Market Square Tote Pattern Giveaway!

 Have you seen Nikki's fabulous Market Square Tote Pattern?
Isn't it fabulous?!

 I was lucky enough to be able to test out her pattern, and now she's letting me give one away!  The pattern is so well written.  It's easy to follow, and includes instructions for using laminated cotton (if you choose--I'm definitely doing this on my next bag!), and creating an interior zipper.  I had never done this before, and she makes it easy!  Woo hoo!

 This tote is a great size -- I haven't used it for going to "the Market" yet, but it's been to lots of soccer games, to the library, and on car trips!

Just leave a comment for a chance to win this pattern!
I'll draw a winner on Friday.
Linking up to:

Asterisk Quilt

My asterisk quilt is finally finished!
I packed it up last week to send it to My Very Own Blanket -- the charity our Peace Circle of do.Good Stitches has chosen for donations.  
(Tutorial for the scrappy asterisk block is here!)

This block uses tons of scraps, even small scraps - all the scraps are only 1 inch wide!

I quilted this in a loopy meander,

used my favorite Ikea houses print for the back,

and bound it in a solid green (maybe Kona grass?).

Linking up to:

Works in Progress

Finished projects:
1) Rainbow Quilt (full post here) -- still completely in love with this one!

2) Asterisk Quilt -- just finished the binding this week.  I'll post more about this one soon!

In progress:

1) Did you see Lee's finished quilt using this block?  I was so happy to see that she decided to post the paper-piecing pattern!  I plan to make a bunch of these with my Flea Market Fancy stash.  I have been so undecided about what to do with my FMF fabrics; but this is the perfect pattern!

2)  This is the block I chose for this month for my do. Good Stitches circle.  Isn't it fun, and bright?!  (Tutorial at In Color Order)

3)  Nearing the end of making these Vintage Holiday blocks.  Just need to get them sashed and all put together.  But I'm feeling the need to organize my sewing room first, do it might be awhile!!!

It's been so long since I've linked up to WIP Wed -- but it's good to be back!

Tula Pink Sew Along

I'm so happy to be a part of the Tula Pink Sew Along

at Sew Sweetness!

Today I get to show off my new quilt,

which has quickly become a favorite in our house.

My girls love rainbows, so I re-interpreted Tula Pink's pattern "Fade to Pink" with the colors of the rainbow.

This was such a fun quilt to make!

This pattern would be an easy one for beginners.  The cutting is easy, sewing the rectangles together was easy, and there are no corners or blocks to match up.  It is constructed in rows, separated by long strips of background fabric.  

And it was quick to put together!

I finished the quilt top in two days,

and then spent two more days quilting it.

This quilt is huge!

In this photo my husband is trying to hold up the quilt -- and his arms aren't quite long enough!  

The quilt measures 80 x 80,

a great size for my daughter's bed.

I quilted this myself, which was exhausting!

(my back and arms still ache)

I fell in love with Denyse Schmidt's signature figure-eight long-arm machine quilting pattern when I first saw her book Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration.

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to replicate this by free motion quilting on my home machine, but I think it works!

My quilting is definitely more "organic" than hers,

but I love the overall effect.  

For the back I used fabric from Ikea --

aren't the houses fun?!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Tula Pink Sew Along!

Making progress . . .

. . . on a very big quilt!

Stay tuned for the big reveal on Tuesday!

Tula Pink Sew Along

I just wanted to let you know about an event that I'm participating in, which runs September 24th - November 12th. It's the Tula Pink Sew Along! Every weekday through October 26th, you can find a show-and-tell of one of over 2 dozen Tula Pink quilts, along with a pattern review.

Here is the schedule of guest posts that will appear:

Sept 24 - Sara @ Sew Sweetness (Dream Weaver/book)
Sept 25 - Katie @ Katie's Korner (Beanstalks/book)
Sept 26 - Lisa @ That Crazy Quilty Girl (Cloudy Day/book)
Sept 27 - Becky @ My Fabric Obsession (Houndstooth/book)
Sept 28 - Caitlin at I Don't Do Dishes (Spiked Punch)

Oct 1 - Amanda @ A Crafty Fox (Alphabet)
Oct 2 - Michelle @ City House Studio (Fade to Pink)
Oct 3 - Marci @ Marci Girl Designs (Le Petite Salon)
Oct 4 - Katie @ There and Back (Field Study)
Oct 5 - Lorelei @ Mermaid Sews (Hushabye)

