Keep up the good work!

Many of us have been hard at work creating masks for care workers, friends, family, and ourselves. We have used our stash of fabrics to give of ourselves in the effort to slow down the Covid-19 virus.

We've made masks in several shapes and in many sizes:

I had heard that good quality quilter's cotton was more effective than many other fabrics -- but the video below actually shows it in action!

Take a look and take heart! (If you want to skip to the cotton mask, go to about 1:50...)

Keep up the good work, y'all!

We can make a difference. The quilting and sewing community has always been one of creativity and of generosity -- we are certainly showing our care for the world around us, yet again!

Bravo!!

Love,

Red, white, blue, and crafting

Here at the Lilypad, we like to keep things interesting! Crafting fun decorations is an easy way to make the house cheerful.

I enjoy the challenge of using what I have available and tailoring my decorations to each holiday during the year.

We have two tin men who stand guard on our hearth; my dear dad-in-law made these. He was a WWII veteran who spent three years serving in the Mighty 8th Air Force. (At the time, the Mighty 8th was a part of the Army Air Corps!)

A fat quarter of fabric makes a quick and easy outfit for a tin man - and with a flag in his hand he's ready for the Independence Day celebration! He's got no buttons, but they'd be popping off from pride, if he did! 

My three-dimensional quilted "fire crackers" really "pop" on the mantel. Or should I say, they are about to pop "OFF" the mantel! You can learn about how to make it and see the whole process at this blog post: click here and hold on tight!

Adding some stars to a store-bought garland makes it just right. That's the one new thing this year!

One of our treasures: my dad-in-law carved this eagle that flies for the Fourth. He was an incredibly talented and awesome guy!

Hope all of y'all had a wonderful Fourth of July and celebrated safely! America is truly a land of freedom and opportunity, and we thank all of the veterans and those currently serving, for keeping us free!

Love,

"Which grocery store?"

I hear this sometimes . . . "which grocery store? What's on our list for that store?"

Sigh.

I admit it.

I'm a BHE; a Bargain Hunter Extraordinare.

I peruse the flyers from the grocery stores and then make a list so I can capture the bargains at each separate store. Then on my FIOWs (Forays Into the Outside World), I can make good use of my time and my fuel!  I make certain that I don't go out of my way on these excursions, but I can make a loop sometimes to include several grocery stores, and I combine FIOWs with Necessary Errands. Then I feel good about donning my mask and charging out there, like a soldier on a mission. (Grin)

Does this ring a bell with any of y'all?

Of course, with Covid lurking around, I also have become more of an online shopper. Not for groceries, mind you, but for other Extremely Necessary Things. I'm still shopping my stash for projects, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? 

Sometimes you need a notion or a supply. 

Sometimes there's a sale that you look at -- and you see The Perfect Fabric for that upcoming project!

And lo, and behold, it's on sale!

That one is a no-brainer!

And that means that I apply my Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire skills to my online purchases, as well.

And that brings me to my point -- Lilypadquilting has a new sponsor! And I think you are going to love 'em!

I found Pineapple Fabrics and I love their unique way of packaging projects and fabrics for us quilters!

First of all, they have what they call their Bonus Quarter . . . What is that, you say? I'm glad you asked! Most of us know and collect, er, hoard, er, love our fat quarter yards of fabric: they are extremely versatile and we can cut other sizes from the (usually) 18" x 22" pieces of loveliness.

Pineapple Fabrics' Bonus Quarters are cut at 21 inches square -- that's right, 21" by 21" and you can cut sixteen five inch charms from that! 

Ahhh, think of the possibilities!  Of course, they also offer the standard fare of fat eighths, charms, and more! Take it easy, now, this stuff is gonna have you drooling on your keyboard! Now, if you suddenly slip from your chair and your hand hits the keyboard, and when you regain your seat you realize that you purchased . . . .oh, I'm such an enabler!! (And if you purchase, it won't cost you a penny, but I will receive a tiny affiliate commission to help us bring you more fun and frolic here at the Lilypad!)

                 

That lovely batik is Nirvana by Hoffman; the stacker of ten inch squares is Handiwork by Alison Glass; the fan of fat eighths is Happy Flower from RJR; and the stack of five inch charm squares is Viva La France by French General (Moda).

Secondly, they have packages of fabrics called "Pineapple Packs"! Intrigued? It's a really cool idea!

Pineapple Packs are quilt shop quality pre-cut fabric collections -- the fabrics included are coordinated by the Pineapple inhouse designer for the best possible variety of color and patterns. Each pack includes a free pattern that is designed for the pre-cuts in that pack.  

Do you sometimes love a collection of fabrics but then "hit a wall" when selecting a project for them?

Or do you love to just grab some great fabrics and create as you go?

The Pineapple Packs will work both ways!

There are six different choices!

Alice -  5 bonus quarters plus a free pattern

Bella -  20 2.5 inch (43 inch long) strips, 20 2.5 inch squares, 5 bonus quarters plus pattern

Carla -  20 5 inch squares, 20 2.5 inch squares, 5 bonus quarters plus a pattern

Diana - 10 6.5 inch (43 inch long) strips, 2 pieces each of 5 fabrics, plus pattern

Ellie -  20 10 inch squares, 20 1.5 inch strips, 5 bonus quarters plus pattern

Fran - 20 5 inch squares, 20 2.5 inch strips, 20 2.5 inch squares, plus a pattern

Let's take the Bella Pack as an example, OK? Each Bella Pineapple Pack contains a total of 2 3/4 yards of gorgeous fabrics! Here's a link to the Bella Packs page. 

Now, when you tap on "Early Bird," for example, you will see all the fabrics in the pack, and at the bottom of the page, there are FOURTEEN possible projects to consider! Everything from quilts to tote bags to jackets to a kitty igloo!!

And of course, you can wing it with these Pineapple Packs and make something totally yours! Use another pattern or just dream up something of your own!

Any way we look at it, a Pineapple Pack plus YOU equals an awesome project! 

Pineapple Fabrics' Notions section has rulers and scissors and the BIGGEST selection of Creative Grids rulers I've seen! 

There's a huge selection of quilt backs, and you'll find fabulous prices in the clearance section!

I just know that you will find some lovely things that will spark your creativity, make your fingers itch to sew, and make your heart sing!

Hop over there to Pineapple Fabrics using one or more of those links up there! HERE IS A LINK TO SAVE YOU SOME CASH!!! Click here for 5% off, sitewide!!!

Have fun!!

Love, 

Three more blocks finished!

Drum roll, please! 

Or a celebratory trumpet blast.

Or just a happy dance.

I just finished piecing three more of my Summer Moon project blocks!

Check these out:

You may remember, we make three of each block -- one finishes at five inches; the next is six and a half, and the largest one is eight inches.

These scrappy orange blocks make me happy!

What's under your needle lately?  If you'd like to work on these fun blocks, here is a link to the Summer Moon book from the Fat Quarter Shop! (I'm required to let you know that's an affiliate link, but it costs you nothing!) 

Love,

Sweet stitches

Just a quick update on my block of the month I'm working on. It's the Psalm 23 BOM from Jenny Elefantz. I'm enjoying the hand embroidery and applique combinations on these blocks!

You'll have to excuse the lighting here; a thunderstorm popped up and I want to let you see this (so I'm taking the pictures inside!). 

Here is the entire block: 

Here are a couple of closeups:

Stay tuned, everyone, we are working on a blog reboot, and will have more merriment and mayhem coming your way soon!

Love,