Winners of Sherrod Studio's Giveaway

Thanks to Kim of Sherrod Studios for hosting a giveaway to celebrate the launch of four new patterns.  Before it is too late, I want to remind everyone that Kim is offering a 10% discount on orders thru May 8th that are placed thru her online store.

 

Time to announce the lucky winners of Kim's new patterns:

The Florence Bag

winner:  Cindy (SewCindy)

 The Carolina Bag

winner:  Quilter in the Gap

The Sienna Bag


winner:   Mary Ann (Another Mary Ann Custom Machine Quilting)


The Seabrook Bag (includes patterns for two bags)

winner:  Cynthia (Cat Song Stitchery)

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks again to Kim Sherrod Studios!

Kim Sherrod Studio
online shopping site
Wholesale orders are also welcome.

What not to miss at Spring Quilt Market 2011

International Quilt Market

Spring 2011

May 13-15, 2011

Salt Palace Convention Center

Salt Lake City, Utah

Spring Quilt Market 2011 looks like it is going to be another fantastic event, packed full of new product introductions and inspiration.  I wanted to share some insights for those lucky enough to go, as well as those that can not attend but want to hear insights during the show.

Here is my list of things to NOT miss at this show:

AccuQuilt will be in booth # 229, 31, 328, 30.  Definitely visit their booth to check out their new dies that will be released at Market! 

Aurifil Threads will be in booth#809, 908, 10.  Alex will also be there to share insights with you on some new threads, as well as their beautiful collection of threads.  And there will certainly be some talented designers that you can meet in their booth too, including Sarah Vedeler!

Birch Fabrics 100% Organic Fabrics will be in booth #441, 43.  They have beautiful fabrics and organic cottons are certainly growing in popularity and are the only fabric for many quilters. They will also be showing off many handmade items from Melissa Lunden.

Cozy Quilt Designs will be in booth #1532, 34.  They have a wonderful line of books, patterns, and rulers.  Definitely check out their latest quilt patterns and the amazing new Cutting Corners Ruler designed by Sharyn Craig.

The Electric Quilt Company will be in booth #1911, 13.  They have a new printable fabric media on a roll, and Stash Spring 2011 will also be introduced.  This collection of e:fabrics has over 5200 new fabrics from 27 different fabric manufacturers.  Amazing!

Robin Quilts, Etc. will be in booth 2446.  Robin Gallagher is a wonderful woman and a talented designer.  I hope you will visit her booth and check out her wonderful designs,  along with her very popular Letty Bag. 

Quilter’s Paradise wil be in booth 1321.  They have some wonderful lazer cut fabric kits and rulers.  But take time to chat with them about their laser cutting service as you may pleasantly be surprised of opportunities to create custom laser kits and/or rulers for your business at very reasonable prices.

Patsy Thompson Designs will be in booth 1317, 19.  Patsy is an amazing woman, who is extremely talented.  She has a large collection of DVDs that are excellent free-motion quilting tutorials for quilters of all levels.  I think every quilt store should have these DVDs in stock.  And, Patsy has designs that have will be released at Quilt Market with Sizzex to make some amazing, out of the box of traditional style, feathered wreath quilts and other projects.   I think these new dies will be quite popular, but I also anticipate that they will open up the door for many businesses to create and sell kits using these gorgeous plume applique' designs that can easily be cut on the Sizzex with Patsy's new dies.

Sarah Vedeler will be at Quilt Market and you should be able to find her in Brewer's booth 10am-2pm every day and 4pm-close Friday and Saturday.  And, she'll be helping with the AccuQuilt Schoolhouse too.    Do take time to meet this remarkable woman who is taking our quilting world by storm.  Rumor has it she will also be introducing new designs at Quilt Market that are just amazing.

Schoolhouse is half hour informational sessions at Quilt Market that shop owners attend, to hear about new products, how to use them, what the trends are.  While insights on many wonderful products will be shared during Schoolhouse, SewCalGal has also learned that Lee Nakamoto, from AccuQuilt, will be giving a presentation that you will not want to miss.  Trust me.  Go to Lee's presentation and I think you'll be amazed at the insights you will learn.

QuiltMarket Meetup for Bloggers:  Amy Smart (Diary of a Quilter), Calli (Make It Do) and Nanette (Freda's Hive) have made arrangements where any blogger, or people who read blogs, can  meet-up during Quilt Market in Salt Lake and have fun visiting fellow bloggers and followers.  They even have arranged for sponsors to donate prizes (e.g. Fat Quarter Shop, SLICE Fabrique, Green Fairy Quilts, Aurifil, etc.).  Be sure to RSVP for this event which is scheduled for Sat, May 14 from 5:00-7:00 at The Blue Lemon,
55 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City

Follow Quilt Market activity on Twitter.   Follow all  tweets about QuiltMarket by using the  hashtag #QuiltMarket.  If you are unable to make it to Quilt Market this is also an amazing way to hear about what is going on, as it happens.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Get insights from Quilts Inc. on about Quilt Market on Facebook.
 
 

Alphabetical list of all vendors:  http://ow.ly/4HvHq

If you have additional insights about Spring Quilt Market, please feel free to post a comment to share and/or email me.

I'd love to be able to go to Spring Quilt Market to report my findings, but unfortunately it just won't work with my schedule or budget this year.  Still, I'm looking forward to hearing insights from those that are able to go.  You know how much I love, love, love hearing about new products.  Can't wait for Spring Quilt Market.  If you go, please share insights!

My Favorite Tutorials: Binding by LaVieEnRosie

I frequently hear quilters say they are not great at binding.  I am certainly not an expert, but I find that taking time to follow a good tutorial and practice really helps.   But more importantly, is "wanting" to create good binding and slowing down to use proven methods.  As such, when I saw a recent tutorial on LaVieEnRosie I felt her tutorial definitely needed to go into my list of favorite tutorials on binding and I wanted to help increase awareness of it.

Rosie's  tutorial on binding is well written with great visuals.  I hope you'll like it too.

Thanks Rosie for this tutorial and all you do.

Simple Graces: Charming Quilts and Companion Projects, by Kim Diehl

First, I want to say congratulations to Kim Diehl, a nominee for the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards.  Kim continues to give back to our wonderful world of quilting in so many ways.  Her recent contribution is  the publication of her new book "Simple Graces: Charming Quilts and Companion Projects",  published by Martingale & Company, home of That Patchwork Place.

Simple Graces stands out as quilt book full of inspiration, and fun designs perfect to decorate your home as well as to make items for gifts, of which many will surely become heirlooms.

There are designs for 8 quilts using pieced and some applique, plus companion projects for items such as a pillowcase, lampshade, etc. .  Overall, there are 20 fun projects in this book  for quilters of all skill levels and interests, from beginner to advanced quilter. 

Project sizes range 4 1/2" diameter to 66 1/2x 86 1/2".

All the designs have easy to follow instructions with great visuals.  And this book is packed full of tips (e.g. cutting tips, machine piecing, pinning, pressing, applique', etc.).  I really loved the section on Quiltmaking principles. 

Of course, Kim did a great job selecting fabrics and colors for the projects in this book, and the photography is excellent.  Hmm.  I'm definitely going to enjoy reading this book again and again, with a nice cup of tea.  And certainly think that it will be fun to create quilts and various projects with designs and tips that Kim shares in this delightful book.

I hope you get a chance to check this book out at your local quilt store.  You can also check it at Martingale & Company's online store.

Winner of the Free Sewing Class & Insights on Other Giveaways

My apologies for running late in announcing the winner of the giveaway for a free sewing class with Jennifer Paganelli (founder of Sis Boom fabric), with the VirtueRadioNetwork.com.  I've been sick with a bad cold and not sleeping too well.  But the first good news is that I've been staying away from people, for fear of giving them this evil cold. 

The next good news is I had enough energy to use the random number generator to select a winner for this giveaway, sponsored VirtueRadioNetwork.com, and the winner is:

Kelly of I Have A Notion.

While I want to congratulate Kelly, I do want to point out someone else missed an opportunity to win this prize.   Another number was drawn, but the person has their settings as a no reply blogger.  Thus I want to remind everyone, if you don't get email replies back from your comments on blogs, or you never win a giveaway, there is a good chance your settings are not set correctly.  For screen shots and tips, check out the page on my blog labeled "giveaways" and scroll down the page till you find tips on winning giveaways. 


As a reminder, for those that would like to take this upcoming sewing class with Jennifer Paganelli registration is open now through May 12, 2011 only at www.virtueradionetwork.com/rickrack.htm.  The dress design is so cute and I'm sure it would be fun to take a class with Jennifer too. 


More good news:  At any moment, there are oodles of giveaways on the internet that are perfect for those interested in quilting, sewing, or embroidery.  Check out the page my blog labeled "giveaways" to always see my current insights on some that you may want to check out.  I try to update this 2-3 times per week.

Sponsored Giveaway with Sherrod Studio

Kim Sherrod, of Sherrod Studio, is celebrating the release of four new patterns that officially launch today (April 25th).  And, she has generously offered a free copy of each of these new patterns for a giveaway for followers of SewCalGal. 

Here four new patterns are: 

The Florence Bag

 The Carolina Bag

The Sienna Bag

The Seabrook Bag (includes patterns for two bags)

Also, Kim is offering a limited time web special on all orders placed thru her online store through May 8th.  Every order will receive a 10% discount. 

Kim Sherrod Studio

online shopping site

Wholesale orders are also welcome.

If you would like to win one of these patterns, simply visit Sherrod Studio to review more details on each of these patterns and come back and leave a comment on on this post, letting me know which pattern(s) you are interested in winning.  Winners will be selected randomly and I'll do my best to match winners up with their favorite patterns.

Deadline:  Sat., April 30th noon.  Winners will be announced that evening on SewCalGal

Happy Easter!

I hope you have a very Happy Easter!

If you have an Easter Quilt that you've made you could win a copy of QuiltAlbum software.  Simply mail a photo of your quilt to jim@quiltalbum.com

 http://www.quiltalbum.com/

If you have time, check out the list of giveaways and contests I have on the page labeled "giveaways". Maybe the Easter Bunny will bring you something special for Easter, via one of these giveaways.  Good luck!

{actually, SewCalGal prefers chocolate over jelly beans}.

FMQ Quilting Challenge

Did you participate in the 2010 FMQ Quilting Challenge?  I did!  And I was amazed how much my FMQ skills improved as a result of taking the challenge of practicing FMQ over a 14-day period.  Plus, I had great fun.  Well, this fun event is being held again and you still have time to join.  I highly encourage it.

Very easy challenge that works on the premise that you practice free-motion quilting every day for 14 days and you'll see an improvement.  I can truly say if you participate in this challenge and practice FMQ daily for 14 days you'll be amazed how your FMQ skills improve. 

They also have prizes to award on May 13th! 


Wendy of Inky Threads and JoAnn of Thread Head did a fantastic job coordinating this fun event last year.  And I do hope you can participate this year.  I'd really love to participate again this year, but sadly it just won't work for my schedule.  But I do hope you'll participate and share insights on how your FMQ skills improve during this challenge, as I'm sure they willl.

Enjoy!

For more information on the 2011 FMQ Quilting Challenge, as well as to sign up to participate, click here.

Free-Motion Quilting for the Make A Boob Project

Some quilters have been asking me how I've been doing with my investigation to see if it is feasible to "significantly" improve ones' free-motion quilting skills in a year.  While the answer to that question will be shared at a future date, I can say practice, practice, practice and you'll definitely improve.  But then, what does one do with all those practice free-motion quilting sandwiches?

Have you heard about Nina-Lise Moen's Make a Boob Project?    Well, Nina-Lise is a very talented multi-fibre artist who came up with this wonderful project to help increase awareness of breast cancer and provide art workshops for those dealing with breast cancer.  And, anyone can help!  You see this project needs fancy boobs and plain boobs, as many boobs will be decorated at workshops.  Thus, I concluded I'd use my sample sandwiches where I had practiced free-motion quilting.

Basically, all you need to do is create a quilt sandwich and use a CD to mark circles.  You sew on the circle line you marked and cut out, creating a boob that can be embellished at the workshop.  Or, you can embellish, or practice your free-motion quilting too.  Just for FMQ, it is easier to do the FMQ before you cut out the circle!

I have found that I really like Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread for free-motion quilting.  I also enjoyed playing with different types and weights of Aurifil thread, particularly their wool threads. 

It really is fun to practice your free-motion quilting and turn them into boobs (little quilted circles) for this project. But you can make simple boobs too, or even very fancy ones. It is totally up to you.

For more information on the

Make A Boob Project visit:

http://makeaboob.blogspot.com/search/label/about

Beautiful handmade QuiltBoxes

I've been in love with the beautiful handmade Quiltboxes crafted by Dave Grunewald, for quite some time.  He designs a variety of boxes all made in the USA, with beautiful inlaid quilt designs, using high quality woods. 

To my delight, I won one of these amazing boxes in a giveaway that Dave sponsored on Thearica's delightful blog'  Pigtales and Quilts. 

I have always loved the Tumbling Blocks design and that is the block pattern in this spectacular Quiltbox which Dave made with Bird's Eye Maple, Elm burl and mottled Imbuya wood.  The box is perfectly made with the lid having a smooth, but tight fight to the box, and every inlay perfectly pieced.  I just wish my quilting blocks had such sharp piecing and striking colors! 

