Thank you for visiting Meadowbrook.  I will be back soon with new things to share.  

                                                            Happy Stitching!

                                                                    Kristen

Turnabout Quilt

Hey everyone, I'm back with a fun new quilt pattern from Fat Quarter Shop called Turnabout.  The Turnabout pattern is part of the Vintage and Classic Series from Fat Quarter Shop.  It has big blocks which means you do not have to make a lot of blocks for a large quilt.

I used Merry Little Christmas fabric by Bonnie and Camille which is a Christmas line from Moda.  There is a wonderful all over snowy print that was perfect for the middle of my stars.  I have always wanted a Christmas quilt and I finally have one.

To make this quilt even better, I used Cuddle fabric for the backing which makes this so cozy!  (Even better for a Christmas quilt and those cold, snowy nights.) I did quilt this 90 x 90 inch quilt myself on my Bernina 770.

There is a free pattern for this block which you can find here and low price pattern for putting the quilt together that you can find here.  Kimberly made a video that shows step by step how to make this block along with a kit for this quilt here,  Happy Stitching and Happy Turnabout!! --Kristen

We have a winner!`

Thank you for all the comments and letting me know what your weather has been like where you live.  The best part about blogging is connecting with people, I love that, and thank you!  I am sorry I'm so behind.  I've had some issues with aging parents the last few weeks that I've had to take care of.  Hopefully I can get in my sewing room this weekend again and get some quilting done, even if it is just a block!

The random number generator chose ThreadCatcher who commented "I just read about the new block at FQS. I like the fabrics you are using in your blocks. We are recovering from a winter rain/ice/snow storm over the weekend. A half inch of ice covered everything. I was happy to stay inside and sew! It's "warming" to 21 today. Spring in WI arrives slowly some years. Thanks for the chance to win the templates."  Congratulations!  I sent you an email. :)  And by the way, we woke up to snow yesterday morning, and it is still here.  I am so ready for spring!

There will be more giveaways soon.  Now, to get some sewing done!  Thank you all for the comments, they made my day!  Happy Stitching!!!--Kristen

Fat Quarter Shop Mayflower Block & A Giveaway

Good morning!  It is time for another FQS Exclusive Block pattern.  The Mayflower block is a 7-1/4" block that uses the Oregon Trail Template Set.  

I used Petal Power fabrics from Me and My Sister Designs for my blocks.  You can find the pattern for these blocks here.  There are also video instructions here.  

I have a set of the Oregon Trail templates to give away.  To enter, just leave me a comment telling me what the weather is like where you live.  :)  I will contact the winner on Monday, March 21  .  This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Hello!

Well, 2021 flew by, and one thing I've realized is I need to get back to my happy place, so here I am. :)

Later this week I will be showing a few blocks that I have made for the Fat Quarter Shop Mayflower block pattern that is coming out as well as a giveaway to go along with it. I used Petal Power by Me and My Sister Designs for my project which is a fabric line I fell in love with!!  

I have a list of quilts I am hoping to make this year, in no particular order, but I am hoping to be able to kind of keep up with the sew alongs.

1.  Winter Walk in the Woods with Joanna Figoursa (Fig Tree and Co) and Susan Vaughan (The Felted Pear).

2.  The 2022 mystery quilt with Laundry Basket Quilts.

3.  2022 Patchwork Hearts QAL with Emily Dennis.

4.  Pineapple Quilt Along with Gigi's Thimble.

5.  Holiday Forest with Laundry Basket Quilts.

6.  Bauhaus with Brigitte Heitland.

7.  RBD block challenge (Riley Blake).

8.  Probably about 20 others I find along the way (Fat Quarter Shop has a few that I would love to join in also)

There is nothing saying I won't take a detour from this list, but there is one thing I've discovered over the last year...if I make a list, I get way more accomplished...so my quilting list for 2022 is started.  And if I decide to make one block, ditch the quilt and construct a pillow, that may happen also.  This is a great place to start.

Tonight we are in a blizzard warning which includes 50 mph winds--perfect weather to snuggle under a quilt and dream of new projects this year may bring.  

Make sure to check back in a couple of days for the new Fat Quarter Shop Mayflower pattern and  giveaway.  Happy Stitching!!--Kristen

Half Yard Jam

It's time for another Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along and this quilt is a fun one to make.  It uses large pieces and blocks which allows for progress to be seen quickly.  It was so exciting to see it come together after an afternoon of sewing.

For fabrics, I chose Midsommar by Pippa Shaw for Figo Fabrics.  They are bright, colorful, and so easy to sew with.  The pattern is perfect for favorite large scale prints, or a mix of smaller ones. 

