Same Block...Different Look!

Good morning! I've been making this great block out of different fabrics because I'm the November Queen Bee at Stash Bee! This is the block I'm going to ask my hive mates to make for me. It's amazing how different a block can look by just using different fabrics. Here it is in Farmhouse by Fig Tree & Co for Moda:

I'll be publishing a tutorial with the measurements for this block on November 1st and will give you the links to the pattern then. Here's the block made from Bloom & Bliss by Nadra Ridgeway for Riley Blake Designs. 

You can find the fabrics in our Etsy shop. We have marked ALL of our yardage, except the pre-orders, down to $8.99 a yard. It's the same fabric you'll find for $10.99 at most places! Well, I'm off to clean and get ready for weekend company. Hope you have a wonderful Friday! XO and cheery wave from Bev!

It's Fall and Time for Cinderella Pumpkins!

Good morning! Hope your week is going great! My friend, Karen Walker, has designed another pattern and I wanted to share it with you! It's called Cinderella Pumpkins and, of course, pumpkins are my favorite fall symbol. Here are some photos:

She's so talented, isn't she! Here's another version:

Karen used spicy fall colors but I'm going to make a block for her from non-traditional fabrics. You can see all the places to buy this pattern on Karen's blog, Chez Stitches. We got some new fabric in at the shop and I can't wait to use it with Lori Holt's Farm Girls QAL blocks! First, adorable Kitchen Utensils:

I think this one would be perfect for kitchen curtains or tea towels and potholders for gifts! The other fabric from the Lila's Kitchen line that I wanted to show you is Hens and Eggs:

I think this one is so cute! Those polka dot chickens kill me! Of course you can find them at our Etsy Shop. So what are you doing this week? Hope it's a good one for you! XO and cheery wave from Bev

A Christmas Fabric Giveaway!

Good morning! We are all so excited about some special projects that Jen and I have going with Lea Anne from Podunk Pretties blog! She is doing a linky party every month and we are her first sponsors! As you may know, she is a fabulous quilt designer and has many wonderful tutorials and patterns that are free to you! So I'm not supposed to say what we are working on but I'll bet you can guess! Here's what you can win:

A Santa Express fabric bundle from our Etsy Shop! Yes, it's time to start thinking about those Christmas projects you want to get done ahead of time this year! So hop over to Lea Anne's blog HERE and enter to win! While you're there, check out her free tutorials! She's amazing! Have a wonderful Sunday! XO and cheery wave from Bev

The holidays will be here before you know it! Be ready this year!

I'm Entering the Blogger's Quilt Festival

Hello on Sunday! What are you up to this weekend? I am entering the Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy at AmysCreativeSide.com. Twice a year this festival is held online for those who aren't able to make it to quilt markets.There are some nice prizes but the viewer's choice gets cash! Boy do I need that! At any rate, I figured it wouldn't hurt to enter. I decided my first entry would be in the Art Quilts category that is for quilts designed by the entrant. I'm entering my optical illusion quilt:

and I'm entering my Dresden Flowers quilt in the Original Design category:

 

 As always, I wish I could get a good photo. Voting will be open in 5 days or so and I'll do a post then to let you know. You can see all the entries and get the scoop on the Spring 2015 Blogger's Quilt Festival HERE. There are so many talented quilters that the odds of winning cash are slim but if you don't enter, you won't win for sure (that's how I justify buying a $1 lottery ticket). Let me know what you're up to this weekend. XO from Bev

Buttern Churn Blocks for Farm Girls Friday QAL

Hi everyone! It's Saturday afternoon and we are going to have another round of spring storms this afternoon and evening. I'm not a fan of tornado warnings but everything is such a lovely green and the flowers are everywhere because we've had so much rain. I've just sort of vegged out today. I did do the Butter Churn blocks from Lori Holt's Farm Girls Friday. Here's the 12" block:

And here's the 6" block:

I don't know why but I didn't love making these. I measured and trimmed everything but they were still hard to fit together. Anyway, no more blocks from Farm Girl Vintage until next Friday. What are you up to this weekend? Hope it's a good one! XO from Bev

