My First Schnibbles

I have had fun enjoying all the beautiful quilts at the Charming Girls Club, but as I tend to focus on making charity quilts, I rarely get time to make anything for myself.  As I've just finished this quilt top, I wanted to share it with you.  It is also my first schnibbles quilt.

The lighting in the room, my camera, and my desire to step back far enough to capture the entire quilt, doesn't allow the beautiful colors to show up in this picture. Thus, I decided to include a picture taken outside, when I started this quilt at the Mogel Mountain Quilt Retreat last month.

The design is from the book "Schnibbles times two", by Carrie Nelson, which I wrote about previously.  It is a fun book, with 12 cute designs that all have well written instructions and great visuals.

This pattern is "Bennington", but I made it slightly longer, as I wanted to use it as a good size lapquilt. 

Now, off to do some fun machine quilting.  I want to finish this quilt and will most likely do a smaller schnibbles next time, possibly a table topper or wallhanging, for my next schnibbles.

Quilt Show & Workshop Photography Tips

Many quilting enthusiasts like to take photographs at Quilt Shows and workshops.  All too often I've heard of a variety of problems, with some of the most common being "I forgot my camera" or "My battery died".  Another one I hear about frequently is when someone accidently deletes pictures from their camera memory card!  As such, I started researching to see what tools were available to help when such an accident happens.

CardRecovery.com is the leading photo recovery software company for camera memory cards, made by WinRecovery Software.  It can help to resolve issues with lost, deleted, reformatted and/or corrupted photos and videos on a variety of memory cards. 

I ran this software thru several tests on a variety of cards, where I deleted photos and videos.  The majority of my 200+ files were fully recovered through simple steps that the software walks you thru.

I then reformatted these cards and ran the software again, and it was still able to recover all the images and videos. 

The software is very easy to install and use, with a couple of simple steps to recover your photos & videos.

You simply connect your camera or your memory card to your computer and click to have the software walk you thru the easy steps.

You select the drive letter for your camera or memory card, the file type, and the destination you want the recovered pictures to be placed.

 The software "quickly" scans to find the images.

There is an option to preview the images that the software has found.

And the final step to save your recovered photos is also very fast.

My conclusion is this software is very easy to use and is an excellent value.  While I'd truly love to see this software bundled with every digital camera and camcorder sold, I'm glad to know it is available to purchase online at a very reasonable price.  While I hope you never have a problem with your memory card, I wanted to let you know this software is available and really is easy to use and quite effective. 

So, when you go to your next quilt show or workshop, always remember to bring your camera, memory cards, and freshly charged batteries.  And keep in mind that CardRecovery.com is there to help you if you have any memory card problems!


This software supports almost all memory card types including SmartMedia, Compact Flash CF, Secure Digital Card SD, Memory Stick, MicroDrive, xD Picture Card, Multimedia Card MMC and much more. Additional specs for this software are available online.


WinRecovery Software
1901 60th PL, L1169
Bradenton, FL 34203
USA

Email: sales@winrecovery.com

US Toll-Free Fax: 1-866-691-8331

More Loose Change, by Claudia Plett and Le Ann Weaver

Wouldn't More Loose Change be a wonderful Christmas gift?  I certainly think so. Yes, I think "More Loose Change" would make a wonderful gift anytime of the year and is certainly something every quilter should have.

"More Loose Change, 14 Quilts from Nickels, Dimes, and Fat Quarters, by Claudia Plett and LeAnn Weaver, published by Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork Place, is a delightful new quilting book that I certainly find inspiring and full of great designs and insights.

You may be familiar with "Loose Change: Quilts from Nickels, Dimes, and Fat Quarters", also written by Claudia Plett and Le Ann Weaver. This new book provides 14 new quilt designs that are perfect for use of 5" and 10" squares and fat quarters.  Each design has a rating of Easy, Intermediate or Experienced and are well written, with excellent visuals.  I also like all the "Piggy Bank Tips" that come with each design.

