Author name: Melissa Dunworth

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Web Favs of the Week

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Welcome to Web Favs!

First off, I have really jumped off the deep end and have decided to start designing my own quilt blocks – to go along with this I also have a business name BitterSweet Baby Quilt Designs (named after my precious daughter Anne).  With designing comes an awful lot of math, not my strongest suit but I am getting better at it, especially with the help of websites like this: Victoriana Quilt Designs.  Her site has EVERYTHING a quilt block designer needs – especially all of the pesky math already worked out. My favorite is the free printable quilting charts with everything including HST measurements and backing allowances.  Here site is AWESOME, if you have time and the desire to design but no desire to do math, this is the site for you!

image courtesy of: Yesterday On Tuesday

You may have noticed that I  have what you might call “a crafting habit”.  I think we can both stand up and say, “Hi my name is _______, and I have a crafting habit.”  Well these habits cost MONEY and lucky for us, Yesterday on Tuesday, wrote a blog post last week entitled “7 Ways to Afford Your Craft Habit“. I learned a few things from this post, including the fact that you can now get Michael’s coupons on your phone, did not know that but now that I do, Michael’s better watch out for this Smartphone carrying Mama! I plan to save!


New Feature:  Getting to know your fellow Brother Lovers!

Image courtesy of: The Confused Quilter
I love reading the blogs of those who follow us, after all the best part about blogging is getting to know other bloggers! Staci blogs at The Confused Quilter and like Sunni and I, she is also an Army Wife (there seem to be an awful lot of us blogging about our crafts these days!).  She also participates in Block Swap Adventures, but she has been a member much longer than either Sunni or myself. To see some of Staci’s gorgeous quilts and read about her adventures with her husband hop on over to her blog!
Finally, do you Pinterest?  I do!  Feel free to follow along with me, I admit I have done much pinning lately, but when I do, watch out!
My Feed:
Follow Me on Pinterest Pinning can be addictive, I haven’t pinned in awhile because I was spending more time Pinning and Repinning than most anything else, so beware! 

What are you loving this week? Do you have any Favs to share with us?

I am also guest posting at Sew Homegrown today! Head on over and check it out!

 

 

Radiating Diamonds Block

7 Comments / block swap, block tutorials, Christmas block swap, quilting, radiating diamonds block tutorial / By

I drew this block out while standing at my ironing board last Tuesday. I am fairly certain that I am not the first person to make this block – especially when there are books like the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilts. It has 4,000 quilt blocks in it, so I have to believe that even though I drew it out, I’m not the first person to do it!

This block is another example of using Half Square Triangles and basic squares.  For more information on constructing Half Square Triangles – please refer to my Chevron Block Tutorial.

Get the know how after the jump! …

Radiating Diamonds BlockRead More »

Pay It Forward

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Back in May, on Mother’s Day to be exact, I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Boutique Uniquely and I saw that Victoria was participating in something called Pay It Forward.

Here’s how it works:

  1. I will make something for the first three (3) people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and it will arrive when you least expect it!
  2. I will have 365 days to do it. What’s the catch? To get a handmade present from me, you have to play too! This means that you pledge to send a little handmade something to three (3) readers of your blog.  It doesn’t have to be quilty – just handmade.
  3. You must have a blog.
  4. Once you receive your “little something”, you must post about your Pay it Forward on your blog to keep the fun going – be sure to use the Pay It Forward badge. “

I received the best squishy in the mail today!  Here’s what I received:

image courtesy of Boutique Uniquely

I also got some fabric scraps – which are perfect because I am getting ready to start my Bottled Rainbows quilt:

Aren’t they LOVELY?!?

So who wants to play?  The first 3 people who comment on this post will be the three people that I Pay It Forward to. You must agree to the rules above. I have 365 days from the today to send my gifts out and you will then have 365 days from the day you receive your squishy packages to send out yours. 

Sound like fun. Leave me a comment – make sure I can contact you and let’s play!

Vintage Christmas Sampler Tutorials

26 Comments / Block exchange, block swap, block tutorials, Christmas block swap, quilting / By

I have been working on this sampler for the last month and thought you might like to watch my progress and quilt along with me!

Here is a list of the blocks that I plan on making for my Vintage Sampler Quilt – check back regularly for updated posts. I will link each tutorial to this post – not all the blocks listed will have tutorials – I have already started sewing and I have forgotten to take pictures a couple of times (oops!).

These are posted in no particular order – so please don’t expect me to complete them in any particular order 🙂 These are merely the blocks that have caught my fancy!

Block 1: LeMoyne Star
Block 2: Radiating Diamonds
Block 3: Log Cabin
Block 4: Christmas Tree
Block 5: Stocking
Block 6: Blueberry Pie
Block 7: Indian Mats
Block 8: Geese in Formation
Block 9: Oatmeal Cookie Variation
Block 10: 9 Patch
Block 11: Chevron
Block 12: Wonky Barn Fence
Block 13: Ohio Star Variation
Block 14: Waterwheel
Block 15: Wreath
Block 16: Snail’s Trail
Block 17: Old Snowflake
Block 18: Double Wrench
Block 19: Scrappy Zig Zag
Block 20: Fireflies

P.S. I should have mentioned that each block I am making will measure 12 inches finished!

Little Tid Bits

2 Comments / Interview, traditional quilt block, virtual quilting bee / By

I just joined my first virtual quilting bee this week. It is an international one and I am so excited to be a member!

Sew Bee BlissfulThat’s the link to the group on Flickr, as far as I know they are still looking for one more member, so if you quilt and you are willing to ship internationally you should head on over and check it out!

I was also featured on one of my favorite blogs that I follow Whitt’s Kits Fabrics and Crafts. I have been following her blog for several months and I even won a giveaway of headers from her!  When Carrie called for people who were interested in being interviewed about their crafting I thought it would be fun.  Head on over to learn a little bit more about the 5 W’s of my crafting.

That’s all for me, look for another vintage block tutorial next week – this one is from my own head, although I’m fairly certain I am not the first person to think of it!

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