I actually had a chance to meet Lauren in person at an L.A. Modern Quilt Guild meeting a couple years ago. Since meeting, she’s opened this wonderful shop in Los Angeles and from what I’ve seen of it in photos, it looks absolutely gorgeous!

(photo borrowed from Lauren’s blog) Look at all that fabric goodness! And that wall of solids!!

Lauren carries all the great new fabric lines, and in fact, it’s where I shopped recently to pick up some of those Melody Miller typewriters (a few of you were asking!) (oops, looks like they’re sold out now!), as well as a couple of the great new circle prints from Laurie Wisbrun’s Modern Whimsy line.

And today, Lauren has a giveaway for you! A jelly roll of this great new line, Half Moon Modern. If you haven’t seen these prints yet, go take a peek! Lots of great basics in wonderful colors, and a perfect addition to any fabric stash!
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To enter, please just leave a comment here. If you want, you could let me know what you have planned for your next project – I just finished a quilt top, so it’s time for a new project! (I should be working on quilt backs, but that’s not as much fun!) Please only leave one comment per person. I’ll select a winner Friday morning.

I hope you’ll take a little peek at Lauren’s shop, and if you feel the itch to start shopping, Lauren’s provided a coupon for 10% off your purchase until Tuesday, January 16th – just use coupon code FITF10

Comments are now closed. I will select and announce a winner shortly!

You know I like to sew right? On occasion I even like to sew clothing! I’ve been excited about the prospect of making a lot of clothes for Max, but I’ve quickly come to realize how hard it is to find good sewing projects for boys.

And this is exactly why I was so excited to have a chance to review this book. Sewing for Boys is written by Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage (they also have a very popular pattern company, Patterns by Figgy’s), and is published by Wiley Publishing.

Shelly and Karen have done a wonderful job in creating fun and interesting patterns, and as I flipped through the photo portion in the beginning, I could imagine myself making many of these items to add to Max’s wardrobe.

I kept coming back to this page, and these fabulous Treasure Pocket Pants. I love the contrast side panels, those great gathered pockets, and the fun elastic waist detail. The smallest size for this pattern is 18 months, and even though I knew that would be too big for Max, I had to make them anyway. (As a side note, I’m thrilled that the pattern goes up to size 7 – hope Max doesn’t get bored with these pants before then!)

I’m not very good at following patterns, but I must say, I followed this one precisely (I think!) and I’m pleased to say that I learned some new techniques along the way. I don’t have a lot of experience making clothing from patterns, but even so, these directions were well-written and I found it to be a very manageable project. And I’m so very pleased with the results! These pants are adorable and have lots of great details and finishing techniques that make them look quite professional.

And even though they’re not a perfect fit quite yet, they still look pretty darn cute on him!

I’m really excited about this book, and I can’t wait to try out many of the other projects. Next on my list is the Raglan Tee – maybe a little something to pair with these pants?

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So, do you know a little boy (or girl! many of these patterns would be equally cute for little girls) who might need some new duds? Wiley Publishing is offering a copy of this book to one lucky commenter. Please leave a comment here (one per person, please!) for a chance to win. If you’d like, let me know what’s next on your sewing to do list! I’ll select a winner sometime tomorrow.

Edited to add: Comments are now closed. I’ll be announcing the winner shortly!

The blog tour continues on! Be sure to check out these other sites for more information about Sewing for Boys -

September 5 Made by Rae
September 6 Sew, Mama, Sew
September 7 The Southern Institute & Film in the Fridge
September 8 Elsie Marley
September 9 Noodlehead & Oh, Fransson!
September 10 I Heart Linen
September 11 Anna Maria Horner
September 12 Craft Buds, Pink Chalk Fabric , Prudent Baby , Sew Much Ado
September 13 Very Purple Person, Quilt Story & Sew Sara
September 14 The Long Thread
September 15 Susan Beal
September 16 True Up
September 17 All Buttoned Up & Bolt Fabric Boutique
September 18 MADE & Wiley Craft

What a wonderful book! Not only is it filled with gorgeous improvisational quilts, but you also get a unique look inside a virtual quilting bee with each chapter representing one month of a year long quilting bee. You’ll see the fabrics selected for that month, the block design and then the finished quilt along with a few thoughts from that month’s quilter. Also included in each chapter is detailed information on how to construct each block, including fabric requirements, layout and finishing information. I’m especially excited about this book because I had the opportunity to contribute to it, as one of the quilters in this virtual quilting bee.