The book also has a great section of "Useful Information" for "Where do Nickels and Dimes come from?" and insights about color.

The majority of the designs are 100% pieced, but some of the designs have a little bit of applique that really make the design spectacular.  On the other hand, you could also skip the applique and still create a beautiful quilt, if that is your preference.

There is an excellent section on "Basic Quiltmaking instructions" that shares insights on "tools of the trade", pressing, block construction, applique (fusible and hand), adding borders, quilting and binding.

Overall, this is an excellent book at a great value.  Thus, I recommend this book as a "must have" for any quilter.  And, "More Loose Change" would also make a great gift for a quilting friend. 

http://www.martingale-pub.com/

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping (updated 3x)

Last year, about this time, I compiled a list of products that I thought would make great Christmas gifts.  This year, I decided to do some research on Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping for quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiasts, as well as share insights on some products that I think would make great Christmas gifts. 

I believe most everyone is aware that Black Friday (sometimes Green Friday) is a term used to refer to the point in the year where merchants typically feel they are now profitable and Cyber Monday is a day where online sales tend to be at their highest point of the year, at least in the US.  No matter what the definition is, this window tends to be the busiess shopping days of the year.  Unfortunately, I don't have any Market Research to determine how this all applies to businesses focused on quilting, sewing or embroidery.  So, I set out to do some research on my own and much of this post shares insights with you about some Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales that you might be interested in. 

Warning:  This is a long list, but I do think it is worthy of checking.  And, I've also included a list of my recommendations for Christmas gifts to quilting friends (or yourself).


Martingale & Company is going to be offering an amazing Black Friday deal to their email subscribers. So if you're not signed up yet, go to their website and sign up now so you don't miss out!"   You also get a coupon for 30% off your next purchase, when you sign up for their newsletter.

Quilted in Clay is having a 20% off sale for any order over $40.  Sale good only for the four days after Thanksgiving!

Cozy Quilt Shop  Has  a variety of specials throughout Black Friday/Cyber Monday.  One current special is for a free Mary Ellen's Best Press Gift Set with any $100 purchase, or buy for $10 with a $50 purchase, while supply lasts.
Black Friday:
1. Quilt Sale! They will be selling many sample quilts that they can’t use anymore. Give them a quilt for Christmas. Only you will know you didn’t make it!
2. Morning sale. From 9:30am-noon we will offer our now-famous coupon draw. Top savings include 20% off of your fabric, 40% off all your fabric off the bolt, 30% off your entire purchase (excluding machines), or the coveted 20% off your fabric for an entire year!
3. Noon Sale. From noon -3pm, we will have all Fall Fabric 60% off (1 yard minimum.)
4. Afternoon Sale: 3pm-5:30pm. 35% off Christmas fabric sale (half yard minimum.)
5. They also have a Friday Night Fever Sit and Sew with a special focus on making stockings for soldiers. We’ll have an early start at 3pm… $20. Includes dinner and people can sew until 10pm!

All Weekend (including Friday!)
1. Double Santa Points
2. Every $10 you spend gets you a ticket to win your own Christmas present*. Prizes include
a. A stained glass Christmas applique wall-hanging.
b. A very fun polka dot sewing machine carrier.
c. A $30 gift certificate.
*Need not be present to win. Winners will be drawn and notified on Monday, Nov 29
3. Bernina offers:  · Bernina Buy Back… let us buy back your older Bernina and get great savings on a new Bernina.   25% off any single BERNINA item of your choice (up to $499).   Cozy Gift Pack with any $500 software or sewing machine. Gift pack includes
a. automatic top tier Santa Points savings which is 30% off everything you can stuff in a giant red shopper bag.
b. 20% off your fabric off the bolt for an entire year.
c. Thread and fat quarter starter pack (the higher the machine the better the pack).
note:  they have had some sever issues this week, so do check back to get to their site if you have problems today.

