My Brain Is Buzzing

My brain has been buzzing with new ideas.  A good thing, to be sure, but when will I get to do all the things I'm dreaming of?  Never happens to you, you say?  Lucky you!  

I guess we make time for the things that we're most excited about, right?  And I'm so, so jazzed about a new quilt all in blues and just one light.  Here are the fabrics I chose and the name of the quilt is Plantation Stars (a little hint to the theme.)  There will be a limited number of kits. Hopefully, it will be all done and I can show you in September.  I'm already in fall market design mode, so there will be lots more coming soon.

Watch for the next Quilting Essentials post...all about the elusive, accurate 1/4 inch....coming soon!

Happy Birthday, America!

Flag Day quilt from Tokens of the Past: Union Forever designed by Pam Buda

Wishing you all a very Happy 4th of July in celebration of our country's Independence Day!

My heartfelt thanks to everyone serving in our armed forces today, and honoring and remembering those who have served, and those who paid the ultimate price so that we could all live in this wonderful country.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more photos.

Pattern Sale!

I have a bunch of new patterns in production and need to make space for them.  Out with the old and in with the new!  So......I'm having a 

Pattern Sale!

A group of select patterns are on sale for just $4!  

Something for everyone....quilts large and small.  A little applique.....

All piecing....

Or make something new that looks old.

There are nine patterns in all.  Click here to browse the sale patterns.  

I'm working on changes to my website with an exciting addition coming soon.  Gotta give it a fresh look.  

As of today, one of the changes I'm most jazzed about is.....if you live in the United States, no matter how much you order, you won't pay any more than $8.95 for shipping!  Yay!!  More dollars to spend on fun quilting goodies.

It's because of your orders and continued support that I am able to do this, and very happy and grateful to do so.  

Be well...spend some time with your favorite needle today!

Enjoying Summer's Bounty

Crossroads quilt by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

This is one of those times when there's a whole lot going on in my studio, but it's for future work that I can't show just yet.  It will be this way thru the month of July.  So, what am I to do for blog posts during this time?  Share a great recipe!

Now that the summer berries are ripe, delicious and inexpensive, I've begun making some of my favorite foods using them. Yesterday, I made a batch of Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins.  
Oh, so yummy!!  I originally found the recipe a few years ago on Pinterest, but I have no idea who the original source is.  

The recipe uses 2 cups of fresh strawberries, but I feel the batter is adaptable to fresh blueberries or fresh peaches.  I like that you can use either regular milk or buttermilk.  I have made them both ways and feel that buttermilk is just a little tastier.  Buttermilk and/or sour cream in a baked goods recipe does something special to the batter, but if you don't want to buy buttermilk, you won't be disappointed.

I thought I would show you how the muffins look in progress.  Half the strawberries are folded into the batter, and the other half sprinkled on top.  Then, the crumb topping is added.  Be still my heart!

They are moist, delicious and full of berries.  I'll bet a mix of strawberry and blueberry would be great as well.  

Click here to print the Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffin recipe.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Click here to order the Crossroads Quilt Kit!

Enjoy summer's bounty!  It's gone too quickly.  

Camp Independence ~ A New Limited Edition Quilt & Pattern!

Introducing Camp Independence!!

Camp Independence ~ Designed by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

Oh, how I love a red, light and blue quilt!!  Match that with a LeMoyne Star, and Sawtooth border, and I'm smitten!!

Camp Independence is a replica of a red/light/blue antique quilt I saw in a book a long time ago.  I've wanted to make this quilt ever since.  I love the simplicity of just three fabrics.  The original was done in solid fabrics, and I chose nearly-solid fabrics to make mine.  

I asked my friend, Ronda, to choose a bunch of patriotic quilting designs for this quilt and I just loved what she chose.  

The fabric colors don't show true in these photographs, but the photo sure shows off the quilting!

Camp Independence ~ designed by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

While I truly adore scrappy quilts, they are super labor intensive (as we all know!)  Once in awhile, it's great to work on a quilt with just three fabrics.  The cutting and sewing are much easier, and therefore, assembly is quicker!  

Camp Independence is a Limited Edition quilt kit.  

The kit includes the pattern, with color photo, all the fabrics to make the quilt top, binding and includes backing!!  The price is $42.75 + postage within the US and quantities are limited.   Quilt size is 22" x 26".

Click here to order your kit today!!  

You just might have it done in time for the July 4th celebration.  I don't know about you, but I decorate my home in our patriotic red, light and blue all summer long.

We're America Strong!!

All Work and No Play

Summer has definitely arrived here in Chicagoland.  The temperatures are well into the 90's, although it's not terribly humid just yet.  Ahh...the season we wait all winter for.

While I do try to get outdoors as often as I can, I'm working indoors most of the time on a big new project....one I'm very excited about.  At this point, though, it's a whole lotta paperwork. Figuring things out and doing all the math is just a part of the job.  

  After a few days of that, my little Nine Patches keep calling for me to play, much like a kid stuck inside doing homework and friends calling you outside.  I must focus on the work right now!  Nine Patches....stop being so cute and leave me alone!

Actually, I shouldn't complain at all because I'm pushing myself to complete the paperwork because I'm escaping to Las Vegas in a few days.  My entire family (20+ of us) were all invited to a destination vow renewal ceremony.  A cousin and her husband are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, and invited the family to witness them renew their vows by none other than Elvis himself (or facsimile of) which is waaaayyy too fun to miss! 

Do you know of any great quilt shops I should visit while I'm there?

My Limited Edition Camp Independence quilt will post on Sunday!  

I can't wait to show you how sweet it turned out.  I'm rather jazzed about it!  

