Quilt-a-long progress...

So I changed by mind - instead of using my previously posted fabrics for Dana's quilt-a-long, I decided to use some Portobello Market. I purchased this collection to make a quilt for my Dad & Stepmom - this is totally the colour scheme of their rec room - very traditional. So with people talking about planning Christmas presents already, I figured I better get a jump start and get sewing...

I was able to get 39 12.5" squares. We're in Week 4 of the quilt-a-long and are piecing together the quilt top. But when I put mine together like so (see below), I find it's too busy. I'm not crazy about this fabric to begin with, because it's too traditional for me, so this placing is not winning me over.

I think I'll have to insert some sashing, maybe cut up some more blocks...i dunno. I'll figure something out.

If you're not in the quilt-a-long, go check out the groups Flickr page...lots of pretty stuff happening there! It's crazy to see how many are doing this project together!

SEWN Giveaway Winner!

The winner has been chosen!!!

why not sew?

who said:

"Thanks for entering my giveaway and letting me know about yours! I love your bag. I think brown and blue look so good together. For inspiration I usually save any crafty website or blog in my favorites and when I get a chance I check them out."

Congrats!!! I'm sending you an email right now!

Thanks to all of you who entered! This was a lot of fun, and I will definitely being doing it again soon! I found some great links with all of your help!

SEWN is up and running!!! Click here to go check it out!

Live Piecefully Quilt Bee - June - Kat's Block

So with the start of June came my first ever experience with the Live Piecefully virtual quilting bee. June is Kat's month, and she sent out these beautiful Tree Top Fancy prints. I have done improv quilting before, but not quite like this. I was terrified to cut into it thinking "this isn't my fabric". But I did it and here's the result. I quite like it...I made a boo-boo so that's where the thinner border came in. I hope she likes it! To check out the other blocks, go to the Live Piecefully flickr group - we're just getting started, so there's lots more to come.

***Seven more days till the deadline for the SEWN launch giveaway - to enter, click here***

SEWN Giveaway!

Well I finally decided what I'm going to giveaway for the SEWN website launch....

The Charlie - Manzanita Clutch!

Named after my beautiful niece Charlotte, this is my first original bag design, and it's looking for a new home.

All sewn with Joel Dewberry's manzanita collection in robin egg blue and brown. I love the lily's on this piece.

All 100% cotton.

10"length x 7.5" height, darted for a width of 2.5" with a 4.5" strap length.

The contest begins NOW! Open till June 8th at midnight EST. I will randomly choose a winner and announce it the following day (June 9th). Please make sure you include an email address or link to your blog so I can contact you if you win. International contestants welcome!

So here's how to enter:

-For one entry: leave a comment on this post by June 8th at midnight EST. Tell me something interesting, random, whatever your heart desires. One catch: tell me where you find inspiration. Include a link to a blog, website, shop, whatever, where you look for inspiration. I'm always looking for new inspiration.

-For an additional two enteries - blog about it! Just let me know in your comment so I can go check out your crafty blog!

-For an additional three entries: follow-me by clicking on the Follow-Me button on the right hand side. (To my current followers - you are already in the race!)

So in total - that's six enteries for your chance to win!

It's that easy!

My first giveaway on this blog, and I'm getting excited!!!

Be sure to check out all the other giveaway's underway. Click here for the directory of blogs involved in the giveaway, and enter to win great stuff.

Good luck to you all!

Help please...

So I'm trying my best to get some unfinished projects done and off my list. I finally completed all the blocks for this Wonderland quilt and squared them up...now I just need to figure out some sashing. But I'm torn. I have two options...



Light or dark? Both are linen/cotton blends that I've never used before in a quilt, but thought it would be good to put them to use. The dark is a flecky grey, and the light is like a natural white (not stark white). I like them both and I can't decide.
Any thoughts? opinions? advice?

On another note, I planted my first garden ever this past weekend.

This being my first house, and also my first real yard, I decided to create a whole new flower bed. I choose perennials (because I don't really want to be doing this every year), and I was told they are pretty low maintenance...perfect for the gardening novice. So I guess I'll just have to wait and see how they spread, grow and bloom. I'm pretty happy with the outcome...

Other random tidbits:

- I got an email from Elizabeth at Ambiance in the Netherlands, and she's creating something really neat...a quilt for her soon-to-be niece/nephew with fabric from all over the world. I sent her some pieces today...if you want to help her out, check out her blog (it's in dutch I think...lol) and email her. She's got fabric bits from around the globe...what a unique and special gift.

- I also signed up for Swaptree. It's a site where you can swap games, music, movies and books with others. I listed a few of my crafty/cooking books that I no longer use. I've been scanning the site all day finding books I'd love. What a great way to share your gently loved items and receive some new stuff in return!

- I found out about Amy Butler Midwest Modern Contest (pdf file). Starts in June and runs through till September. Make anything using Amy's Midwest Modern collection and enter to win great prizes! I guess I better restock on some more fabric.

- Tomorrow is May Day Giveaway over at Sew Mama Sew. Make sure to check out all the action starting tomorrow...

- Lastly, keep watching for my SEWN launch giveaway...it's all in the works and I'll be posting about it soon.

Have a great week everyone...I'm starting up another round of 4 shifts...lucky me.

It's HERE!!!

So a few months ago, I was contacted by Sarah from The Electric Quilt Company. They were looking for finished projects that were used with Amy Butler's fabric and patterns, for a new Amy Butler Software CD-ROM. So I was more than willing to share my pics and story. And today...it arrived in the mail!!! I immediately opened and popped it into my computer...and viola...my stuff is there!!!! (I can't seem to figure out how to post it here...). And there's lots of others too...all very pretty, pretty stuff. And the projects are really nice, and well planned out (like everyother Amy Butler pattern). And so you can adapt each pattern to your own taste...like change the colours or fabrics to see what it will look like. I'm still learning how to do that part, so I'll need more time to really figure it out. Click here to go to The Electric Quilt Company and order yourself a copy!!!! And when you do, don't foget to check out my "inspiring pieces"...lol.

This quilt in one of Amy's patterns available on the CD:

Perhaps the next on my list....

Some new stuff...

So I have been periodically getting emails from Amy Butler (and I don't know why...I must have enrolled in a newsletter or something...not that I'm complaing by anymeans, I love her stuff!) introducing new products and ideas...and here's the latest I got:

It's her first bedding collection!!! How exciting. All enviornmentally friendly too. These pieces are set to be available in June (right around the corner!). Click here for the slideshow. I personally love the solid pink quilt. Check out her website to stay up-to-date on the details.

And also on the topic of AB (that's right, we're on a short-form basis now...lol), Lisa over at U-Handblog is giving away a new Sweet Life Bag! Go check it out to enter...but remember...the bag is mine!!!