Oct 8 - Anorina @ Samelia's Mum (Pancakes)
Oct 9 - Jenna @ Sew Happy Geek (LOVE)
Oct 10 - Lindsey @ LR Stitched (Fairy Tale Lane/book)
Oct 11 - DeeDee @ mybricole (Any Which Way/book)
              Beth @ Plum and June (Cartwheels)
Oct 12 - Katy @ The Littlest Thistle (Crown Jewels)

Oct 15 - Colleen @ The Busy Bean (Shattered Glass/book)
Oct 16 - Kristen @ KD-Quilts (Stacks/book)
Oct 17 - Roseann @ Rosebud's Cottage (Shattered Glass/book)
Oct 18 - Emily @ Mommy's Naptime (Lollipops/book)
Oct 19 - Jeannette @ Gone Aussie Quilting (Honey Honey)

Oct 22 - Brenda @ Pink Castle Fabrics (Windswept)
Oct 23 - Bianca @ Sweet Diesel Designs (Stacks/book)
Oct 24 - Jessica @ Sew Crafty Jess (Snow Globes)
Oct 25 - Elizabeth @ Don't Call Me Betsy (Space Dust)

              Lindsay @ Lindsay Sews and Craft Buds (Cherry Pie)
Oct 26 - Kim @ My Go-Go Life (Kiss Kiss)
              Kim Munoz (Grand Salon/book)

You also have your own opportunity to make a Tula quilt, bag, dress, whatever! You have until Monday, November 12, 2012 to make something and be eligible for some outstanding prizes!! Here are the rules to be eligible for entry into the contest:

1. Join the Tula Pink Sew Along Flickr Group.

2. To be counted for entry into the contest, get sewing!! Sewn item must be made from a Tula Pink pattern (or from her book) *OR* made from at least 50% Tula Pink fabric (such as a bag, dress, etc.). If you are sewing from a Tula Pink pattern, the fabric does not need to be Tula Pink fabric.

3. If you will be adding an item to the pool to be counted as an entry, it must be sewn and photographed from September 24th through November 12th, 2012. Any items completed before September 24th are not eligible.

4. You may add up to 2 photographs per item.

5. You may add as many items as you want, as long as you made them each within the time frame. If you are making a quilt, the quilt top is adequate to be entered. Anything smaller (mug rug, mini quilt, bag, dress) should be completely finished.

<center> <a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/09/tula-pink-sew-along.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Tula Pink Sew Along" src="http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/bluemerleboutique/tulasewalongbutton.jpg"/></a></center>

Now how about some discounts?!?

Tula Pink has generously offered a 25% discount on all PDF quilt patterns when you use coupon code tulatroop in her pattern shop. This code is good now through October 31, 2012.

My lovely sponsor, Brenda from Pink Castle Fabrics, has generously extended a 15% discount on all Tula Pink fabrics in the shop using coupon code TULA15. This code will be good now through September 30th.

If you don't already have the book, Tula Pink's publisher is offering a discount code so you can pick up your own copy! Use code TULA2012 when you purchase the book from the Martha Pullen store. Support publishers and authors by buying direct!

Prizes

Prizes will be announced soon, but here's a little sneak peak at the sponsors that have offered up their amazing products as prizes!

                  

So let's get ready to sew!!! Join me and head on over to the Flickr Group and get ready for some amazing Tula Pink eye candy! I can't wait to see what you create!

Happy Sewing Day!

Tuesday was the first day of school!

After I caught my little escape artist

(we keep trying to tell her that she is an "inside cat"),

I started sewing!

I would have liked to spend all day sitting here, sewing binding on my asterisks quilt, but it was too hot!  I had to take a picture though -- the lime green was the inspiration for the binding fabric I chose.

 Block for the Peace Circle of do. Good Stitches (tutorial here)

Vintage Holiday QAL, 4 more blocks finished!

These are such fun to make, and quick, too!

 Favorite block so far:

It feels good to have a few hours to myself to sew again!
But I'm definitely looking forward to picking up those cute girls at 3pm!
We're going to celebrate with a chocolate chip cookie picnic!

 Linking up to: