merry and bright

First things first. I did include the fly fabric in my string blocks! I have been sewing along and keeping up (for the most part) with the mystery. I've also been anticipating each clue for the Quiltville mystery, next one comes out early tomorrow morning...and I can't wait!




So in between steps I have been...



Working...and doing a little shopping, baking and wrapping of course!



Winning. Thanks to Angie and Allison I won a machine quilting book and some lovely charm squares. The book is an excellent resource and will help me along the free motion quilting journey. The charms are a really fun assortment ~ see how Allison sewed them up into a quilt here. These gifts are so inspiring. Thank you ladies.



Beginning. In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War I have started the Thread Head Quilt Along in civil war fabrics. The blocks are not necessarily from the CW era. I may do a few substitutions. This is a way I have chosen to commemorate it, there are so many ways! Perhaps make a red, green and white quilt? You could sew CW era blocks from scraps or yardage of CW era fabric, use CW fabrics to sew up something that catches your eye, or sew a quilt that somehow connects 2011 to 1861 for you. Maybe a sashed sampler with one block each from the 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, and so on?

Thread Head's block #2 squared up and ready to sew together

Reading blogs. Incredible ~ see this story ~ a woman sold her crazy quilt for a tidy sum. Congratulations to her and many thanks for educating those who don't sew and don't know what goes into doing what we do.

May your days be merry and bright! My wish is you have some time to relax, slow down and reflect...and put a little needle and thread to fabric if you please.

~~Lisa

Mystery Progress & Giveaway Winner

Mystery Step 2 units awaiting trimming

Is everyone who is sewing along enjoying the Quiltville mystery? I sure am anticipating each 'clue' as it's revealed and capitalizing on the enthusiasm in between steps to get some other sewing done. Based on the last few lines in clue #2 I am not sure there will be much extra time to anticipate following clue #3...as Bonnie notes, "you never know what whammies might be next" so I am prepared for some serious sewing on Saturday and the days to follow (I'm working Friday)! I just hope I can keep up.

And without further ado, I consulted random.org and #14 Sarah B was selected. Congratulations Sarah B! Please contact me by Saturday, December 4 at midnight PST with your mailing address so I may send you the magazine.

~~Lisa

Charlevoix, Mystery Quilt, Giveaways

I love that "I won" feeling! Earlier this month

Minick & Simpson hosted a giveaway and I won the t-shirt (signed by request). Laurie also sent a sample of Charlevoix in the envelope and I am so happy to see the yellows in this line in person ~~ gorgeous!! Also, 2.5 inch squares are the perfect size for 1 inch hexagons. So, am tempted to sew them into a little something. Thank you Laurie and Polly!



Speaking of giveaways, there is still time to enter to win the current issue of American Patchwork and Quilting here. You must comment on that post by November 26th (or early on the 27th if you want to press your luck!) and answer the question posted to be eligible to win. If you already have the magazine, just note that in your comment and I will send you a different prize if you are selected...and re-draw for the magazine.


Elaine at Faithful Quilter is hosting a Thanksgiving (Quilting) Give-A-Way! Comment on her blog for a chance to win. Winner will be selected November 25th.


I have kept busy since Friday after work trimming, pressing and sewing scraps for the Quiltville mystery 'Roll Roll Cotton Boll!'. When scraps are used it surely takes more time getting them prepared to sew together, but I am resolute on using them up...so I happily process and prepare them for sewing (wash, press, trim, sew, repeat!).

Here are a few of my step one units. They're so scrappy! (using tan instead of pink)

As you can see my quilt will be very scrappy, as prescribed. I am pleased to be able to cut some of my less lovely fabrics into small pieces and get them into a quilt. Some true uglies are here, and some that I thought were just awful are less so when diluted amongst those I like more. As more steps are done, these will be even less noticeable! I think I have enough fabrics gathered to make two of these quilts...and the quilt will be a generous 87"x102" so that's saying something.

Thanks for stopping by!

~~Lisa

Birthday Giveaway Winners

First, thank you for the kind birthday wishes. I enjoyed reading each comment.

Yes, Brigitte, I had cake!

I took two days off work to sew!

It was a lovely birthday.

Now...for the two winners!

The winner of the 'Strawberry' grouping is LINDA James-Linda

The winner of the 'Pears' grouping is SUE quiltma

Congratulations to the two winners!

I will contact each of you by email as well. Please send me your mailing address. If I am not contacted by Saturday, November 13 at 12:00am I will re-draw for that giveaway grouping.

UPDATE: Both winners have made contact.

Come back to visit soon...I love giveaways!


~~Lisa

Winner of the Fall Into Fall Giveaway

Just a quick post to announce the winner of the two - one yard cuts of fabric is....

**Grandma Shell**

Thank you for visiting the Inspired Quilter blog and stay tuned for another giveaway soon. My birthday is in October and, well, I just feel like celebrating!

Giveaways are one of my favorite things. I plan to have giveaways here as often as I can....so y'all come back soon!

~~Lisa

Giveaway Winner: Pincushion Kit

I apologize for a slight delay in posting the winner. The camera batteries are failing, so I am not able to include photos today. Maybe it's time to go camera shopping?

There are 24 strawberries in the jar. Congratulations to Eleanor S. who posted:
Hi, I'm thinking 24 strawberries.... I'd even like to win them.

I think they're cute too! So, Eleanor S, how about some extra bits of some leftover strawberry fabric so you can make some strawberries too? Traditionally, those little guys clung to a large tomato pincushion and were filled with emery shavings to smooth out nicks and burrs on needles and pins. I filled mine with sand (which is more readily available where I live) and I think it works just fine for the job.

To add weight, I also added sand in the large pincushion. Usually I begin with a piece of muslin and take a running stitch around the edges, fill with some sand and wrap it securely. Then I wrap the sand/muslin ball with cotton batting scraps, create the shape needed and use that to fill the pincushion.

Wouldn't it be great if everyone could win? I'd love it! Perhaps the next best thing: these patterns require small amounts of supplies, and you may very well have everything you need at your fingertips. If you're interested in making a flower pincushion the original designer, Anna Maria Horner, generously shares the Wild Flower Pincushion here. For ideas to make little strawberries, look here or here.

And, to Eleanor S, Congratulations and I will send your package out shortly.