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Row Row Row Your Boat

Oops…it’s not a boat this week, it’s a Canoe.

Block Two for Twinkle Twinkle is called Crossed Canoes, but I couldn’t think of a song with Canoes in it, so your ear worm for this week is Row Row Your Boat!! LOL! Sorry, not sorry.

Crossed Canoes can now be found at The (not so) Dramatic Life on Etsy

Remember to download the block instructions for FREE until Thursday June 29th. After that day you can find them at Cassandra’s Etsy Shop for $2.50. Block 1, Pinwheel, is available at Shoppe Lovingly Lissa, and you can also purchase the complete pattern there.

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 #quiltconcert2023Block@
  • 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, June 29th, 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.

I can’t wait to see your blocks!!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Twinkle Twinkle Block One

(some links in this blog are affiliate links. I may receive a commission when you click or make a purchase at no additional cost to you.)

Pinwheel

All of our blocks for this pattern look like spinning stars to me. The Pinwheel Block is really a great way to begin this Quilt Along. Block one’s templates are simple and there isn’t too many changes of colors. If you are beginning out as a paper piecer, this is the one to start with. Also, Cassandra has created a great blog post of Paper Piecing tools for you!

New this year are videos with each pattern!!! You’ll find the link in the pattern. Now, I’m going to be upfront with you. This is the FIRST TIME I have recorded a video. I have already made some notes for next time. I would ask for constructive criticism, but I don’t think I am ready for it yet. So hold your comments for a few weeks, please.

This week’s Sponsor

Let’s all give a round of applause to The Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring this our quilt along this week! The Fat Quarter Shop will be sending a $25 gift certificate 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: The Fat Quarter Shop
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2023 and #quiltconcert2023block1
  • 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 cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 22, 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.

*Note – Cassandra and I check to make sure you meet all the requirements to win, so make sure you are following who you need to follow*

Download Block One, Pinwheel

Here they are! Remember to download these NOW! Next week when Block 2 is available, this pattern will no longer be free. But do not fear! It will be available for sale for $2.50, or you can purchase the complete pattern and don’t worry about getting the download in time.

Block One is now available at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

I look forward to seeing you all at tonight’s PJ Jam Zoom sew in!

Tonight’s zoom link went out in today’s newsletter. If you want to join in next week, be sure to sign up for my newsletters.

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Cutting a rug

Well, no, we aren’t cutting a rug, or really dancing at all for that matter. I mean you *could* dance and cut Twinkle Twinkle at the same time, but I really wouldn’t recommend it. LOL!

It is so exciting to get started on this quilt along. I know many of you are ready to go! I’ve seen quite a number of “I’m Attending” badges, and fabric pulls and coloring pages.

Let’s get a move on then.

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 #quiltconcert2023cutting
  • 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 cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 15, 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.

*Note – only the BACKGROUND fabrics need to be cut for the drawing. We know paper piecing can be cut many different ways, so you do not need to cut the block fabrics unless you want to*

Download the cutting instructions

Here they are! Remember to download these NOW! Next week when Block 1 is available, this pattern will no longer be free. But do not fear! It will be available for sale for $2.50, or you can purchase the complete pattern and don’t worry about getting the download in time.

The Cutting Instructions can now be purchased individually at The (not so) Dramatic Life Etsy

I look forward to seeing you all at tonight’s PJ Jam Zoom sew in! New this year are our Special Guest Stars!

Tonight we will welcome Sponsor Caroline Moore, and announce this week’s winner of Carolina’s Foundation Piecing Water Pen and Precision Tweezers, the perfect tools for Twinkle Twinkle.

Tonight’s zoom link went out in today’s newsletter. If you want to join in next week, be sure to sign up for my newsletters.

Happy Quilting!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Twinkle Twinkle is brought to you by our Sponsors

We are going to share with you all the wonderful, fabulous, marvelous, glorious sponsors who are part of our Quilt Concert quilt along, the people and companies who support Cassandra and I to bring the Quilt Concert Tour back to you for free every year.

All we ask of you is that you return the support by showing your love to our sponsors

Read through to discover all our wonderful sponsors and to learn how to enter for prizes during the giveaway.  Read all the way to the end for all the information. 

We are proud to introduce to you our Quilt Concert Sponsors…

Carolina Moore

A Quilt Pattern Designer, Award Winning Quilter, and fan of all things quilting. Carolina lives in San Diego with her husband, their two boys, and their cat Cupid. Carolina loves keeping both her hands and mind busy, so she’s always working on lots of projects.

Hobbs Bonded Fibers

Hobbs has manufactured high-quality quilt batting (wadding) for hobbyist, commercial, art and show quilters since 1978.

Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly. An avid quilter, Kimberly began her shop as a side business while still working a corporate position, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer.

Aurifil

Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based in Milan, specializing in the production of 100% Cotton threads from the Mako region of Egypt. The threads have achieved worldwide success thanks to a dedicated collective of quilters, sewists, embroiderers, and textile artists who herald the thread for its versatility, its strength, and the fact that it produces virtually no lint.

Hancock’s of Paducah

Established in 1969, Hancock’s of Paducah holds three generations of fabric knowledge service and selection. Their vision is to promote artistic creativity through textiles.  

Oliso

Surprise, Delight and Simplify your life.  Ergonomic productions designed to make your creative life more enjoyable.

SCHMETZ

SCHMETZ supplies the full range of SCHMETZ Home Sewing, Industrial Needles and Sewing Notions to the sewing enthusiast. Internationally known as the finest sewing machine needle manufacturer in the world, SCHMETZ offers a choice of high quality sewing machine needles that can result in high quality, smooth, even stitches in your work. With SCHMETZ, you have options!

Electric Quilt

The Electric Quilt Company’s mission is to provide quilters with the best software and support for turning their quilt design ideas into reality. In addition to its flagship quilt design software and add-ons, the company also offers companion books, printable fabric, and software education for quilters around the world.

Sew Fine Thread Gloss

Sew Fine Thread Gloss is a beeswax based scented (and unscented) thread conditioner to help tame your unruly threads and make your hand-sewing a more enjoyable experience.

You know what Cassandra and I  love most about the Quilting Community?  The love and support we receive from others. It has blown us away year after year.  We are so appreciative and thankful for the support of the sponsors for the Quilt Concert Series.

Every one of these companies has provided a weekly prize for our Concert this year, and we’ve also put together a Grand Prize package for those who finish the quilt top.

Each week, Cassandra and I will highlight one of the Sponsors and let you know what the prize is.  You will have to post a photo of that week’s block by a certain date, follow Cassandra, me and the Sponsor on Instagram, and use the hashtag #quiltconcert2022blockNUMBER (replace NUMBER with the digit number of the week)  Full details will be in each week’s post.

Now, how can you contribute to this community?  It’s easy.  Just head to each sponsor page, take a look around, follow them on Instagram.  If you are so inclined, support them with a purchase.  

Show them your appreciation!  Without them, our Quilt Along wouldn’t be as much fun.

How Do I enter the giveaways?

Blocks are released Friday morning, you have until the following Thursday at 11:59pm(EST) to post your completed block on Instagram. The post must include the following;

The hashtags – #quiltconcert2023, #quiltconcertblockNUMBER (include the digit number of the block)

You must follow Cassandra, Lissa, and the Sponsor of the week.

You must include what country you are in.  Many of our prizes are U.S. only, but we do also have prizes for international Concert Goers.  We will announce who is eligible for which prizes.

If we pull your name and you are missing any of the above, we move on to another person.  

How do I know I won, and what do I do if I do win?

First you do a Winner dance and submit the video to… (hahaha. No, but I almost had you there)

Winners will be notified via Instagram DM from Cassandra or Lissa. Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be redrawn.

Wow! I am beat!!!! Till next week!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Raise the Curtain!

Presenting Twinkle, Twinkle for Quilt Concert 2023

Cassandra Beaver of The (not so) Dramatic Life and I have chosen 9 quilt block designs, all with starry features to entice beginners and experienced quilters.  The vast negative space allows for quilting exploration in the night sky.

Each Friday we will post the instructions for a block on our blogs, and that block will be FREE FOR ONE WEEK! The following week, a new block pattern will be released, and the block from the previous week will no longer be free.

If you miss a block, the block only pattern is available to purchase for $2 in our Etsy stores through the end of the Concert Tour.

If you would like to purchase this pattern in its entirety, it will be available at Quilt Pattern Mart for $18 starting June 2nd 2023 for all our Concert Goers who want a head start working on the blocks! Don’t forget to use QuiltConcert2023 for 20% off, good through June 9th on all our patterns in the Quilt Concert Shop.

Cassandra and I are so excited to hang out with you this summer as you create your version of Twinkle Twinkle.  Or, if you like our colorways, Cassandra has fabric bundles available for you all ready to go.

There are lots of fantastic prizes this year! Each time you finish the goal for the week, post a picture on Instagram using the hashtags for that week, and you will have a chance to win that week’s prize. (More on this next week!)

This year’s quilt focuses on learning how to paper piece and we are thrilled to introduce our first sponsor, Carolina Moore with her new tools specially designed to help remove the papers.

The Foundation Piecing Water Pen and Precisions Tweezers are a must have when foundation paper piecing. Carolina has offered one lucky Concert Goer a set of these tools.

To enter, post the I’m attending badge using the hashtag #quiltconcert2023 Make you are following me, Cassandra, and Carolina in order to win. Carolina has offered to ship world wide.

(please note that international winners will be responsible for any duties/fees on their end)

We will also continue hosting our Friday Night PJ Jam Zooms.  This year we have added a surprise, so make sure you are receiving my weekly newsletter to get the zoom link for that Friday night.  This link changes every week, stay in touch!

Are you ready to get started?  Feeling inspired?  Download this free coloring sheet of Twinkle, Twinkle to get the creative juices flowing!

It’s going to be a great time, we can’t wait to get started!

Lovingly,

Lissa

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Looking Back

It’s that time of year again! The third annual Quilt Concert is almost upon us!!!

Cassandra Beaver of The (not so) Dramatic Life, and I, decided to host a quilt along during the summer of 2021. Filled with weekly Zoom Parties and Prizes it became an event we decided we would continue every year.

And now, here we are, 2023 and we are finishing up the quilt tops, getting sponsors organized, and thinking of new ways to spice things up.

We call it a concert because it was a concerted effort between the two of us, and I love to play on the idea of a musical concert. You may have noticed that from the titles of the past quilts.

First we had, well…. FIRST NOTES. Another play on words as it was our first quilt along and is also in the Sound of Music. You may remember the very first notes are do-re-mi. LOL!!!

That year I made two versions. One with various prints and another using solids and an Ice-dyed Tula Pink print. Both have been quilted, one may still need binding. Shhhhhhh…..

2022 was our Seasons of Love pattern. This year we added an opportunity for Concert Goers to vote on our colorways which we based on holidays. My options were Christmas or Valentines. Here was the winning colorway.

Cassandra and I enjoyed having you all vote for our colors so much we did it again this year. Just as a reminder, here is this year’s colorway that I am working with.

Let’s add to the excitement of the upcoming release!!! From now until June 2nd, First Notes and Seasons of Love are 20% off at Quilt Pattern Mart using code QUILTCONCERT2023

Are you excited yet? We are!!!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Won’t you be my Neighbor

Well, we can’t have a theme of Neighborhood with out at least one reference to Mr. Rogers.

I think this is going to be a fun month for Quilt Block Mania. I’ve seen a number of the blocks already and they are so gorgeous!

I went a little punny this month, LOL, and decided to represent a Neighborhood theme with a Block Party. And, yes, neighborhood block parties are great, but what about a Quilt Block Party!!!

My Block Party is a 12″ finished block consisting of 9, yes NINE, 4″ finished traditional blocks.

No piece is smaller than 1″ finished, I swear!! And my most helpful hint is to starch all your fabric before cutting. Best Press for the win!

And if you really don’t feel like cutting all those small pieces, I’ve written up a list of AccuQuilt dies from the 4″ GoQube that you can use for each of the nine blocks.

Block Party is no longer available.

And then you can head on over to all these creators for Neighborhood and download their blocks for your own beautiful neighborhood quilt!!!

Lovingly, Lissa

Store Front Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Funky Town by Inquiring Quilter
Swing Set
Rail Fence by Scrapdash
Neighbors by QuiltFabrication
Neighborhood trees
House of Worship at Patti’s Patchwork

Jellybean Row by Penny Spool Quilts
Mr. Roger’s Sweater by Crafty Staci
Block Party at Lovingly, Lissa
Mid Modern Home
Home Sweet Home by the Quilte Diary
Bird House
Applique English cottage by Flowerdog+Co
Street Sign
Park Entrance at Patchwork Breeze
Good Fences by Kaye Collins
Down the street
Mr. Rogers Trolley Quilt Block by The Quilting Room
Log Cabin Garden by Epida Studio
Garden Flags by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Charleston Palm Tree
House and Tree

*this post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

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A Little Bit of Improv

Are you ready for another month of Quilt Block Mania?!?!?!

I am!

With the promise of Spring on the horizon, this month we will be featuring Flowers!

My pattern this month is an improv pieced pansy. Don’t be scared if you have never improv pieced before, there are detailed illustrations on what to do. Just remember, none of your points have to match (unless you want them to)

A quick tip when you make this is to make sure you leave enough fabric when you are trimming that you don’t lose it all into the seam allowance when you sew the blocks together.

By playing with colors, you can create your own perfect bouquet of flowers!

Improv Pansy is no longer available

Do you love what I do and want to support me to create more? Click on the Ko-fi button below and buy me a coffee!!

Last, and certainly not least, are all the wonderful makers who have created even more flower blocks for you this month! Be sure to visit all the pages and collect all the patterns!

Chubby Daisy Quilt block by Carolina Moore
Violet by Inquiring Quilter
Dahlia by Inflorescence Designs
Poppy by Boberry Design Co
Summer Poppies
Coronation Bloomd
Rose of Sharon by QuiltFabrication
Irises by Paleofish Designs
Lavender by Palm Creations
Crocuses at Patti’s Patchwork
Tulip by Penny Spool Quilts
Improv Pansy at Lovingly, Lissa
Daisy by Appliques Quilts and More
Cone Flower
Summer Flower by Crafty Staci
Mother Nature’s Memos
Kaye Collins- Big Blossom
Flower Shop
Star Flower Quilt Block
FPP Flower at The (not so) Dramatic Life
Spring Tulip by Around the Bobbin
Pretty Pot
Happy Sunflowers by Blue Bear Quilts
Poppy by Sallys’ Sewing Circle
Reversible Flower Block | Happy Hippie Studio
Primrose Pinwheels by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Flower power

Lovingly, Lissa

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Thank Goodness it’s Finish Friday!

Let’s celebrate!!!

Everyone who had finished something this week should celebrate!!!

I am so thrilled to bring you my finish. It’s been a long time coming.

4 years coming…maybe 5, I forget.

Flash Cube is a pattern I developed for a local guild’s opportunity quilt. I started writing the pattern for my local quilt shop who was going to publish it under their name.

But then the world shut down and it’s been just sitting in a file.

Well, not anymore!!! I dug it back out after the New Year and have been re-formatting the pattern and re-designing the diagrams. This past week it was tech edited to make sure everything was in order and now it is ready to release!!!

Flash Cube is traditionally pieced and set on point. There are templates to guide cutting the setting triangles.

The center of each block is a 3″ diamond that is perfect to feature a favorite fabric or to fussy cut a motif.

I had so much fun fussy cutting and creating these two example blocks. I may create a whole new quilt with the Ruby Star Butterfly block, and I need to turn the Tula Pink Squirrel block into something for my husband (he has something against squirrels, so this would amuse me very much).

The pattern includes 4, yes that is F.O.U.R, sizes of quilts from Baby to Queen.

Flash Cube will be available on February 23rd at Quilt Pattern Mart.

If you are at Quilt Con next week you can come see it in person on February 24th. I’ll be at the booth from 2:30-3:00pm for a “Meet the Maker” and will be showing off the new quilt.

I’ll have a reminder email sent out next week (and there may be a coupon code!) so be sure to sign up for my newsletter!

What have you finished this week? Link up here to share your work! Be sure to check out everyone’s link and comment your love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!Click here to enter

I can’t wait to see what you all share!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Lover’s Knot

Welcome to February’s Quilt Block Mania!!

The theme for this month is Connections. It was so inspiring to see all the ways this theme could be interpreted. I went Love Happy and re-created a traditional block called True Lover’s Knot or Interlaced. For me, this block represented reaching out for connection.

The block may look intricate, but it truly isn’t. It’s a great beginner block to learn with. The directions are written step by step with diagrams for each step. A beginner quilter can really perfect the scant 1/4″ seam allowance with this block.

Let’s make some connections with the Lover’s Knot block!!

Repeating the block four times will give you a lovely 24″ pillow cover just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Below, I have mocked up two lap size quilts with the block.

Are you inspired? Ready to download?

Lover’s Knot is no longer available.

You may see a new link at the end of my pattern. I am working on a large number of free products this year (12 months of Quilt Block Mania, the Quilt Concert quilt along, videos and tutorials) The time I spend on free product prevents me from creating the patterns I sell. For instance, I spent 4 days writing the pattern for Lover’s Knot. The link is for Ko-fi, a site that allows creators to receive tips from supporters. If you appreciate the work I do, feel free to click the link and buy me a coffee! I would truly appreciate your love and support!!

Here is the list of all the other wonderful creators for February Quilt Block Mania! Stay tuned to my stories on Instagram where I will feature one every day!

Heart and Star
Woven Heart by Inquiring Quilter
Puzzle Block by Inflorescnece
Connected Hearts by BoBerry Design Co.
Mardi Gras Geese
Chain Link by Sugar Sand Quilt Co.
Linked by QuiltFabrication
Irish Chain
DNA by Palm Creations
Hello at Patti’s Patchwork
Lover’s Knot at Lovingly, Lissa
Double Hearts by Appliques Quilts and More
Key to my Heart
Connections by Penny Spool Quilts
WiFi Signal by Crafty Staci
With Love By Sew Cute And Quirky
Text Me!
Braided Love by Kaye Collins
Celtic Tree of Life By Sallys’ Sewing Circle
Hearts Together Block by Sew Worthy Mama
Sunshine Village Church by Sarah Marcina
Braille Block
Left and Right Block at The (not so) Dramatic Life
Love Encircled by Jessica of Blue Sky Modern Craft
Celtic Hearts by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Half Friendship Star with Heart by Blue Bear Quilts

Lovingly, Lissa