April Update

I really did intend to keep updating my blog, but time just seems to be flying by.   My last post had photos from the fall Jane Stickle retreat in Shipshewana, and I'm heading to the spring retreat early next week.  

This photo is from my newest pattern called All American.   I love making Dresden plate blocks.   I hate to tell you how long I had the Easy Dresden ruler before I ever took it out of the package, but it was a really long time.   These Dresden plates are made using a Creative Grids 30 degree ruler.   You sew them the same as you do the pieces cut with the Easy Dresden ruler, but there are less blades to sew so it goes together faster.   You can click on the image on my sidebar to take you to my Etsy shop.   The pattern is also available at Back Door Quilts here in Greenwood, IN.

I decided to join in on the Jemima's Creative Quilting annual mystery quilt along.  The next round has 12 hexagon flowers and will take some time to stitch.  I might take this project along to the retreat next week.  According to the next part that was released, I should use green on the next round of hexagons, but I'm thinking I might switch it up and do something different.  

Here's another hexagon project I have started.  This one is the Tea and Cake quilt from the book Quilts for Life 2 by Judy Newman.  I have the next round cut for this quilt.  You can really create a lot of different designs from the simple hexagon shape.

These next 2 blocks are from the Judy Newman pattern Beehive Coverlet.  These blocks are fun but kind of confusing to create a secondary design.  There are 67 hexagons in each block, so each one is kind of a mini quilt. 

I'm still cross stitching, too.  These are some of the stitches from one of my St. Patrick's displays.  These patterns are by Stitching with the Housewives.  

The pillow in the tiered tray is a design by Helen D found as eastcoastcrafter on Instagram.  The table topper is made from my pattern Sunburst Dresden Table Topper.  It's a quilt as you go pattern so comes together pretty quickly.  

These next few stitches are from the pattern A Year in the Round by Kim and Jade of Small Town Needleworks.  These patterns are so cute and a lot of fun to stitch.  I have May downloaded and am ready to start stitching on it.  

This pillow is a design from Primrose Cottage.  I made this into a small pillow for the smalls exchange at the retreat with Two Tall Stitchers Carol and Jen.  This was my first time at this retreat.  It's nice to meet others that share your interest in stitching.  Cross stitch retreats are becoming a "thing" just like quilt retreats.  Both are a lot of fun.

This was the small that I drew in the smalls exchange.  It was made by Jen @jenquilter on Instagram.  I have this displayed in my sewing area along with tomato pincushions that belonged to my Mom and Mother-in-law.  The little wicker basket is where my Mom kept her needle and thread.  

Here's a small spring stitch I did.  This is a design by Erin Elizabeth.  

I didn't plant any tulips last fall, so these in my family room will do until I plant some.  The weather here has turned to spring with warm days and cool evenings.  Most yards have been mowed once or twice, and the daffodils are blooming.   Hope the weather is great where you are.

Until next time.....

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

I hope you are finding some time to stitch today.