Primitive Joy

Pattern in the works!

Enjoy making this while you wait:)



With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Free Charm Placemat Pattern

Here it is!
A "thank you!" pattern to mark reaching 300 posts on my blog.

I was asked if my first placemat pattern was 'charm friendly', and in truth, it isn't really. {But it's still a fun pattern to try!:)}
I took on the challenge and designed this placemat.
As it's name suggests, you need 9 charms (5 inch squares) to make one placemat.
Plus some fabric for the borders. This placemat has a pocket too. Guess I like pockets!
My sample above was made using some of the charms I received from Sandi - last Christmas? and the green is from a fat quarter she sent me too.

You don't have to make Christmas placemats!

But, you could make some for holiday gift giving!

I made a set of 4 for fall using my "October" charm pack.
If you look closely at the bottom right,
you can see I was able to use 2 matching charms to create my pocket block.
Pretty fun, eh!

You can find the free 9's a Charm pattern by clicking here.
{Please enjoy for personal use or gift giving only}

9's a Charm Placemat Pattern


With Joy,
Sarah V.

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Cake Talk Tuesday - Block One

Last Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, was the start of the Layer Cake Quilt Along hosted by Konda at Moose on the Porch Quilts. Click on the photo above and it will take you to the very first post with the information about fabric requirements.


The first designer was Gene Black. He called his block Alabama Spinner.
Click here to go to the post with his information and block instructions.


I debated briefly whether I should use a dark green with the light blue in this block. But, as you can see in this photo, there really isn't that much contrast between them - and Gene stressed the importance of contrast.


I went back through the blue pile again because blue is the most plentiful colourway in my layer cake. You can click here to go to my post about my fabric choices for the quilt along. I discovered that there are different shades of blue in the mix and felt the combination in the photo above was a strong enough contrast.



I really like how the block turned out. You can see there is an extra yellow bonus stripe on my light blue print. It is a print with a border and I read over the cutting and assembly instructions a few times to make sure the 10"square would work.



I did lay out the block with the yellow on the outside edge.
I felt it was a distraction from the spinning motion of the star, so I put the yellow to the inside.




I also made a second block using my fat quarter collection. I really like the effect of the stripy fabric in the star. I think, though, now that it's altogether, I would change the position of the small print and the black print. I think the smaller print isn't small enough, but isn't that part of the challenge and fun?!
I should also mention that Gene's block includes an optional applique circle in the middle square. I haven't decided if I will add it to either block yet.





Check out the Layer Cake Quilt Along flickr group to see all the great blocks. It's a great way to learn about value and contrast - without sacrificing your own fabric!:)
Make Gene's block and post a photo of it at the group site before the next block comes out November 16th to be in the running for a prize!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Weekend Round Up

Saturday was a very creative day at our house.
Those who play instruments, played, and those who quilt (that's me!) played too!
This is a sneak peek at one option for my newest pattern - with lots of fabrics trying out for various roles.
I'm trying to add different styles/colour options right in the pattern - so you don't have to work hard to play with colour.
The tree you can see here I'm classifying as "Whimsical Joy". Would you agree?
It will be a mid-size wallhanging and ready in time for you to make before this year's holidays:) Stay tuned.



Sunday I actually got to sit down to some football, which meant my little handwork case got to stay open and active for more than 15 minutes. It looks like I need to do a thread cleanup!

{that's my friendship bag I made for me! It's holding stuff for the project I'm working on }



The results: 12 more of my Season of Grace stockings now have rickrack loops to hang them up by. Only 6 more to go! Plus I discovered some extra stockings that I can use for gifts this year.





Here's a preview of my Season of Grace quilt. I am almost done quilting the middle.
Still have to decide how/if I'm adding quilting to the borders.

Tonight I might work on adding more buttons - or getting those last 6 stockings ready.




If you got this far in my post - here's what my design wall looks like this morning!
I'm getting ready to share another pattern with you to celebrate 300 posts!!
It isn't {necessarily} a Christmas project - but it would make a great gift.
More details later in the week.


Tomorrow is Tuesday Cake Talk - come back to see my first blocks for the Layer Cake Quilt Along!


Check out what's up on the other design walls this week through the links at Judy's blog.

Thanks for visiting.
With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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