Quilters Paradise
Will have a 25% off sale on Friday, Saturday & Sunday after Thanksgiving, for all non-sale items (fabric, notions, books, patterns, kits, etc.).   Unfortunately, for those not living in So. Cal. this sale is only good for items in their store (and currently in stock).  Sale does not apply online.  They are located at:  1451 Monteil Road, Ste 140, Escondido, CA  92026  (760) 738-9877.

Rosies Calico Cupboard
Black Friday sale:  25% off Christmas Fabric, embroidery software, fleece, all shirts and more.  $1 fat Quarters. Be sure to visit their famous Holiday boutique.  7151 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA  92115

Fons & Porter is having a Black Friday sale with many kits and other items at a great sales price.  

I Have a Notion has an special opportunity.  With every purchase on Friday, Saturday & Sunday after Thanksgiving, your name will be placed into a hat for a drawing of a special surprise gift.  This mystery prize will have a $50 value.  And, SewCalGal knows Kelly always has great giveaways, excellent customer service, wonderful notions, and amazing prices.  All perfect stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts too...but see my list below of recommended Christmas gifts for more insight.

AllBrands.com

 

 

 Fabricworm is running a special on Cyber Monday.  They will be giving away this cute Moda Home Apron, called "birds the word apron", to the first 20 customers to spend over $100 on Monday 11/29 beginning at 6am PST.

  

  JoAnn's has a great after Thanksgiving sale for many products in their store and online.  AccuQuilt GO! for $199.  And, they will have all die cutting machines and accessories will be 40% off. I'm hoping this means the AccuQuilt dies will also be 40% off.  {I sent them a message, but have not received a reply} Gingher 2-pc scissor gift set for $29.99 (reg $59.99).  Slice Cordless Design Cutter $49.99 (reg $149.99), entire stock of lighting 50% off, and Olfa rotary cutters and blades are $6.99 each (reg $15.99 and $19.99 ea).

Patrick Lose Studios is having a special sale on Cyber Monday.  It is a surprise, but I hope you'll go visit his online store to see what it is.

AccuQuilt is having a Black Friday Sale that ends on Cyber Monday, November 29th.  Also, be sure to check out their daily deals with something unique every day of the year.

Zundt Designs (Machine Embroidery) has a Black Friday sale, thru Sunday,  November 28th. you get a 20% discount  on all items excluding Adorations and gift certificates.  During the checkout process, enter the code ‘Thanksgiving 2010’ (no quotes).  into the ‘Coupon & Gift Codes’ area. Then click on ‘Redeem Coupon’ button and when checkout is completed you’ll receive the Thanksgiving discount.This discount includes all items except Adorations volumes 1 thru 6 and gift certificates.

Flamingo Island Designs has 25% off the entire store, including sale items.  Sale prices are good thru Sunday, November 28th.  Enter this code at check out:  25 from Floozie

Prairie Home Quilts has 10% off in their store from Black Friday thru Cyber Monday.

MyEmbroideries.com has 75% off EVERYTHING on Black Friday (11/26).  Enter code MyEmbNov2010 at checkout.

Fabrics N Quilts has a big sale going on with door busters from Black Friday thru Cyber Monday.

Fat Quarter Shop has a Black Friday sale for 20% off your purchase.  Code = BlackFriday needs to be entered at checkout.  Good thru Cyber Monday (11/29).

  

OTHER SALES YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:
Quilt in a Day has a great special on gift certificates.   Gift Certificate Promo valid until Dec. 25th, 2010. Valid for all United States and International customers.  They also have a Fall sale thru November 30th:  Quilt in a Day boks are 30-70% off, all patterns 25% off, notions 25% off, sale fabrics 25% off, rulers 30% off, jelly rolls layer cakes and honey buns 25% off, DVDs 30% off and more.  50% off international shipments of $100 or more (includes Hawaii and Alaska**

  PaperPieces.com has free shipping the week of Thanksgiving!

InchWorm Fabrics has 15% off their already low prices thru the end of November.

EmbroiderThis.com has free shipping from now from now through Sunday, November 28, 2010  This is a great source for blanks, as well as machine embroidery designs, for those that do machine embroidery.

Electric Quilt has 50% off their EQ6 companion books and selected software, which also work great for EQ7!   

Fat Quarter Shop has some great sales going on.  They also have an extra special deal going on till Friday on their Facebook page.

  

Texas Quiltworks has 40% Off Online Coupon: re101117  Minimum fabric cut 1 yard.  Big saving on BERNINA in-stock accessories: Feet for older machines: 40% Off.  Feet for newer machines: 25% Off.  Remodel Sale ends November 27th

Pixies Rule  (KittyKitty Designs) has an amazing sale on ALL their machine embroidery designs $1, including their brand new design set for Christmas Cards..  Plus, they are having an amazing giveaway in November where some lucky winner will enjoy an EZ Lock serger.  SewCalGal definitely encourages machine embroiderers to visit Pixies Rule and to sign up for this amazing giveaway at KittyKitty Designs.

Pat Sloan has 20% off, or more, at her online store clearance page.  Sale prices good thru November 30th.

For those living in Southern California, Jenny's Fabrics and M&L Fabrics has 20% off EVERYTHING, which their fabrics are already at amazing low prices.  Sale good November 26th thru December 9th.

  

NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Rose of Sharon Note Cards by Martingale & Company are only $12 for 12 cards.  An amazing value and amazing beauty.

A beautiful handcrafted wooden box with a quilt motif, from QuiltBoxes.com would certainly make a spectacular gift and an heirloom treasure.

A subscription to The Quilt Show would certainly entertain, inspire and teach any quilter in 2011, making it a great gift.

Electric Quilt has a variety of software packages and books that I think any/all would make for great Christmas gifts.  I don't feel you can go wrong with a gift of anything EQ related. And, EQ has some wonderful bundles for Christmas. 

Amy Butler Software is also 25% off with code HOLIDAY10.

ME Designs would also make great Christmas gifts.Sarah Vedeler's machine embroidery designs for the AccuQuilt GO! would certainly make a wonderful Christmas gift.  GO! BeDazzled designs stitch out beautifully.  SewCalGal has the new GO! Embroidery Applique Nature Collection, GO! Embroidery Shapes Collection, GO! Embroidery Baby Collection, and the GO! Embroidery Festive Collection on my wish list.

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

If you have any additional insights on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, or other recommendations for Christmas gifts, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Christmas Quilt Show Winners

The Christmas Quilt Show is now over, but quilts will continue to be available to view at your liesure anytime.  Participants in this show came from  Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, United Kingdom and the United States. Entries were shared in a variety of designs includeding: Pieced, applique, machine embroidered, fibre-arts, and EQ6/EQ7 designs. 

Thank you to the sponsors for this show:  Quiltboxes.com, New Leaf Stitches, Fat Quarter Shop, Two Wacky Women, Elisa's Backporch Designs, Udderly Smooth Cream,  Angie's Bits & Pieces, FabricWorm, Martingale & Company/Home of That Patchwork Place, The Electric Quilt Company, Nina-Marie Sayre (Creations....Quilts, Art, Whatever), and Nina Lise (Mrs. Moen Patterns).


To support how the rules provided entries to this contest, winners were categorized and randomly selected for prizes in each  category.  Approximately 30% of the prizes were awarded to those that entered quilts in the show, 10% to those that helped with pre-show PR, 10% that helped with PR during the show, 10% to followers that came to view the show, 10% to those that took time to view all the entries, 10% to those that were part of QuiltSue's QuiltTimes Christmas Quilt-Along  and  20% for those that came to the show and viewed any/all of the quilts.  And, so many of you participated in all of these categories thereby helping to make this show so much fun.  Thank you to all of you for coming to this show, as it wouldn't be much fun without you and your help!


