I am sure you are all well acquainted with how much I love Deb Fischer of Fish Museum and Circus.

Well, she has a gorgeous new line coming out called Night Rainbow. And I got to play with it already!!!

My project did not require a lot of the fabric though, just three 1/2 yard cuts. I chose these three.

What was my *little project*?

A new pair of Summer Sneakers!!!

That’s right! I quilted a pair of sneakers for the summer!

The first step was to make some quilt sandwiches. The blue dots fabric was the lining for the shoe, so it was the backing. I used a light cotton batting.

Then I got to play with my new SewTites cutting system! Oh, I am loving this. The magnets held the pattern to the cutting mat and I was able to cut right around it. No pinning, no drawing lines, no scissors.

Use the link above for 15% off at SewTites.Com, or use coupon code LISSALAGRECA

Once all the pieces were cut out, I just had to bind and add the grommets.

Nothing to it really.

Then I took myself, the soles, the thread and needle, and a pair of pliers outside to sit in the sun and sew it all together.

Look how adorable they are!!!

I used an elastic through the grommet for easy on and off.

They’re surprisingly quite comfortable. And just so stinkin’ cute!!!

Want to make your own? Just google Sneaker Kit and you will find what you are looking for!

Now, head over to all these wonderful creators to see what they are making with Night Rainbow!!

7/20	Jen Strauser	dizzyquilter.com
7/21	Tara Miller	quiltdistrict.com
7/22	Sherri Noel	rebeccamaedesigns.com
7/23	Lissa LaGreca	lovinglylissa.com
7/24	Siobhan Fitzpatrick	www.cdm365studios.com
7/25	Heather Valentine	www.thesewingloft.com
7/26	Autumn Shatto	Geometryandjoy
7/27	Sandra Starley	https://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
7/28	Jody Groenendyk	www.gingerberryquilts.ca
7/29	Swan Sheridan	https://swanamity.com/blog
7/30	Brianna Roberts	https://www.quirkyb.com
7/31	Deborah Fisher	https://fishmuseumandcircus.com/blogs/tutorials

Happy Stitching!!!

Lovingly, Lissa

(some links are affiliate links. clinking these links and making a purchase may result in a commission for me at no cost to you!)

And so we come to the Grand Finale of Quilt concert 2023.

If you’re like me, this is now the hardest part of quilting. How do I quilt this?? I never know the answer until I actually do it.

And, honestly, I’ve pulled out quilting and started all over again.

Frustrating…

My favorite solution to this problem is to take a photo of my quilt and print it up. Then I take some colored pencils and start drawing.

Print up a few copies, in black and white. Grab a ruler or any small stencils and spend some time just drawing.

I find it really fun and relaxing, and while I may not finalize the design I do get a pretty good idea of where I want to go.

And Now For Something New and Really Important

We are changing it up for the grand prize raffle. So be sure to read through everything here in order to enter!

The Grand Prizes!

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, we are able to offer three grand prizes: an international prize, a US/Canada prize, and a US only prize.

International Grand Prize

• Three 2021 Endangered Species Color Builder Boxes of your choice from Aurifil with the accompanying foundation paper piecing animal patterns (designed by Cassandra!)

US/Canada Grand Prize

• Proplus Auto Lift Smart Iron from Oliso
• 3 Pack of Sew Fine thread gloss

US Grand Prize

• $100 Gift Certificate to Hancock’s of Paducah
• Queen Size package of Hobbs Tuscany 100% Wool Batting from Hobbs Bonded Fibers

How to Win a Grand Prize

What and How to Link-Up

The winners of the grand prizes will be selected from images submitted to the link up below. You can link an Instagram/Blog post or submit a stand-alone image.

• Link a photo or IG/blog post showing your finished Quilt Concert 2023 quilt top (just the top, it doesn’t need to be quilted!)
• Follow the instructions on the link-up to add your image. If you have questions about how to link up, check out this information from InLinkz.
• Include the country your potential prize will ship to in the caption of your image.
• Add your link on this post OR on the post from Lovingly Lissa. It all goes to the same link-up and will appear on both sites.
• Every participant is eligible for the grand prizes, even if you have already received a weekly prize!