While I'm definitely keeping my beautiful  Quiltbox, I do believe any of Dave's handmade Quiltboxes would make wonderful Easter gifts.

They'd also make great gifts for Mother's Day too!   Not to mention a perfect gift for anyone who also loves quilts and/or fine quality wood workmanship.

On the other hand, you may also want to get one for your jewelry, or other items you want to store in a special box.  What ever you store in them, or how ever you choose to give them as gifts, Dave's Quiltboxes will certainly be treasured for many generations. 

And there are many beautiful designs, in a variety of sizes too.  Plus, Dave continually comes up with new quiltbox designs.  I love all of them!  I hope you'll pop over to Quiltboxes.com to check them out too, as I do think you'll fall in love with them too.

Thank you Thearica and Thank you Dave, very much.  I love my Quiltbox!   And I will treasure it always.

http://quiltboxes.blogspot.com/

http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/

Sponsored Giveaway for Free Sewing Class with VirtueRadioNetwork.com

Judith of the VirtueRadioNetwork.com has announced a fun new virtual online sewing class with  Jennifer Paganelli (founder of Sis Boom fabric), where participants will have fun and make a cute age-appropriate dress for very special little girls.

This class is perfect for DIY Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts and Friends who want to create such beautiful girly dresses.   

Jennifer Paganelli has published a new book Girl’s World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects To Make For Little Girls (Chronicle Books) and will be using the pattern  “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress”, from this book, for this virtual class that will launch May 15th, 2011.

Students will receive:
a) an autographed copy of the book, Girl's World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects to Make for Little Girls,
b) a downloadable “Mary's Fancy Sash Dress” how to sew video demonstration,
c) a downloadable project instruction sheet w/step-by-step color photos (PDF),
d) a supply list; (e) access to the student-only Fabric.com Jennifer Paganelli/Girl's World Online Class Store where class supplies (and more) will be available for purchase at 25% off Fabric.com's already low prices,  and
f) a 1-hour live chat with Jennifer Paganelli (Dolin O'Shea will join in to answer any sewing questions concerning the class project ).

The price for the class is $59. Registration is open now through May 12, 2011 only at www.virtueradionetwork.com/rickrack.htm

Register before April 30, 2011 to ensure delivery of your autographed copy of Girl's World by May 15, 2011.


Want to win a free space in this class?  Followers of SewCalGal simply need to leave a comment on this post to enter.  A winner will randomly be selected on April 25th. 

note:  No Reply comments, Anonymous comments with no email address will not be considered to win.  It is too difficult to track people down, if not impossible.  If in doubt, leave your email address embedded in your comment.
VirtueRadioNetwork.com
Facebook.com/virtueRadioNetwork

Winner of SewCalGal's Giveaway in the Spring Blog Hop

I hope you had fun in the Spring Theme Blog Hop.  I know I did.  There were many inspirational Spring theme projects made with AccuQuilt products, oodles of tips, some tutorials and a few giveaways.  Actually, some of the giveaways in this blog hop still have time to enter, so I hope if you haven't yet entered you'll hop thru the blog hop and enter the open giveaways.  But today is time to announce the winners of the giveaway for SewCalGal's giveaway in this hop.



There are two prizes and winners for both prizes were selected randomly.

Prize #1 Is a "kit" to make this wallhanging quilt top (backing, borders, binding, and pre-cut applique in a variety of fabrics that will allow you to create this project and probably embellish other projects too). To clarify, I'm including more applique cutouts so that you can have the flexibility of colors and dies, to create your own unique spring theme wallhanging.


winner:  Ann Flowers (Crazy Q Corner)

Prize #2 is a gift certificate for $25 good for purchase for items from AccuQuilt. I must confess this is a re-gift as I previously won this gift certificate. While there are oodles of items that I'd like to redeem it for, I wanted to hear the excitement of someone else winning it and hopefully seeing what they create with what they get from AccuQuilt with this gift certificate! To clarify, you could use this $25 gift certificate towards buying any Accuquilt product they have online, or buying something that is less than $25 and you essentially get it for free. It is a $25 gift certificate that allows you to get what ever your heart desires.

winner:  Joanna (Needle, Thread, Happiness)

Congratulations to both of the winners.

This was so much fun that plans are already underway for a Blog Hop with a Fall Theme for items made with AccuQuilt products, but we'll certainly have some other fun activities this summer too!  Stay tuned.

And do take time to enjoy Spring!

Last Day of the Spring theme Blog Hop

Today is the last day in our Spring theme Blog Hop.  Hop on over to visit Glenna at Hollyhock Quilts

and Sherry at A Quilting Life, to see what they've been creating to celebrate Spring's arrival. 

Do you enjoy Easter Egg Hunts?  I do.  And AccuQuilt has created an amazing Easter Egg Hunt too!

This Amazing Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored by  AccuQuilt, Aurifil and The Quilt Show and you could win one of three amazing prizes:

Win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby™ Fabric Cutter

PLUS 10 GO! Baby-compatible dies (your choice) and two cutting mats

$400 Value

Win an Aurifil™ Variety Suitcase Pack

(includes 216 spools of thread!)

$820 Value

Win a 1 Year Membership to

thequiltshow.com,

a Series 7 DVD

and a 24" Monitor

$300 Value

A little hint to help you find the Easter Eggs is to "like" each of the Sponsors on Facebook and click the link, that says "Amazing Easter Egg Hunt" where you'll find a code.

If you are not a member of Facebook this is definitely a great time to sign up.  There is an amazing quilty world having fun on AccuQuilt, Aurifil and the Quilt Show facebook pages.  And you can enter in this contest and have a chance at winning three amazing prizes.

But do be sure to visit all the blogs participating in the Spring theme blog hop this week, if you haven't already done so.  You'll find some wonderful tips, tutorials, inspirations, and even a few amazing giveaways.  To help you out, here is the list for all the blogs participating in the fun hops this week:

Mon., April 11th
SewCalGal
Andrea's Nest (Melissa)

Tues., April 12th
Bejeweled Quilts (Barb)
SewCindy (Cindy)

Wed., April 13th
Sunshower Quilts (Katrina)
Bits & Pieces (Terri)

Thu., April 14th
Just Plain Laine (Laine)
Rosebud Quilting (Michelle)

Fri., April 15th
Hollyhock Quilts (Glenna) 
A Quilting Life (Sherry)

Spring is in the Air and AccuQuilt is in my quilting dreams!

I hope you have taken a moment to vote for your favorite quilt block designs in the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design contest.  From my perspective, every entry is a winner.  There are some amazing designs that would create beautiful quilt blocks and I'd definitely be proud to have their design on my barn (if I had a barn).   I also believe the possibilities of designing a spectacular quilt with these blocks are endless.

If you have not yet voted for your favorite entries in the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest, you have until April 19th to vote.  Like all voting opportunities, your vote matters.  So I do hope you'll take time to review the entries and vote for your favorites.  It really doesn't take long to vote.

I've heard from several quilters that would like to have access to an AccuQuilt, but feel that can't afford it.  While I am not a sale person for AccuQuilt, I do want to heighten awareness of some ideas that may help some of you get access to cutting with an AccuQuilt:

- first, I do like the idea of every quilt guild having an AccuQuilt product to allow members to use.  Likewise for quilt stores.

- I've also seen many examples of where quilting friends have gone in together to buy an AccuQuilt product and I think this is a great way to share the fun.

- I love the idea of every quilter winning an AccuQuilt.  Thus, I highly encourage everyone to sign up on Facebook and become a fan of AccuQuilt on Facebook.  Every Friday AccuQuilt has giveaways on Facebook and lately the winners have received a free GO! Baby.  And, tomorrow is Fun Friday where you could win a wonderful prize from AccuQuilt.  Just "like" AccuQuilt on Facebook and visit their page every Friday to hear specifics about their weekly giveaway.

Lastly, I hope you are having fun in the Spring theme AccuQuilt blog hop.  I've been amazed with the tips, insights and giveaways in this hop.  Today's stops in this hop are:

Thu., April 14th

Just Plain Laine (Laine)
Rosebud Quilting (Michelle)

Enjoying the Spring theme blog hop ?

Today's post definitely has an AccuQuilt theme, but you need not have an AccuQuilt to read it or participate.

First, I hope everyone is having fun in the Spring theme blog hop this week.  I know I am. It is packed full of inspirational projects, tips, tutorials, a few giveaways tossed in, and overall, a lot of fun.  For your convenience, here are the blogs that are participating:

Mon., April 11th
SewCalGal
Andrea's Nest (Melissa)

Tues., April 12th
Bejeweled Quilts (Barb)
SewCindy (Cindy)

Wed., April 13th
Sunshower Quilts (Katrina)
Bits & Pieces (Terri)

Thu., April 14th
Just Plain Laine (Laine)
Rosebud Quilting (Michelle)

Fri., April 15th
Hollyhock Quilts (Glenna) 
A Quilting Life (Sherry)


AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest Update:
You may have heard that the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest has released their 100 finalists.  Many of the entries in this contest are amazing, so I was quite surprised, yet very delighted to hear that one of my blocks is part of the 100 finalists.  Everyone is now invited to vote for ultimate winners, but the deadline is April 19th.  I do hope you will go check out all the entries and vote for your favorite:  http://www.accuquilt.com/vote

AccuQuilt has expanded their list of videos to also include user created videos.  I'm really excited about this, as there are many wonderful user created videos full of great tips and inspiration.  I had actually created an index of these videos, but happily no longer feel the need to do so.  Thus, I want to increase awareness of this and encourage everyone to visit AccuQuilt's page for videos:  http://www.accuquilt.com/videos/

For original team members of the Bloggers that love AccuQuilt and have a badge on their blog that looks something like this:

I also want to increase awareness with team members that AccuQuilt is coming out with their own badge.  If you are signed up for SewCalGal's email distribution list you've already heard that I'll be obsoleting the original badges when AccuQuilt releases their own badges.  And, you are probably aware of the new page on my blog for "Quilters with Tools" and the "new" badges that will roll out May lst to identify bloggers that are part of this new community of quilters that love their modern tools. 

For those that are signed up on SewCalGal's email list, they do get the advantage of hearing early insights on activities they may want to participate on.  I'll be sending an update soon on a patriotic quilt block challenge that will have some wonderful prizes too.  hint:  this is a great time to start making patriotic theme quilt blocks in 12.5" size (12" finished) with your AccuQuilt product (or any other method too). 

Lastly, I hope you are a Facebook user and fan of AccuQuilt on Facebook.  Every Friday they have fun giveaways and this is a great source to find inspiration and tips on using AccuQuilt products.

My favorite videos: EQ7 Creating blocks without drawing

I thoroughly enjoy watching quilty videos on youtube.  And there are several quilty channels on youtube that I subscribe to and Electric Quilt is one of them.

Youtube software makes it easier than using traditional Favorites to see if a new video has been released on any of the channels I like to watch, and many that I like to watch again and again.  For example, I had seen this video on EQ7 about creating blocks without drawing, and I had forgotten about some of the features in EQ7 that are highlighted in this video until I watched it again.



The Serendipity tool in EQ7 is amazing!  Another great reason why it is worth watching Electric Quilt Videos, again and again.  And, if you subscribe to the Electric Quilt channel on youtube you'll be able to easily watch any of their videos easily, whenever you want. And, you'll automatically see when they release new videos too.  Plus, youtube's "social" features now highlights whenever Electric Quilt likes another video, which might be a video you'd like to watch too! 

Yeap, I love EQ and I'm definitely excited about where youtube is heading in the world of social media.

To clarify if you haven't used youtube in awhile you may want to check it out.  They've been making some enhancements to make it more user friendly with more functionality.  And more enhancements are planned too.  The subscribe button is in a more prominent place making it much easier to subscribe, new video description and more.  Rumors are that youtube wants to become more social, thus you'll see more youtube enhancements of this nature in the future.

Welcome to the Spring Theme Blog Hop

While Spring may not yet have arrived for you, it just seemed like this was a good time for a Spring Theme blog hop.  I hope you will hop to it and find joy, inspiration and fun by visiting each blog in the hop.  We hope to get you inspired about Spring, and share with you some of our spring theme projects that we've made with AccuQuilt products.  You may find some tips, tutorials, and giveaways in this hop too!


I love the ease, speed and accuracy of how AccuQuilt helped me to make this spring theme quilt top.  Although, I must confess I had hoped to have had time to do some threadplay on it and finish quilting it before this blog hop.  Will you accept the fact I've been busy (Golden Quilter Awards?)?   Please pretend this is a finished project, but I still love it just the same.

Prize #1  Is a "kit" to make this wallhanging quilt top (backing, borders, binding, and pre-cut applique in a variety of fabrics that will allow you to create this project and probably embellish other projects too).  To clarify, I'm including more applique cutouts so that you can have the flexibility of colors and dies, to create your own unique spring theme wallhanging.

Prize #2 is a gift certificate for $25 good for purchase for items from AccuQuilt.  I must confess this is a re-gift as I previously won this gift certificate. While there are oodles of items that I'd like to redeem it for, I wanted to hear the excitement of someone else winning it and hopefully seeing what they create with what they get from AccuQuilt with this gift certificate!  To clarify, you could use this $25 gift certificate towards buying any Accuquilt product they have online, or buying something that is less than $25 and you essentially get it for free.  It is a $25 gift certificate that allows you to get what ever your heart desires. 