This quilt is large (90 1/2 x 90 1/2) and now is the time to start thinking about cooler weather in our part of the world and having a quilt to snuggle under.  I quilted mine with a serpentine stitch and I've had a couple of requests for this quilt already.  ;)  I may have to make another since there is still plenty of time to sew one for a Christmas gift.  You can find the blog posting about making this quilt here, the free pattern here, and a quilt kit if you are interested here.  One hint when making this, make sure you watch the direction the blocks are in.  The blocks are 30 1/2 inches square, so they are big, and easy to turn the wrong way when assembling it.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen 

Celebrating Summer

Whew, its been a long time since I've been back.  Right before my last post I had a "cardiac event" due to to the flu, which was in January, and before they had testing for COVID.  It seems like a lifetime ago, and after a lot of testing, it was determined that my event (aka heart attack) was due solely to the flu.  There was no heart damage, no blockage, no heart disease.  I just woke up one morning knowing something was horribly wrong.  My heart rate was over 200 and after stopping and restarting my heart it went back into regular rhythm.  I then spent over a week in bed very ill.  I am being tested in a few weeks to see if I have the COVID antibodies, which who knows, but a couple of things...take care of yourselves.  Know your body and if you think something is wrong, get in and get some help.  Do what you can to stay well.  I have no idea where I picked up what I had, and as a matter of fact, my first symptom of being unwell was the racing heart...the fever, bodyaches, loss of sense and smell, and HORRIBLE cough all came later.  I'm better now, and other than working from home and basically staying home, I am well. :)

Now on to the fun stuff...I have been working on a few things here and there, and I will be posting more about those in future posts. Today I wanted to share my latest project...

The pattern for this quilt was on the Bernina blog.  The pattern is by Cherry Guidry and is a quick and easy stitch.  The pattern is downloadable and easy to print.  I printed directly on Lite Seam-A-Seam 2, and within minutes I was cutting the shapes out and sewing.  Cherry even has the stitch sizes listed for the blanket stitch.  

Jolly Bar Bakewell

Good morning!  It is bright and sunny in Minnesota already, and we are looking at a high of 37 degrees F today.  This is balmy for us, and I am hoping that some of the ice that is everywhere will melt.

On to the good stuff.  Today the Fat Quarter Shop has a shortcut pattern for the Jolly Bar Bakewell pattern.  This is a fun pattern to make.  It is smaller, so it would make a perfect gift for a new little one, or as I'm using it, as a wall hanging. You could always make more blocks and have a bed sized quilt.  The blocks are 8-1/2" square and by turning them, you can see other patterns.

I used Sugarcreek by Corey Yoder.  These fabrics are just too pretty.  When you use a Jolly Bar the cutting is minimal so you can start sewing sooner.  I did actually purchase a  Layer Cake because these fabrics are too pretty, and I'm thinking I'd like to make more than one.  I quilted mine with the serpentine stitch.  This is definitely a weekend make!

Thanks for stopping by.  You can get the free pattern and video here.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Prairie Queen

Hey, I'm back two days in a row!  Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come for the new year/decade.  I have a block from the Classic and Vintage Series at Fat Quarter Shop called Prairie Queen.

This is a quick and easy block to make, you can use Triangles on a Roll, and in no time you can have a beautiful quilt.  I used North Pole by Stacy Iest Hus for Moda for my block.  Now I am going to be brutally honest with you...I remade my block.  If you notice in the photo above, all my trees are going in the same direction.  After seeing my photo with the trees going every which way (below), I couldn't leave it like that.  You can use a directional fabric, and it will slow you down if you choose to make sure it is going in the same direction.  I feel much better about it now, and I will in the future be checking to make sure things are going the right way on the one way.  ;)

This is a quick and easy block to make, you can use Triangles on a Roll, and in no time you can have a beautiful quilt.  I used the North Pole by Stacy Iest Hus for Moda.  If you would like to make a block, you can download the free pattern here.  Kimberly will show you how to make the block here, and there is a beautiful quilt kit that is available for purchase here.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Welcome 2020

It's a new year, a new decade, and time for me to set some new goals.  I hate new years resolutions, because no matter how hard I try, they always seem to go by the wayside.  This time I am just going to say, I'm setting some goals for myself.  Four months ago today I said goodbye to caffeine, and that was a great thing to do...not to say there aren't days when I REALLY wish I would give in, I haven't yet, and I'm hoping now that I put that out there I don't fall back into my old habits.

In the past I've made goals and tried to set expectations for myself here, and I have failed miserably.  But, I am going to try again, and we will see where we get this year.  2019 was difficult with aging parents who have been ill, our son starting college, and a new job with more hours working which means less time for the things I love.  I probably just need to reevaluate priorities again.

I had a few days off this past week and I did finish something (it's a miracle!) 

Ocean Waves - FQS Quilt Along

I have always loved the Ocean Waves quilt pattern.  It is such a fun way to use fabric to make the quilt look like it has movement.

