Fun Friday Giveaway: Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio

Welcome to another Fun Friday Giveaway, sponsored by Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio.

Cherry is a wonderful "Southern Woman" who is also a very talented quilter, longarmer, and quilt designer.

She has a wonderful blog where she shares many tips, fun insights.  As a follower of her blog, I knew when I saw her beautiful Christmas Tree Quilt (Feathered Christmas ) that she shared in the 2011 Christmas Quilt Show, that this wonderful quilt needed to become a published design.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryBlossomsShop

Source: etsy.com via Cherry on Pinterest

Needless to say, I was absolute delighted when I learned Cherry published this "Feathered Christmas" pattern. The finished wallhanging measures 24"x28" and uses a raw edge applique with pieced borders.  It looks great in red/white, blue/white and I'm confident it would look spectacular in batiks, as well as a variety of colors and prints.



Cherry also designed a spectacular Christmas Wreath Design (Feather Fancy)

Source: etsy.com via Cherry on Pinterest

The finished wallhanging measures 28"x28" and uses a raw edge applique with pieced borders.

Both Feathered Christmas and Feather Fancy patterns are easy to follow with excellent visuals.  They also come with a full size layout template that helps with placement of the raw-edge applique' pieces.  While you can manually cut these applique shapes, these designs are AccuQuilt GO! compatible using the following dies:  55028, 55087, 55088, 55024, 55017, and 55053.  To clarify, these patterns include everything you need to create this design without the use of an AccuQuilt, or all of these dies, but using the GO! and all of dies certainly helps to make this a very fast and fun project!

I was delighted how easy and fun the Feathered Christmas design came together. I'm certainly looking forward to quilting it, and also making Feather Fancy too.

Don't you think these are perfect designs to help decorate your home for the holidays, as well as make for gifts?



These patterns can be purchased  from Cherry Blossoms Shop.  They are such a new design they are not yet available in many quilt stores, or online shops.  But, you can let your quilt shops know that you'd like them to carry these designs.  Wholesale orders can be placed through Brewer Sewing.

You can find Cherry at:

http://www.cherryblossomsquiltingstudio.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryBlossomsShop
http://pinterest.com/materialchic/

Did I Mention A Giveaway?
Cherry is generously giving away a copy of her Feathered Christmas and her Feather Fancy pattern to two differ winners.  To clarify, winners will receive either a copy of Feathered Christmas or Feather Fancy.
This giveaway is also limited to those living in US or Canada.



To enter to win, followers simply need to leave a comment on this post.  Two winners will be randomly selected and announced next Friday.

Want an extra entry? Be a public follower of Cherry's delightful blog (Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio) and leave an extra comment below to claim this extra entry.




I'm also happy to announce the winner from the giveaway last week, for a pattern from Cozy Quilt Designs. Congratulations to LisaMarie!


 

Christmas Cats and Dogs

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The "Christmas Cats and Dogs: Quilts to Celebrate the Season", by Janet Kime, published by Martingale & Company, home of That Patchwork Place is a purrfect quilt book for anyone that loves Christmas and Cats & Dogs.  It is also an excellent book for those that like to make Christmas gifts, or even items to sale at Christmas bazarrs.

Janet is also the bestselling author of It's Raining Cats and Dogs and The Cat's Meow.

In Christmas Cats and Dogs, there are 14 fun projects with easy to follow instructions and great visuals.

The majority of the projects are perfect for new quilters, and all would be easy for quilters with experience.

This book is just so cute.  There are a few projects that contain easy applique', but most have traditional piecing techniques.

General Directions include insights to help you select your fabric, machine piecing, pressing, rotary cutting, speed piecing, applique', assembling the quilt top, adding borders, and finishing the quilt.  These very comprehensive directions also make this book an excellent source for beginner quilters, and can even help an experience quilter too! 

Many of these projects also contain insights for additional designs, such as creating a placemat from a block.  My conclusion is this is an excellent book that is an excellent value too! 

I certainly hope to see some entries in the annual  Christmas Quilt Show made with projects from this book, in the future, too!

And, I hope you have a chance to check out this delightful book at your local quilt store or online at Martingale & Company.

Have you seen them yet?