(photos courtesy of Stash Books)

You’ll find my quilt, Falling to Pieces, in Chapter 4, April. The block for that month is wonky triangles, which are quick and fun to make. And of course this is just one of the many great types of blocks in this book – you’ll also find dresdens, roman stripes, hexagons, and of course (my favorite!) log cabins (among others). I already have my eye on several quilts that I’d like to recreate for myself!

So how would you like to win a copy? The kind people at Stash Books have donated a copy of this wonderful book and it will go to one lucky commenter. Just leave a comment here to be entered to win. I’ll select and announce a winner on Wednesday.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Block Party blog tour at these fabulous sites!

6/21/2011 A Quilt Is Nice
6/22/2011 I Heart Linen
6/23/2011 Tallgrass Prairie Studio
6/24/2011 Oh, Fransson!
6/25/2011 All Buttoned Up
6/26/2011 West Coast Crafty
6/27/2011 Connecting Threads
6/28/2011 Crafty Girls Workshop
6/29/2011 Whip Up
6/30/2011 Pink Chalk Studio
7/1/2011 True Up
7/5/2011 Block Party Bee Blog
7/6/2011 Anna Maria Horner
7/7/2011 Craftzine.com

Update: Comments are now closed, and #248, Alaina, is the winner! Thanks for all the comments! Be sure to follow the rest of the blog tour for more opportunities to win a copy of this great book!

How about you? Do you use a lot of solids? Whether or not you do, I have a little giveaway for you from the lovely Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works. This fat quarter stack will either start you on your way to adding solids to your stash, or it will add to your existing solid stash!

I love Jackie’s shop for the great selection of solids – she carries lots of Kona solids (at a nice price, too!) which you can buy by the yard (with a minimum 1/4 yard cut – nice if you want just a bit to start…). She also has a nice selection of precuts, including charm packs, jelly rolls and fat quarter bundles. I’m also fond of the Robert Kaufman Essex cotton/linen blend fabrics she carries – I love all those great colors! [Of course, Jackie also carries lots of other designer fabrics, but since we're talking solids, I'm going to stick to those for today!]

Anyway, would you like a chance to win this summery bundle of solids? Just leave a comment here (just one per person, please!). If you’d like, you could let me know your thoughts on solids – do you like adding them to your projects? And if so, do you have a favorite color? Mine changes all the time, but currently I think I’d have to say Kona Raisin. I do love it as a binding (most recently used here on my picnic quilt!)

Update – We have a winner! Congrats to #602, Jill!!

In some ways it seems like just yesterday that I started sewing and writing about it, and in others, it seems like it’s been way longer than just three years. Thank you to all of you who have stopped by the blog throughout these years. I certainly appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to visit, read and comment. I hope you know how much I enjoy reading your comments, even though I don’t often have the time to respond (especially since Max’s arrival!)

Speaking of, look who else is celebrating a milestone – Max is 8 weeks old today!

Anyway, to celebrate, I thought it would be fun to give away a quilt. How about this one, made from Anna Maria Horner’s lovely Innocent Crush? While I’m not usually drawn to purples, I love the way it looks in this quilt with all the solid white, and I’m particularly fond of that green binding. I hope one of you will be as well!

[You can find the original post about this quilt here, as well as a tutorial to make this quilt block here... you know, in case you don't win, but still want to make one!]

To enter, please leave a comment on this post. You’re welcome to write whatever you’d like, or if you’d like, you could tell me what you’d like to see/read more of on this blog. Please just leave one comment per person! International entries are welcome. I’ll leave it open through the weekend and will select a winner on Monday.

