Musings - Keep Your Joy

I am entering into the weekend with a mind full of things I "need" to do. You know, groceries, laundry, clean the bathroom. Oh! Feed the family, very important. 

There is another list going on in my head at the same time though, the PBJ list. I need to get this sampler done, I have that pile to post, an email to write, etc, etc. 

The problem with having all of this going on in my head, is that I lose the joy in doing that list. I love to quilt. I love every part of it. The designing, the cutting, the piecing, all the way to hand stitching the binding. Love it. 

There is a joy and a contentment in my heart when I am doing any of those things. Moments when I really do think to myself, "I am happy." 

Those first cuts in freshly pressed fabric, yum!

Making the first stitches in the first units of the new block. 

Squaring up the units. I can't tell you how much I love to square up a unit. It might be my favorite of all steps. I trim off the excess and look at that perfect unit and I am seriously entering into my happy place. Ahhhhhh...

Laying the units out in a beautiful block. 

Then the finished block into a quilt top. 

Possibly adding borders. 

(Here I send off my top to the long arm-er, because lets be honest, time is not my friend.)

Then hand stitching the binding. 

I only have this sad little picture from my Instagram. You can follow me here. (See what I did there?)

Joy! This all brings me such joy! The joy can get lost though, if I don't focus my attentions to "in the moment" thoughts. If I get stuck on counting how many squares I still have to cut out, or the blade is dull, this can make for ugly cutting time instead of joyful cutting time. Or if I forgot to fill up the bobbins before I started and I run out. I hate stopping to refill bobbins, I know better!  What about a dull needle when you are stitching on the binding. Frustrating! 

Quilt shown is my new pattern: XSquared.

So as you head into your weekend, which I hope has lots of quilting time planned, remember to stop and smell the fabric. Change the blade, fill the bobbins, clean the machine, use a sharp needle. 

Feed your joy. 

Happy Stitching,

Jen

Introducing X-Squared

I am excited to introduce you to the 9th pattern in the PBJ family: X-Squared.

That mustard was just too hard to resist, and needed to be used, and used a lot. 

The mustard print was perfect for this larger version, but too big for the smaller version. Purple called to me. Whether it's because the purples are so pretty, or because it's my favorite color, I fell in love with this version. 

I may have to make this one again so I have one I can use. This pattern uses only 2 blocks, turned on point, and a simple (though it looks complicated) Seminole border. This pattern has instructions for  Baby, Lap, Twin, Queen and King sizes. You can find it here.

I am often inspired by the tester's samples when I look at colors. Kelly's version above, and Dedee's version below, had a big influence on that little purple quilt. 

Those jewel tones, just saturated in color, really called to me.

Joanne's sample is simple and sweet. Can anyone else picture a little one laying on this quilt?

Melissa's sample has me all cowgirl feeling, or patriotic, it depends on the day. 

Sherra's version is perfect for the horse lover in you.

A beautiful shot from Kelly at Simonsen Photography. 

To celebrate the release of X-Squared I am giving away 2 patterns, simply comment below and I will choose two random winners the morning of Friday, March 10th. 

Happy Stitching!

Jen