Fun Friday Giveaway!
September 21, 2012 Here she is ... my sort of self-portrait.
I love it. It's happy, fun, bright, pretty, a perfect combination of embroidery, patchwork, hand quilting ... ad libbing. Fun fun fun.
But I have a question for you. Do you do this too - buy pretty little things like a jar of white buttons ...
yards of lace ...
and novelty trim ...
just because you like them? And then you put them somewhere in your sewing space, either as decoration or in a drawer or box? And then never use them?
I do ... or rather did. But blogland has inspired me to new heights and made me realize that I'm tired of buying pretty things and then never using them. So I turned over a new leaf with this quilt and broke out of that rut!
I discovered the tape trim fit perfectly on top of the lace so I added it to a few squares. I fussy cut 1-2 because it is 2012.
And then 4-5 because maybe that's how old I am ... maybe. ;)
Here are my pretty buttons ...
That's right.
I went all crazy and sacrificed EIGHT of 'em! LOL!
I had a few fabric squares left over and I didn't want to waste them. But I already had the main part of this quilt and the first border added.
So I stitched up the teacup, pieced it together with the leftovers and added the afterthought panel to the bottom!
And then I thought it would look pretty if I added a run of lace.
I'm not usually a red girl but this quilt was begging for red binding.
Perfect, right?
This project started with me wanting to embroider some designs from "Little Stitches". I had no idea it was going to look like this. Funny what happens when you let yourself play.
And you know, Aneela's book has so many designs you could easily do something similiar to what I did with different themes - children at play (girl &/or boy), Christmas, domesticity, crafting, transportation, animals, flora, seasons, toys, pets ...
Thanks Aneela, couldn't have done this without you!
Now without further ado, I have a "Little" giveaway today.
C&T Publishing is kindly offering one of you a copy of "Little Stitches", the book that inspired my project. If the winner is a US resident, you will receive a hard copy. If the winner is NOT a US resident, you'll be sent an eBook.
To enter this giveaway, leave me a comment with your favorite winter crafting activity. Comments will close Sunday, September 23 at 9:00 pm PST and I'll announce the winner Monday morning.
Good luck everyone!
And have a great weekend too.
PS: And also happy first day of Autumn!
Reader Comments (220)
I love to make Christmas ornaments with kids. We usually make felt ornaments and they have lots of fun decorating them. I also love crocheting.
I Love your blog,can't wait to read it each day.Your little quit is sooooo cute,many ideas to have my own little quilt.I too like buttons,lace and ribbons.If I win the book I
too will make lots of little quilts.I am sewing for the church craft booth and they are
getting doll quilts and mug rugs. I don't quilt but I make blocks,lots of blocks,someday I may have a quilt..... thank you for so much inspiration.Can't wait for your book...
Love, did I say Luv that quilt, so cute. I start gathering projects for winter in July, then when winter arrives, I am ready to get crafting, embrodiering, wool felt, and quilting. The anticipation is crazy good :)
Oh, how I love the little stitches! They are adorable. I guess I should probably dig out those some day, extra specials and use them so I can appreciate them everyday. This time of year I find myself drawn to yarn projects-knitting, crocheting. Would like to try knitting socks this year. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love this book! I definitely love knitting in the winter...something so comforting about it...and stitching...but I love them all the time too ;)
Making Christmas decorations!! I was in the middle of a move last year and didn't get to make anything so this year I'm starting ASAP. I'm striving for the "Christmas threw up in my apartment" look. Can't wait! : )
I recently dived into trying out embroidery (it's always scared me!) so I would love love loveee to get this book!
I like to stitch during all seasons (cross stitch/canvas) but during the winter my knitting needles come out to play more often.
Curled up by the fire knitting and quilting…… I can never get enough. We are trying bookmaking too which has been lots of fun.
I love your little quilt. The details really make it! I usually have a large quilt to hand quilt in the winter. It keeps me warm as I work on it:)
So cheerful and reflective! I would say that it will always be quilting, any time of year, as my preferred crafting activity. At least until my kids are older and perhaps get involved in another kind of craft - then I'll try and be super supportive of it. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
Jennifer G
Atividades e hexágonos,eu gosto especialmente de uma poltrona bem em frente a tv fico horas quentinha e o trabalho rende.Obrigada.
I break out my crochet in the fall and winter.
Such a cute little quilt! Love the extra touches, gave me a couple ideas for a quilt I am just starting. As much as I love quilting, I think my favorite winter craft is knitting.
I love to quilt in the winter when it's cold outside the fabric makes me warm.
Love your self portrait!!! I love to knit mittens and felt them so they are nice and thick. So warm too! And I am always quilting.
Xoxox
Sarah
Oh! This is so beautiful! Buttons and lace and little tidbits of trim are my downfall! My favorite winter activity is sewing up little presents for Christmas - so many presents, so little time!
The meditative quality of hand work is so comforting, and on a dark winter day, nothing soothes like a comfy chair, a fire in the woodstove, and the prosepct of a pretty project unfolding in your hands. Knitting, embroidery, hand sewing... I love them all.
During winter I am immersed in quilting. However, I do get inspired to do some crocheting when it get cold. And this winter, I want to do more hand work. Your blog has inspired me....thanks.
Love your strawberry border...wish you could tell what the fabric is?
I love your self portrait. Such thought, time and love went into this.. Just Beautiful! My favorite winter crafting would be quilting... just make me warm and cozy to think about it.
lisamcgriff at hotmail dot com
Embroidery is my favorite play thing to do. I steal moments here and there most days to stitch. It keeps me happy. ;p
I love the little quilt...so beautiful. yes, i have jars of pretty things waiting to be used for that perfect project. ;p
My favorite winter crafting choice would be embroidery. I love to snuggle up near the stove with my stitching and a cup of tea.