Comments are now closed. I’ll select and post the winner shortly!

1. another string quilt, 2. far far away 2 strip quilt, 3. flea market fancy lattice baby quilt, 4. hope valley quilt for Erich, 5. the flying farfalle quilt, 6. a bold fun echino boy quilt, 7. timber quilt, 8. two quilts in Tufted Tweets, 9. summer sherbet plus quilt, 10. starburst quilt, 11. twin baby goldfish quilts, 12. moonlight in the trees quilt, 13. goldfish squared twin quilts, 14. a wonderfully wonky anna maria horner string quilt, 15. postcards from the park quilt, 16. spotted squares quilt – twin sized

(if you’re interested, you can see all the quilts from 2010 listed under the Quilt tab on my blog).

A huge thank you to everyone who continues to visit my blog! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the sweet and encouraging comments. You truly feel like friends, and I look forward to continuing to connect with you next year!

In the meantime, a little giveaway for you! I have 8 fat quarters of the fabulous Flea Market Fancy here for someone. This line still continues to be a top favorite for me, and I’m happy to be able to share some with someone here!

Please leave a comment here for a chance to win (only one comment per person, please!!). Anything goes, though if you have a favorite boy name, we’re open to suggestions! (It’s time to start coming up with a list, and we’re finding ourselves at a loss for ideas!)

I’ll select a winner on New Years Day!

Wishing you all a very happy New Year!!

Edit: Comments are now closed! I’ll select and announce a winner shortly!

Nido carries a great selection, including many of your favorite designers – Heather Ross, Denyse Schmidt, Anna Maria Horner, Etsuko Furuya, Nani Iro (to name just a few!) as well as lots of corresponding Kona solids. (They also carry lots of yarn, but since I don’t know much about yarn, I can’t tell you much about that portion of the store!) Shipping is just $5 for all orders under $50, and free for any orders over $50.

To celebrate the launch of the new shop, Phiona is offering up a great fat quarter bundle of Heather Ross’s Far Far Away II fabrics in the Meadow colorway. Leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing. If you have a moment to check out the shop, maybe you’ll leave a comment here letting Phiona know what you think – likes, dislikes, something you think might be missing… And if you don’t have time, then feel free to just leave a comment letting us know what your favorite handmade gift is (either to give or to receive!)

I’ll select a winner on Friday morning! Oh, and for those who don’t win, if you place an order of $50 or more through Nido on Friday, you’ll receive a free fat quarter bundle (randomly selected by Nido) with your order (and remember that any orders over $50 ship for free!).

Edit: Comments are now closed. I’ll select and post a winner shortly!

I just discovered that precuts of MoMo’s newest line, It’s a Hoot, are available, so of course I couldn’t resist ordering a few charm packs. And then what would I do with charm packs? Why of course I’d just sew them together into a cute little baby quilt top!

I love it because it’s a quick and easy way to see how all the fabrics from that line work together. This line is brighter than my other favorite MoMo line, Wonderland, but I think it’s a fun change. I particularly like all of the basic prints included in this line — I’ll be looking to order some of those polka dots once yardage is available (October, I think?)

(Meanwhile, you can find charm packs & fat quarter stacks in various shops, including Whipstitch)

In the meantime, would you like to win a couple charm packs of this new line? I ordered a couple extras and I’d love to pass these two charm packs on to one lucky commenter. Just leave a comment here and I’ll pick a winner sometime tomorrow. Feel free to say hi, or tell me about something fun from your weekend, or if you want to talk about fabric, let me know what fabric line you’re waiting to buy. Personally, I’m waiting to hear more about Heather Ross’s new line with Kokka! (though unfortunately it’s not due out until next Spring…)

Comments are now closed! I’ll select and announce a winner shortly.

Then one day earlier this year I got an email from Raven, who blogs over at Oversewn. I had been reading her blog for a while and knew that she was an avid Featherweight collector (I wonder if she found any at yard sales?!). I was absolutely thrilled to read her email and to find out that she was suggesting a swap – a Featherweight from her collection for one of my quilts. I hesitated for a second, since I was sure I’d be getting the better end of the deal… in the end we did go through with the swap and now I know for certain that’s true – this machine is a beauty!

It’s absolutely gorgeous and it sews like a dream! I couldn’t be happier! (Thanks again, Raven!!)

So how does this help you? Well, Raven has decided to raise money for the Santa Barbara Birth Center for the help and support she received during her recent miscarriage. The money will be used to open a facility and pay for the renovating and the initial operating costs. By donating $1 – $5, you’ll receive the same number of entries into Raven’s giveaway.

(photo borrowed from Raven’s site)

The big prize is another gorgeous Featherweight, this one in white, and along the way there will be other great prizes – (out of print Heather Ross… need I say more?!). You can check out the other prizes and read all the official rules over here on this post. Then head over to the Santa Barbara Birth Center website to donate (you’ll see a donate button on their site on the right hand side). And lastly, go to this post and leave a comment for each dollar you’ve donated (up to 5). Raven will keep this giveaway open through August, or until her donation goal is met!

So this is a celebration of 2 years of blogging. Turns out I do like blogging, and since starting the blog, turns out I also love (love!) fabric and making quilts. I think it’s fun to celebrate milestones, and I think this one is worth celebrating! And by celebrating, I mean a giveaway, of course! Thanks to my wonderful sponsors, I have a fun list of prizes for you!

So, here they are, in no particular order…

Prizes 1,2, & 3 from Laurie Wisbrun of Scarlet Fig -

Laurie has been designing and printing fabulously fun fabrics through Spoonflower for some time. She also has recently worked with Robert Kaufman and her new line, Tufted Tweets, will be coming out in June. I know you’ve all seen it and love it (I sure do!).

Laurie has generously donated three prizes, one for each winner. There are 2 fat quarter bundles of her Tufted Tweets line and also a 1/2 yard bundle of Laurie’s Donkeys in Wellies collection through Spoonflower.

Prizes 4-8, from Kathy of Pink Chalk Fabrics -

You all know and love Kathy, right? She has a wonderful selection of fabrics as well as a great selection of solids. She’s also well known for her fabulous customer service and her speedy shipping.

Kathy’s generously donated 5 $20 gift certificates so the winners can select exactly what they want!

Prize 9, from Charlie and Lindsay of Hawthorne Threads -

I sometimes feel like Charlie and Lindsay are my neighbors, though while NY is close to VT, it’s not that close! (I do receive my fabrics really quickly though!) They have a really great website — tons of great fabrics from all your favorite designers as well as a fun color matching feature and photos of finished projects. I also love their ‘coming soon’ section – it’s fun to drool over the new fabric lines. They offer discounts for larger purchases and tiered pricing for repeat customers.

They’re offering a fabulous fat quarter bundle of Denyse Schmidt’s newest line, Hope Valley.

Prize 10, from Jody of the Fabric Shoppe -

Jody is a new sponsor, with a wonderful Etsy shop, specializing in all your favorite fabrics, sold by the yard and in fun fat quarter, 1/2 yard, and yard bundles. Jody also puts a different fat quarter on sale for $1 on a weekly basis. I always love to see what’s being offered that week, and of course it’s great to be able to add a fun piece of fabric to your stash for only $1!

Jody’s offering a fat quarter bundle of Freebird, which is the newest line by Momo.

Prize 11, from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics -

Randi is also a new sponsor. I was first attracted to her shop for her fun, bright mix of fabrics and then I also discovered that she also carries some fun patterns – lots of great bag patterns and my favorite tunic pattern, the Shearwater Kaftan. She also has a really great sale section!

Randi is offering up this great new bag pattern, the Emma Day Bag by Tanya Whelan, as well as 2 yards of fabrics required to make the bag.

