progress on our social media.  Flood it with our beautiful sewing accomplishments.  When times get tough, the tough keep stitching!!!!

Personally, I am taking this time to work on my deadlines to catch up and to be actually ahead for once. We almost have all our new quilts done for Quilt Market!!!!  Here is a peek at our Spring
Quilt Market release.   Redwork Gatherings, I promise a post or two to show you all the quilts on this later.

What can a Quilter Do During the Coronavirus Quarantine? Thoughts shared by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean
Redwork Gatherings Coming in August 2020!

Yes, I’d be lying if I wasn’t worried about making our payroll with no sales coming in.  But worrying about it is not going to help, a lot of small businesses will be in the same position.  So I am just going to stitch away and hope it all works its way out.  We have invested in a big quilt show coming up and a beautiful retreat in the middle of April in North Carolina.

What can a Quilter Do During the Coronavirus Quarantine? Thoughts shared by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean
Triumph Tulips designed for our Outer Banks Retreat in North Carolina

I hope we are all able to go by then…fingers crossed….if we stay home now maybe by then it will be over…

 

Good News!

we have a winner for last Friday’s Quilting GiveAway!

Robin Crittenden

robinquilts1@xxxxxxx
I buy fat quarters or 1/2 yards unless the fabric really.takes my breath then I do yards.

has won a kit for our Be Kind/ Golden Rule quilt and a Two, Four Six, Eight Quilt book using Fat Quarters! Please contact Amy at–  ahoefler@new.rr.com and she will get your kit out to you!!!  Your book will be a download and will be sent in an email from Martingale!

What can a Quilter Do During the Coronavirus Quarantine? Thoughts shared by top US quilting blogger, Lisa Bongean

This kit comes from this book…

B1532_cover Instagram square

all for now….

Be smart and be safe my friends! xxx Lisa

 

 

 

12 Days of Needful Things…Day 4!

12 Days of Xmas Ornaments 4DAY 4 AURIFIL THREADS AND BOBBIN BUDDIES

Then next two items go hand in hand.  While the Aurifil thread is no stranger to us, these cute little bobbin buddies are new this year…IMG_4722

The  50wt. Aurifil threads is the best threads for our sewing machine stitching.  Hands down… It’s fine…doesn’t take up room in the seam…its a 50/2 this means it 50 wt. but only wound with 2 strands of thread…most 50wts. are 3 strands….it’s clean…there will be hardly any lint residue in your bobbin case or machine… They come in three sizes…mini spools with 220 yds for $5.00…regular spools with 1422 yds on them for $13.35…and then the large cones with 6452 yds for $50.00…I use mainly the regular and cones sizes for my machine piecing and the mini spools would be for hand or machine appliqué where you would need lots of colors….

Why the big cone?  It’s like getting one of the regular sizes free if you do the math?  Yes, the cone seems like a lot of $$$ but it is the better bargain especially if you only stitch with 4 threads like I do…cream, black, medium tan, but mostly the dark taupe…

Now my favorite thing to mention is one the biggest mistakes people do in machine piecing… drives me crazy when I see it…and I notice it right away…Do you know what it is??? Using TOO light of thread when piecing…it sticks out like a siren blaring!!! We need to darken our threads so they blend in…I know we need to use cream when we are piecing cream on cream…but when we are piecing cream and navy together I still would use a dark thread…My all time favorite thread that is stitched into 90% of my quilt is 1140.  Shown here on my machineIMG_4756…I know it looks dark here…but it disappears in my piecing.  Have I ever led you astray? If you do not want to go this dark…the other one that would work 2372…but I really love the 1140. Shop the AURIFIL selection of threads by clicking the link. The threads we carry in the cones will have a drop down box for you to pick your selection of either cone or regular spool.  If you want a fast link to my cone 1140 here that it…1140  All Aurifil Thread will be 25% off and will show up in the cart at the discounted price…

Now aren’t’ these little bobbin buddies so cute?  Organization is the key here…its so nice to keep a bobbin with a thread for when you need to quick stitch something…and you don’t have to look for a matching bobbin, its right there…I love that I can now store my lonely cream thread with it matching bobbin…and when I need it…its right there!  The bobbin buddies are reg. 6/$2.10  on sale for 6/$1.75.  Order yours here. BOBBIN BUDDIES The discount will show up in your cart.

Fast post today…lots to do at work and for the Holidays….I stitched most of the day yesterday…on this lovely blockIMG_4754…do you stitch everyday? If so tell, me…your daily schedule…if not…tell why NOT??? in the comment section for today…Remember, to HOLD if your holding and I have to slow down a little and enjoy this all…you do the same today!

…and to clear up the questions about the Lakehouse…We held Luke and Brooke’s wedding on August 22 this last summer….

IMG_0962 IMG_0786 IMG_0878 IMG_0916 IMG_0652 IMG_1007 IMG_1171 IMG_0955the next day we emptied the house…on Monday Habitat for Humanity striped the house, as we donated the house to them…The next day it was down and hauled away, there is no part of the house remaining, full tear down..that is why we had to move back from the lake to 58 1/2″ at the closest.  New construction is now 75 feet away…but because we were 30ft, they took an average and came up with the 58 1/2 feet…the boathouse/guest house is still standing we will remodel that…no more turd brown house with turd brown trim.…IMG_3435

12 Days of Needful Things…Day 8!

12 Days of Xmas Ornaments 8DAY 8 STEAM-A-SEAM 2 LITE

I have to admit to you that I usually am working on a couple of post ahead of when they post…this is not the case right now…With all the rain we have had some water issues along with some meetings for the new house has put me back a bit…but I’ll catch up today…So I am actually writing this post today!

images-3I am featuring  this needful thing AGAIN this year because I think it is extremely needful…I know there are tons of fusible webs out there…but I think this one is the best for WOOL appliqué.  For several reason…Now that they have finally figured out all the glitches it works perfectly now…The following is a step by step directions on how to use SAS2Lite…

Trace your design on the side that has the 1″ grid…-(FYI the 24″ wide now comes with a yellow grid that is not so “there” the yellow is more subtle, which I really like.)

Remove the backing paper and place your shape on the wool.  Iron using lots of HEAT…you cannot over heat the SAS2Lite, and keeping the iron moving over the wool.

Cut out your shapes using a nice fine scissors…cut away the traced line as wool is fluffier than normal cotton.  So the shapes grow a little. This is why I cut 3/16″ stems- when they are stitched they are a 1/4″…if i would cut 1/4″ they would look bigger than a 1/4″, like 3/8″after being stitched and sometimes this is too big.  I notice this on peoples blocks that their stems are a lot chubbier than mine…again…they look at the diagram and cut 1/4″ and do not read those directions I painstakingly wrote for them and have them cut 3/16″. LOL…

Remove the paper from the back of the shape and place it on your background.

Iron with tons of heat and steam…lots of presses up and down always keeping the iron moving at all time…the steam should be giving you a facial on the side.

Once it all looks good…flip it over and steam the back side too…up and down presses, lots of steam and heat…-no worries you will not wreck the fusible with too much

Now it’s time to stitch…

I sometimes hear that stitcher’s do not care for the SAS2Lite because it gives you a gummy needle…I do not have this problem…If you do you are not steaming enough..I will help remedy this problem later…The SAS2 loves steam and heat and I say this all the time in my classes that Wool and Steam are best friends…You will not have lifting or losing parts on your project…there are no pins, glues or any thing to get in your way of stitching or messing on your beautiful wools…your appliqués are clean and neat because of the fusible web, not all fuzzy and unmanageable….When you are laying out your wool the SAS2 has a tacky back that allows you to layout a whole big block and then tweak until it perfect and then steam it all down at once…I do not like slipy slidy appliqués they are too hard to manage.  So that is the story of SAS2 Lite…Please try it…you will never go back to the others.

Unknown-1We have ordered a ton of the sheets of the SAS2LITE so you can stock up or try it for the first time…This pack reg. $5 is on special for $4.00…BUT  if you order more than 1 we will give you $25% off…so they will go down to $3.75 a package STEAM-A-SEAM2 …the cart will figure your discounts usual…and remember to HOLD if thats what you doing…we truly appreciate the HOLD as this allows us to order ahead or for Jake to make ahead, if you wait until after the event to order all at once…it will take a bit longer, it you don’t care thats fine..