Speaking of hot weather,  it's forecast for temperatures to be in the 100's while we're there. We've been there before in that kind of heat, and I have to giggle when people say 'it's dry heat'.  I think to myself....so is bus exhaust, and you don't like standing behind the bus either!

Wish me luck!

PS - I haven't heard from my Instagram winner, MountainMamaScott....please email your mailing address to Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com, by Sunday, June 18th, so I can send you the Fat Eighth pack.  

Quilting Essentials ~ Comment Winners!

I am delighted over your positive response to my new Quilting Essentials blog posts!  Thank you!!

That gives me all the more reason to go ahead with the idea.  Your many comments of what you'd like to read about in future posts offered several new subject ideas as well, which made me think.....I may not have the same problems or issues in piecing that you do, especially all of you whom are beginners, and so wouldn't think of writing about it.  So....please keep telling me what problems you are having, and if I use your suggestion in an upcoming post, I'll send you a little freebie!  We'll just tackle piecing one blog post at a time and we'll all be the better for it!

Sharing....Is such a good thing!!  A big THANK YOU to all of you who took the time to comment and helped spread the word by sharing.  I truly appreciate it!

Congratulations to the following people who commented on my blog, shared/wrote a comment on Facebook, and liked my post on Instagram:

Blog Comment:  delaineelliott commented:  I would love to talk about color selection in quilts - what colors go with what. 

Facebook:  Karen Pollard 

Instagram:  Mountainmamascott

Please email your mailing address to me at Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com

I also wanted to thank Bonnie58 for sharing her hint with all of us....one I had never heard before and thought you might like this.  

She said:  Love your blog ~ thanks Pam.   My hint is to measure your 1/4" seam on every different set of fabric you sew.  They can all be different thicknesses which can affect your final seam width.

Camp Independence

My new Limited Edition quilt design, called Camp Independence, is now quilted and being photographed.  Oohhh...it's so darn cute with the most adorable collection of patriotic quilting designs and quilted by my friend, Ronda.  Can hardly wait to show it to you!  Kits will be available for immediate shipment....Just in time for your July 4th celebrations!

Be well.....any day spent quilting is a good day!
  

Quilting Essentials ~ NEW Tips & Hints To Share

Welcome to the first post in a continuing series I am starting today, opening the conversation to sharing new information, tips and hints that I hope will make all of our piecing experiences more enjoyable.  

Quilting Essentials will be the title of the posts where I share some of my best tips and hints that have made me the quilter I am today.  (For good or bad!) My hope is that you'll find something useful in what you read here, and more so, that you'll share tips with me, and other readers in the comment section.  I won't have a schedule to regularly post Quilting Essentials, but hope to do so monthly.  I have many deadlines and obligations of things I have to do that I can't promise a post on a certain day, but will try my best for monthly.  

This began when I asked you for your comments on what you'd like to read about in future blog posts.  So many of you asked for piecing tips, and about how I design quilts and fabrics...so sharing some of my design experience is where I will begin.

I do not have a formula.  I wish it were that easy!  I work very hard at feeding my creativity and it has become second nature for me.  I get inspiration everywhere now, although it wasn't always that way.  While on my Mt. Rushmore trip, I was inspired by the Black Hills National Forest.... in the colors, for quilt blocks, and with nomenclature.  I have learned to pay attention to a lot of things I never did before.  You never know when inspiration will strike!

Very often I am smitten with a block that I want to use,  and begin to see possibilities in using it in a quilt.  But often as I set out to design a quilt with a particular block, I end up going a different way altogether in the finished design.  Sometimes fun designs come out of playing while I'm working one quilt...I end up with another quilt  altogether that I can use later.  

Sometimes, it's playing with fabrics...auditioning and sorting.  Some combos are just so striking that you HAVE to make something from them!

Designing fabric is very different.  When I begin, I have the fabric colors and kind of prints in mind.  What colors will the collection be?  What 'feel' do I have for what I want the quilt to look like?  That 'feeling' is something that is hard to describe, but is a huge factor in how everything about the collection will turn out.  I trust my instincts implicitly.  After I know what colors the collection will be, and that feeling I want, I design the quilt next.  Once the quilt is designed, I create the fabric I need to make the quilt, keeping many other things in mind, like how many skus or pieces there will be in the collection?  Is it a well rounded collection with a variety of interesting prints, lights, mediums and darks?  Even the name of the collection and the name of the quilt play into the design of the fabrics and quilt.  

Inspiration comes in many, many forms.  Blocks, old fabrics, quilt designs, the name of the collection or quilt, and antique, even a place I've visited, or something obscure I've seen can all add to the creative process.  I really enjoy talking with my designer friends about how differently creativity manifests itself because it really is so different for everyone.  Many quilt designers don't ever begin working on the quilt design until they have all the fabrics for the collection complete, and I wouldn't want to work that way....but that's just me.  I happen to work in reverse.  Each person creates in their own special way.  

If you enjoy Pinterest and pin images of clothing, hair styles, home decorating, quilting, etc...you feed your creativity, too.  Seeing a little something here and there often sparks an original idea of your own.

Please share a blog comment about creativity, or about what other things you'd like me to write about in future Quilting Essentials blog posts for a chance to win a little Quilting Essentials Fat Eighth Pack!   

I also have two more Quilting Essentials Fat Eighth Packs to give away!!  Look for my Quilting Essentials posts on Facebook and Instagram, and share with your friends for a chance to win, and tell them to visit my blog for some helpful piecing tips in the coming months.  

Be well.....and happy stitching!  

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!

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!  

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!

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!

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!

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.