List of winners:

QuiltBoxes.com

 Donated a beautiful handmade 6" Walnut burl Bear Paws.  Or,  the winner can visit their online store and select a different 6" design.  Definitely go check out their store as they have so many beautiful designs for their high quality handcrafted wooden boxes, made in the USA. (Prize #1)















Winner: Millie (Millie's Quilting)  ***claimed***


New Leaf Stitches









New Leaf Stitches donated three sets of their Clearly Perfect Angles, a great product that clings to your sewing machine to help align fabric for sewing perfect angles.  Three different winners will each be receiving their own Clearly Perfect Angles template. (Prize #2, #3, & #4)














 





Winners:
#2 Bonnie (Southern Style)  ***claimed***

#3 Darlene (I Quilt Scarlett & Gray) ***claimed***



#4 MJ Baker ***claimed***




Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop donated a beautiful  Lumiere de Noel Moda Quilt Kit.  This kit contains fabric to make a 78" x 86" quilt top and binding (batting and backing not included). (Prize #5)

Winner: Nina-Marie (Creations…Quilts, Art..whatever)  ***claimed***


Two Wacky Women












Two Wacky Women donated a package of 20 beautiful fat quarters by Wyndham Fabrics. (Prize #6)

Winner:  Pat (A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of Pat)  ***claimed***


Elisa's Backporch Design










Elisa's BackPorch Designs has many wonderful designs, books and templates.  Elisa is donating two of her spectacular patterns:

 Leaf What May pattern will go to one luck winner (Prize #7)

winner:  Becky (Quilting Book Lady)   ***claimed***

The spectacular  Stargazer pattern (Prize #8)will go to another lucky winner.

winner:  Nancy Sue  ***claimed***



Udderly Smooth Udder Cream


















Udderly Smooth is donating a collection of their wonderful Udder Cream to one lucky winner (est. Value $25).(Prize #9)

winner: Lisa (Sun Naturals and Gifts) ***claimed***


Angie's Bits 'n Pieces

Angie Padilla is a talented designer, teacher, and author.  Angie is donating three copies of some of her beautiful holiday designs, for three lucky winners.  Each winner will be able to select the format of the pattern (e.g. PDF or EQ6) to be received electronically.

Her beautiful Angel Hearts finishes 28"x43". (Prize #10)

winner:  Ann (embellefrance)   ***claimed***





Festive Placemats allows you to create beautiful holiday placemats, with six different designs. (Prize #11)

winner:  May (Aby Quilt)   ***claimed***



And her whimsical Gingerbread House pattern finishes 29". (Prize #12)

Winner:   MJ Baker ***claimed***
 FabricWorm











 FabricWorm is donating an Anna Maria Horner Horner Innocent Crush (in Quilt Weight) Fat Quarter Bundle of the complete collection, 22 Fat Quarters in total.   (Prize #13)

winner:  Karen (Karen's Quilting) ***claimed***

Martingale & Company, home of That Patchwork Place






Two beautiful 2011 Calendars have been donated:



That Patchwork Place  Quilt Calendar 2011 is a lovely 12"x12" calendar (Prize #14), with a dozen spectacular quilts. It will go home with one lucky winner. 

winner:  Teresa (Moon Valley Quilter) ***claimed***



 And,



2011 Calendar Award-Winning Quilts Featuring Quilts from the International Quilt Association (Prize #15)is also a spectacular calendar, full of inspirational quilts. This calendar will go home with another lucky winner. 

winner:  Nina Lise (Mrs. Moen)  ***claimed***

Plus,





a copy of "Candy Cane Lane: Quilts & More to Sweeten the Holidays," by Melinda Bula, will go home with another winner. (Prize #16)

winner:  Joanna (Needle Thread Happiness)  ***claimed***


Electric Quilt Company









An inspirational book for any quilter.















a copy of "Blending Photos with Fabric 2", by Mary Ellen Kranz, for one lucky winner (Prize #17). 

Winner:  Donna (Mia's Cottage)  ***claimed***

And,















a copy of Judy Martin's STARS & SETS software, will go home with another lucky winner. (Prize #18)

winner:  Pat (501 Quilt Blocks)  ***claimed***
Creations....Quilts, Art, Whatever by Nina-Marie Sayre 





Nina-Marie Sayre is a very talented quilter, fibre-artists and fellow blogger.  I hope you will take time to visit her delightful blog.  I've enjoyed following Nina-Marie and am always inspired by her quilting insights and more.  Nina-Marie is donating a quilt store quality Christmas fabrics, a cheater panel in the same theme, and a Christmas ornament.  (Prize #19)

winner:  Carol (A Scott in Tennessee)  ***claimed***







Mrs. Moen Patterns
Nina Lise, a very talented quilter, fibre-artist, designer, teacher and fellow blogger, who happens to live in Norway.  I do enjoy following Nina Lise's blog very much, as she always inspires me and provides so many great tips.  Nina Lise was also a generous sponsor of the 2009 Christmas Quilt Show, and I am very happy that she volunteered, earlier this year to be a sponsor again. 


Two lucky winners will be able to select a Mrs. Moens Pattern that will be sent to them electronically in PDF format.  This is a wonderful prize, as Nina Lise has so many wonderful patterns to choose from.  I hope everyone will take time to check out her blog and also her blog with all her patterns. (Prize #20 and #21)

Winner #20  Paulette (Sweet P Paulette) ***claimed***



Winner #21  Hazel (Cotton Cocktails)  ***claimed***


SewCalGal



Four bundles of fat quarters, each in various shades of blues, purples, greens and pinks  will go home with one winner.(Prize #22)

winner:  Ariane (Ariane's Crafts)  ***claimed****

A bundle of 11 hand died fat quarters will go home with another lucky winner.(Prize #23)

winner:  Sue (QuiltTimes)  ***claimed***




The 2011 Christmas Quilt Show will be held about the same time next year.  I hope you will come back and participate.  The process to enter a quilt will be expanded to not just include Christmas Quilts, Hanakuh Quilts, but also Thanksgiving and Fall quilts of any size and style. I'm hopeful to see more fibre-arts designs and EQ7 designs in the show next year too! 

For those that may be interested in being a sponsor for the 2011 Christmas Quilt show, please email me.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas.  And,  Happy Hanakuh too! 

Christmas Quilt Show Entry by Tink Bruning Linhart

Here is a entry to the Christmas Quilt Show, which I received via email from a non-blogger,  Tink Bruning Linhard. 

Tink shared this information about this very special quilt:

This certainly isn't a big spectacular Christmas quilt, but it's a wall hanging that we made for our son, Jon, while he was serving with the USMC 1st Bn 3rd Reg in Iraq for Operation Phantom Fury and Operation Iraqi Freedom, October 2004 - February 2005.

Advent in the Desert.  Original Wallhanging created for our son while he was serving with the USMC in Falluja in Fall/Winter 2004.  Dick filled each daily pocket with a note.  To our surprise, Jon carried this with him and brought it home.  Its been washed once and we can not get the sand out of it.



SewCalGal is truly honored to have this special quilt in this show.  My heart feels warm and my eyes have tears in them, just knowing how special this quilt is.  Special thanks to Jon for serving and to Tink for sharing this heartwarming quilt, and her insights on it,  with all of us. 

Here is a link to view all of the quilts in the 2010 Christmas Quilt Show.



Note from SewCalGal to those entering this Quilt Show. Several comments are from those that have no reply settings. If in doubt, about your settings, please go check this post and take time to verify your settings will allow me to contact you if you win.

Christmas Quilt Show Entry by Sharon Kimbrell

Here is a entry to the Christmas Quilt Show, which I received via email from a non-blogger.  Sharon Kimbrell, from Fort Worth, Texas shared this skinny quilt that she made for her sister-in-law for Christmas.

SewCalGal thinks Sharon's sister-in-law is going to love this table runner.  I can't imagine anyone not loving it.  Beautiful.

Here is a link to view all of the quilts in the 2010 Christmas Quilt Show.

note from SewCalGal to those entering this Quilt Show. Several comments are from those that have no reply settings. If in doubt, about your settings, please go check this post and take time to verify your settings will allow me to contact you if you win.