Random Stuff and Random Number Winner

I haven't accomplished a lot lately, unless you consider buying fabric an accomplishment.  I do.  I get a little overwhelmed with all the choices, styles, and colors.  I love that we have so many options, but fabric shopping without a plan is dangerous.    

Over the weekend, I worked on this quilt for a co-worker who's having a baby really soon.  Actually, his wife will be having the baby.  I'll share better pictures after it's quilted.  I still need to trim the blocks and sew them together.  It's made entirely from scraps, and it's the easiest quilt ever.  Seriously.

Since I'm not always able to share what I'm working on, and struggle to think of anything interesting to blab about, I got a giggle from this post by Dawn at Linen Closet Quilts.  Too funny!

So it's time to announce the winner of Sue Abrey's new book, Pick Four.  Congratulations to Happy Cottage Quilter!  If you'll send me your mailing address, your book will be on its way soon. 

If you haven't visited all the stops on the Pick Four Blog Hop, there's still time. Here are the remaining stops: 

• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb (giveaway open until 9/3)
• Monday, August 29 - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal (giveaway open until 9/4)
• Tuesday, August 30 - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks (giveaway open until 9/3)
• TODAY, August 31 - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thursday, September 1 - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Friday, September 2 - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Paulette's!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 4

It's finally my turn to share with you Sue Abrey's new book, Pick Four. 

 

Sue has provided very detailed instructions, beautifully illustrated, for making 12 gorgeous quilts in this book.  The patterns are suitable for beginning quilters as well as more experienced quilters.

 When I'm looking for a new quilting book, I usually flip through it to see if I like the projects.  I definitely love all the projects in this book, but the first thing that really impressed me was that Sue has included close-up photos of the quilting on each of the projects, along with a section explaining the process for choosing the quilting design for each one.  This is in addition to a separate chapter on quilting options!  How many times have you finished piecing a quilt top and wondered, "How will I quilt it?" Reading Sue's comments about the quilting will certainly give you ideas. 

The book also includes a section on choosing fabrics for your quilt.  If you lack confidence in choosing fabrics, just use Sue's helpful hints to find "clues" in the fabric, and you'll soon be selecting fabrics effortlessly for a stunning quilt. 

Sue and I have frequently discussed the differences in our quilting styles.  Sue, along with many others, prefers quilts with limited fabrics. The book is written with these quilters in mind.  Also, beginning quilters may not have a huge stash of fabrics to choose from.  But what if you do like scrap quilts?  Don't worry, I've already checked -- my opinion is that each of these designs would make a wonderful scrap quilt.

Sue will  be giving away an autographed copy of Pick Four to one lucky person who comments on this post.  If you'd like to be that lucky person, leave a comment here and answer this question:

When you "Pick Four," what color will be in at least one of your fabrics?  

There are still lots of stops left on the tour.  If you haven't visited Hazel, Mary, and Pat, go now!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble

  The rest of the stops:

• TODAY, August 27 - You're here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Barb's tomorrow!

Kim

p.s. - To those you who may be in the path of Irene, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be safe!

Entries are now closed.  I'll announce the winner on 8/31.

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 3

Today's host of the Pick Four blog hop is Pat at Silver Thimble Talk.  Pat also has a new book coming really soon!  Not only is she giving away a copy of Sue's amazing book, but she has an extra surprise for you as well.  For interesting facts about where Pat lives, stop by and visit our "tour guide."

 

If you haven't visited Hazel and Mary, go now!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow

And here are the rest of the stops on the tour:

• TODAY, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you back here tomorrow for my day on the blog hop!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop - Day 2

Mary at Quilt Hollow is hosting today's stop on the blog hop.  If you'd like to win a copy of this fabulous book, go by and visit with her.  And stop by Sue's blog to read some interesting facts about where Mary lives.

 If you missed Hazel's post yesterday, it's not too late!

• Wednesday, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts

The rest of the stops:

• TODAY - August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

Hope I see you at Pat's tomorrow!

Kim

Pick Four Blog Hop

Please join us for the Pick Four Blog Hop.  Sue Abrey, the charming and talented author of this book, will be your "tour guide."  Each day, Sue will share interesting facts about the area where each blog hop participant lives.  And each day, a different blogger will be giving away a signed copy of Sue's book!  I'm very late for Day 1, but please stop by and visit Hazel to see what she has to say about the book. 

So that you don't miss any of the stops, here's the schedule:

• Today, August 24 -  Hazel at Hazel's Quilts
• Thursday, August 25 - Mary at Quilt Hollow
• Friday, August 26 - Pat at Silver Thimble
• Saturday, August 27 - Come back here! (Magnolia Bay Quilts)
• Sunday, August 28 - Barb at Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
• Mon 29 Aug - Darlene at Insights from SewCalGal
• Tues 30 Aug - Lynn at Sew'n Wild Oaks
• Wed 31 Aug - Paulette at Sweet P Quilting
• Thurs 1 Sep - Trudi at Quilting Prolifically
• Fri 2 Sep - Hazel at Cotton Cocktails

See you at Mary's tomorrow!

