Mandalynn - Pattern by Busy Hands Quilts

Do you remember this post about my secret sewing project for Myra of Busy Hands Quilts? I showed you a package that had arrived and I was getting ready to sew.

I loved these fabrics when I opened the package and that feeling has never waned. 

Let me introduce you to

Mandalynn

 

This pattern is now available in both print and pdf version at Busy Hands Quilts. 

I know that I've said this before, but I LOVE using Myra's patterns! They are so easy to follow and her illustrations are wonderful. This pattern includes four sizes (throw, twin, queen, and king), so you don't have to do any math. She's done it for you!

Here are a few pictures of Myra's completed quilt. 

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Check out that quilting! 

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Why is it that it always seems to be windy when I try to take quilt pictures?

As you know, I always like to take pictures of the quilts I make from side angles. 

We all know that sometimes our beds to do not get made properly. I just love this picture Myra shared. I can just picture myself waking up and seeing these bright colors. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

You can get your own copy of Mandalynn at Busy Hands Quilts.

While you're there, sign up for her newsletter. 

Check out Myra's Facebook page for more pictures of this beautiful quilt. 

You won't be sorry you did! She is offering a special introductory sale for this pattern thru Sunday, so don't wait too long.

I just have to share one more picture...

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Design Wall Monday

Since this whole Covid-19 deal started, I've been working on a lot of different projects, including hosting a Table Runner Sew Along for Chestnut Ridge Sewing. I enjoyed that and decided that I really wanted to host another Sew Along, so I got busy on samples of Bloom, a Cut Loose Press pattern. This is the quilt on the pattern and for some reason it just caught my eye. I love all the colors and hexagons. 

Here's my version...

I used the same fabric for the background, setting triangles, and borders, and I'm very happy with how this turned out. This entire quilt top was made from stash fabrics and that makes me very happy. I did have to purchase backing, but I found the perfect fabric very quickly. As a bonus, after I quilted and trimmed this, I realized that the backing fabric was also the perfect binding fabric. Yay!

Of course I can't just make one sample when I'm going to be teaching a project, so I made a smaller version of the quilt too. (Stash fabric again!)

I used the backing fabric for the binding on this quilt too.  It has all the colors from the fat quarters I used and I'm thrilled that I didn't have to buy anything. :-) 

A 60 degree triangle ruler is required to make this quilt, but I didn't mind. I've used the ruler a lot; but I know many people have not. As a matter of fact, I know at least four people that have yet to remove the plastic. That was kind of the catalyst for me to use the pattern for the Sew Along. I really want people to use what they have and not be afraid to learn something new.

With that in mind, I figure there might be some participants who don't want to commit to a large quilt. So, for them, I created a couple of table runners. 

They will learn to use the ruler and have a usable product when they are done. 

After I made the red and white runner, I played around with some layout options and threw together this version of the quilt.

This measures the same as the original quilt, 64" x 80", but it looks so different and only uses 24 blocks. I'm pleased with this and will get it quilted soon. 

We pulled some fabrics, in case any of the Sew Along people want to buy a kit. Aren't these beautiful?

I have a strip of each of these fabrics so I can use them for my demos. I'm happy that will result in another quilt because I know it will be very pretty and I have just the person in mind who would love this. 

What are you working on today?

Check out the quilters' eye candy at 

Beth's Monday Making

and

Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

June Color Challenge

It's Color Challenge time again! 

This month's color is blue and the bird is a Bluebird, of course. 

For the pattern and block instructions, head on over to 

Jen's Blog - Patterns by Jen 

The picture above is of an Adult Male Eastern Bluebird. 

He is quite small, but has big eyes, and a plump chest. His wings are long, but his tail and legs are pretty short. Unlike many other birds we see around here, his beak is quite short and straight. 

The Bluebird has a beautiful sound - whether he is singing, calling, or just letting other Bluebirds know to stay away. Click HERE to have a listen. 

We are fortunate to have a large number of Bluebirds around our house. They like to perch on wires, posts, and low branches. We have a couple of nesting boxes set up here, and it's a pleasure to watch them. 

The deep blue feathers of this bird are most vivid in bright light, and they are absolutely beautiful next to the brick-red/brownish throat and breast. 

I've always liked the combination of blue and brown fabrics, but I never really knew why. While typing up this post, I think I've figured it out. lol 

On of my favorite quilts (Totally Decaffeinated) is one that I made using this color scheme. Gee, don't those colors look familiar? 

 

There are two blocks in this quilt and I love them both, mostly because of the colors. They are almost exactly like the Bluebird.  😊

I don't have a good picture of the quilt and it's raining right now (and for the foreseeable future), so I'll just have to post this one. 

Even though the blue that I used for this month's blocks is not like the blues I used in my quilt, as soon as I saw the fabric at Once Upon a Quilt, I knew that I wanted to use it. It reminds me of the feathers of a Bluebird in flight with the sunlight hitting it. (See the box picture above)

You can't see the white fabric, but it's the same that I've been using all along. Here are the fabrics, cut and ready to be sewn. 

I like these blocks!

There are other bloggers joining the Bluebird rage today. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or drink of choice and check out their fabulous blocks. 

Patterns by Jen

Quilty Creations by Fawn

Katie Mae Quilts

Purple Moose Designs

Kathleen McMusing

Be sure to go to Jen's Blog to get the instructions for this block, as well as information on how you can enter to win one of the awesome door prizes available. 

Quarter 2 Sponsors - April thru June

Quilters Chic - PDF Pattern

For The Love of Geese - PDF Pattern

Said With Love - PDF Pattern

Quilter Dream Batting - Dream Poly 60" x 60"

Cherrywood Fabrics - Two $40 gift certificates

Warm Company -  100 Warm - 100% Natural Cotton 55" x 60"

Island Batik - Garden Party Fat Quarter Bundle

Patterns By Jen -  PDF pattern and Superior Thread S - Fine 50