If you are interested in winning this kit, simply leave a comment on this post.  While it only takes one entry to win, if you want extra entries please leave an extra comment on this post for any/all of the following:

1) visit all the blogs in this blog hop, leave a comment on their blog, on their respective day of the hop, and follow them.

2) If you are a member of the Team of Bloggers that love AccuQuilt products, have an old or new badge on your blog, and are listed as a team member on the right hand column of this blog, leave a comment for an extra entry.

3)  If you are a Quilter that loves modern tools, are listed on the page for this group, and have a badge on your blog, leave a comment for an extra entry.

4) Sign up for my email list, where I try to not send out emails more than once per month, for any email category you may sign up for (e.g. General, AccuQuilt, etc.).  It has been a good way for bloggers with AccuQuilt products to hear about upcoming events this community is working on.  And our next event has a patriotic theme.  Unfortunately some of these bloggers are not on this mailing list, so have not heard about some amazing opportunities, advance notice to participate in various events, or other insights.  Thus, I decided to test the waters with this extra entry. But it truly isn't my objective to grow my mailing list, as much as be able to reach those Bloggers with AccuQuilt products that have a badge on their blog.  To clarify, you need not have an AccuQuilt to sign up for the mailing lists' "general" category.

Update:  You need not own an AccuQuilt product to enter this giveaway.  And if you have a preference in winning prize #1 or #2 please clarify when leaving a comment.


Deadline to enter this giveaway:  April 17th midnight PST.  {note: any participant in the blog hop this week that has a giveaway will set their own deadline}.


Ok, I hope you will take time to visit all the blogs in this blog hop this week!  They have some great Spring theme fun planned for you.




Here is the line up for this blog hop this week:

Mon., April 11th
SewCalGal {where you are at now}
Andrea's Nest (Melissa)

Tues., April 12th
Bejeweled Quilts (Barb)
SewCindy (Cindy)

Wed., April 13th
Sunshower Quilts (Katrina)
Bits & Pieces (Terri)

Thu., April 14th
Just Plain Laine (Laine)
Rosebud Quilting (Michelle)

Fri., April 15th
Hollyhock Quilts (Glenna) 
A Quilting Life (Sherry)

Welcome to the Grande Finale of the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards

Like the Oscars, the Golden Globes and the Emmys there are always after parties. This is the grande finale of the Golden Quilter Awards. The winners of the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards have been celebrating all week. And thanks to our PR Angels, there have been many blogs that have been helping to increase awareness of all the winners too!

I want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors for the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards, as well as everyone who helped (e.g. PR Angels, those that took time to nominate and/or vote).  I couldn't have done this without your help. 

Time to get this party moving, as it will take awhile to announce the winners of "30" prizes.  But first, I want to share insight on how these prizes were awarded.  Winners were selected randomly, in five categories:  1) PR Angels, 2) those that helped to nominate, 3) those that helped to vote, 4) followers, and 5) those that entered the giveaway. Six winners in each category were selected using a random number generator.  All 30 winners were first selected, and then where insights were provided as to what prize(s) they might prefer, I did my best to try to match winners up with a prize that they were interested in. 

At the bottom of the post I'll share more insight about how winners need to claim their prize and if they do not claim it, a name of another winner will be drawin in 3 days.

Drum roll....

Time to announce the winners of the prizes for the giveaway to the Golden Quilter Awards.



CT Publishing is donating five (5) copies of  The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking.  for five lucky winners.

Prize #1- copy of the Gentle Art of Quiltmaking, by Judy Brocket
winner:  Quilting Ranny  ***claimed***
Prize #2    "       "   "     "         "    "     "                 "    "        "
winner: Nanbon's Corner  ***claimed***
Prize #3    "       "   "     "          "    "    "                 "    "        "
winner:  Lynn W.   ***claimed***
Prize #4    "       "   "     "          "    "    "                 "    "        "   
winner:  Stormy Days  ***claimed***
Prize #5    "       "   "     "          "    "    "                 "    "        "
winner:   Sallie's Sampler  ***claimed***

QuiltAlbum is donating copies of their software, to three lucky winners.

Prize #6 - copy of Quilt Album software
winner: Joyful Quilter  ***claimed***
Prize #7     "       "   "        "         "
winner:   Kasey of Fabric and Thread, Paper and Pens
Prize #8     "       "   "        "         "
winner:  Needle, Thread, Happiness  ***claimed***

Fat Quarter Shop is donating a $100 and a $50 gift certificate to their store, for two lucky winners.