Deadline to Link Up

You have until Midnight Pacific on Monday, August 28, 2023 to add your post/image to the link up.

How the Winners are Selected

Three winners will be selected at random from the submitted quilt tops. Those winners will be placed with the appropriate prize based on their location. In the event that none of the three initial winners is a US resident (or a US/Canadian resident), the first name drawn will receive the International prize and the remaining prize(s) will be re-drawn.
Winners will be notified no later than September 1, 2023. Winners will have 48 hours following notification to acknowledge acceptance of their prize and provide a shipping address. If this acknowledgment does not happen within that timeframe, a new winner will be selected.

Scroll past the photos for the link

This is it, the curtain call for Quilt Concert 2023.

Over the next two weeks you will have time to put together your quilt top and enter into the grand prize drawings.

You don’t have to quilt the top for the grand prize, just need a photo of the flimsy.

Ready for the instructions?

Here ya go!

And Now For Something New and Really Important

We are changing it up for the grand prize raffle. So be sure to read through everything here in order to enter!

The Grand Prizes!

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, we are able to offer three grand prizes: an international prize, a US/Canada prize, and a US only prize.

International Grand Prize

• Three 2021 Endangered Species Color Builder Boxes of your choice from Aurifil with the accompanying foundation paper piecing animal patterns (designed by me!)

US/Canada Grand Prize

• Proplus Auto Lift Smart Iron from Oliso
• 3 Pack of Sew Fine thread gloss

US Grand Prize

• $100 Gift Certificate to Hancock’s of Paducah
• Queen Size package of Hobbs Tuscany 100% Wool Batting from Hobbs Bonded Fibers

How to Win a Grand Prize

What and How to Link-Up

The winners of the grand prizes will be selected from images submitted to the link up below. You can link an Instagram/Blog post or submit a stand-alone image.

• Link a photo or IG/blog post showing your finished Quilt Concert 2023 quilt top (just the top, it doesn’t need to be quilted!)
• Follow the instructions on the link-up to add your image. If you have questions about how to link up, check out this information from InLinkz.
• Include the country your potential prize will ship to in the caption of your image.
• Add your link on this post OR on the post from Lovingly Lissa. It all goes to the same link-up and will appear on both sites.
• Every participant is eligible for the grand prizes, even if you have already received a weekly prize!

Deadline to Link Up

You have until Midnight Pacific on Monday, August 28, 2023 to add your post/image to the link up.

How the Winners are Selected

Three winners will be selected at random from the submitted quilt tops. Those winners will be placed with the appropriate prize based on their location. In the event that none of the three initial winners is a US resident (or a US/Canadian resident), the first name drawn will receive the International prize and the remaining prize(s) will be re-drawn.
Winners will be notified no later than September 1, 2023. Winners will have 48 hours following notification to acknowledge acceptance of their prize and provide a shipping address. If this acknowledgment does not happen within that timeframe, a new winner will be selected.

Link up here!

Lovingly, Lissa

We have made it to the final block!!! It may be small, but it is powerful. Diamonds in the sky appear 10 times through out Twinkle Twinkle, connecting it all together.

Remember to download this as soon as you can! Once August 18th hits, you can purchase it for $2.50 at ShoppeLovinglyLissa.

This Week’s Sponsor

Sew Fine Thread Gloss is our sponsor this week! They will be sending one lucky Concert Goer their choice of three tins of thread gloss. My favorite scents are Satsuma and Smash, hint hint….

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: SewFineThreadGloss
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023Block9
• Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available worldwide!
• Post a photo of your Lucky Clover block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, August 17th, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Cassandra and Lissa. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours of notification. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Lovingly, Lissa

Nope, not those UnFinished Obects you have in your studio.

This week is all about Unidentified Flying Objects. This week’s block is called Flying Saucer.

Isn’t this one so much fun with that pop of color in the center?

And I cannot believe we are on the second to last block!!!! Where has the summer gone? I guess it Flew away with the Flying Saucer.

Flying Saucer can now be found at The (not so) Dramatic Life.