Have you seen the new fabrics arriving in Quilt Stores for Christmas yet?  Yumm.  There are still many to come, but this is a great time to start planning your Christmas quilt project for SewCalGal's 2010 Christmas Quilt Show.

Here is what has caught my eye:

The Fat Quarter Shop has a great collection of "12 Days of Christmas" by Kate Spain.  Update:  They also have At Home for the Holidays, Christmas Magic, and Penguin Happy Holiday in stock.  And more collections are coming soon.

Cozy Quilt Shop has some beautiful Christmas Fabrics available, including some lovely layer cakes by Robert Kaufman (above).  They also have several shelves of yummy Christmas fabrics to choose from too!

The Fabric Shoppe has a lovely collection of Be Merry Fabric by Riley Blake.

But I haven't yet found “At Home for the Holidays”, a new line of fabric by Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures, with Henry Glass Fabrics.

Moda has "A Dickens Christmas",  by Sentimental Studios and "Christmas Magic",  Kathy Schmitz both to be released this month, but I have not yet been able to find them any place. 

RJR Fabrics has "Penguin Happy Holiday" to be released in July.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Timeless Treasures released a cute Santa’s List in a 24" panel print this past Spring, along with other Christmas theme fabrics, but I haven't been able to find any of them yet.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm sure there are many more Christmas theme fabrics that have already been released, and I just haven't come across, as well as more to be released.  But it sure got me thinking about projects for Christmas looking at these beautiful fabrics.  Yes, it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!  That is, time to start planning projects for Christmas.  And my mind is starting to dream of such projects, as well as what quilts everyone will share in SewCalGal's Virtual Christmas Quilt Show (and what fun prizes we'll have too).

Virtual Christmas Quilt Show - Winners

First, I want to thank all of the sponsors that donated prizes to the Virtual Christmas Quilt Show, and those 72 people that shared their beautiful Christmas Quilts (and quilted Items) in this show. And thanks to all of you who posted comments and voted for their favorite quilt in this show.




Here is the list of winners that were selected with a random number generator:

1.  SewCalGal, donated 4 yards of fabric & misc items

Winner: Jeanne Turner McBray  (All Things Quilty).  ***Claimed***

2.  Prairie Moon Quilts  donated a collection of five patterns: Cowboy Christmas Stocking Collection.

Winner: Wendy Sheppard (Ivory Spring)   ***Claimed***

3.  BBS designs has donated a Limited edition Mermaid Panel

Winner:   Jan Hayman (Jan)   ***Claimed***

4.  Cindy Carlson  of SewCindy donated five fat quarters

Winner:  Sarah N. (Always Sewing) ***Claimed***

5.  AllBrands.com has donated five USB sticks

Winners are:

   Mary on Lake Pulaski     ***Claimed***
   Cindy of (SewCindy)      ***Claimed***
   Barb (Bejeweled Quilts)  ***Claimed***
   Crazy About Quilts         ***Claimed***
   L7 Quilt                          ***Claimed***

6.  FatQuarterShop.com  donated a Odyssea Fat Quarter Bundle of fabric (30 fat quarters).

Winner is   Lollydo   ***Claimed***

7.  Cozy Quilt Shop has donated an Autographed copy of Layer'em up 2 by Sharyn Craig

winner is  All Things Quilty   ***Claimed***

8.  Kelly of I Have A Notion (IHAN) has donated 10 spools of Isacord thread.

Winner is:  Granny Quilts   ***Claimed***

9.  June Tailor has donated a Creative Ruler

Winner is: Quilt Talk  ***Claimed***

10.   Lacey Hill has donated Sizziling circles
Book "Sizzling Circles", by Lacey Hill, published by Nancy Dill, QuiltWoman.com and the companion "Circles and More Ruler", donated by Lacey Hill.


