Welcome Weekend!

Back from our show in Pittsburgh, and slowly but surely my apartment is being put back together again. I live in a pretty small space so getting all the patterns and samples back in their place is quite the endeavor! Someday I'll have a studio... Anyway, all went well, and we made it home safe and sound. Even the flowers we had in our booths made it back in great shape!

Do you love kits? I've updated my website to include kits for some of my newest patterns. They'll be available only while supplies last, so get them while you can! Click here to see what's available. 

Here's wishing all of you a sunny holiday weekend. Summer has finally arrived to Minnesota, and I'm going to relax and maybe work on a few new ideas that I have brewing. But definitely going to spend some time outside!

Wherever you head this weekend, don't forget to bring along a little hand work! :)

Sara

Still Rockin' it in Pittsburgh

Another great day at Market! Here's a full shot of my booth:

Me and my mom...

Me and Tony...

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas...

Tony flew home this afternoon. We hated to see him leave but he has a baseball game tomorrow, and Tony does not miss his games! My mom and I will hit the road tomorrow afternoon at show close. About 14 hours back to Minnesota - not a bad drive with some pretty scenery along the way.

Happy stitching!

Sara

To Market To Market

We're loving Pittsburgh! Today was great at Market - busy busy busy. Been seeing some shop owners that I haven't seen now since last Market, as well as meeting many new ones. It's such a fantastic opportunity to see what's new and get inspired.

Snippets of my booth!

Me and Miss Stacy from Buttermilk Basin.

My mom and her booth from Red Button Quilt Company.

Me and Karen from Farmhouse Woolens.

More to come tomorrow!!!
Sara

Setting up in Pittsburgh!

We made it to Pittsburgh! Tony and I drove the 14 hours from Minneapolis and really enjoyed the scenery. I had never been through this part of the US, and Ohio and Pennsylvania are gorgeous! Trees are blooming, and the weather has been beautiful. My mom flew in and met us this afternoon, and now we're getting set up for Spring International Quilt Market.

Ok so here's my booth so far - what a mess! I start with a basic idea and then just start putting things up. So consider this a "before" picture, and I'll post "after" pictures when it's all set up. Organized chaos...

Now here's my mom's booth. She's right next door to me and quite organized. See the difference... :)

Looking forward to getting it all squared away tomorrow and then posting those "after" pictures. See you then!
Sara

New Patterns are In!

Six new patterns released today!! I've been working days, nights, weekends (and even a few mornings :) to get these patterns completed. I've shared some snippets on this blog, but here are the completed projects!

056 - DOWN ON THE FARM
10 1/2" x 10 1/2"

057 - WILDFLOWER SAMPLER
12" x 14"

058 - HOLLY JOLLY SANTA
11 1/2" x 11 1/2"

059 - DAFFODIL WELCOME
10" x 11 1/2"

060 - THROUGH MY WINDOW
25" x 31"

061 - LET IT SNOW!
17 1/2" x 22 1/2"

These are available and ready to ship. Visit the Blueberry Backroads website for ordering information.

Thank you for stopping by and happy stitching!

Sara

And the Winners Are...

We have our Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour winners! And they are (drum roll)...

• Gwen Wehner from Ohio won the blog drawing and will receive her copy of Volume 9!
• And Debby Errigo from New Jersey won our Facebook drawing so she will receive Volume 9 as well as my two newest patterns... to be released this week!

Thank you so much to all who participated. It was so much fun to see people's excitement and receive all the great feedback. And congratulations to Gwen and Debby!

Those of you who expressed an interest in learning to embroider, I encourage you to visit your local quilt shop and inquire about classes. Many shops offer fantastic introductory classes. And visit Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread website for beautiful video demonstrations on how to execute many embroidery stitches. I refer to her site often to learn something new or even for a refresher on common stitches.

My mom taught me to embroider, and I am so thankful she did. It's an affordable, relaxing, and portable hobby, as well as a great way to enhance your quilting.

Happy stitching!
Sara

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 9 Blog Tour

Welcome, Bloghoppers! I am both thrilled and honored to be one of many talented designers participating in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 9 Blog Tour. Click on the link to learn more about the tour and see other designers' beautiful work. And read through to learn about two ways to win!

My block is called Season's Greetings and can be found on page 59 of this issue. So without further ado...

I was so excited when I found out that my embroidery would be a part of Volume 9! Let me share with you a little bit of my process in coming up with this block.

I always start with pencil and paper. And so often when I sit down to draw, snowmen appear! I may intend to draw something for spring, and I end up with snowflakes and sleds. Perhaps it's my Minnesota surroundings...?? And picking out fabrics - so much fun.

Hammer out a few calculations...

And trace out the pattern... I like to use a water soluble fabric pen for all of my embroidery. I tend to veer outside the lines a lot (only sometimes on purpose), and this pen allows me the freedom to change my mind as I go.

Here I've redone the block in bluework and turned it into a little throw pillow! Another option would be to just bind the block and have a seasonal wall hanging for your home. 

                                                                                                           

Now for your chance to win! Leave a comment on this post, telling me what you like best about embroidery, and your name will be entered into a drawing to receive a free issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 9. Comment by midnight on Friday May 2nd, and a winner will be chosen on Sunday May 4th. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner!

Want another way to win? Go to www.facebook.com/blueberrybackroads, and comment on today's post. Say anything you'd like, and your name will be entered into a drawing to win an issue of Volume 9 along with my two newest patterns (yet to be released!!)

And be sure to check out other designers' beautiful work at Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 9 Blog Tour. See more of the blog tour, and learn how you can win more fun giveaways.

Thanks for stopping by and happy stitching!

Sara