This Week’s Sponsor

Aurifil is our sponsor this week! They will be sending one lucky Concert Goer their choice of one of the 2021 Monthly Color Builder boxes. These sets include a pattern of an endangered species designed by Cassandra Beaver. You can make your choice based on your favorite color or favorite animal!

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Aurifil
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023Block8
• Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available worldwide!
• Post a photo of your Lucky Clover block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, August 10th, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Cassandra and Lissa. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours of notification. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Lovingly, Lissa

It’s block 7 this week, but before we start with that…

Last Friday night at the PJ Jam Zoom we had Rhonda from Schmetz Needles give a presentation on Needles. It was beyond awesome!!! If you missed it, here is a list of links that Rhonda sent us.

The website:  www.SCHMETZneedles.com

The SCHMETZ bundles I talked about:  https://schmetzneedles.com/bundles.

The free SCHMETZ App, Web-Based Resource:  https://www.schmetzneedles.com/pages/schmetz-sewing-resources  (“Click Here” for … simple & free download)

The ever-popular SCHMETZ ABC Pocket Guide is available mostly free at sewing machine dealers and shops that sell SCHMETZ.  It is printable:   D-81-2023-Version-110922-REVISED.pdf (shopify.com) 

SCHMETZ Color Chart:  https://schmetzneedles.com/sewing-machine-needle-color-code-chart.

The Grabbit MyPad is a great way to organize slightly used needles:  https://schmetzneedles.com/mypad/mypad-mp-group

Sign up for the monthly SCHMETZ newsletter:  https://schmetzneedles.com/newsletter-signup-1

Join me for a SCHMETZ Snippet FBLive the first Wednesday of each month at noon Central Time:  https://www.facebook.com/schmetzneedles

My personal blog:  www.SewMoreStitches.com

My profile in SCHMETZ Inspired to SEW: Inspired to SEW #86 by SCHMETZneedles – Issuu

If you missed it, I am so so sorry. We learned so much about needles.

Okay, let’s get to the block, Lucky Star

Lucky Star is available for sale for $2.50, or you can purchase the complete pattern and don’t worry about getting the download in time. Look for it at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

This week’s Sponsor

Let’s all give a round of applause to Electric Quilt for sponsoring this our quilt along this week! Electric Quilt will be sending one lucky winner a copy of Block Base.

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Electric Quilt
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023block7
• Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
• Post a photo of your Block 7 using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Lissa and Cassandra. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

I hope to see you tonight at the PJ Jam Zoom! The links come out in the newsletters every week. We have been having special guest stars recently and you don’t want to miss this!

Lovingly, Lissa

That’s how I’ve been feeling this past week, like I am in perpetual motion. We started a substantial renovation on the house last week, and that has added a whole new section on my to-do list. So on top of my quilting business and family needs, I am answering contractor questions and packing up a kitchen.

Perpetual Motion is the perfect block to embody who I am this week!

Perpetual Motion

The pattern for this block can now be purchased at The (not so) Dramatic Life Etsy shop.

This week’s Sponsor

Let’s all give a round of applause to Hobbs Bonded Fibers for sponsoring this our quilt along this week! Hobbs will be sending a Queens size Heirloom Cotton Batting with Scrim Batting to one of our lucky Concert Goers.

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Hobbs Batting
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023block6
• Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
• Post a photo of your Block 6 using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 27, 2023 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Lissa and Cassandra. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

I hope to see you tonight at the PJ Jam Zoom! The links come out in the newsletters every week. We have been having special guest stars recently and you don’t want to miss this!

Lovingly, Lissa

Oh, Guiding Star, guide me to SANITY!!!

We just started a renovation to our house today and I am already about to go nuts with the noise. It doesn’t help that it’s happing directly over my head while I am in the studio.

Maybe I should have saved my vacation for when it was done? But then the kids will be back in school so I would have to wait until next summer!

I had such a nice vacation with the family. My fingernails actually grew!!! LOL!!! I wonder how long that will last with the ruckus now. The five of us were in a very small 2 bedroom condo overlooking the beach. Or what’s left of it after the storms last year. I even got in the ocean and pool!!! Which means I put a swimsuit on!!! I think my hubby took pictures, but he never sent them to me. Sorry, can’t share.