Winner is  Kick in the pants ***Claimed***

11. Alderwood Quilts donated  an "Eggplant Purr-mesan Wallhanging Kit", by Garden Patch Cats

Winner is: Jonelle Hunt (Four O'Clock)  ***Claimed***

12.  Electric Quilt Co has donated: Quiltmaker Volume 7 software

Winner is: Kelly (IHaveANotion)   ***Claimed***


13.  Fairfield has donated NatureFil Bamboo batting (90” x 108”)

Winner is Needled Mom  ***Claimed***

14.  Sponsor: Mrs. Moen has donated two electronic (pdf)copies of Mix & Match Holiday Designs

Winner are:
  Arlette lk     ***Claimed***
 Krista  (PoppyPrintCreates)  ***Claimed***

15.  Fabric.com  donated a $25 gift certificate

Winner is:  Mrs Moen   ***Claimed***

16.  You Can Make.com  This has donated two electronic (pdf) patterns for their beautiful "Believe" pillow design.

Winners are:

Sipiweske Quilts   ***Claimed***

Sue Abrey (Quilt Times)  ***Claimed***


17.  Quilting Arts has donated a bundle of items and this winner will get a copy of:  has QuiltingArts 2010 Calendar , a copy of Quilt Scene, a copy of Quilting Arts Magazine Holiday Issue, a copy of Quilting Arts Magazine December 2009/January 2010 Issue #42, a copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Studio Winter 2009/2010 special issue!

Winner is: Beena (BBS Quilts )    ***Claimed***


The second copy of the beautiful QuiltingArts 2010 Calendar, donated by Quilting Arts goes to:

Winner: Jeanne Turner McBray (All Things Quilty)  ***Claimed***


Viewer's Choice Award goes to:

Sheila (My Empty Nest is Full of Cat Hair).  SewCalGal will be sending Sheila 4 yards of fabric and a few other goodies from my stash!     ***Claimed***

I will be contacting all of the winners of my Virtual Christmas Quilt Show by email, with the request that they provide me their names & snail mail address for prizes to be sent to them.  If they do not respond by January lst, with this information, another name will be drawn for respective unclaimed prizes.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a happy & healthy New Year.

A Christmas Quilt made by Judy Leftwich

This beautiful Christmas quilt was made by Judy Leftwich, whom I consider a master applique quilter.  She is very talented.  I feel very lucky that she let me share this beautiful quilt on my blog and I hope you enjoy it too!

This quilt design is "The Blizzard Bunch" by Pearl Louise Designs of the Thimble Cottage.

Judy is also entering this beautiful quilt in my Virtual Christmas Quilt Show.  There are many beautiful quilts on display in this quilt show.  You can win prizes by entering a quilt, as well as stopping by and viewing quilts.  Random drawing for winners will be made on December 25th. And, check back as, I'll be posting insights on how you can win a prize by voting for the "Viewer's Choice". ...but as I know more entries are coming in, it is a bit early to ask for votes for the Viewer's Choice Quilt!

Songs For Christmas: Down At The Quilt Shop

DOWN AT THE QUILT SHOP

Down to the quilt shop quilters go,
Out comes the MasterCard all aglow.
Out through the checkout with lots of stuff,
All for the quilts and the tools and such.

CHORUS

Sew-sew-sew,
Who wouldn't sew.
Go-go-go, who wouldn't go
Down to the quilt shop
Click-click-click.
Out through the checkout with lots to snip.
First are the UFO's that fill the drawers,
So many there that we can't ignore.
Finish them all, do them one by one.

Finish them all then we'll have some fun.

CHORUS

Next come the quilts that are in our heads,
All that we've planned for all our beds.

One for the master room and one for the guest,
We'll stitch them all and do our best.

CHORUS

Last we'll make gifts for all our friends,
Quilts and placemats without end.
Coasters and bookmarks, ornaments - so much!
Wrap them up in ribbons and bows and such.



Author Unknown

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)  A beautful "limited edition" Mermaid panel from BBS Quilt Designs.

4)  Five (5) beautiful fat quarters of fabric, donated by Cindy Carlson, from SewCindy.  (Home of the "One Day"). Cindy recently purchased these fabrics at the Sedona Quilt Shop and she is kindly donating them for prizes in this event. 

5)  Five 128MB USB Memory Stick Flash Thumb Drives from ALLBRANDS.com.

6)  An Odyssea Fat Quarter Bundle of Momo for Moda Fabrics from FatQuarterShop.com.  This bundle of beautiful fabrics includes 30 fat quarters!

7)  An autographed copy of "Layer Em Up 2". This delightful book is the second in the Cozy Quilt Designs series by Sharyn Craig, donated by Cozy Quilt Shop.   And, Cozy Quilt Shop is also donating a pack of pre-cut 8” squares.