Your little quilt is just darling. I love the added trims and buttons, very nice! My fav winter project is working on quilt bindings I've neglected to do over the summer months.....turn on the fireplace, get a nice beverage, snack nearby and a great movie! Oh, yum! Thanks for the chance to win :)
It's fabulous - well worth the wait! And yes, I have a habit of collecting pretty buttons and trims and then not using them...
Oh, nearly forgot! My favourite winter craft activity is hand quilting a big quilt - saves on heating ;o)
I love hand embroidery! Your project has been very inspiring - it's been fun to watch it evolve. I'm always looking for more books with patterns (or even coloring books with suitable images) so I'm very excited about this book! I'd have to say my favorite winter-time craft is crochet. It's easy to pick up and put down, and it's nice to sit all warm under a partially finished blanket and watch a movie with a cup of hot tea. :)
Gorgeous, gorgeous project. It is such fun to see your personality coming out with all the lace, buttons etc. I do hoard beautiful things and have to really work hard at using a few. I would love a copy of this book, it looks beautiful.
Winter crafting, I have started some felt Christmas Ornaments.
Winter is made for holiday quilting!
Living on the farm I have found that saving movies on the pvr is well worth it. Winter finds me back in my quilt room and if luck has it, this xmas there will be a tv in there to keep me company in the afternoons while hubby is at work! Oh and yes, shoveling the snow...yes that is it, shoveling the snow *cough* :)
I love your little quilt, so cute. It would be awesome to win a copy of this fun book. I enjoy doing embroidery and I am a U.S. resident.
I love to quilt -- by hand -- all year long, but it is particularly comforting in the winter. Your little quilt is charming and I would love to win this book.
My favorite winter crafting activity would be embroidery. I love sitting in my chair, watching my kids do their lessons or play and doing some cute little stitches. I also like to make big cozy quilts.
My favorite winter craft is hand quilting by the fire, which is not as often as I would like since I live in south Louisiana. Love your blog and thanks for the chance to win.
Your quilt is beautiful!
I love to knit in the winter, it is such a warm and cozy craft.
I love how your project turned out & would love to win a copy of Little Stitches! Thanks so much for the opportunity! My favorite wintertime activity is quilting, but a close second is stitching, although I have never done anything other than counted cross stitch. I would love to get more carefree & creative with it! Thank you also for the inspiration!
I love your little quilt! That sounds like a perfect winter project...and just what I love. Creative handiwork. Whether it be quilting or embroidery or crochet, I love to do it all under a warm quilt in the winter. Thanks for the chance to win!
Your quilt is an inspiration to those of us who "collect" all kinds of trims, buttons, ribbons, etc. - great idea!
I love to do patchwork and embroidery during the winter months...
i crochet and quilt just like i do in the summer
What a great little quilt. As the weather gets colder I love to watch TV at night with my husband and do the embroidery for the projects I've been piecing and quilting during the day. It's an easy way to get a lot done!
Thanks for having the giveaway! I tend to do more embroidery and crochet during the cold winter months - the rest of the year is art journaling and sewing.
Your project is just so cute! I especially love the measuring tape embellishment! My favorite wintertime craft is crochet. Like quilting I always have a cue of projects waiting my time!
I love your quilt with all the different embellishments. Yes, I buy stuff and then don't want to waste it by using it so it languishes in drawers. So sad.
I love to make quilts, so that is what I hope to be doing this winter after work.
Quilting is probably my favorite, but I so want to learn embroidery, so would love to win this book; thanks for the chance!
I just love your little quilt. It's beautiful. My favourite Winter (and Spring and Summer and Autumn) craft activity is quilting! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
I love to handsew binding on a quilt in the winter... with the quilt on my lap, and even better, doing this in front of a fire!
Thanks for the giveaway chance! Love how your personalized your small quilt! It is packed full of suprises!
Susie
legato1958@aol.com
I love, love, love your newest project. It is so sweet and I have tons of ideas especially for the holidays. In the winter I love to knit, crochet and hand quilt big quilts...anything I can wrap myself in while I work. I would love to win Aneela's book or find one to buy if I'm not the winner.
favorite winter activity-- quilts for other people, esp. those in need. :) xoxo
love your quilt!
I love to stitch with felt and make ornaments for Christmas.
My favorite activities in the winter are applique and embroidery. I love to sit in front of my fireplace and stitch in the warmth of it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love your Beautiful little quilt! It has so many pretties in it that I
would love to just look at it for hours, discovering each little
treasure. Yes, I too buy pretty little things
"just in case" or if they are calling my name.
In winter I do more knitting and hand-quilting.
Both are so cozy.
Thank you for a chance to win.
Gratefully, Luba
embellishments! you've given a fine demonstration of the meaning! thanx! and thanx for the chance to win a copy sew we can do it , too.
I live in Florida, therefore, unfortunately, we do not get to enjoy long cozy winters in front of the fireplace with a beautiful vista of snow beyond our windowpane. We do, however, get to enjoy a nice break from the sweltering heat for a few months. I have set up a sewing space in my garage due to the lack of space in my home full of boys, and of course it is most definitely NOT air conditioned. As a result, I spend most of the year bathed in sweat while I sew, and yet I still sew. There truly is blood, sweat, and the occasional tear mixed into everything I create ;0)
The "winter" as I mentioned, is a long awaited break from the heat, and I enjoy sewing, quilting, and stitching away blissfully in my now "air conditioned" garage.