We came back right into the swing of things. Moving furniture and packing up rooms for the demolition to start and I was back at recording video for this week’s block. I think block 3 video was a bit better. I’m still learning and switching things up. Honestly, I would rather be sewing. But, hey, I want you to learn how to paper piece, so I do it out of love for you!!!! LOL!!!

On the morning of July 21st it will be moved from the blog post and sent to my Etsy shop, ShoppeLovinglyLissa! Keep reading to find out about a special sale!

This Week’s Sponsor

Schmetz Needles is our sponsor this week! They will be sending one lucky Concert Goer a Schmetz Piecing and Quilting Bundle. I am a huge fan of the Microtex Needles. Be sure to stop by our Zoom next week as our Special Guest Star will be Rhonda, from Schmetz!!!!!!!

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Schmetz Needles
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023Block5
• Tell us in your post what country you live in. This week’s prize is available for residents of the U.S.
• Post a photo of your Wheel of Fortune block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, July 20th, 2023 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Cassandra and Lissa. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours of notification. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Christmas in July!!!!

In case you missed it, I had a special Christmas in July post the other day. Scroll down my feed here to see the pretty ornaments I made. To celebrate ALL my patterns at ShoppeLovinglyLissa on Etsy are 15% off through the end of July

Lovingly, Lissa

*this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase at no additional cost to you*

We are 166 days from Christmas!!!

That’s either too long to wait, or a good time allowance to get presents made!!!

Either way, let’s celebrate Christmas in July!

CDM365 Studios has gathered several Quilty friends this week to talk the Holiday. I was thrilled to take part because my AccuQuilt Go!Getter project this month was Christmas Ornaments!

AccuQuilt sent me the new Die To Try for July, Ornaments Medley. I am so proud of myself for keeping secrets, it’s really really hard for me.

The Die create three different shaped ornaments and has little extra shapes to create the ornament tops. They are wonderful to create applique. I, however, decided to go in a different direction and create 3D ornaments.

I would stitch two sides together and add a bead, then at the next level down I would alternate the two fabrics stitched together and add another bead. It created great dimension.

I fused some fabric to both sides of wool felt for this one. I feel that it gave it much more structure than the felt alone

I started using some pretty papers as well, but forgot to add the ribbon! There’s plenty, so I will make more.

I got fairly hooked on these. I have at least four more cut and sewn, just waiting for the beads to be added. It was fun to sit at the pool and beach and think about Christmas.

My special gift to YOU is 15% off my entire ShoppeLovinglyLissa on Etsy! Good through the end of July!

Don’t forget to stop by all the other Quilty Elves this Christmas in July!

July 10th- Siobhan: www.cdm365studios.com

July 11th- Joise: www.hiddenstitches.com

July 12th- Lissa: www.lovinglylissa.com <————- You Are Here

July 13th- Jen: www.dizzyquilter.com

July 14th- Swan: www.swanamity.com/blog

July 17th- Emily: thedarlingdogwood.blogspot.com/

July 18th- Siobhan: www.cdm365studios.com

Happy Holidays!

Lovingly, Lissa

*Want to support me and my work, buy me a Coffee!!!

The wheel has spun and landed on a vacation for me! I’m currently looking past my laptop to a beautiful beach and will make this blog post short and sweet.

Wheel of Fortune is available at The (not so) Dramatic Life Etsy Shop for $2.50, and you can also purchase the complete pattern there.

This Week’s Sponsor

Oliso is our sponsor this week! They will be sending one lucky Concert Goer a mini project iron. I use this all the time when I am paper piecing. It’s perfect for my little iron table that I set up right next to my machine.

How do I win this awesome prize?

• Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
• Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Oliso
• Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023Block4
• Tell us in your post what country you live in. This week’s prize is available for residents of the U.S. and Canada.
• Post a photo of your Wheel of Fortune block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
• Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Cassandra and Lissa. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address within 48 hours of notification. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

I can’t wait to see your blocks!!

Lovingly, Lissa