The Fat Quarter Shop has an Ocean Waves Sew Along as part of the Classic and Vintage Series.  I used V and Co. Ombre New Colors for my block,

I just love how the fabric works with the pattern to make it look like it is moving. 

The best part is the pattern uses Triangles on a roll, which means the half square triangles go together quickly.

You can find the pattern here.  I have a lot of half square triangles finished and ready to sew into blocks.  Here's hoping my Ocean Waves quilt is finished soon!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

FQS Blog Remix - Sewing Machine Accessory Bag

I am so excited to be able to share with you another Fat Quarter Shop Blog Remix.  This time it is the Sewing Machine Accessory Bag.  It is a quick and easy stitch and such a useful sized bag at 8-1/2 x 9 inches finished.

Penguins In the Summer

I think this photo pretty much sums up my life this past year.  I'm headed in so many directions and many times I do not know which end is up.  I honestly can't even tell you where we were when I found these signs.  We pulled off the road in Michigan because we needed to get out and stretch, and when I saw them I made my husband turn around and amazingly I got them get them both in the same photo.  I am thinking they were painted when the weather was -100 (it looks like snow to me).  With both parents being diagnosed with cancer, my husband and I both turning 50, and our son graduating in the last few months, life has been more than unpredictable at times, and yet it all works out.

It is kind of ironic that on a very warm day this past weekend I finished this penguin quilt.  I used Vintage Holiday by Bonnie and Camille and the Penguin Party pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.  What a fun quilt this was to make.  Yes there were a lot of pieces, but every one was worth it.

I had huge goals for this year, and I haven't met most of them, but I have tried some new things.  I took a few photography classes and have yet to master my camera.  I have also taken some painting classes which have been surprisingly fun (I NEVER thought I would enjoy painting, but I do).  My new goal is to finish a project a week, no matter how big or small throughout the rest of the year.  It may be a quilt block or a Christmas ornament, but to just finish something would be rewarding.  I am also hoping to get back to blogging more.  I used to really enjoy it, I miss it, and I think I'm at a point in my life where it would be a good thing, if for no one else but me. I am also contemplating an Etsy shop, but we will have to see on that one. ;)

So, here I am again. I definitely will be back in the next few weeks with projects I have completed for the Fat Quarter Shop (actually as soon as Monday).  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Charm Pack Tree Skirt

Hello everyone!  Wow, this year is slipping away, and in fact, my son's high school graduation is tomorrow!  June is just around the corner, and I know it seems like it is too early to be thinking Christmas, but it isn't.  The Fat Quarter Shop has another sewalong, and it is for a Christmas tree skirt.  This one is fun and fast to make, and with all the really cute holiday fabrics arriving in shops now, it is the perfect time to sew this one up and be ready when you are too busy come November/December. ;)

This pattern requires a few charm squares, a background, and a cute binding.  I chose to use Christmas Figs by Fig Tree.  Don't worry if you think the binding is going to be difficult, Kimberly has a video on how to do that too on her YouTube channel.  Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, so even though I'm looking forward to some warm weather and summer, Christmas will be here before we know it again, and I'm ready!

You can get the pattern here and watch a video tutorial for the tree skirt here. If you make this, I'd love to hear what fabrics you used and see a photo.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Union Square Sew Along

Hi Everyone!  It has been a long time in between posts, and I will have a lot to share soon.  Today is another Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along, and this time it is the Union Square block. 

There is a little more involved with making this block, and if you take your time it is well worth making sure the points match.  This is such a nice picture with sunshine in it (we have had a very long winter, and I can't wait to see the sun again!).

I decided to make mine into a mini quilt.  I was able to try a few new ways of quilting, and with the smaller size, it was easier to maneuver while free motion quilting. 

The link to the free block pattern is here.  And you can check out the FQS video here.  There is also a pattern available for a quilt made with these blocks here.  Have fun sewing this up, and I'd love to see what you do with this block.  Happy stitching!!!  --Kristen

Penguin Party

The last 10 days have been very eventful, from a freezer dying (NOT fun), some medical issues with family members and friends, to a niece being born last Sunday.  I got called at 5 a.m. to stay with the other little ones while the baby was born which was exciting, and it also means I need to get a baby quilt made and quick.  

When I started this quilt I had the intention of only making 9 penguins, but the more I made the more I loved them, and I couldn't stop at just 9.  So I thought I'd make 12 and ended up with 20.  :)  We had a beautiful snowfall this weekend and woke up to snow that sparkled as well as really cold temperatures which made the perfect setting for these artic guys.

