Blogger's Quilt Festival

Welcome to everyone stopping by from Amy's Bloggers Quilt Festival!  For regular readers, this quilt is very familar!  I recently finished this quilt, with the help of many wonderful blocks donated from around the world, to be auctioned off at a fundraiser.

My oldest and best friend was the organizer of the Vive Le Rouge fundraiser and I wanted to do what I could to help her meet her goals.  Well I am so happy to say they did!  Even with terrible weather, the event made their goal.  And the quilt above brought in $500!! 

I received blocks from 8 states and 3 different countries to help pull this quilt together in time.

The quilt is 68 x 90 inches...so a rather good size for a twin bed, or snuggling on the couch. 

Don't forget to click the button below to visit all the quilts entered into the festival!  It is a lot of fun!

And a whole lot of inspiration!!

Winner

just a quick post to let know I picked a winner last night for the patterns.
Melissa's patterns will be sent to lucky #3!!

Congratulations Maggie!!

and don't forget if you would like to purchase these patterns, you can find them at QuiltWoman.com.

Blog Tour = Giveaway!!

My friend and fellow Dozen Quilter's bee member, Melissa Stramel from Lilac Lane has just released two very wonderful bag patterns.  If you haven't found Melissa's blog yet, here is a bit of information on her:

“In 2009 and 2010, Melissa designed patterns for the Moda Bake Shop and Riley Blake's Cutting Corners. Then in the spring of 2010, Melissa was inspired by her young daughters to try something new. She began designing fabrics to fill a void she saw in the industry. She wanted something beautiful and yet fun which could be enjoyed by women of all ages. Thus, her first line, HoneySweet was born, a culmination of childhood memories and her love of flower gardening. Another driving factor for this collection was a desire to make something unique, lovely and fun. Melissa's fabrics will be produced by Andover Fabrics and her patterns by QuiltWoman.com.”

Melissa was one of my first "blog" friends, and even though we have never met face to face, I'm sure we would get along like two peas in a pod.

A few months ago Melissa asked me to be a pattern tester for her Joy Bag...and to be honest, I had never made a bag before.  I admitted my short comings right up front, but Melissa assured me I could handle it...and, after 2 very silly questions on the pattern pieces, I did!  Here is the bag I made and immediately gave to my niece...I was going for a "Twilight" feel and I think this toile made an 11 year old very happy!

I’m giving away a copy of each pattern. Just leave a comment below. Or visit QuiltWoman.com to buy the patterns as either a traditional paper copy or an instant downloadable copy.

 
Doesn't this Bountiful bag look amazing!  Be gone generic blue Wal-Mart grocery bags, HELLO Bountiful!!

I will keep the giveaway open until Thursday May 12.  At which time I will let Random.org pick two winners.  Giveaway is open to anyone.

Vive La Rouge Deux

The AIDS fundraiser quilt is DONE!!

I'm really proud of this one and so grateful to all of you who sent blocks to help make the quilt!

Just finished last night at 1am and dropped it off this morning for auction.  The quilt finished at 62x90 and I think will make a great twin size bed quilt or nice big couch quilt.

The auction will be Saturday.  Here is more information on the fundraiser.

Here is the back of the quilt:

And here....is the very scary amount of red on my FIVE Shout Color Catchers.

Does anyone know if this means the quilt is still at risk for bleeding issues?  I didn't see any problems when it came out of the wash...and once it was dry I was happy with the results...but wonder if I should send a color catcher or two with the quilt winner?

Thanks again to everyone who sent blocks.  I am so pleased with this quilt and to help raise funds for AIDS awareness.

Now, if you will excuse me......

This is what my sewing area looks like...and believe me, it doesn't get any better around the corners!

OOPS

Long time no see...busy time of year, huh?
Of course, is there ever NOT a busy time of year?

Here is what I am working on right now...literally, right now.

My amazing, beautiful niece (and future baby sitter) is turning 12 in May and I am making her this lap quilt.  She is a voracious reader (love that about her!!) so we got her some books for her birthday, and I thought I would make this quilt....

In fact, there are lots of things I want to make in May.  The AIDS raffle quilt goes on the block May 7th...I'm currently biting my nails STILL waiting to get it back from the quilter...I called last week to remind them of my deadline...they promised.

But the list goes on.....pillow (like this) and owl coin purse for my nephew's birthday

pillows for my mom for Mothers day

table runner for my sister that I promised to her LAST YEAR

and one more frog basket for my daughters teacher....

We have been rained on more days than I care to remember lately...so the kids and I have grabbed every dry minute we can get outside...although we don't stay dry....

overflow

I worked a lot of hours yesterday going thru my stash that is not 1/2 yard and more...and this is what I have come to terms with.  I need to get rid of some of it.  Two Medium flat rate boxes and two flat rate envelopes FULL of fabric.  FULL.  I plan to price them crazy cheap if anyone is interested before they hit Etsy...Medium flat rate box is $11 to ship...so Im thinking $16 for a box and $7 for an evelope.

Also rediscovered 9 sweet Sun Bonnet Sue blocks...not my style.  doubt it will ever be...so Ill be listing 9 blocks for sale too.

Trying new things

Teacher's Gift, a photo by Krousegirl2 on Flickr.

I made this fabric basket last night using the tutorial found at Pink Penguin.
I hope to make a matching basket in the pink version of this frog fabric too.
My daughters class is called the FROGS.

Im hoping to build my confidence to try making bags, purses, and pouches...

on a side note...im slowly adding some things to my Etsy shop.  I plan to destash some fabric I don't think I will use and some great deals on scraps and odd cuts of fabric!