Starting A "Happy Birthday Table Runner"...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jelly Rolls

I'm making a new table runner. This one is going to be a gift this month for someone near and dear to me. These are the jelly roll fabrics I've chosen to use. The floral one is Moda's "Clementine" from Me and My Sisters Designs. The geometrics are precut strips from Blank Quilting Company. They worked perfectly together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strips of Color

I've already sewn strips together and arranged them in two rows of fifteen strips. They match and will be mirror image once I sew them together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Birthday Runner Fabric Strips

After all these strips are sewn together, I'll add more sections per the pattern directions. Then there are sections of applique' that I'll apply before quilting it.

I'll work on it in random moments so that it's finished in time to be my mid-month Birthday gift. I want it to be fun and colorful and perfect. (I did tell you it was for a loved one, right?)

Brynwood Needleworks - Shabby Fabrics "Happy Birthday Table Runner" Pattern

In case you're interested, this is the pattern I'm using. It's Shabby Fabrics' "Happy Birthday Table Runner".  (Click HERE to view and/or purchase. It's also available as a PDF file HERE.)

I love the table runner patterns from Jennifer Bosworth (She's the designer behind Shabby Fabrics)! Remember the "Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner" I made HERE? It's still one of my favorites! (Link HERE for the pattern.)

I know I'll be making more of this Birthday table runner this year, too. I'd better finish this one first, though. I hope you have something creative planned for this week. I'd love to know what you're working on!

Disclaimer: I just want you to know that I receive no compensation, monetary or otherwise, for raving about Jennifer's fabulous patterns. I'm content to be an unpaid fan.
 

Change Is Good...

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The winds of change are blowing through southwest Florida.

Handsome and I are making wonderful plans for our near future.

Preparations for those plans are keeping me from the studio and my projects. Well, that and re-injuring my back on Monday. Nothing serious...just enough to make life exciting. Thank goodness for ice and Alleve. I regrettably remind myself that I'm not a kid anymore and I need to be more careful. 

I've even considered taking a little blog vacation. What with no projects to share - and secrets I must keep for now... Instead, I've decided that for the next few days, I'll post inspiration and links to some really great projects. I'll "talk" to you as I always do. I compare my posts to chatting with my friends over tea. In that light, I'll continue my daily posts with you.

I'm going to share a video with you today. It runs about 35 minutes, so make a cup of tea and relax to watch it. By the time you're finished watching Jennifer Bosworth's (Shabby Fabrics' owner) video, you'll be able to make your own.

Here's the direct link: https://youtu.be/W7qGxoTk6g0 I hope you enjoyed this video. I'll be back tomorrow with more creative fun.

Collecting Blocks...

 I'm still writing my pattern, so I can't show it to you quite yet. Instead,

I thought you might like to see the Block of the Month that I joined in January

 at Jennifer Bosworth's Shabby Fabrics shop. As you can see none of them

have been opened yet, because I have quilts to finish by winter before I can

 add another project to my "active list". These are the first six months' blocks.

 Each kit comes with all the fabric required to do the block, and the first

pattern also came with the thread (Sulky #12 - black) to do the stitcheries.

 In addition to the areas that are stitched, each block also has a colored applique'

that is a sweet added touch. I don't intend to make them as separate mini quilts.

Rather, my plan is to make it into one complete quilt when I'm finished stitching

all the individual blocks. I just think it will get more use for me as a whole quilt.

 I checked Jenn's site and couldn't find the BOM available any more, but if

you're interested in getting the patterns for yourself, they're designed by 

Kathy Schmitz and are available from her website: here. Although the patterns

 don't include the fabrics, each one does include the little fabric applique'.

For now, I'll keep collecting the rest of the monthly patterns, and stay focused 

on my current "To Do" list, but just as soon as I'm caught up...

My pattern project awaits me in the studio. I'm really going to try to have

it finished by the end of the day today. Wish me luck (and stamina), girlfriends!