There are three sizes of the penguins in the pattern which makes them so cute.  Of course after I laid them all out I realized I had forgotten to put the half square triangles on the bottom of a few of them, so I did a little unsewing, added them, and was ready to make a top.  I've ordered my backing and binding which should be here this week and I'll be ready to quilt them up.  I'd love to say they will be ready to use by the end of the month, BUT I'm not going to say that just yet.

Next up I'm going to choose a pattern, do some cutting, and get that baby quilt going.  I'm trying to decide if it will be flannel or cotton...I'm leaning towards flannel.  ;) Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Happy New Year!!

The new year is here, and how in the world is it 2019?  I have thought about this year for over a decade, probably even two decades, and to be honest more than that.  This is the year I turn the big 50!  Not only do I turn 50, my husband also does, our son graduates from high school, AND it is our 25th wedding anniversary.  So to say 2019 is going to be a FUN year is probably an understatement.  As a matter of fact, I feel kind of bad for 2020.  haha!  All of these events happen throughout the year, which means every few months we will be celebrating another milestone, and what is better than to celebrate with quilts?!?!

I've always wanted to have different quilts to hang each month, not just each season, so I've started working on some new wall hangings.  The first is Penguin Party by Elizabeth Hartman.

I've got all the blocks made, they just need to be sewn together and quilted.  I love each one of them.  I used Vintage Holiday by Bonnie and Camille and it is making such a fun quilt.  The metallic spotted background to me looks like falling snow. 

My son chose this Full Spectrum kit as the quilt he would like for his graduation.  This is going to be a challenge, and I'm hoping to have it finished by the time graduation rolls around in May.  He said it is okay if it is a little late, but honestly, we are counting down the days, and I have over 100 days to try for a finish.  We will see if that happens or not.

I have lots of plans for this year, lots of events to look forward to, and lots of quilts that I really want to complete.  My goal for our wedding anniversary is to quilt the double wedding ring quilt I started before we were married.  I still love it, I was just a little too young to complete it.  Hopefully I can do it justice.  I am also planning on participating in sew alongs as well, because those are always a lot of fun.

My goal is to remember this year and to blog once a week, keeping up to date on what I'm working on and tracking what has happened each month of this year. It is already January 10th, so here's hoping for 50 blogs posts this year, and for an eventful (and quilty), 2019!  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Mini Scrap Patch Bag

Good morning everyone!  We are almost to the end of 2018 and the Fat Quarter Shop is doing another blog remix with the Mini Scrap Patch Bag.  They have a video with all the instructions on how to make the bag which is very easy to follow, and makes creating your bag simple!

I made two this time because doesn't everyone love the new "Valentines" fabrics that are out?  I used Little Sweetheart by Edytar Sitar for the bottom one, and RED-diculously Red by Me and My Sister Designs for the other.  I had charm packs that I cut to size, and only needed 11 charms to make each bag.  That means there is plenty of fabric left to make more!  I also bought a 30" By Annie zipper so I could make four bags out of one (I just need to get a few extra zipper pulls).

I love using fun fabrics for linings, and a fat quarter is more than enough for this bag.

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE bags.  It is so fun to actually make one that I can use!

If you'd like to make your own scrap patch bag, you can find the video here.  Let me know if you do make one, I'd love to see it!  I'm planning on being back before the year ends, I've got big plans for the new year. :)  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited to be sharing this quilt at long last.  It has been a few months in the making, but the day is finally here, and I have to say this is one of my new favorite quilts.

I used Summer Blush by Riley Blake and the Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop.  There was only a fat quarter pack available to use, so I made two blocks with each fabric and it turned out wonderful.

I chose to use the same fabric for all the middle squares, but by using different fabrics it would just make the quilt a bit more scrappy.  The fabric requirements are right on as I did not have a lot of fabric left over (which is kind of a shame because I really love this fabric line).  ;)

Finally, I used the serpentine stitch and my walking foot to quilt it, and was finished in no time.  This would be a quick quilt to make for a Christmas gift, and I'm sure anyone would love to receive it!  You can find the pattern here and also see the quilts my fellow quilters have made.  Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back soon as I have another quilt top almost finished and ready to share.  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Mini Scrap Patch Bag

I am so far behind, and it seems time is flying faster than ever.  I can hardly believe we are half way through November!  I have a senior in high school and to say that this year is fun filled and action packed is an understatement.  The Mini Scrap Patch Bag is a quick sew, and would make a perfect project for Christmas gifts that requires a small time commitment. 

Calling it mini is kind of deceiving, because you really can fit much more in it than you would think.  The pattern calls for Mini Charm packs...so that may be the reason for the use of "mini."  ;)

I used Christmas Figs Mini Charm pack, a 24-inch Chartreuse zipper from ByAnnie, and the Quiltsmart 2-1/2" grid panel to make it.  The complete pattern can be found here.  I have another quilt to share that is finished and ready to go...November 28 is the date for that.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen