It’s Week 3 of the 2021 RBD Block Challenge and I am really starting to love this challenge. This week’s block is definitely the easiest so far. It didn’t take near as long to sew this one together. I can only hope that the rest are this easy.

This week’s block is the Framed Flower Block provided by Carina Gardner. My fabric choices included Le Creme, Frosting, Marsala, and Stargazer Confetti Cottons. I love seeing how each designer completes each design block as they have all chosen different fabrics each week. I would have thought that each designer would have used the recommended fabrics for their block, but on the RBD website you can see what a block looks like each week made from the Confetti Cottons and the chosen fabric from the designer. You can follow the designer of this week’s block on Instagram @carinagardner.

Framed Flower Block, Week 3

It’s Week 2 of the 2021 Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge and seeing what others are doing for fabric choices is making me second guess in going with the Confetti Cottons as there are so many different versions being made. It just shows that anyone can take the same pattern and make it their own by putting their own personality into it and create a totally different outcome.

This week’s block is the Shining Star Block and was brought to us by Beverly McCullough of @flamingotoes. My fabric choices included Le Creme, Pebble, Marsala, and Frosting Confetti Cottons.

At first glance this block seemed like it would be extra hard to pull off, but after reading and re-reading the directions, it came together rather easily. However, when ironing the piece after the fact, my iron was too hot and burned my Le Crème. If I decide to quilt this top once I see what the final product is supposed to look like, I might remake it or leave it as a reminder of what I went through and help to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

Shining Star Block, Week 2

This project was inspired by a project I saw back in 1993 in The Cross Stitcher Magazine. I had just gotten into cross stitching and was ordering different magazines when I came across this project and dreamed of making it. I knew it would take a long time, but it was always on my mind to complete, but I didn't want to do it as an afghan because I didn't want people to see the way the back of my work looks. I have no idea how people keep the back looking so pretty. I have never mastered that.

Anyway, I kept my magazines that I collected over the years hoping that one day I would get around to making these beautiful replications of Victorian days gone by. I really should have been born back then. I did eventually start this project and it would take me over 10 years to complete. In all that time, I kept all of my magazines and never lost any of my completed shops. This project is what opened the way for me to buy all my DMC floss as back when this pattern was released there were only 180 DMC colors and this project would use everyone of them. Below is a picture of the page from the magazine. I will admit back in 2014 when we were going to live full-time in an RV I let go of all my patterns. Something I really regret right now. Regardless I was able to find these treasures on eBay so that I could have a hard copy to keep in my collection.

Because it has been so long since I originally framed this project and even longer ago that I started it, I'm not sure what date I actually started or completed the project; however, at the bottom of each original frame and mat board was a section for the following, but each frame had a different month and year. I want to believe that it was to represent the approximate time that I had finished another 4 shops. The last date I had was August 2008.

The different shops would appear two at a time over the next six months until the entire series was completed. I honestly don't remember which order I worked on these as I originally started this project around 1999/2000 and it would not be until August 2008 when I would finish it and frame them. The first time I framed them I split them into groups of 4 and framed in three different frames, 16x20 in size. I had a mat cut that went around each shop which are 5 inches square.

The first magazine they appeared in was the December 1993 issue which featured the Flower Shop and Ice Cream Parlor. In February 1994 the Cross Stitch Shop and Barber Shop were featured. The Mercantile and Antiques were in the April 1994 issue and the Quilt Shop and Apothecary were in the June 1994. The excitement of each issue grew each month I got my magazine. The August 1994 issue featured the Dress Shop and Book Shop and finally in the October 1994 issue I would get the Sweet Shop and Millinery.

Each shop was stitched on 14 count aida cloth with 2 strands of DMC and the backstitching was done with 1 strand. Each shop would take hours to complete, but in the end it was worth all the time it took.

When I moved in the first RV I carried these things around in the storage and/or basement area determined that one day I would display them again. That day finally came when I decided how I wanted to change things up. I had several pieces of 1" x 8" boards that had been cut for another project I planned on doing but never got around to that I decided to recut to 6 1/2 inches square. Once they were all cut and sanded, I painted them black as that would serve as my background and then I would use Mod Podge to attach each piece to the board. To add a little boarder around each shop I decided to frill out the aida cloth, but one of the shops didn't have much left over so its a little wonky, but the others turned out pretty good.

To add the mod podge I applied to the backside (no pic) then centered on the black board. I then applied mod podge around the edges so the board would have that shiny look. I did not put mod podge on top of the cross stitch piece only on the back. The below gallery shows the before, during and after pics of the process attaching them to the board.

It’s Week 1 of the 2021 Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge and I am excited to get started on what I hope will be an amazing quilt! Today’s block is the Pinwheel Star Block, by Amanda Niederhauser @jedicraftgirl. The fabrics used in this block are Chive, Curry, Lodge Pole and Le Crème Confetti Cottons.

