Cottonwood Creek

I have to say....it feels soooo good to have this quilt done!  It was fun to make, but when you're in a crush rush to complete it, some of the fun disappears.  That's always the way just before market, and I'm sure you read the same thing from many other designers who were sewing madly to get all the last quilts completed in time.  Exhale....sigh.....smile....it's done!  

Don't for a minute think I did this on my own!  It was with the help of several friends who made its timely completion possible.  I did most of the piecing, but Debbie & Ronda helped with the borders, and Ronda did all of the amazing quilting.

Ronda and I worked for more than a week in choosing designs for the quilt, and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  

I had the quilt home to take these photos for all of 30 minutes until it was shipped overnight to the folks at Marcus Fabrics to hang in their booth.  I took these photos without a flash on an overcast day to really show the quilting.

The fabrics are much livelier than what you see here, but this light really allows the quilting designs to be seen.  I know many of you like to see the quilting for ideas....I know I look for that as well in other quilts.  Pinterest has been a great source for that....don't you think?

My Cottonwood Creek pattern is being shipped to your LQS this week, so please ask for it on your next visit!  Also in your LQS is my new Pam's Prairie Basics and Shirtings collection, which is what Cottonwood Creek is made of.

If you can't find my Cottonwood Creek pattern in your LQS, you can order it here.

Please support your Local Quilt Shop!!!

While quilt market was taking place, my DH and I decided to take a trip to see the sights in North and South Dakota.  Here we are with the Badlands behind us.  It was a whole lotta driving, let me tell you, but worth every mile.

The day we went to see Mt. Rushmore, it was completely fogged in.  We were so bummed as you can imagine.  But, thanks to the readers who commented on my blog as to what to see when we were there, I knew to travel the Needles Highway.  It was a blast to drive....so long as you don't mind hairpin turns and one-lane rock tunnels.  I love driving scenic routes for that reason.  And...if you're reading this blog, you obviously love stitching as I do, so how could I miss a route called Needles Highway....and the 'Needles Eye Tunnel'?

The trip on Needles Highway and through Custer State Park took long enough that luck was with us and the fog lifted.  It was an overcast day, but we did get to see Mt. Rushmore!!  We had been told that it was underwhelming...but I didn't think so at all.  DH and I loved it.  We did visit the Crazy Horse memorial as well, and the final day took a driving trip into ND, then headed home.  

I crossed off two more states and several items on my bucket list, listened to two audio books and did a whole lot of hand stitching while taking turns driving the 2,500 miles round trip.  I'm so grateful I was able to see everything, grateful to be feeling well again and up to the trip, and grateful for some much needed time stitching and relaxing.  

We all need those get-aways now and then.  The Norfolk Pines of the Black Hills inspired me and just might make their way into a new quilt.  Speaking of inspiration.....I thank those of you who left a comment about what you'd like to read about in future posts.  I took notes of all of your suggestions and will do my best to share some piecing knowledge with you.  

I do have many things in the works that I'm excited about and some fun stuff planned for us to share.  In the meantime, enjoy your Memorial Day....remembering the reason to honor the fallen heros and spend time with family and friends.  

Be well....and happy stitching!  

Cottonwood Creek In Progress

Cottonwood Creek quilt by Pam Buda ~ Heartspun Quilts

If you've been reading quilting blogs this month, you know all designers are in overdrive, overload mode in preparation for Spring Quilt Market taking place in just a few weeks in St. Louis, MO.  I am no exception and would never make it without the help of my trusty friends!!!
(Thank you Debbie, Bobbie & Ronda!!)

I've been piecing Cottonwood Creek and took a few photos during production because, as it hung on my design wall in sections, I started thinking about how  if I chose to stop here, it would really be a cute table topper or wall quilt.

Same goes if I stopped at the Flying Geese border.  Want a throw size?  Stop after the Nine Patch border.  

When you consider quilt patterns, you may just find the perfect quilt you've been looking for if you only made a portion of the design.

As you can see, Cottonwood Creek filled my design wall at this point, so I didn't take any more photos and quite frankly didn't think of it either as my only objective was to get that baby to Ronda for quilting.  Debbie helped me with the last couple of borders so I could get to pattern writing, and the quilt is now in Ronda's hands.  We have been working on choosing quilting designs all week and I am so, so jazzed to see it all quilted!!  I'll probably only have it home for 24 hours before sending it off to market to be displayed in the Marcus Fabrics booth.  

Thought you'd like to see how it was all turning out.  Patterns will be available soon, and Cottonwood Creek is made entirely from my newest fabric, Pam's Prairie Basics & Shirtings.

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Today is National Firefighters' Day and a day that is close to my heart as our son is a firefighter/paramedic.

These men and women are on the front lines helping people everyday.  They proudly serve their community, and to honor all of them....I wanted to be sure to take a day to salute their dedication to helping others, very often at the worst possible moment in a person's life.

Thanks for indulging this proud firefigher mom!  I usually keep to quilting, but couldn't help myself today.