Winners of St. Patrick's Day Giveaway

It has been lovely to read the comments on the ideal retreat. Seems most folks want to have lots of time to sew, and not have to cook or clean ~ hey, me too! So many commented about the mountains as an ideal location, I will have to look into hosting a retreat in the mountains for sure, it does sound lovely. Thank you for your comments.

Winner of the Foundation Pieced Nature Quilts book is...

Diane (posted on March 19 at 5:15pm)

Winner of the Garden Variety Pattern and needlekeep is...

Bonnie58 (posted on March 19 at 12:10pm)

Congratulations to the winners!
I will contact you via email for your mailing address.
(Oops, it seems Bonnie58 is a no reply blogger, so I cannot contact her.
Bonnie, please contact me with your mailing address by March 30, thank you.)

Thank you all for entering to giveaway and for your thoughts on the ideal retreat! FYI -- The pattern is available from Paper Pieces and the book is available from several online sources, including Amazon.com (I have no affiliation with either business).

Welcome new followers!
~~Lisa

Giveaway and St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the Inspired Quilter blog! Those who have been here before know I enjoy English paper piecing. The technique shares its name with 'foundation paper piecing' but they're not the same process. There are variations with each technique, but generally, with English paper piecing the sewist employs handwork techniques and bastes scraps of fabric to paper/cardstock to stablize it, then whip stitches the components together. Examples of quilts created with this technique include grandmother's flower garden (hexagons), clamshell, jewel, and many other patterns including those with y-seams like six-pointed stars.

Stars of Savannah includes three shapes: diamond, hexagon (center of star)
and jewel (star points). This example is still basted to the paper cardstock foundations
and shows the orange basting thread which will be removed later.

With foundation paper piecing, the sewist uses a marked foundation of muslin or paper and stitches fabric to it for precision piecing oftentimes not otherwise possible. Paper foundations are removed, muslin foundations usually remain in the quilt. Examples of foundation paper pieced patters are mariner's compass and other intricate works with small pieces such as this cardinal. See Carol Doak's website for additional examples.

You could win one of two gifts to celebrate the coming of Spring and to help you understand more about English paper piecing or foundation paper piecing. Foundation Pieced Nature Quilts Designer Edition teaches the basics of foundation paper piecing and includes 14 (gorgeous!) nature-inspired projects for all levels of experience.

Hummingbird Heaven pattern is in the book
Foundation Pieced Nature Quilts Designer Edition

Garden Variety is an English Paper Pieced pattern, along with a
Spring-green needle book. Apologies for the picture quality, skylights
are lovely but not helpful when you're taking photographs!

You may instead be the new owner of Garden Variety, a Paper Pieces pattern by Ann Kimble and Karen Winther using English paper piecing techniques. The pattern includes instructions and die cut pieces for this 45"x56" quilt (pattern is new/unused and the cover was slightly wrinkled in shipping due to die cut shapes unevenly distributed in packaging). A little addition to the pattern is a Spring green needle keep created by moi. The Garden Variety pattern will make great use of your batik or other colorful scraps.

NOTE: If you have a preference for one of the items (book or pattern and needle keep), you may note it in your comment (optional).

For a chance to win one of these items, comment on this post and describe your ideal quilt retreat. For another chance to win (optional), follow this blog and then leave a seperate comment that you are a follower. If you already follow, please leave a comment that you are a follower for your additional chance to win. Comment on this post by Friday, March 23, 2012 and I will select one winner for each item sometime Saturday, March 24. All entries are welcome and I will ship internationally, just remember to describe your ideal quilt retreat and you will be entered. If the winner does not reply to my 'congratulations' email by Friday, March 30, I will select another winner for that item.

Thank you for visiting the Inspired Quilter blog! Oh, and happy St. Patrick's Day and National Quilting Day on March 17!

~~Lisa

To continue on the St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop, click on the below:

Hexagons and Flag Day Giveaway

Lately I have been sewing English paper pieced hexagons from equilateral triangles in 19th century reproduction fabrics. I worked on them quite a bit while watching television programs about the Civil War over the Memorial Day weekend. If you have not tried English paper piecing, give it a go. It's really simple to do and a great way to use scraps. For example, one 2.5 inch square (say, leftovers from a strip bundle) is the right size for a one inch hexagon (the measurement of one side of the hexagon). It's also keeps you sewing when you're away from your machine or you'd otherwise be waiting (for your medical appointment, your vehicle to be repaired or any number of things). You will be surprised how fast you whip up a little table topper.

So, who wants to try English paper piecing? Comment on this post by Friday, June 17 (a few days beyond Flag Day which is Tuesday, June 14 in the United States) and I will select one winner (okay, maybe two if there are two comments!) sometime Saturday, June 18. I will mail you a little pack of pieces so you can try this wonderful technique (and other goodies too). If the winner does not reply to my 'congratulations' email by Friday, June 24 I will select another winner. (I will be out of town for a bit, so there may be a short delay in response.)

**Giveaway is closed and winners were selected**

Did you know the Just One Star project really took off? Read the Minick and Simpson blog about the latest on it! Wonderful news.

