Virtual Christmas Quilt Show

There are so many talented people with beautiful Christmas Projects.  I'd love to be able to collect them in a way to allow easy viewing for everyone to enjoy, plus create some holiday fun.

SewCalGal will be collecting prizes for which those that enter this Show will have a chance to win.

If you wish to become a sponsor and donate a prize(s), please email me.  I will be updating this post with sponsor info, as appropriate.  I will also be posting "Special Announcements" providing visibility on these sponsors via my other blog where I share insights on contests, giveaways & special announcements: http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/   

Prizes include:

1) Collection of items, including four (4) yards of fabric from SewCalGal.
2) A collection of five (5) patterns from Prairie Moon Quilts, all from their Cowboy Christmas Stocking collection.
3)  {checkback for updates, as more merchants sponsor this event}.

This Show will close on December 25th, and a winner will be selected.  We may also have more winners, if more sponsors donate prizes.  Winner(s) will be selected using a random number generator.
________________________________________________________________

Here is what you need to do:

1)  Write a post about your "Christmas" quilt.  This needs to be a new post, on or after December 3rd. It need to include at least one photo of your Christmas Quilt, insights about this Virtual Christmas Quilt Show, and a link back to this post. 

If you do not have a blog to write a post, consider joining Flickr and posting a photo of your quilt on Flickr and adding it to the group "SewCalGal Virtual Christmas Quilt Show".

Quilts can be of any size and need not be finished.  But they must be a "Christmas" quilt.   Posts are also appreciated when they share your insights about the quilt, what you enjoy about the holidays and/or any traditions you enjoy.

2) Once you have completed your post (step 1), come back to this post use Mr. Linky to Insert your name and the url to your post (not a url to your site).

If you do not have a blog to write a post, and you posted a photo of your quilt on Flickr, be sure the link to your photo on Flickr is a valid link.

3) Post a comment on this post to let me know you have completed steps 1 & 2 and be sure to provide yor email address, if an email address is not accessible from your site.  If you do not provide a way for me to contact you, you will be disqualified from winning any prizes.



There is no judging in this show.  This is truly a virtual Christmas Quilt Show, where SewCalGal hopes you'll share insights about your quilt and what you enjoy about the holiday season and/or traditions you enjoy.



Everyone is welcome to join.

              Virtual Christmas Quilt Show Participants

Komen Fundraiser: Christmas Quilt Winner

I want to share with you who the winner is of this quilt.  But before I do I want to recognize those that inspired me to donate this quilt, as well as to recognize them for helping to increase awareness of breast cancer and to raise funds for Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

This particular quilt was made with the intent to raise money for Susan G. Komen For The Cure.  I has just been looking for a way to help, and ultimately a good home that would appreciate it. 

While I have held fundraisers to benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure, I was inspired with those that were helping for this cause, and decided that I would donate this quilt to help encourage sponsorship for some special ladies that were helping to increase awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for Komen.  As such, efforts were launched to create a quilt raffle.  Anyone that donated $25 (or more) would have their name entered into the drawing for this quilt, when they sponsored any of the following:

- Karen Nager in the 3-day Walk For The Cure
- Carrie Nisil in the 3-day Walk for the Cure
- Team MBYC, led by Megan Murphy, in the 1 day walk
- Team Pink Lemonade, led by Sue Martin & Tanya Mauer, in Survivor Crop.

Sponsors were given an entry for every $25 donation.  A unique number was created for each entry and the Random Number generator was used to select the winner.

But, before I announce the winner of this quilt, I want to thank:  all team members of Team MBYC, all team members of Pink Lemonate, Carrie Nisil and Karen Nager.  Collectively they helped to raise over $15K+ for Susan G. Komen For The Cure.  This will help to fund preventative mamograms for many people, as well as help with treatment for those in need. It will certainly make a difference in the lives of many.  For this, I give thanks to all of you!

And for all of you who helped to sponsor these teams and individuals who helped, I thank you.

Again, the random number generator was used to select the winner of this quilt.  The winning #55 goes to
Hugh Ditzler, whom sponsored Karen Nager in the 3-Day walk.  Congratulations to Hugh.  I'll be contacting Karen to help coordinate getting this quilt to you ASAP.

For those that might want to read the original post on this contest:   http://tinyurl.com/yjn8t5b

Zundt Designs - Fine Swiss Embroidery

Zundt Designs offers a variety of high quality machine embroidery designs.  I've found their designs to consistently stitch out with ease, create minimal jumps, and all  their designs are delightful designs.

Today I played with Zundt Designs "Feathers II" collection, focusing on a peacock feather design.  While I thought the recommended colors were an excellent choice, I had fun playing with different thread colors to help me select appropriate colors to stitch this design out on a light background, as well as a dark background.  My "test" stitchouts today were performed on inexpensive "tea towels", which I also enjoy giving away as gifts, and have found they make excellent filler items in gift baskets for charity fundraisers.

I always like to do test stitchouts and play with different threads & colors before I stitch out on my final project.   But I have learned that if I'm going to do a test stitchout I'd rather select something like a tea towel, tote bag, or other inexpensive item, that might become a gift or usable item, if the stitch out works.  But I do avoid using expensive items (e.g. high quailty jackets, shirts, linens, etc) if I haven't used the particular design previously. 

This "Feathers II" collection is a fairly new design set, which Zundt introduced at the IQF Long Beach Show.  There "Feathers I" collection is also a lovely set. 

Feathers 1 set:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 http://www.zundtdesign.com/

After my successful "test" stitch outs of this Zundt Design, I like my thread color selection and now want to stitch this design out on a jacket, as well as a beautiful Pasmina Wrap from All About Blanks.

Zundt Designs can be purchased online at Zundtdesigns.com, as well as many quality stores that sell embroidery machines also sell Zundt Designs.   I'm sure you'll be happy with the quality and designs by Zundt Designs.

Rosie's Calico Cupboard Annual Staff Quilt Challenge

Each year, Rosie of Rosie's Calico Cupboard, challenges her staff to create a beautiful quilt that customers will decide who wins the challenge.  These beautiful quilts are made using Hoffman Fabrics and are on display at Rosie's Calico Cupboard, where you can admire them at your liesure, as well as vote for your favorite.


Also, Rosie's classroom has been turned into an enchanting place.  Not only are the Staff Quilt Challenge Quilts on display, but there are also many handcrafted items on display and available for purchase.  Clearly, Rosie's Calico Cupboard is a great place to shop for the holidays and to visit for inspiration!

Rosie's Calico Cupboard
7151 El Cajon Blvd. Suite F , San Diego, CA 92115 Phone: 619-697-5758
http://www.rosiescalicocupboard.com/

SewCalGal hopes you get a chance to visit Rosie's Calico Cupboard soon and that you enjoy Rosie's Staff Challenge.  But I also hope that you get a chance to shop at your local Quilt Shop soon.  We all know that these are challenging times, and the rule of Sew-Economics is that we want to do our part to reasonably spend money to help our local shops and favorite on-line shops stay in business!  Thus, please support giving handmade items for gifts or giving items that will inspire and help others to make handmade items.

Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas?

It always takes me awhile to think of gift ideas, so this year I started compiling a list early.  And I think it is such a great list I wanted to share it with you.  Hopefully this list will give you an idea for a perfect gift for someone, or be something you may want for Christmas and you can share with someone who might be trying to find a gift for you.  This list might be something you want to buy and give, or buy for insights on making a gift.

Disclaimer:  This is my list of suggested gift ideas.  The companies, designers, or authors did not pay me (or bribe me) to include them in this list.  I just truly think these are delightful items that would make a wonderful gift, or might be something you would want to have.

Book:  "Comfort and Joy 14 Quilts for Christmas", by Mary Hickey.  This book would also help you make some delightful Christmas gifts too!

Zundt Designs Machine Embroidery Designs or gift certificate.

A Quilt University class or a gift certificate.

Book:  "Cute as a Button Quilts", by Joni Pike, from C&T Publishing. 

PaperPieces.com  provides high quality paper piecing designs, books, DVDs and other items for those that love paper piecing.  SewCalGal encourages everyone to try this English Paper piecing quilting method, as it is great fun and results in perfect piecing, and the projects are very portable, making it great for projects to take on trips.

Books:  “French Braid Quilts”, written by Jane Hardy Miller and Arlene Netten, or the book “French Braid Obsession”, by Jane Hardy Miller.  Both published by C&T  Publishing.