Prize 12, from Pam at Mad about Patchwork -

Pam is located in Canada and has a great online shop with great printed and solid fabrics. She also sells bundles, patterns, books and even cotton rick rack in great colors. She also has a great blog here, with photos of great quilts. I’m loving these quilts in shades of purples!

Pam is donating one of my favorite books, Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston. You might remember that my Flying Farfalle (and my (still unfinished) Dinner Date quilts are inspired by one of the quilts in this book).

Prize 13, from Cindy of Sewing on the Edge -

Cindy isn’t currently a sponsor, but I absolutely love her pincushions and asked if she’d want to participate in this anniversary giveaway. She collects all kinds of selvedges and creates some of the very best pincushions. I’m lucky enough to have one made of Heather Ross selvedges and I love it! Cindy uses crushed walnut shells and it gives the pincushions a really great weight. Each one has a variety of selvedges and cute piping and a corresponding print for the back.

For this giveaway, Cindy is giving away the pincushion shown in the front in this photo (others, such as the two in the background of the photo, can be found in her Etsy shop).

Prize 14, from Cynthia of Fabricworm -

Cynthia was my first sponsor, and I think her shop might have been the first shop I ordered fabric from online! She has a huge selection of prints and I always find something new (and almost always something I never even knew I needed!) She also has a great selection of Japanese prints and a fun selection of childrens prints. Cynthia has also started Birch Fabrics, which produces 100% organic fabrics.

Cynthia has generously donated a fat quarter bundle of their newest line, Circa 50.

Prizes 15 & 16, from Sue at Blueberry Buckle -

Sue has all the Kona solids you might ever need! She carries over 150 different Kona colors, so you’re sure to be able to find the color you want. She sells them by the yard, 1/2 yard or FQ, or, if you’re like me and like to order multiple yards of your favorite colors, Sue is quick to set up custom listings.

Sue is offering 2 $25 gift certificates so you can select exactly what you need.

Prize 17, from Jackie of Canton Village Quilt Works -

If you’ve spent any time looking through blogs, you’ve probably read a comment from Jackie. She reads and comments on a huge number of blogs, all the while maintaining her online shop and her own blog! Jackie also sells a great selection of Kona solids, including the absolutely essential Kona color chart, as well as charm packs, roll ups and fat quarter bundles of Konas.

Jackie is offering a beautiful ROYGBIV fat quarter bundle of Kona cottons. A great start to your collection, or a wonderful addition to any Kona stash!

Prizes 18, 19 & 20, from Phiona of Nido -

Phiona is a local sponsor who owns a fabulous fabric and yarn shop in downtown Burlington. She carries a great mix of all the newest designer fabrics, along with an entire range of corresponding solids. I love that she carries more than just quilting weight cottons too – I’ve picked up a lot of the Anna Maria Horner voiles, as well as some of the new Nani Iro double gauze fabrics. She also carries some Marimekko prints and several prints by Mod Green Pod, which I’ve been using for market bags. And did I mention how cute the shop is? I go there for the fabulous fabrics, but often spend a lot of time openly coveting her antiques! If you’re in the Burlington area, be sure to stop by and say hi!

Phiona has donated three wonderful prizes – 1 yard of a gorgeous Nani Iro print as well as two sample bags of Marimekko fabrics, which each include 5 cuts of fun Marimekko prints.

Thank you all so much for visiting the blog and for leaving such wonderful comments. You are all a huge part of what keeps me motivated to keep blogging!

And of course a huge, huge thank you to my fabulous sponsors! I hope you’ll all take the time to visit their shops and let them know you appreciate them as well!
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So.. the giveaway! Everyone is welcome to enter – please just leave a comment on this post to be entered (one per person, please!). I will close the comments on Thursday night and will announce the winners on Friday morning. Winners will be randomly selected and the prizes will be paired randomly to each winner.

I look forward to many more years of quilting and blogging!

Thank you to everyone who entered and left such nice comments! Comments are now closed and I will announce the winners tomorrow morning!