My favorite find this week is here. Read the post and at the end you will find a link to the pattern. What a generous gift ~ a great quilt pattern! There were a lot of goodies I saw that I really liked, so here are two more: a tote and a vintage bow tie quilt at McCall's Quilting (if you have not been to that site in a while there are quite a few goodies there).

Happy Stitching!

~~Lisa

Winner of the Magazine

I re-consulted random.org and Kathleen C. is the winner (previous winner is unfortunately a no contact information available Blogger).

Hi Kathleen, Congratulations! I emailed you and just need your mailing information and will send your new magazine to you!

~~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

Charm Square Giveaway

Allison at Strandz is giving away charm squares from a lovely variety of fabric lines. She will select a winner on Monday, November 29 so stop over here soon and enter to win.

~~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

Quilt Mysteries - Do you or don't you?

**UPDATE: Winner has been selected.**

Bonnie K. Hunter's 'Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll Mystery!' is scheduled to make its debut one week from today on November 19. I am anticipating the first clue and have selected fabrics: chocolate, moss, tan, white and pumpkin. Kind of an autumn look, I suppose. I happened to have a lot of these available and no plans for them...perfect for this mystery it seems.

Bonnie's fabrics are green, brown, pink, red and neutral and mine are
green, brown, tan, pumpkin and neutral.
Brown = brown; Green = green; Pink = tan; Red = pumpkin; Neutral = neutral

This time I will watch it evolve before I dive in. Primarily because I will be at work on Friday, November 19.

So, have you ever participated in a mystery?

If you have, did you enjoy it? What was it like for you? What mystery was it? Will you do it again?

If you have not, is it too much to 'give in' to the process? Perhaps since you don't know what the fabric placement is, you find it difficult to choose fabrics?

I have to say - before I did a Quiltville mystery I would anguish over fabrics. Giving in to the mystery process has been freeing for me and allowed me to enjoy sewing even more than I did before.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you like mysteries for a chance to win the current issue of American Patchwork & Quilting.

For a second chance to win the magazine follow this blog and leave a second comment. If you're already a follower just leave a second comment and let me know.

I will select one winner on November 27!

Good luck in the giveaway. If you're joining the mystery I hope you love what you sew!

~~Lisa

P.S. ~ If I draw your name and you have commented you already have the magazine I will send you something else (maybe a couple of FQs?) and re-draw for the magazine. Sound good?

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

Birthday Giveaway Times Two

UPDATE: **Winners have been selected**

It's my birthday and I am excited to share some of my favorite things with you. Fabric is up at the top of my list of favorites. But first, here is a brief recap of my birthday fun:


On Saturday we (Mr. IQ and I) went to Santa Ynez, CA to the Historical Museum which is currently featuring an antique quilt display (more on that in a later post), through the Santa Maria Valley and into Solvang, CA where we browsed in many shops and enjoyed the lovely afternoon.

Solvang, CA

More photos to come in later posts. I am grateful that I have found a camera to suit my needs - thank you for your patience during the recent "photoless" posts.


So, now on with the Giveaway! Times Two? Yes! There are two giveaways - more is better, no?

First, is the "Strawberries" grouping. This consists of two half yard cuts. One is a pink, green, white Riley Blake stripe and one is pink strawberries from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet line.





Second, is the "Pears" grouping. This is one half yard of pear fabric and a pack of five inch squares.




I was thinking what great reusable grocery totes these would make! Of course the winner will use the fabric however he or she chooses.


In order to maximize your chances to win:


1) Leave a comment telling me which of the two you would like - Strawberries or Pears?

2) Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment. If you already follow Inspired Quilter simply leave me a comment telling me you do.

3) Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave me a comment including a link to your blog.


Two winners will be selected and emailed on November 6 - good luck. ~~Lisa

Giveaway: AccuQuilt GO! at Irish Muses

Micki at Irish Muses is giving away a GO! Cutter. Comment on her blog before November 5 for a chance to win.

~~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

Fall Into Fall Giveaway

Update October 15, 2010 -- The winner has been selected via random.org and was notifed via email!

**Stay tuned, it's my birthday month and another giveaway is in store soon**

This has been a lot of fun to learn what you enjoy doing in the Fall. I read all of the posts and this talk of football, leaves, pumpkins and baked goods has me ready for all the wonderful things Autumn has to offer.

Thanks again, Debi, for organizing the Fall Into Fall Giveaway.

~~~~~~

Welcome! Thankfully Debi arranged this gathering of quilting bloggers to celebrate Fall. Be sure to go here for additional giveaways to enter.

Autumn is my favorite season and I want to celebrate by giving away one yard each of two House coordinates to one lucky winner. You do not need to have a blog to win. So, are you ready?

1. For one chance to win comment on this post about your favorite Fall activity.

2. For a second chance to win become a follower. Then you must leave a comment to let me know.

One winner will be selected from all entries on Friday, October 15.

Fall into Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway

On October 1st quite a few quilters and even businesses will host giveaways on their blogs. I decided to join in the fun too! Visit again on October 1 for details on a giveaway, and click on the scarecrow on the sidebar to link to other opportunities to win as well.

Until then, happy stitching!

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.

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!