I'm SOOO Busy and Nothing Looks Like It's Done....

Hey guys! I've hardly had time to read what you've been doing. I missed you so much that I decided to stay up tonight and get caught up. Jennifer and I have been working on getting fabric ordered and getting the shop set up and on some projects I've had in the works for a while. I'm still working on the antique quilt top. It sheds thread everywhere but it's going to look great when I'm done. Have you seen Art Gallery fabrics? Here's a collage of some of their fabric that we are getting from them next week:

And we're getting all of Lori Holt's new line. It's not coming out until December but we are drafting a pre-order plan so that people can pre-pay in monthly installments and have it shipped to them on the day it comes out. We're going to have several options. Her lines sell out so quickly. Anyway, it's called Calico Days and it has cherries, little chicks and is just adorable!

We will also have Bloom & Bliss in the shop by Monday or Tuesday. I like every single fabric in this line.

So, that's enough about fabric. I know you love it too or I wouldn't do two posts in a row about it. Also, I write about what I'm doing and this is what I'm doing right now. Lola is holding her own but she isn't walking very well and I'm still carrying her around a lot. She's getting a bath tomorrow. I'm so afraid she will be hurt and I'm thinking it will be a tricky process. It wears me out and breaks my heart. Why do dogs have to get old so quickly? Well, I'm off to read blogs and then go to bed. I hope you'll visit the Etsy shop from time to time and see what we have added! Love you guys! XO and cheery wave from Bev

Some Really Good News and FREE Fat Quarters!

Good morning everyone! Hope you're having a great weekend! I haven't been posting in the last few days because I've been so busy. My really good news is that I now have a partner in the fabric shop! Her name is Jennifer and I'll be posting more about her in the future. To celebrate, we are giving away a FREE FAT QUARTER for every yard of regularly priced fabric you buy! And, our prices are below suggested retail.

We have some fabric in right now and we have a lot more coming! There are some great new lines that I can't wait for you to see! Look at this from Milk, Sugar & Flower!

I know you probably have your favorite places to shop for fabric but I would love to have you stop by the shop and see if there is anything there that you like. Little Joys is our Christmas line. It is so cute!

 

Some of the fabrics aren't marked with the free fat offer but I'm going to do that today, as well as put together some bundles. We have some great new solids that are high thread count because I do not like the flimsy texture of some of the solids I've seen. We also have some of the Hope Chest 20's feedsack reproductions from Penny Rose. 

So stop by the shop HERE when you can and claim your free fat quarters (there is no limit-buy 4 yards, get 4 fat quarters, etc.). I'll be writing about Jennifer soon so that you can get to know her. She's awesome! Have a wonderful Sunday! XO from Bev

Cozy Afternoon BOM Giveaway Winner!

Hi everyone! Thanks to everyone who entered! I love reading your comments and knowing what fabrics you are using to make your quilts! Won't it be fun to see the finished quilts! The winner of the Cozy Afternoon BOM pattern giveaway is: Kupton52. I do not know her name (sadly). I've looked everywhere. I do, however, have her email so I'll let her know. She said

"I'm doing all 3 versions of her quilt....for the applique I'm using older Thimbleberries....greens, burgundies and golds; for the pieced version I'm using the Laurel Burch cat panel in blues; and for the embroidered version I'm using pastel 30's repro prints. I just discovered her site and love it."


Here's what she won:

Jacquelynne will send her pattern this week. Please check back with us on August 10th for the next Giveaway and the FREE Block Four pattern! There are only 5 blocks in the quilt and then the finish! Quick and easy but really cute!

Check Out Another FREE Tutorial!

I have picked a winner of the July Giveaway for the Cozy Afternoon Giveaway but Jacquelynne doesn't want us to announce until she gets all the winners in from all of the blogs that were participating in the Giveaway. She has to check all of the winners to make sure there is no duplication of winners. So, as soon as she gives me the word, I'll announce it! I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. They are really fun! And speaking of fun, look at this beauty:

I just love it! This is a free tutorial from Podunk Pretties! She has great instructions and has beautiful photographs of each step. I thought of it when I ran across a couple of charm packs and was debating about keeping them or listing them, and I remembered this quilt pattern! So if you want to find some beautiful free tutorials, head over to Podunk HERE! Tell her Bev sent you! Have a happy Sunday! XO from Bev

Last Day to Enter Giveaway and Big News Coming!

Hello! Hope you're having a great weekend! Don't forget that this is the last day to enter the Cozy Afternoon BOM Giveaway! You can enter HERE if you haven't already. The prize is a group of three patterns from Jacquelynne Steves and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. You can also pick up the first 3 FREE BOM blocks! They are fun and easy and you can still catch up. Take a look-it's a beautiful little quilt.

I've been super busy and will have some big news next week! I'm trying, among other projects, to get this quilt top together so I can try to sell it.

It's the result of a decision to use some of my scrap strips. I like the way the blocks came out. Wish the photo was better. I used only 4 colors and that makes joining the blocks tricky to put together without colors touching. I've devised a chart though. The colors are bright and fun in "real-life". Lola is doing better on her new medication. She is walking more but she wants to be carried and lifted. My shoulders and neck are so sore. Every time I pick her up, she goes limp. Also, because for a while she couldn't get up, I started giving her water in a cup that I brought to her. Now she won't drink out of her water bowl. I have become her slave (not that I wasn't before). I can't wait for you to hear what I've been working on! Now go enter the Giveaway and I'll announce the winner tomorrow! XO from Bev

Don't Forget to Enter the FREE Giveaway and Pick Up Your FREE Patterns!

Hey guys! Just wanted to remind you that there is a giveaway on the blog right now for a free pattern set from Jacquelynne Steves! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the Giveaway blog post and tell me what colors you will use to make your FREE BOM from Jacquelynne called Cozy Afternoon. You can find all the info HERE. A winner will be chosen on July 20th. This is what you win:

You can also get the first 3 block patterns and instructions for the FREE BOM at Jacquelynne's site. Anyone from anywhere in the world can enter because the pattern prize is digital! Lola and I are on the way to the vet. Say a little prayer for us! XO from Bev

Lola Update and Adventures with NutriSystems

Good morning! Lola seems to be doing better! She's walking a lot more although I'm still carrying her around. The vet says that our goal is to keep her comfortable and give her a "quality of life". I don't want to make her suffer but (I can tell you this because we're friends), I can't bear the thought of losing her. Here she is with her vet!

She can't go to the groomer or get a bath until her scapula adjusts so she's starting to look like a street dog. She's on some new meds that seem to really be helping. She is walking some so I'm not having to carry her so much. I've told you guys over and over how poor I am, especially with Lola's medical issues...sigh...so my friend who knows that I can hardly buy groceries, brought me a bag full of the NutriSystems food that she bought but didn't like. I can honestly tell you that, if there is an Apocalypse and this was all the food I had, I might not eat it! Seriously, I am a food addict and I cannot eat this stuff. There are some breakfast bars that are edible, but barely. Soooo, my point is that potatoes and eggs are cheap and good. I have a ton of amazing recipes I found on Pinterest. This one is my favorite so far:

Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes. When I saw this recipe, I heard angels sing! Slice potatoes into very thin slices. Place them in a Ziplock bag and add 3 TBS olive oil, 1 TBS Italian seasoning (I used a packet of dry Italian dressing mix-you can get 3 TBS from one package) and salt. Shake it up so that the potatoes are covered and spread out on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes, until lightly brown. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes! Yum! If you have any good recipes using eggs or potatoes, let me know! Have a great day! XO from Bev

Cozy Afternoon FREE BOM - BLOCK 3 and a Giveaway!

It's here!! Cozy Afternoon BOM Block 3 AND a Giveaway! The Cozy Afternoon quilt is from fabric and quilt designer Jacquelynne Steves! It's a versatile, easy and fun quilt that includes 3 ways to finish your blocks. You can piece them using a plain fabric square in the middle, applique them or embroider them. Jacquelynne provides a video tutorial for the two stitches that are used for the easy embroidery so it's a great chance to learn! This BOM goes for 5 months and includes the pattern for each block, plus the border and finishing instructions that are given at the end. Imagine curling up in front of the fire with this quilt, a good book and a cup of tea or giving it to a family member or special friend. Perfect!

This month, you get the free pattern for Block 3. Here's my Block Three:

I photographed my block on the floral fabric that I am going to use for the border and the large setting squares just so you could see where I got my color inspiration. I decided to use raw edge applique for my blocks. I did embroider the little antenna on the butterfly and I appliqued the leaves.

How cute is this little tea cup!  If you haven't already signed up, it isn't too late! Click on Jacquelynne's link and you will get all 3 patterns if you need them. These blocks stitch up quickly so you should be able to easily catch up!

To get your block pattern, just visit Jacquelynne's website HERE, enter your email and click to sign up. That's it! Jacquelynne is also the editor of a gorgeous emagazine and it's FREE too! You can sign up for it while you're there. And, just when you thought you couldn't take any more FREE fun, there's more! Just leave a comment on my blog and tell me which colors you are using in your blocks and you will be entered to win these beautiful free patterns that you can only get directly from Jacquelynne! Make a quilt, pillow or table runner. I'd love to make the table runner in wool.

 Because these are electronic patterns, my blog friends from all over the world can enter! Jacquelynne will send the patterns to the winner during the week of July 20th. The giveaway is open until July 19th. The winner will receive the free patterns the next week directly from Jacquelynne. The ONLY way you can get these patterns is to enter the giveaway on my blog and on the blogs of the other quilters who are hosting the giveaway and showing you their versions of the blocks! Here's a list of participating bloggers. Be sure to visit them to see how they are doing their Cozy Afternoon blocks.

A Quilt and a Prayer
Lily Pad Quilting   
Red Letter Quilts 
The Crafty Quilter

Kathy's Quilts         

  

Pretty good fun for a Monday! Hope you enter! Cheery wave from Bev

Sunday in the Sewing Room and a Lola Update

Well, it's been a busy week. Lola went back to the vet and had her x-rays. She also got some new medication. I got "the talk" about Lola's age (almost 16) and her quality of life. I feel like a horrible person but I am not ready to deal with that without a fight. Her new meds seem to be helping quite a bit. She's still limping but she is getting up to walk short distances. The big problem is the large mass in her stomach. She's too old and not in good enough shape undergo surgery. We are seeing how the new meds do and she goes back this week. Please keep praying for us! I am way behind on Farm Girl Fridays so here are some catch up blocks:

This is called Grandma's Quilt Block. These blocks are all 6 inches.

This is the Feed and Seed block.

Here's the Furrows block.

And the Haystack block. Tomorrow the new Jacqueline Stephens block of the month comes out and there will be a giveaway so please stop back. Hope your weekend is wonderful! XO from Bev

Finished the Basket Quilt

Happy July 5th! I hope you got to spend time with those you love and that you had a safe and happy holiday. Here are some photos of the Basket quilt that I finally finished.

This is the first quilt that I've finished using the machine sewn binding with a little flange:

It was fast and easy. The tutorial is from 52 Quilts. It is so strange to sew the binding onto the back and then pull it around to the front. But its's SO much faster than stitching down the binding by hand!

I'm (hopefully) selling this little quilt to help pay for Lola's vet bills.

 I don't even have Charlie's vet bill paid off yet...sigh. She's totally worth it though. She's on pain meds that I have to give her twice a day and I have to say, she detects that pill no matter what I try to hide it in, eats around it and spits it out.  She's so smart! I'm also working on the never ending quilt repair project:

 So I'm off to work some more on this quilt repair. Have a wonderful weekend and lots of fun! XO from Bev

Happy Fourth of July and Please Pray for Lola!

Hello everyone and Happy 4th! Hope you are enjoying your holiday! I've made one quilt block in the last week or longer. It's the Stash Bee block for July for Hive One.

This block is for Sarah, the Queen Bee for July. She chose the colors and the pattern. The free pattern is on the Moda Bake Shop website and also on the Stash Bee blog. I've been working on the quilt top that I'm stitching up so that I can tie it in between taking care of Lola.

She's having trouble walking. I've taken her to the vet who needs to do an x-ray but who doesn't think her legs are broken. The vet did find a mass in her abdomen. So, to make a long story short, Lola is home with pain meds and I'm carrying her everywhere. She is a solid 20 pounder and when I pick her up, she cries, no matter how careful I am. Of course, the vet moved everything and palpated her all over and Lola never uttered a sound after I told the vet how she was crying when I picked her up...sigh. I certainly found out how weak I am--no upper body strength at all. Also, every time I lift her, I think about how many "Lola's" I am carrying around in the form of extra fat. If I lost all the "Lola's" I need to, I'd probably be able to run a marathon. I have finished the yellow basket quilt (finally) and will be selling it to help pay for Lola. I'm taking photos of it this afternoon. Pray for me that it sells and please pray for Lola that she doesn't have something horrible and life threatening. Have a happy 4th! XO from Bev

Another Farm Girl Friday block and a special project

Hi ya'll! I got one more 6" Farm Girl Fridays block done, the Farmhouse Block:

Note to self:  don't use fabric with squiggly lines for windows again. The 6" blocks are so hard for me but I want to make the quilt with all the 6" blocks put together. I am so out of time to sew that I'm thinking of quitting the 12" blocks for now. I have 16 finished:

I just need to figure out the sashing fabric and the border. I'd like to do a border of red gingham but don't think I have enough. Decisions, decisions. I've been working like crazy on a special project for someone that sounded easy--haha. Just tie this quilt, she said. It will be quick and easy, she said. I need the money though. Here's the old quilt top that I'm actually restoring:

It is hand pieced and can't just be tied because the batting sticks out. I'm having to stitch the many, many tears down. It's a beautiful collection of old fabrics.

As you can see, the blocks don't match (I'm not fixing that) and the places that have pulled away have frayed. I literally have worked on it for a week and it looks like nothing has been done.

I don't think the owner is going to even be able to wash it because the fabrics are so fragile but she wants it done. Believe me, I did not charge enough-lol. What have you been up to? Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Cheery wave from Bev

Shop Pattern Clearance

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a great week! It's hump day and we are on the downhill for the weekend! Woo Hoo! I was looking around the shop inventory and thought I would list some of the books and patterns left in the shop. These are new and unused. These patterns are listed at discount prices. First, look at this adorable book:

This book has 127 pages plus full size patterns on heavy paper--not tissue. All the books and patterns I'm selling are new and unused. If you have a little girl to sew for, you'll find pants, dresses, tops and more with lots of cute ruffles and a modern style. It's a beautiful book for $14.95 plus postage. Next, In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman pattern from Geoff's Mom Pattern Co.

  It has a separate envelope of patterns for each row included in the large pattern envelope. Use one row to make a table runner for the holidays! It's on sale for $9.99 plus postage. Like Cluck, Cluck, Sew patterns and want to make a sweet, girlie quilt? Try the Sugar Dish for only $4.50 plus postage:

  If you are a fan of embroidery, you will love Kathy Schmidt patterns. This sale includes her book titled Simply Red which has a variety of applique and embroidery projects.

Kathy actually autographed this book. It is on sale for $9.99 plus postage. She also has some adorable single patterns that have instructions to make an embroidered wall hanging, plus an iron-on applique accent that makes the pattern unusual and fun! Each of these patterns are $4.50 plus postage:

If you would like to buy all 7, the combined price would be $30. plus postage. Are you looking for great gifts for your sewing friends? This Jennifer Jangles pattern for pincushions are adorable! Anyone would love it as a gift.

 Pattern is half price at $7.50 plus postage! And, last but not least, Kerry Green's Picking Posies wool or cotton applique quilt pattern. This is a VERY hard to find pattern! It's beautiful full color pages have detailed instructions for a variety of fancy stitches as well as the applique pieces and finishing for this fabulous quilt.. On sale for $12.50 plus shipping.

If you want some of the patterns or books on sale from the shop, just email me at: bev@44thstreetfabric.com and I'll send you a PayPal invoice. I do combine shipping! Have a great Wednesday! XO from Bev

A Cozy Afternoon Giveaway Winner and Some Farm Girl Fridays Blocks

Hey ya'll! Hope you had a wonderful Father's Day weekend and that you were able to tell your Dad what he meant to you. I did get two of the Farm Girl Friday blocks done. I did the 6" Farm Fresh Flower Block:

and the 12" Farm Fresh Flower Block:

And now, what you're really interested in. The winner of the free pattern from the June Cozy Afternoon Giveaway is:  #20  Lynn McIndoe! Congrats Lynn...Jacquelynne will send you the free patterns in the next few days! THANKS to everyone who entered! I wish that, if you are a no reply blogger, you would include your email address. Several people asked me questions and I cannot reply because you are no-reply. Let me know if you don't know what that is and I'll show you how to fix it. Have a great week! XO and cheery wave from Bev

It's not too late to enter the Cozy Afternoon June Giveaway!

Hello! If you haven't already, it isn't too late to enter the Cozy Afternoon Giveaway for these special patterns from Jacquelynne Steves! You can still enter until 10 PM tonight! You can only get these cool patterns on this giveaway. Anyone is eligible from all over the world to win this great June Giveaway!

To enter, just leave a comment HERE. You will also get the first two free patterns for this adorable Cozy Afternoon Block of the Month!

I'd love to see your blocks as you get them finished! Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday! XO Bev