 

 

 

So with that said…here is a peek at what If am working on ..It is ODD that I would be working on something “in season”…I have a new line of MODA fabric called Christmas Gatherings coming out in MAY 2016…So I thought we would do a book to go along with the line of Moda fabrics.
Christmas Gatherings Covers LR-350x350 2I have yet to do a book in conjunction with a fabric line so this is a first…but I want the book to be all what I do and not just fabric quilts…so the book will have cotton and wool projects..lots of them.

 

 

Here is a peek at what is currently in progress at our studio and how we go about writing and self publishing our books…This book will be made completely in house here at Primitive Gatherings…IMG_4711A big part of what I do is write directions…here is how this happens… I bring Teri my ideas/rough schetches…she create the quilts digitally with the fabric sku’s…I figure out yardages for all the cotton quilts…these two things go to the MODA marketing crew to prepare sell sheets for the fabric reps to help promote the fabric sales….Then I take the yardages I have figured out and write the directions for the quilts.

When my sample yardage comes  Amy cuts and starches all the fabrics.IMG_4712   Teri- our graphic designer…gets the first draft copy done and we proceed to cut the quilts, so we are working from the book right from the start and can ward off any nasty boo boos…which would  devastate us. IMG_4710

These appliqué projects have been prepped with SAS2LITE and are waiting to be stitched by meIMG_4628IMG_4707Amy is piecing the Flying Geese for my Christmas Rose..these big appliqué blocks…I am piecing Boxes of CandyIMG_4709… Jean is currently binding All wrapped up…after it came off my quilting machineIMG_4630…So we have one quilt done!!!  If you like what you see going on here you can pre order out next book  CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS BOOK

I will give you a tour on one of these posts…of the whole Primitive Gatherings.  Have a great day…and Day 8 means we only have 8 more days to complete all what we need to get done…I better get going!!! LB

REMEMBER  to leave a comment to WIN some SAS2Lite!!!

 

Threads for Freebie 2015

to plant a flower... (1)As you can see I am working on the freebie…and some of you have asked for ALL of the threads I have used…so I tried to get this as far as I could so I could name all of them…not saying there might not be another…but I doubt it…so here are the threads I have used so far…and a peek at how far I am, I will show you the whole thing as soon as I am finished!!!…I know I’m terrible, but I promise you will L-O-V-E it!…Its turning out AWESOME!!! A great FREEBIE!……You have until today to order if you do not want to miss this weeks..Sunflower block…we only give them away free in the week they are purchased in  otherwise you have to pay lots of money to get the ones you missed!!! Again…terrible…I know…Here’s the list…If you want them ALL I have come up with a SPECIAL price of $100…they are $120 reg/price…but they won’t be on the site yet as it is Sunday…and Judi is off til tomorrow, If you order it today put it in the comment section that you want it added…or email us after you place your order and we will manually add it!

#12 Valdani

O560

O526

m30

P2

V4

190

O548

191

P12

3SF Valdani

m81

O178

O154

O561

O506

m28

842

O534

813

O775

O592

H208

1641

O560

P10

V3

871

O550

#8 VALDANI

O196

 

 

 

Is it Summer yet?

IMG_0537 2

 

 

Just thought I would send out a post and tell you all what going on…First…Its fun to see the college kids come back to work…JJ, Dominic and Abbey are helping the warehouse girls…Lynn, Sherrie, Rose, Rose(foxy) and Robin get all these SBOW’s ready…They all freak out that I don’t have it ready yet!!! Then magically in a couple of days I can have 12 blocks drawn, 2 stitched with sashings 3 more fused and all 15 of the FREEBIES fused and 2 stitched, the Freebie is called “To Plant a Flower…”all the threads picked out and now I can concentrate on stitching…oh wait…Row by Row?…Ok..got that drawn…Wisconsin Shop Hop, Amy pieced this for us…I just wrote directions and Val is quilting, can’t wait to show this off…all coming soon….its really non stop!!!!

I decided I would spend sometime in the evenings in my garden, which I have been neglecting for a couple of years, but not this year!…photos of gardens today and a photo bomber…I also have had a bad bad cough and sore throat that kicked my butt earlier this week…Much better today…thank GOD it is getting better…there is no time to not feel good.IMG_2527IMG_2525IMG_2520IMG_2523IMG_2519IMG_2510IMG_2524IMG_2522IMG_2517IMG_2509IMG_2518IMG_2513IMG_2507IMG_2516IMG_2512IMG_2511IMG_2505IMG_2504IMG_2503