Prize #9 $100 gift certifcate to the Fat Quarter Shop
winner: Splitting Stitches  ***claimed***
Prize #10 $50 "       "           "    "    "        "          "
winner: A Stitch in Time  ***claimed***


The Electric Quilt Company has donated a copy of the Kaleidoscope Collection software, an add-on software capatible with EQ5, EQ6 and EQ7 software.



Prize #11 - Kaleidoscope Collection software


winner:  Carol Kaplan  ***claimed***


 
Fairfield Processing  is donating (3) 60” x 60” Fusi-Boo battings for three lucky winners.

Prize #12  - Fusi-Boo batting (60" x 60")
winner:  MJ  ***claimed***


Prize #13  -   "      "       "          "    "  "
winner: North Hills Quilter  ***claimed***
Prize #14  -   "      "       "          "    "  "
winner: KaHolly  ***claimed***

 
Dragon Threads, Extraordinary Textile Art Books will be donating three prizes, where three winners will have the ability to select which book they want from the Dragon Threads' online store.

Prize #15  - book of your choice from Dragon Threads
winner:   Kathy Brown  ***claimed***
 Prize #16  -   "       "   "         "         "       "           "
winner: Mary on Lake Pulaski  ***claimed***
Prize #17  -   "       "   "         "         "       "           "
winner:   Aunt Polly's Porch   ***claimed***

Fabric.com donated:



Prize #18 -  a beautiful collection of fat quarters, from the Soul Blossom line by Amy Butler Soul Blossoms


winner:  Happy Quilting  ***claimed***


Margaret Bucklew, of Patterns 2 Quilt and Chiseled in Cloth is donating


Prize #19 - a CD set of her new Clip Art for Quilters to one lucky winner


winner:  I Have A Notion   ***claimed***

Prairie Moon Quilts 

donated  Prize #20 - a "Cowboy Blessing mini-kit". This little stitchery kit contains everything you need to make the little 15" x 14" mini-quilt as shown, including all the fabrics, backing, batting, binding, and embroidery floss. With a full-size embroidery pattern and complete instructions, it comes packaged in a little reusable muslin drawstring bag.

winner:  Laura (from Texas)  ***claimed***

Stitch in the Ditch is donating two copies of the book "Heartfelt Giving", one for a US resident and one for a Canadian resident for two winners who will also receive a cool pen that is also a measuring tape.  They are also donating a GO! Feathers die with pattern selected by Stitch in the Ditch, that will be given to one lucky winner in the US or Canada.

Prize #21 - copy of the book Heartfelt Giving, by Marie Osmond, for a Canadian resident
winner:  Sewing Obsessed   ***claimed***

Prize #22  -   "     "   "       "         "           "        "    "           "        , for a US resident
winner:  Run to Momma   ***claimed***


Prize #23  - GO! Feathers die with pattern selected by Stitch in the ditch, for a Canadian or US resident




winner:   Sweet P. Quilting & Creations  ***claimed***

Sew Fun Quilts

donated:
Prize #24 - a $25 gift certificate for one winner to use at her lovely ETSY store.
winner:   Darlene B.  ***claimed***

Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork Place donated five books to five different winners: 

Prize #25 A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue, by Darra Williamson and Christine Porter
winner:  Happy Cottage Quilter   ***claimed***


Prize #26 Sew Decorative, from Sew News

winner:  Crazy Bout Quilts  ***claimed***

Prize #27 ReSew, by Jenny Wilding Cardon

winner:  Sue's Quilting Haven   ***claimed****

Prize #28 Modern Basics, by Amy Ellis

winner:   Quilter in the Gap   ***claimed***

Prize #29 Word Play Quilts, by Tonya Ricucci

winner:  Michelle's Quilts & Stuff   ***claimed***
FabricWorm donated

Prize #30 - a beautiful fat quarter set of the entire Birch Fabrics Marine collection by Dan Stiles, (8 Total) for one lucky winner.

winner:  Cheryl's Stuff   ***claimed***

I will email all the winners tonight.  They will have three days to claim their prize, by providing me their snail mail address.  But I do hope if any winner does not want their prize they also let me know ASAP, as either way I'd like to draw another name.  Also, it is easier to coordinate shipments of prizes once all shipping information is obtained, so the sooner that I hear back from everyone the faster I can coordinate getting prizes shipped to the respective winners.

Lastly, I hope you have had fun at all the parties of the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards.  And, if you have a chance to congratulate the ultimate winners and/or nominees, I hope that you'll do so when you meet them, visit their blogs or Facebook pages, or even email them. After all, recognition is the best gift that we can give them for all that they have done to make our world of quilting so wonderful.