Kim

Schnibbles Times Two

It seems like forever ago that I told you I'd be sharing Carrie Nelson's book with you.  I couldn't give it away without first making one of these sweet quilts. 

Carrie's Schnibbles patterns have been popular for a while now. There's even a parade every month in honor of Schnibbles.  You can check out the Year of Schnibbles Parade at Sherri's blog and Sinta's blog.  If you haven't heard of Schnibbles, they're smaller quilts made with 5-inch charm squares, and they're adorable. 

Schnibbles Time Two includes patterns for 12 little Schnibbles quilts, but Carrie has also re-worked the patterns for making larger quilts from 10-inch layer cakes.  She tells you how to make each of the quilts in the small and large sizes.   So there are patterns for 12 quilts in two sizes! 

The photographer, Brent Kane, did such a perfect job photographing all the quilts in an outdoor garden setting.  I can't tell you how many times I've flipped through this book just looking at the pictures. 

If you're familiar with Carrie's patterns and books, or if you follow her blog, you already know how funny she is.  You'll giggle when you read the introduction and the acknowledgment pages.  Miss Rosie even has her own "About Miss Rosie" page. 

 

Carrie's instructions are easy to understand, and she provides lots of useful tips for avoiding problem situations.  For example, she explains how to deal with pre-cut (unwashed) fabrics to avoid shrinking when you press with steam.  Did I heed her advice?  Of course not.  I thought it was something that maybe could happen, but wasn't very likely to happen.   It happened.  Only a little, though.  But I should have done what she said -- the lady really knows her stuff.

I've chosen the quilt in the bottom right corner in the picture above as my next Schnibbles project.  Pretty, don't you think?

And here's one more -- the one I've been working on.  X-Rated -- my very first Schnibbles quilt!  (Does this qualify me as a Schnibbler?)  I can't believe I waited so long to make one of these. 

If you don't already have a copy of Schnibbles Times Two (and you don't mind that I drooled a little on this one and pretty much wore it out the first week I had it), leave a comment here and tell me what appeals to you the most about this book.  Is it . . .

a.  The projects are just so beautiful you can hardly stand it;

b.  The author is so darn cute, sweet, and smart [jealous eye-roll here];

c.  There are so many great projects;

d.  You want to know more about Miss Rosie; or

e.  All the above.  

Check back here Thursday.  I'll ask my husband to choose the winning number and let you know who the lucky person is.  Until then, happy stitching!

Kim

A Baker's Dozen

I'm thrilled to share this book with you. The wonderful staff of That Patchwork Place have outdone themselves with this collection of thirteen quilts made from pre-cut fabrics -- jelly rolls, layer cakes, honey buns, charm squares, and fat quarters. 

Don't have pre-cut fabrics? No problem. You can use your own fabrics if you refer to the "Stash Option" box provided for each project.

Aren't the quilts beautiful?  The directions are straightforward and easy to follow, and include tips for working with pre-cut fabrics, using fusible web, machine blanket stitching, freezer-paper applique', pieced binding, and pinked edges. 

I love the applique' designs on the quilts.  The applique' is a nice touch, and yet you won't need to spend a lot of time to achieve the magic that applique' can work on your quilt.  Nice, easy designs.  No sharp points or drastic curves! 

I really want to keep this book!  But since the nice people at Martingale & Company were kind enough to send it to me, I decided I should be at least as generous and share it with you.  So if you'd like to own this book, just leave a comment and tell me what you like about it.  I'll be back Tuesday evening for the drawing. 

Good luck!

Kim

Charmed, I'm Sure

The very nice people at Martingale & Company sent me a copy of this book to share with you. Charmed, I'm Sure, by Lesley Chaisson. This book is full of ideas for using all those 5" charm squares we can't seem to get enough of. Some of the projects use full 5" squares, so there's no trimming! The projects range in size from table runners and wall hangings to bed-size quilts, the largest measuring 81 1/2" x 105 1/2". The quilts are made from a wide range of fabrics, so you'll find lots of inspiration for choosing charm packs.
There are several applique' projects, including this lovely table runner. Lesley has provided full-size templates, and was even thoughtful enough to reverse the templates for fusible web applique'. I love this quilt!

Even the sun rays in this sweet little bag are made from charms!

Lesley has used many different styles of charms for her quilts, including seasonal and holiday prints, but encourages the reader to try different fabric combinations. It wouldn't be difficult to think of ten different fabric styles and colors to use for this quilt.
Some of Lesley's instructions provide special cutting techniques for odd-shaped pieces. I'm fascinated by the pieced blocks in her Muddy Waters Table Runner (not shown).

Another beauty.

There are lots more projects in the book including one of my favorites, "Acorn Dance," which features an acorn motif and a twisted ribbon-like border.

If you'd like to win a copy of Lesley's book, just leave a comment about it here by Friday. I'll announce the winner on Saturday, around 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Thank you, Martingale & Company, for sharing the book!