Modern Neutrals Blog Tour

Hello Everyone,

My friend Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side asked me to be part of her blog hop for her newest book... Modern Neutrals!!

This book is so different from some of the other modern books out there... this focuses on using neutral fabrics.  A great concept and some beautiful patterns and instructions to accompany!

I wanted to share with you my two most favorite quilts in the book...

This one is Circuit Board.  I just love the design and the colors that she used.

This one is Triangle Fury... I love this one for a few reasons, it is an awesome quilt... love the colors, black and white is a favorite of mine... and it is my favorite way of piecing a quilt... Paper Piecing!! Yippee!!

Anyway, would you just love to win a copy of this book?? You can... just click here to answer a question or two and Amy will randomly draw 10 winners!

Best of luck and you will just love this book!

Until Next Time...

Modern Neutrals Blog Tour

Between Heaven and Texas Blog Hop Tour... Giveaway and Star Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

Today is my day to introduce to you, my good friend, Marie Bostwick's newest book...

Between Heaven and Texas.

But along with that there are some other goodies too.  With each stop on the tour you will receive a new block to make.  The one below is mine.  

I call it Top of the Rainbow. 

 Note the similarities in the colors to the quilt on the cover of Marie's book!!

You can download the PDF for the star here.

Now onto the book...

Marie's book is just fabulous!  And this is not a biased statement.  I have read all her books from the Cobbled Court Quilt Series as well as this book too.  This book is sort of a prequel to the Cobbled Court Quilt Series.  The main character is Mary Dell, who was featured in her previous books. 

You will come to love and know Mary Dell so much more intimately in the book.  Learning more of her background and where she comes from just endears her more to you.  That said... I am keeping my mouth shut on the rest of the book.  I want you to read it for yourself... you will love it!!

Don't forget to visit all the other blogs for your chance to enter a book and also to grab some wonderful FREE star tutorials.

Oh... so one more thing.  I have been friends with Marie for quite some time.  I think I first met her in 2007 in the local quilt shop that was open at the time in my town.  Marie lives very close to me, so I do have the opportunity to see her.  

But each time she has a new book come out, I either go to her house or she comes to mine and I interview her on my podcast.  This book was no different.  You can hear her on my podcast...

You can listen on your computer by clicking here.  Or if you prefer you can download it from iTunes and listen on your iPod or other MP3 device, by clicking here.

Here are all the stops on the blog hop.

Monday, April 29 – Marie Bostwick
Tuesday, April 30 – Michele – Quilting Gallery
Wednesday, May 1 – Bonnie – Quiltville
Thursday, May 2 – Pat – Pat Sloan
Thursday, May 2 – Kim – Persimon Dreams
Friday, May 3 – Melissa – Happy Quilting
Saturday, May 4 – Jo – Jo’s Country Junction
Sunday, May 5 – Wendy – Ivory Spring
Monday, May 6 – Victoria – Bumble Beans Inc.
Tuesday, May 7 – Vicki – Quilting Lodge Blog
Wednesday, May 8 – Melissa/Jake – Generation Q Magazine
Thursday, May 9 – Jennifer – Sew Hooked
Friday, May 10 – Jackie – Canton Village Quilt Works

You can download the PDF tutorial for my block by clicking here.

or Find all the stars here with direct links to each Blog Hop post.

Want to help out a great cause while enjoying the great free patterns from Marie’s Blog Tour? Make an extra star block and donate it the The Linus Connection! Any and all 12″ star blocks are welcome!

Jennifer from SewHooked has been an active volunteer for The Linus Connection for over 10 years. To date, she has made and donated approximately 300 quilts and blankets since 2002, many of them made from orphan blocks donated by quilters from around the world from generous quilters like you!

The Linus Connection is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas whose mission is to make and deliver handmade security blankets for children in crisis situations in the Central Texas area. The blankets go to children in hospital emergency rooms, in crisis centers, in foster care, battered women’s shelters, to any child who is in need of a little extra security in their lives.

Contact Jennifer for mailing information at sewhooked@gmail.com or visit The Linus Connection blog to find out other ways you can help!

Now it's time for a giveaway.  One lucky reader will win a copy of Marie's book.  Just leave a comment on this blog post and tell me your favorite book.  The giveaway will be open until May 12th at 11:59 PM CST.  Good Luck! 

Don't forget...There's also a bonus giveaway if you complete the quilt top using the designer’s blocks and upload a photo to our Flickr group by September 1, 2013.  You’ll be entered to win an audio version of Marie’s new book. This version is due to be released sometime in September.

Best of luck to everyone!!

Comments are now closed.

Until Next Time...

Between Heaven and Texas Blog Hop Tour... Giveaway and Star Tutorial

15 Minutes Play Blog Tour and Giveaway

Hello Everyone,

Yay!! Today is my day to review my dear friend Victoria's new book!!  First I must say that I truly LOVE this book and for many reasons...  Just look at this cover... this just sucks you in...

