Monday, March 31, 2014

Unbroken Email!

My email address works again! It was a long weekend figuring out how to change hosts, wait for verification, reconfigure..., blah, blah, blah. Confusing! But we're back in contact with the world so email me - day or night - I'm here! sara@blueberrybackroads.com

And check out our Facebook page while you're at it! Like us, leave us a comment, we'd love to hear from you. www.facebook.com/blueberrybackroads. Have a lovely day!



Saturday, March 29, 2014

Broken Email

Good morning and happy weekend! I'm dealing with some email malfunction at the moment - arghhhhhhh... I'm switching hosts, and it's not easy! Why isn't this easy??!! I just want to be sewing flowers! :) I expect this to be sorted out soon, but in the meantime please use my alternate email address - sarahardwig@hotmail.com. Or call anytime - 218-230-4801.

And on a happy note it's sunny outside, and here's some of what I'm working on when I can't stare at the computer any longer!

More of My Favorite Flowers did so well with flowers common to Alaska, the West, and here in the Midwest, that I'm working on a new wall hanging with flowers from the East coast. I did a little research and found that one of my favorite flowers, the violet, is the state flower in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Wisconsin! 

Man I have a lot of things in the works. Getting close to done with a lot of projects so look for several new patterns in April. Have an awesome weekend, everyone! Oh, and check out my Facebook page - just getting started with that as well but would love a LIKE! www.facebook.com/blueberrybackroads

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks!!

Hey All! I'm super excited to announce that a block I designed has been selected to appear in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 9! Click here to read more:
In addition, I'll be participating in a Blog Tour set to take place April 28th-May 2nd. My day is May 1st so check back on that day to see more and sign up to be entered in a drawing for your free issue.

Want to see a bit of what I came up with...??
Here are the REDS I used! Don't you love them? Several of these are from Holly Taylor's Holiday in the Pines collection. And there behind those reds is my drawing... yes, a snowman! 

Getting started... I use a light box to trace my designs, and I always use a water soluble fabric pen as I tend to go outside the lines... a lot! Check back on May 1st to see the rest of my block, and to enter to win your free issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 9!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Daffodils & Violets

It's officially spring! Never mind that it's 12 degrees outside, SPRING IS HERE! I'm working on flowers, flowers, flowers. And I'm trying out some new ideas. Here I tried a look with no fabric borders - just the embroidered design on primitive muslin with a pretty yellow single-fold binding.


The single-fold binding is a great option for these smaller wall hangings. It's less bulky than a regular binding so it fits these little guys well. 

To single fold bind, place the right side of your binding on the ironing board with the wrong side facing up. Turn under ¼” and lightly press along the entire binding strip. This crease will assist you in turning under the edge more easily during the final step of binding. Align the unfolded edge of the binding with the straight quilt edge, right sides together, and secure with small pins. Sew the binding to the block as you normally would to complete. 



Daffodils and violets... Look for this pattern to be released in April!



This little tray holds all the must-haves of whatever project I'm working on. I found a set of these pretty serving trays at Grandma's Attic antique store in Bemidji, Minnesota, and they work so well for keeping my embroidery in one place!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Variegated Embroidery Floss

I recently picked up this variegated embroidery floss at Michael's. By the way, if you ever need a bit of inspiration, roam the aisles at Michael's, and you'll find it! I always leave there with a new idea brewing.

Anyway, variegated floss... I love the colors, love the variety, love the idea of the floss giving a project more intesity. Aren't they pretty?!


So here's what I've been working on! The variegated green adds fantastic depth to these rolling fields. I used a stem stitch to give a little lift, and I'm really happy with how it turned out (after a bit of trial and error of course)! Keep an eye out for this pattern soon. I'm really into the springtime theme lately so sunny outdoor scenes are where you'll find me!