The block was released on Tuesday, but it took me a few days to complete. It was great seeing everyone’s first block posted on the group page, but also made me feel like I was out of place and not sure I made the right decision in starting this, but I’m not giving up yet.

The first block was a challenge and I had to use a seam ripper more than once, but in the end, I think my points look good and I was proud of myself for getting this once completed. I’m ready for the next one!

Pinwheel Star Block, Week 1

When we started looking for a house my top request was that I would have my own office/craft room. There was no getting around this request as it was the main reason we were moving out of the RV. Although this room will probably always be a work in progress I am very pleased with how it looks at this moment and wanted to share.

This view is from the entryway and to the right is where I have my sewing machines and Cricut Maker set up. The tabletops are from IKEA. I bought the cabinets under the tables from Wayfair I believe and had been using them in the RV. I brought them with me as they are perfect for storing sewing supplies and Cricut vinyl. I had wanted to get white tabletops, but the first day I went to IKEA (which is 2 hours away) they didn't have all three tables I needed in white. As a matter of fact I had a black corner unit and two white tables on each side. Two weeks later I went back for more stuff and they had the black tabletops in stock so I got those, but still used the white legs to tie everything together. I ended up using one of the tables in my laundry room. (Yes my laundry room is big enough for a folding table).

The peg boards are from IKEA along with most of the accessories. I'm not completely happy with my thread organizers and will probably swap them out for something to hang on the wall.

Over in the corner opposite the door is my desk for work as I have been working from home since March 2020 due to the pandemic. I needed space to spread out and this room has definitely given me that ability. I have my work laptop and extra monitor along with my personal laptop and accessories and still have room to do my work. The desk was purchased in 2018 from Ashley Furniture when we lived in a house in Clarksville and then put in our RV when we moved into it for over a year. I love the size of this desk.

When I bought my house back in December I knew that one of the bedrooms would be used as my craft/sewing/office room and I would definitely need some organization in order to maintain an organized space. I had pinned exactly what I wanted to do with my paints thanks to a PIN on Pinterest from Jennifer Maker who created a "wallflower" out of PVC pipe and a duct ring. Until I read her supply list, I never even knew some of this stuff existed.

It took me a few weeks after we got moved in before I headed out for supplies. I wasn't sure if I wanted to make mine as big as hers as she used a 12" duct ring in the middle and had 9 pedals. I ended up using an 8" ring and only needed 7 pedals. I have seen many versions of this since I first saw Jennifer's post a couple years ago, so I knew the possibilities were endless. I did not use everything that she used.

My supplies consisted of the following:

• Two - 6-in diameter PVC Extensions (these are 2 feet long)

• One - 8″ Steel Starting Collar (duct ring)

• Ten - Machine screws (#8-32 x 3/4 in)

• Ten - 10 washers

• Ten - Cap Nuts (#8-32)

• Spray paint (Krylon ColorMaxx Paint + Primer - Gloss Navy Blue and Gloss Sun Yellow)

• D-Ring hangers

• 50 lb. Picture Hangers

It took a couple weeks after I bought my supplies before I could get my husband to cut the 7 pedal pieces out for me, then it took another week before I could get it painted as that needed to be done outside since it was spray paint and the weather has been more cold, rainy and snowing than sunshine. I felt like a kid in a candy store once I was able to get this much done. 

I finally got to the day that I could put it all together and finally hang on my wall. Although it is not perfect by no means, I am happy with it and to me that is all that really matters. If you've been on the fence about whether you can create a wallflower, take it from me, it's easier than you think and as long as you are happy with the outcome that is all that matters.

I love my craft room and can't wait to finish everything up so I can share the way it has come together.

I found the cutest pattern for storage tubs from Rosie Taylor Crafts. I made the small size to put my clips in and cannot wait to make the medium and large version. To be honest, I can't believe I haven't already made a slew of these. The pattern is very easy to follow and sewing it together was a piece of cake. I would recommend these to anyone who needs a pretty storage container to sit on their sewing table, dresser or anywhere for that matter. They can be so versatile, the ways you could use them are endless.

I didn't take pics as I was making it as I wasn't sure how it would turn out and it takes so long to make something when you stop to take pics every few minutes. I'll try to take pics when I make the next one and show all the steps.

I used cotton fabric I purchased from Hobby Lobby. I sewed with a red thread against the navy fabric on purpose so the quilting lines would show up. I need more practice on hand sewing as it has been a long time since I have had any reason to hand sew. The binding at the top is machine sewed to the tub part and then folded to the inside and handsewn down. I could have finished this off a little tighter, but will attempt to do better on the next one.