Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sweet P's Accuquilt GO! Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a GO! and three dies at Sweet P Quilting and Creations until August 31.

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.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Few Scraps is hosting a quilt along

It seems many quilters focus on piecing the quilt top and perhaps rush through the quilting or let the tops languish for a spell while they finish more tops. Christina at A Few Scraps is challenging those inclinations by hosting a quilt along which focuses on the quilting and not the piecing. I say 'yeah'! There is a lot going on around here, but I cannot pass up the opportunity to spread my 'free motion quilting' wings and give this a try. Join me, will you?

Also, see this post http://inspiredquilter.blogspot.com/2010/08/pincushions-are-one-of-my-favorite.html for a chance to win a kit to make a pincushion (ends Friday, August 20).

Monday, August 16, 2010

Pure Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Quilters and quilty bloggers are sure generous folks. Jaybird Quilts is featuring a giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop. Check it out here.

And don't forget to sign up below for a chance to win a kit to make your own pincushion.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Favorite Thing: Pincushions


Pincushions are one of my favorite things. There is just something about a little scrap of fabric becoming something so useful that appeals to me. I like ‘em big and heavy.

Big so they have a lot of space for all my pins and needles. I don't want to be fussing looking for a place to stick the pin, you know? Heavy so they don’t spin, roll or wiggle away when I am tryin’ to stick ‘em. Gotta have a pincushion that stays put.




That said, my current fave pincushion is this one.



It was designed by the talented Anna Maria Horner and worked up in sunflower colors. It’s six inches in diameter. That’s a lot of pincushion! There is even a little ladybug sittin’ on top.

In order to have a chance at a kit to make your own sunflower pincushion (even the ladybug!) just leave a comment including a guess about how many strawberries are in the jar pictured below.


The person who guesses the closest without going over wins. If there is more than one person with the winning number I will draw one winner among them. The contest ends on Friday, August 20. Good luck!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Giveaway at from the blue chair

Four fat quarters are up for giveaway here through August 16, 2010. Go have a look.

Update: The winner has been selected...and it was moi! I am so excited, I can't wait to see them in person.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Quiltmakers and Copyright

McCall’s Quilting has some web bonuses available for the September/October issue.

In this issue there is also an article on copyright basics written by an attorney and quilter. It seems this is sometimes a topic debated with zeal and passion in groups and on blogs. The article is not available online based on my search, but is referred to here. I am working to gain a better understanding of copyright myself, so am following a few discussions on the topic...working to stay on the straight and narrow in regard to copyright. I have a great respect for designers and their work. There is a copyright quiz here. Another Q&A here. And a collection of links here.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Favorite Things

I am looking forward to a series of posts about my favorite things. Of course, there will be giveaways associated with the posts because I want to share my favorite things with you. Stay tuned for a favorite thing #1 post soon.