ArtBin storage products:  SuperSatchel Series, Tote Folio, pencil cases and other ArtBin storage products would be delightful gifts for any sewing, quilting or embroidery enthusiast!

Indygo Junction has many delightful designs and accessories.  I think their Building Blocks Bag pattern would make a great gift, and I also think making these bags and giving them as gifts would be absolutely wonderful.  I know I'd love to receive this pattern or bag as a gift.  But then they have many wonderful items that would make for a lovely Christmas gift, and/or help you make a lovely Christmas gift.

 











Books, tools, notions or gift certificates from C&T Publishing.

For Machine Embroidery Enthusiasts, I think a gift of Embird Software would be be delightful for those that want to learn to develop skills to create their own designs, combine designs, easily add text to designs, as well as reformat purchased designs.  Embird is a versatile software package that I truly view as a must have for machine embroiderers. 

Educational DVDs from QuiltingArtsWorkshop.com.  They offer a large selection of excellent educational DVDs.

Superior Threads provides a large selection of threads, pre-wound bobbins, and various items.  I'd love to receive a set of MasterPiece threads or a package of Texture Magic  for Christmas.  And I believe a set of Superior Metallic Threads would make a wonderful gift. And they have many more products that would make a wonderful gift, as well as help you make a wonderful gift to give to someone.

For Machine Embroidery enthusiasts, embroidery designs or a gift certificate to Kitty Kitty Designs.   

Electric Quilt company has many delightful products.  I think EQ6 software or one of their delightful books would make a wonderful gift.

Snapware storage products.  I love their 2 layer and 3 layer square stackable totes for large projects, or storing fabric.  They also have many other small and medium size stackable totes that are very versatile and quite durable. 

AccuQuilt products (Studio, Go, dies, patterns, etc) or gift certificates would make a great product for an experienced and even a new quilter!

Sulky  offers a variety of products for the sewing, quilting & embroidery enthusiast.  They have a delightful selection of threads, stablizers, books and many other items.  All of which would make a delightful gift, as well as help you make a wonderful gift to give someone.

A portable mustache trimmer, to help with reverse sewing/embroidery projects. Plus, this type of gift just creates fun.  How many people can say their "girlfriend" gave them a mustache trimmer?

Wrights' SideWinder Portable Bobbin Winder.

Quilt In A Day has a large selection of fantastic books, patterns, fabrics, rulers, templates,  or gift certificates. And they also hold wonderful classes, as well as offer great educational DVDs.  And you'll find more products at their sister store ElenorBurns.com, include their delightful books "Day & Night", Victory Quilts,  and other great books.  And oh so many fun patterns, including her Signature Pattern: Tossed Nine Patch.










Kay Mackenzie of Quilt Puppy Publications and Designs offers many delightful patterns and books. Baskets to Applique and Teapots 2 Applique would also be fun books to make a beautiful quilt with next Spring.  

For Machine Embroidery enthusiasts, "blanks" from All About Blanks make a great gift.  And All About Blanks has high quality products that make for perfect machine embroidery items.

 Pearl P. Pereira Designs of P3 Designs offers a large selection of patterns.  I also recommend her Travel Mate I & II, Tool Case and Travel Case designs as being great gift ideas, as well as many of her other designs.












A class or gift certificate to Quilt Campus

Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries has a great selection of fabrics, designs and books that would make delightful gifts.   Her book "Basic Beauties, Big & Small" book is absolutely delightful.

 Elaine Waldschmitt, of The Quilted Closet, has some wonderful patterns & books.  I think her book "appli-curves" would be a lovely gift, as well as her book "Embellishment Potpourri", along with many other of her books & patterns. 

Olfa products  make a delightful gift for a beginner or experienced quilter.  Quilters never have too many new rotary blades, and new mats are also appreciated.  But I also want to recommend this 17" rotating mat.  It is lightweight and portable, perfect to take to workshops & sew-cials, as well as use at home.  I know I'd love to receive Olfa products for a Christmas gift!

Book:  "Batik Beauties", by Laurie J. Shifon.

Gutermann Thread has a large selection of beautiful threads that would make a lovely Christmas gift, as well as help make beautiful items to giveaway.

Simplicity Bias Tape Maker

For the Machine Embroidery Enthusiasts, machine embroidery designs by Vermillion Stitchery.  They have a delight set of cross stitch cat & puppy angel designs, a lovely collection of butterfly designs, and many more designs that are all high quality designs.

Gloves In A Bottle has some wonderful moisterizers that help with the dryness for those working with fabric textiles.

Quilts With A Twist has many wonderful designs.    I love the "I Spy With A Twist" design and am wanting to try "Alaska Toss" next.

Tracey Brookshire  has many wonderful designs that I think would make a wonderful Christmas Gift, as well as help you create projects that are wonderful gifts. 

Madeira thread has delightful threads that a perfect for the quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiast.

Book:   "Layer'em up" by Sharyn Craig  

Metler Threads come in a variety of colors and would make a great Christmas gift for the quilting, sewing or embroidery enthusiast, as well as help to make lovely items to give away this Christmas.

book:  "Quilter's Travel Companion" is a perfect book for a quilter that travels, or is planning a trip.

 book:  "Appliqué Outside the lines with Piece O Cake Designs", by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins, published by C&T Publishing

Cloth Paper Scissors  magazine subscription

Fabric, notions, or gift certificates from IHAN

Blue River Moon Designs, by Susan Brubaker Knapp, offers a variety of delightful designs.   I love her Tulip Bag design, but I believe any of Susan's designs would make a delightful gift!

A trip to a big quilt show:  International Quilt Festival (IQF) Long Beach, IQF Chicago, IQF Houston, etc.  Wouldn't this be a fantastic Christmas gift?

Kaleidoscope Collections has many delightful products, including their Kaleidoscope Kreator which would make a lovely Christmas gift.   http://www.kaleidoscopecollections.com/

YLI has  delightful threads for the quilting, sewing or machine embroidery enthusiast.

And remember homemade gifts, gifts from the heart, are always loved.

Thanks-Givaway Winner & Final Insights in an AccuQuilt Giveaway

I had two delightful helpers select the winner for my Thanks-Givaway.

We put all the entries into a spreadsheet and assigned a number to each entry.  We then used Random Number Generator , which selected #87 as the winner.

Lucky #87 won a mesh bag full of goodies, as described in a prior post. 

Wondering who Lucky #87 is?  They have a lovely blog and have this cute fish as their Avatar.  

If you do not have this cute fish as an Avatar, I think this is a sign you didn't win my Thanks-Givaway.  But there is still time for you to enter another GREAT giveaway on my site for giveaways & contests:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/

If you have not yet entered the giveaway for the AccuQuilt "Worst Gift" Contest, there is still time.  But you need to get your entries in quilkly as the deadline is November 27th.  There are multiple ways to enter and the more ways you enter the more chances you have to win.  AccuQuilt is giving away a $100 Gift Certificate for AccuQuilt products.

For more info : http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html


As an FYI, in the future I will be trying hard to only share insights on giveaways and contests on my blog:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/  I've also had so much fun with this giveaway, that I'm now thinking of holding a giveaway each month.  I think I can come up with more great prizes and I'm also hoping to find a few sponsors who may also be willing to donate prizes.

If you want a hint about the December giveway, you may want to finish working on your holiday projects soon!   I think you'll be wanting to "show" them off soon!

Are you still wondering who Lucky #87 is?  Well, it is Free Indeed http://blocklotto.blogspot.com/  I hope you'll go check out her blog and congratulate her on this win.

Happy Thanksgiving & Final Giveaway Reminder

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

I've had a great year and am very thanksful for so many things.  One of which, was being able to visit the IQF Long Beach Quilt Show. Thus, I created this  Smilebox slideshow card for you using pictures from this delightful show.   The quilts in this slideshow are so beautiful, it would be easy to overlook this slideshow card and not realize you were viewing beautiful quilts!  BTW,  I'd love to see one of your quilts in this show in 2010!

Please check back tomorrow, as I'll be selecting a winner for my Thanks-Giveaway, and posting after I have dinner.  If you have not entered, you may want to check it out and enter.  There are several ways to enter and get more chances to win too!  For more info:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/sewcalgals-thanks-giveaway.html

And as you enjoy Thanksgiving, you may want to ask everyone to share their story about their "Worst Gift".  You can also enter your "Worst Gift" story to win a $100 Gift Certificate for AccuQuilt products. There are several ways to enter and get more chances to win, but you need to enter ASAP as the deadline is November 27th.   For more info:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html