HomeMy WebsiteAbout mePocket PatchworkFreebie Patterns

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Camp Independence Quilt Coming Soon

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend!  

I spent some time sewing for myself, BBQ with my family and enjoying the beautiful weather being outside.  

Purchased some already potted plants, potted a couple more and DH planted tomatoes that will overrun us late summer!  

All the things we typically do over a long holiday weekend, including remembering those who gave so very much for the freedom to be able to do the things we love to do!!  

So grateful!




Coming soon.....

Camp Independence

Another Limited Edition doll quilt for your piecing pleasure!


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

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!  

Saturday, May 20, 2017

New Black & Green Fat Bundles

Color bundles are a very popular purchase on my website and it seems that you, like me, often feel the need to add a specific color in your stash.  It helps a lot to be able to buy an assortment of those colors when you need them.
I was asked by several people to add greens because applique quilters are always looking for more greens for leaves and stems and the like.  

See all the color bank Fat Quarter bundles here.

Question for you.....what type of information about quilting would you most like to read about in upcoming blog posts?  Consider the following....How I choose the fabrics I use? Precision and "perfect piecing" hints, etc.

Please consider leaving a comment for me so I can see what I can do to help you.

Be well.....stitch happy!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Craving Something Sweet?


I'm a baker at heart.....always loved baking....always loved enjoying a few cookies.  I think it's part of the creative soul to bake,and create something yummy....and to cook, too.  For some of us, anyway.  So, the other day, I awoke a little earlier than usual to find time to bake a batch of these cookies.  I haven't had them in a long time and I've been craving them lately for some reason.  Why question why?  Just bake a batch!
They are Oatmeal White Chocolate Craisin cookies.  They mix quickly, bake in 9 minutes and don't require lots of bowls or dishes to clean up.  And....they're delicious!  Choose any variety of Craisins....I happen to have cherry craisins in the house, but regular cranberry, blueberry or pomegranate will work.  I'm not usually a white chocolate fan, but really enjoy them in this cookie.  I originally found this recipe in my quilt guild favorites cookbook.....aren't those 'favorites' cookbooks the best?

Click here for the recipe and make a batch for yourself.  Hope you enjoy them!

Be well....happy stitching!

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Peacefield Gets a Make-Over!

With the arrival of my new Pam's Prairie Basics & Shirtings collection came the ability to give one of my favorite patterns a new look!

Peacefield is an easy-to-make quilt with a striking traditional block ~ the Windowpane block.  

(I named the quilt Peacefield in honor of John and Abigail Adams as that is the name of their country home where they retired.  I love reading about them...they were quite a couple, and she was an outspoken woman who truly helped shape our country.)






The Windowpane block is made entirely from a square and strip sets.

Easy, breezy!!

And...it lends itself perfectly to a 10 x 10 precut!

So....in my revised and updated version of Peacefield
all of the blocks were made from the fabrics in the 
Prairie Basics & Shirtings 10 x 10 precut.

Instructions for making the quilt from your stash are included in the pattern, too.




The size of the quilt is 60 x 72....a cozy throw quilt.  I just adore the tan setting triangles print and how it separates the beige center, and beautifully offsets the outside blocks.  Love, Love, Love!!
As always, Ronda did a gorgeous job of quilting Peacefield.....don't you agree?

For a limited time, I am offering my 
Peacefield Quilt Kits with FREE SHIPPING!!  

Place your pre-order now and your kit will be on its way in early June!!  Click here for all the details. 

Order the Peacefield pattern here.
Cottonwood Creek is nearly finished being quilted.  We are in a mad dash to get it back so Debbie can bind it, and add the sleeve.  Then it's off to have it photographed, packed up, and sent overnight to the folks at Marcus Fabrics in St. Louis.  I'd be in quite a pickle without the help of my friends!!

Sadly, I will not be attending quilt market this year as it was a decision I had to make in January when I happened to be in the hospital.  Not knowing what was ahead for me in the months to come, I had to opt out of attending.  The good news is...that I will have 9 quilts on display in the Marcus Fabrics booth!!  Yay!  

With all that happened with the double hip replacements, and subsequent troubles afterward, I have been home for more than 9 months.  So....with everyone else going to market, DH and I decided to take a short little vacation to visit North and South Dakota.  We've never been there and it will be two more states off my list of visiting all 50 before the end of my 60th year.  (I have 6 more to go, including SD & ND, and have some time in which to accomplish this, but not much!)  If you have any recommendations of what to visit and what is fun to do in North & South Dakota, please share!  We plan to visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and pop over to see Devil's Tower in WY.  We will visit President Roosevelt's park in North Dakota, and the Badlands as well.  I recently heard of Needles Highway, where the road runs through the base of the trees like thread through a needle, and for this stitching traveler, it's a must see and sounds intriguing!

I'm just about finished with a new fabric line, beginning ideas on the next BOM, and have been ruminating over a new Sew-Along.  I'm feeling better, can you tell?

Be well....stitch happy!




Thursday, May 4, 2017

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.
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: 
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.