But having known Victoria and her style and her drive to create, this book not only inspires others, but will having you sifting through your scraps immediately.  

I was honored to have quilted many of the quilts in this book too!  So I was able to see them up close and personal.

Here we are at Quilt Market for the launch of her book... Yahoo!  She is personally autographing my copy.  I have read it and love it! 

I especially love the beginning where she speaks of her grandmother.  There is always someone in our lives that touches us in a special way and this is a great story of Victoria and her grandmother.

The book showcases quilts from Victoria and her "made fabric".  It is a great improvisational way to make a quilt and use up your scraps.  The best part are the results that it yields.

You will find many quilts that incorporate traditional designs with made fabric.  This quilt is a stunning example, don't you think?

Two of my favorite colors to work with are pink and green.  A couple of years ago, Victoria had a mini retreat in her loft.  We all brought along scrap fabric and put them in a HUGE pile.  Throughout the 3 days we all picked through and made many different projects.

Here is mine...

The focal point is Mary.  This is a piece of fabric that Victoria had made on Spoonflower and had given to each of us to use.  I decided to make a mini quilt with it as the focal point using mostly pinks and greens.

Then I proceeded to create "made fabric" and border Mary with this fabric.

Wonky piano keys surround Mary.  This process is fun and really has fantastic results. 

I encourage you all to give it a try. Break out the scraps... just dump them on the floor like a pile of fall leaves and JUMP right in!!!

 This book will give you the chance to spread your wings and fly with your scraps!  If you would like to purchase a copy you can get one in my shop here, all the proceeds will go to Victoria's charity City Harvest.

But you can enter to win a copy of 15 Minutes of Play by leaving a comment on this post and tell me what color you use most in your quilting projects. 

 All U.S. entries are eligible for a hard copy of the book and International entries will be eligible for an electronic copy.  

The giveaway will remain open through December 11, 2012.

Don't forget to go to all the other blogs on the tour to enter as well.

 Nov 26: Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Nov 27: Bonnie Hunter

Nov 28: Alissa

Nov 29: Pat Sloan

Nov 30: Fat Quarter Shop

Dec 1st: Karen Griska

Dec 2nd: Angela Walters

Dec 3rd: Generation Q

Dec 4th: Tonya Ricucci

Dec 5th: Michele Foster

 Dec 6th: Scott Hansen

Dec 7th: Amy Ellis

Dec 8th: Rachael daisy

Dec 9th: Jackie Kunkel

Dec. 10th: C & T Publishing

Good luck!!

Until Next Time...

15 Minutes Play Blog Tour and Giveaway

Simply Triangles.... Giveaway!

Hello Everyone,

Wait until you set your eyes on this fantastic new book!  Barb Cline invited me, once again, to review a new book of hers.  Thank you, Barb!  It was fun to review the first book and this one is equally as wonderful.

Barb will show you in this book how to make stunningly beautiful and different quilts from any that you might have seen before... all from triangles.

This is a little sneak peak of a quilt that is just awash with bold and bright colors.  She will demonstrate in precise detail how to cut and utilize the triangles to make ingenius settings for the quilts in the book.

This one, I think, is my favorite quilt in the book.  It is called Button, Button.  It appeals to me because they are pinwheels and I love pinwheels!!  In fact there is a chapter on  Pinwheels!! 

She has a chapter on Daisies as well.  These quilts are quite innovative and beautiful!

This one is another favorite, it uses strip sets!  And look at the colors.

This is Barb and you can find her on her blog Quiltin Gal.  She is creative and leads such a wonderful family life too.

Here is her book.  Just look at the cover, isn't that quilt just fabulous?  

I am just the first stop on the book tour, you will need to visit each of the other blogs as well and have extra chances to win one a copy of her book.  Here is the schedule...

Canton Village Quilt Works Blog    Sept. 2

Polly the Patchworker         Sept. 3

Cherry House Quilts            Sept. 4

Jan Krentz                             Sept. 5

 Connecting Threads             Sept. 6  

Coleen Sr. xanga                  Sept. 7

Quiltingal Barbara H. Cline Sept. 8

If you would like to enter to win a copy of the book from me 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY.

Until Next Time...

Simply Triangles.... Giveaway!

Star Struck Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway!!

Hello Everyone,

I am honored to bring to you a wonderful interview with Barbara Cline. Not only is she a talented quilter, but a fantastic designer as well. She has written an absolutely gorgeous new book that is a must have for any quilter who loves stars or dreams of making a beautiful star quilt.

The book is titled Star Struck Quilts and it is a winner. So without further adieu, let me introduce you to Barbara and some of the phenomenal quilts from her book. At the end there will be 2 giveaways!!

1. Your designs are beautiful and based on the traditional Lone Star pattern. Can you describe the process of how you take the Lone Star that one step farther?

I think of each diamond as a “block”. This diamond block then is broken down into smaller pieces which can create design beyond the diamond block. There are examples in the book to see just how these diamonds can be broken down.

2. Most of us know that when working with diamond shapes, you will end up with bias edges. In your book you talk about a popular technique of blocking. Can you explain, why this is a great technique and what it does to the diamond?

This is a great technique because all edges of the diamond block will measure the same and fit perfectly into the completed quilt causing the quilt to lay nice and flat.

3. Throughout your book you speak of life lessons, which I love, do you have any others, that are not in the book, to share?

Yes, here is one I will share.

The Secret to Smooth Sailing

Have you ever observed your neighbors across the fence or the couple in the next pew at church

and concluded that they have a perfect marriage? That is exactly how I felt after we were

married. I would think if only Terry and I would always agree then life would sail smoothly on. One day I heard a well known talk show host share a personal story of a healthy argument between him and his wife. As his story unfolded, they were each sharing their feelings and discussing openly what had transpired.

This immediately caught my attention as I began to realize that even the experts must deal with conflict in marriage. I became aware that all relationships including marriage have some rough spots. The secret to success is learning to be open, to share and to bend as we work through our issues.

Now I know that the happy couple next door is one that knows how to work together navigating the rough water to the smooth sailing of married bliss. For it is not the weather, but the ability to handle the storm that makes the differences.

LESSON: Be willing to deal with conflict in a positive way.

4. I love the "Create Your Own" section of your book and my favorite quilt in this section is the Delightful Diamond Chain. Do you have a favorite quilt in this book and why is it a favorite?

My favorite quilt in the book is “Stitches That Bind”. A deadline for the book was coming up and I was running out of time. It was Labor Day and my daughters had off work. They agreed to put in a day of sewing for me. We picked out the fabrics in the morning and by evening we were ready to sew the blocks together. We had a wonderful mini sewing retreat that day.

Don't forget there are more stops on this tour, so be sure to visit all of them. There will be a giveaway of the book at each stop and possibly more. Details below.

Here is the schedule of stops:

August 23 Paula Julia Graber

August 24 Polly The Patchworker

August 25 Quilter's Corner

August 26 Dorcas Smucker

August 27 Canton Village Quilt Works (ME)

August 28 Mountain Musings

August 29 Spun Sugar Quilts

August 30 Quilternity's Place

August 31 Burgundy Buttons

September 1 Little Lady Patchwork

September 2 Tazzie Quilts

Here is the book that will be given to one lucky winner from my blog! I will also be throwing in a second prize!! Yes, I will be giving one lucky individual a $20 gift certificate to my shop!! (lots of new arrivals)

To enter the giveaway here are the rules:

You must leave a way for me to get in touch with you if you are chosen a winner.

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Become a follower of my blog, then leave a second comment letting me know you became a follower.

3. Blog about it and leave another comment for a 3rd entry.

Good luck to all!! I know you will love this book. The giveaway will be open until Midnight, September, 2 Eastern Time.

** The giveaway is now closed. Make sure you check back here in the next few days for the winner**

Until Next Time...

Star Struck Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway!!

Star Struck With Excitement

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited on several levels!! The first is that I will be one of the stops on the Blog Tour for Barbara H. Cline's new book Star Struck Quilts. You will be in awe of this book and Barbara's talent! Every quilt is gorgeous and she gives wonderful instructions on how to make them and then mix and match as well.

Best of all you will have a chance to win your very own copy of this book at every stop on the blog tour.

Here is the schedule of stops:

August 23 Paula Julia Graber

August 24 Polly The Patchworker

August 25 Quilter's Corner

August 26 Dorcas Smucker

August 27 Canton Village Quilt Works (ME)

August 28 Mountain Musings

August 29 Spun Sugar Quilts

August 30 Quilternity's Place

August 31 Burgundy Buttons

September 1 Little Lady Patchwork

September 2 Tazzie Quilts

Make sure you stop by here on the 27th, because not only will you be hearing from Barbara, but I will be giving away a copy of the book and a little something, something from my shop!!

The next reason I am excited is that my 16th podcast is now available for your listening pleasure. This episode is packed with different tools that I have used to design quilts. Hopefully this will inspire you to begin design or just to stretch your limits. You can listen 2 ways. Go to iTunes and download the podcast or you can click HERE to listen directly from your computer. Enjoy!!

Last but not least, today is the LAST day of my Big Blowout Sale. All Art Gallery, Aunt Grace Authentics, and Storybook VII c.1930 are marked down to $6.75 per yard. AND there are new items in my Clearance section priced at $4.35 per yard. BUT WAIT... that's not all use the discount code blowout10 at checkout and receive 10% off the remainder of the site.

Enjoy!! Just click HERE to start shopping!

Psssst... check back tomorrow for the AccuQuilt GO! GIVEAWAY!!

Until Next Time...

Star Struck With Excitement