8)  Ten (10) spools of Isacord 1000m Polyester Thread, donated by I Have A Notion (IHAN).  This thread has a retail value of $59.  This is a fantastic thread for those that like to Machine Embroider, and many quilters also like to use it for machine quilting!

9) A Creative Cut Ruler, with instructional DVD, donated by JuneTailor.

10) Book "Sizzling Circles", by Lacey Hill, published by Nancy Dill, QuiltWoman.com and the companion "Circles and More Ruler", donated by Lacey Hill.

11)  "Eggplant Purr-mesan Wallhanging Kit", by Garden Patch Cats, donated by Alderwood Quilts. 

12)    Quiltmaker Volume 7 software, donated by The Electric Quilt Company.

13)   Nature-Fil Bamboo batting  (90” x 108”), donated by Fairfield.

14)  "Mix & Match for Christmas" pattern sets have been provided in electronic format (pdf) for two different winners, by Nina Lise of Mrs. Moen.  This pattern set includes six (6) beautiful applique designs and five (5) projects where you can mix & match the applique designs to create beautiful table runners, wallhangings and pillows.

15) Fabric.com is donating a $25 gift certificate which can be used at their delightful online store to buy great quilting fabric, home decor fabric, apparel & fashion fabric, or notions & patterns. Fabric.com has something for everyone!

16)  YouCanMakeThis.com is donating two electronic (pdf) copies of this cute "Believe" pillow pattern for two winners.

17)  QuiltingArts has donated a bundle of items including QuiltingArts 2010 Calendar (2 copies), a copy of Quilt Scene, a copy of Quilting Arts Magazine Holiday Issue,  a copy of Quilting Arts Magazine December 2009/January 2010 Issue #42, a copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Studio Winter 2009/2010 special issue!

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 (or quilted item).  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.  {but be sure to post comments in Flickr that you are entering your item in the Virtual Quilt Show and include a link back to this post}.

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.

4) And  IF you do not have a Christmas Quilt (or Christmas Quilted item) to enter in this show, you can enter to win prizes by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post.. AND IF you are a follower of this blog, your name will be entered one time  for the drawing on December 25th.

5) For those that enter a Christmas Quilt (or Christmas Quilted item) into this show, their name will be entered FIVE (5) times for drawing on December 25th.  IF you are a follower of this blog and your post which reflects your entry shows that you are entering in the Virtual Christmas Quilt Show and provides a link back to this post!.  Same applies if you post your entry in Flickr (it must provide insights that you are entering it in this show and have a link back to this post).

6) Review all of the quilts shared in this show, leaving a comment at each site to thank them for entering their quilt in this show.  And leave a comment on this site to vote for your favorite quilt (for one point).

Please send me an email if you have any questions about these rules, or how to enter.


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




Click here to see the winners and prizes for this quilt show.

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

Comfort & Joy

"Comfort and Joy 14 Quilts for Christmas", by Mary Hickey is a delightful book.  This book offers several designs in colors perfect for the holidays, yet most of these designs would work any time of the year.  This book is published by Martingale & Company, which always does an excellent job producing high quality books.  This particular book is well written and has an excellent balance of photographs & instructions, perfect for all levels of quilters.

Personally, it is difficult for me to select my favorite design in this book, as I love all of them.  I love the "Christmas Star Banner".  This design is a lovely design for the holidays, as well as any holiday celebration, and to decorate anytime of the year. 

The "Ribbon Wreath" quilt is definitely perfect for the holidays, but I can also see this design being adapted for many occassions and color schemes.

And the "Little Forest" design is a spectacular design that clearly works anytime of the year.  But at Christmas, how perfect to display this delightful quilt.

But then I love the Watching for Santa design, and the Midnight Star is gorgeous, and Santa's Village is delightful, Frolicking Frosties is sew much fun, and the Great Kindergarten Angel Christmas Pageant is a showstopper.....along with all the other delightful designs in this wonderful book.

I'm hoping to keep it a secret until Chrismas morning which projects I make from this delightful book.  But certainly I'll be making several Christmas gifts using designs & insights from this book, as well as making items to proudly display at my home.  I do hope you'll join me and have some fun making Christmas gifts and decorations from this special book.

http://www.martingale-pub.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_40&products_id=641