Farm Girl Fridays Baking Day Block

Good morning! Today is the Farm Girl Friday Sew Along from Lori Holt's book Farm Girl Vintage. I sewed this morning at 2 AM because I could not sleep. I just can't lay in bed and start thinking about things because I always go to the worst case scenario. I'd love to be all positive and sunny but I don't think it's going to happen soon. Do you ever have trouble sleeping? What do you do for that? Anyway, I got up and made the Baking Day blocks. Not the best idea to cut and sew in the middle of the night! Here's the 12" block:

and here's the 6" Baking Day block:

I added the rick rack because by 3 AM I thought it was a brilliant idea-hahahaha. So today I have errands to run which means I have to take a shower and all that good stuff because I will be around people. I'm also going to try to get that yellow quilt finished. I'm going to try doing that two-color binding that makes it look like there's piping. I just don't want put any more time in this than I have to. I never intended to spend this much time on it and I'm not going to make any money on it even if I sell it. So that's my Friday. What are you going to do? Hope you have a great day! XO from Bev

Waiting for the Villagers to show up with Torches and Pitchforks....

Happy Saturday morning! I've only done a few blocks in the last couple of days because I'm working on that stupid quilt to sell that I used too small a quilting stitch on and it's taking forever. I may have to keep it because, if it sells, I will make negative money.... Here's the Stash Bee block that Jackie chose for May. Let me just say that in my entire sewing career, there is one pattern that I can never get right. It is the Kaleidoscope block. Of course, that what Jackie wants. Here's my sad little block:

Oh well, I'm not going to re-do it. Jackie can toss it if she wants. I did some more of the Flower Box blocks for the Sew Along:

Good excuse to use that adorable bicycle fabric. Now you are probably wondering about the title of this blog post. Let me just say...I DIDN'T MEAN IT! Here's the story. I am on Instagram now. Lori Holt has a Farm Girl Friday Quilt Along going and a lot of people are posting their blocks there. There was a lot of hype touting this quilt along during the last month or so. Of course, I love everything Lori does and so I was eagerly awaiting the first Friday's project. Apparently we are going to make blocks together from the book, Farm Girl Vintage. I thought instead that she would be designing a whole new quilt using the blocks from the book and some new ones, like she has always done in the past. Here's the first block that was our assignment this week:

So I mentioned on Instagram that I was wishing for more than just doing blocks from the book. YIKES! You would have thought that I suggested that we all get together and shave down all the Shih Tzu's in the world or something equally as heinous. Lori Holt is VERY popular. I love her. I love her patterns. She is a designing and marketing genius. Please, if you are a Lori supporter, don't scold me! I have been handily shamed! So that's my exciting life. Wish I could learn to keep my mouth shut! Oh well, you know me...sigh. Hope you have a great weekend! XO from Bev

A Busy Time and Another Blogger Meeting!

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a week since I blogged! I've been involved in sort of a weird flurry of activity trying to finish things to sell so that I can buy groceries, etc. I've been quilting on this one for for.ev.er!

I really messed myself up by doing teeny tiny background quilting. What was I thinking? If I tried to sell it and get even minimum wage for the time it is taking to quilt, it would not sell. People consider hand made quilts expensive when their price is the same a one of their electric bills. Oh well, live and learn. 

I still have a row of quilting, the baskets and the borders to do. I'm plugging along. Next time, I won't be doing that much quilting. The highlight of my week though was meeting a blogger friend! Yes, that's meeting two blogger friends in as many weeks! Her name is Judy and she blogs at 20 North Ora. She is not only a talented artist and crafter, she is a beautiful person. I can't even keep track of all the wonderful things Judy does for others and that's just the ones I know about.

I just love her! She had to come to Oklahoma City from Tulsa for an eye appointment and we had a great time at lunch. Her beautiful granddaughter, Tiffany, drove her and I got to meet her too. They are such wonderful people! Judy has had a rough year. She lost her sweet husband, John, this year. Seems like so many of us have lost someone. I know it's part of life but it really is awful. Judy creates gorgeous things. Below is a photo of her creation using an cast-off dress form she named Miss Begonia. It was published in Romantic Homes magazine. It was great to meet her and hug her neck!

I've been selling stuff on Instagram. I love doing Instagram too much...it can be time-consuming. I can't help but look at the dog photos. I wish I knew how to copy them onto the blog and show you. Take a look at this link to a little 15 second clip of my favorite dog, Tuna, HERE. It will make your day! He is a rescue dog that has over 1.5 million followers. When you see him, you'll see why he is so popular. Well, guess I'll get back to work. Missed you guys this week. Love you Judy...come back any time! You are next Annette! XO from Bev

I got a present!

Hi everyone! Well Monday is over for all intents and purposes but I had to blog about a present I got from my friend, Camille! She sent me the Farm Girls Vintage book by Lori Holt! She apparently won one in a giveaway but had already bought it. I am so excited! Thank you SO much Camille! I made 2 quick blocks from the book yesterday. They are cute and easy. First, I made the strawberry block:

and then I made the baby chick block:

I still have to embroider the little feet. There are so many cute blocks and cute projects in this book! And, on May 1st, Lori is starting a Farm Girls Quilt Along. I'm sure it will be adorable. You remember her Row Along quilt that started all of her book publishing. So that's all the news I have. I'm still working on quilting a piece to list on eBay and Etsy. I started out doing the background quilting too small and now it's taking forever.  Hope your Monday has been great! XO from Bev

I won something!

Hi everyone! I had a good day all day yesterday which is the first one in a long time. WooHoo! I've told you that, if you aren't on Instagram, you should check it out! I won the cutest little potholder made by kitqueen50 on Instagram. It is adorable! Only I'm not using it as a potholder, I hung it in my kitchen:

My kitchen is yellow and red with cherries. Again I apologize for the color in the photo. The yellow walls are a much nicer yellow that it looks like in this photo...anyway, it's the perfect size for this little corner of the kitchen. Here is a closeup of the "potholder" with the keyring she also sent. Just look at that quilting!

The pattern is from Lori Holt's new book, Farm Girl Vintage. Then, as if that wasn't enough, I had lunch with Karen Walker! She's adorable. She teaches rotary cutting of the Farmer's Wife blocks and is the only person who has the blessing of the book's author. No other person who teaches it has permission from the author. She has a great blog with lots of free tutorials. You can visit her blog HERE if you aren't one of her regular readers. Anyway, I snapped a photo of Karen:

She's actually prettier in person. She lives in Oregon and is on a road trip to Texas with her Mom. I'm so glad she stopped by Oklahoma City to have lunch. I've made so many friends on Blogger and wish with all my heart I could meet each of you. If you are ever coming through Oklahoma City, let's do lunch! Listen up Annette in Edmond. I never imagined I would have such close blog friends. You know who you are and I love you all. In fact, I love and appreciate everyone who stops by the blog and whose blogs I watch. Quilters are such great (well, with a couple of exceptions) people. It's so wonderful to have a fabulous day! Hope you are all having a great day too!  Love you guys! Bev

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you so much for all your sweet condolence messages. It meant the world to me. Spencer was in Minnesota when he passed away so the funeral wasn't held until he came back to Oklahoma. I know that you will all understand if I don't go into detail or talk about this anymore right now. It is just too painful. Your prayers and hugs helped me more than you will ever know. Thank you. I keep thinking that things can't get any worse and then they do. So hug the people you love and enjoy every moment with them that you get. I've listed my Gossip in the Garden quilt top (or flimsy as some call it) in the Etsy shop because I finally got it finished. As usual, I can't get a good photo of it.

The biggest challenge I have is hanging quilts up to photograph them. I just stick straight pins in the wall but it's hard to get them straight. Some of the photos I see online are just gorgeous. They are bright and crisp...oh well. I'm hoping someone will be able to see enough of it from the photos I put up on Etsy. This is the quilt that I have done embroidery on:

Thank you again my darling friends. I'm going back to real life now and am hoping and praying that nothing else horrible happens. I won't make you look at the Gossip in the Garden quilt again! Promise! Again, you have helped me get through this difficult time. I love each one of you! XO

Stuff I'm Selling

Good morning all! We made it to Friday-Woot!  I'm listing things in the Etsy shop today because I still haven't found gainful employment and Mr. Darcy apparently doesn't like old, fat women. Seriously, it's hard for an old woman to find a job. So, I'm selling some things that I was going to keep for myself. First, for lovers of Lori Holt fabrics, I'm selling this Fat Quarter Bundle of Sew Cherry fabrics. I don't know of anywhere else that you could find this. It was so popular and sold out almost right away everywhere. It's in my Etsy shop HERE.  NOTE: SEW CHERRY BUNDLE IS SOLD

I'm also selling a fat quarter bundle of Sweetest Thing fabric. It sold out quickly too. It was designed by Zoe Pearn, the Australian designer. I used these fabrics in my Farmer's Wife quilt. Sweetest Thing is listed HERE.

Please check out the Etsy shop HERE because I've listed fabrics on sale for $4.50 a yard. Some of it is on sale for less than wholesale. These fabrics are perfect for stash building and for quilt backs. In addition, I've listed some of my quilts and will also be listing unfinished tops in case you want to quilt something but don't want to piece it yourself. One of the quilts I'm selling is the Farmer's Wife quilt that was quilted by Karen Walker, the long arm quilting and Farmer's Wife expert. She has wonderful classes on Craftsy for this quilt and you can find her HERE if you want to make your own or have something quilted. Seriously, she is awesome. Anyway, here's the Farmer's Wife quilt:  NOTE:  FARMER'S WIFE QUILT SOLD

You can find the listing HERE. If you need a little wall hanging to brighten up a room, check out this listing for my modern Baltimore quilt:  NOTE: SMALL WALLHANGING HAS SOLD

I quilted this one myself. You can see the listing HERE. I'll be listing more quilts and unfinished tops this weekend. If you don't want to buy anything, please send me good thoughts and virtual hugs. It sucks to be alone and poor! Have a great weekend! XO from Bev

Easy, Fast Way to Clean Your Iron!

Happy Friday to you guys! I have been asked about the best way to clean an iron by several new quilters so I thought I'd share what I do with them. I'm sure everyone has their favorite cleaning method and this is mine. As you can see, I love using starch but it builds up:

At this point, the starch buildup can start to transfer onto my patchwork! I've really waited longer than I should to clean (shocker). What I use is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I just moisten one with water and gently rub the COOL iron.

No chemicals, no mess. I just wipe with a paper towel and this is the result.

My iron looks new again! So there you go Christy and Janet! Hope everyone is enjoying their Friday! Cheery wave from Bev

Lola Got Her Car Ride and I Did Some Fussy Cutting

At last! Today it's 71 degrees and the snow is melting! Last night it snowed 3 inches more and I was pretty bummed but the sun is shining and Lola is happy. She finally got her car ride! It was just to the post office drop box but it made her happy. She doesn't look happy in her picture because she is a dog that never looks happy, even though she is.

Lola was rescued from a puppymill along with 59 other doggies. They were all in such bad shape that 30 of them had to be put down. She had lived her life in a tiny cage made of wood and chicken wire. She never had toys or got to run around. I adopted her sight unseen because the rescue group that helped the police called me and asked me to please take a dog. They knew me because I had adopted Charlie from them and I volunteered there. The people that owned the puppy mill ran from the police. Apparently they would take the puppies to a residence and pretend to be the family that just raised one litter of puppies. I won't go into detail about the condition of the place but it was horrible. Lola didn't know how to drink from a water bowl, go down steps or what grass was. Having Charlie to teach her helped a lot but Lola will never be a "normal" dog because she missed so much socialization. She has come a long, long way and I'm crazy about her. See that little bit of foam on her lower lip? She loves to go but she gets anxious too and she sort of foams at the mouth-lol. She has a car seat to help her feel secure. So I did sew some today. Pam Kitty Morning had a challenge on Instagram - the #stopdropmakeablock challenge. So, I made a couple of blocks:

and

I fussy cut these blocks because, of course, I have nothing better to do....sigh.... Why do I get so easily distracted? Oh well, I have to work with what God gave me and, if I am a crazy woman, that's what I'm working with. Hope you're having good weather and a happy Thursday! XO from Bev

Ice, Snow and Frigid Air--Tomorrow 70 Degrees!

Hi guys! I'm just staying in today because we have ice, sleet, rain and snow today. It is SO cold and windy. As is typical for Oklahoma, tomorrow it will be sunny and 70 degrees. My sinus cavities are going crazy. Lola is mad a me because we aren't driving anywhere today. She sat and stared at me until I got up and followed her and she went right to the door to the garage and sat there. She thinks I'm slow and just don't get it. I'm finishing the rows for the Tulip Patch quilt--here they are just hanging . I only have one more tulip row and 2 more filler rows to go and then I can put it together. 

It's so cheerful and bright that it makes me think of spring. I'm also doing more blocks for the FlowerBoxSewAlong from Lori Holt. The link to her blog and that pattern is HERE. It's a fun, quick block to make. 

That's about all I can handle right now although I have tons of things I can work on. What are you doing today? Do you have a Wednesday WIP? Well, take care! XO from Bev

HAPPY FABRIC SNEAK PREVIEW

44th Street Fabric is "Happy" to be giving you a sneak preview of Happy fabric by Jennifer Heynen from In the Beginning Fabrics. Happy fabric will be shipping the end of this week and should be here by next week! What you see here is just a few of the fabrics in this line which has red, yellow, purple, lime, aqua and black colorways! See the entire line in our shop! Oh, and you can buy some there too! We are still cleaning out to make room for new fabrics coming to the shop so be sure to take advantage of our clearance prices which are barely above wholesale! Cheery wave!

WE HAVE 3 WINNERS OF OUR RURAL JARDIN GIVEAWAY!

CONGRATS to the following winners of the 44th Street Fabric Blog Giveaway for April which is for gorgeous Rural Jardin fabric! As you know if you entered, the rules said to leave your email address so that I could contact you and as you can see if you look at the entries, almost nobody did! Guess I have to take credit for that so you winners need to email me at bev@44thstreetfabric.com with your mailing address! Thanks to everyone who entered! Please watch for our next giveaway which will be posted in the next day or so! I think you will like it!

So, drumroll please.....

FIRST PRIZE: A one yard cut of EACH of the Rural Jardin fabrics shown in the first picture for FOUR (4) yards total goes to Tracey Jay!
SECOND PRIZE: A one yard cut of EACH of the Rural Jardin fabrics shown in the second picture for THREE (3) yards total goes to Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew!
THIRD PRIZE: A one (1) yard cut of my personal favorite in the Rural Jardin line, Oiseaux in the Bleu Claire colorway AND a Rural Jardin charm pack goes to LuAnn at Back Home Again!

Thanks again for participating! You can buy the fabric shown at any of our shops! Be sure to enter our next giveaway! Cheery wave!

BLUSH FABRIC BY BASIC GREY - PREVIEW

Blush fabric from Moda will be in the 44th Street Fabric shop in January! By popular request, we are doing little previews of fabric. I love the Blush fabric line because it utilizes pastels and dark colors in a fresh, contemporary combination. As you can see from the quilt in the pattern shown above (click here to get pattern for free) the Blush fabric colors all go together in a yummy way I couldn't have predicted (guess that's why I'm not a designer).

Don't forget to enter our Blog Giveaway for FREE fabric! Just scroll down to the previous entry, find Jaso and you are entered to win! Blog about our giveaway and if you win, we double your fabric winnings! Good Luck!