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Louisa May Alcott

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February 18, 2013

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The content of this website is the property of Pretty By Hand. I'd be delighted for you to link to this blog, but please ask me for permission to use my original photos or writing. Thank you! 

 

 

 

 

 

« A Winner & a Knitter | Main | On the Home Stretch »
Friday
Sep212012

Fun Friday Giveaway!

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!

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Reader Comments (220)

Hi Kryistyne,
Love your latest project...how creative you are!
My favorite winter crafting activity is crocheting a big afghan. It can keep you warm while you work on it!
Lynn P.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterLynn P.

I love this little quilt. Every day i get up and can't wait to check your blog... very inspirational! Yes, i have to admit it too,, I am a craft horder, i buy all the pretty things just in case you know how it is. My favorite winter thing to do is embroidery. I don't have to think, i can just sit in comfy clothes in a comfy chair and get lost..Thank you for all you do

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commenterlisa schmitz

Winter is nice for crocheting a warm blanket or scarf. I can take it with me unlike a sewing machine.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterMaureen

Red binding! A tear just rolled down my cheek. Haha!!! ;) Seriously, LOVE this one!
My favorite winter crafting activity is knitting! Or maybe it's making Posie's gorgeous embroidered Christmas ornaments! Do I HAVE to choose just one?!
Happy Weekend! :)

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterA Little Blue Dragonfly

Happy Fall ! I have to admit I get more quilting done in the winter months. I love reading your blog every day and am amazed at how much you get done year round. I'm planning my mental attack at quilting right now!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commenterkatie

oh, what a lovely little quilt, all the little extra touches make it perfect. I love working on hand quilting in winter. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commentersvetlana

Lovely little biographical quilt! My favorite fall activity is walks - where all of the leaves are bustling around on the ground.. and the air is crisp!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commenteramber

What a sweet quilt. I think that I probably knit more in the winter than any other time of the year. But I love all of the traditional hand crafts.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterAnita

How how creative you are! This year I have remodeled a little special space just for me and my Viking and am looking forward to making a couple little lap quilts.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterSue Anne

I love how this turned out. It is such a lovely fabric scrapbook for you to have. Something tells me that the family likes it too.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterLee

I've enjoyed your progress on your 'self portrait' - very lovely and sweet. I glad to see you use your 'saved' embellishments....yes I buy the same to decorate my sewing space. :-)

I'd enjoy owning Aneela's new book - thank you for the opportunity.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterDarlene

This is so so lovely. During the Winter months I like to make pretty little girl dresses for my niece to wear the following Spring.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterDell

Your "self portrait" is beautiful! I love the trim additions!

I love curling up in a blanket and knitting in the winter!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commenterholly | bijou lovely

Love your little quilt! So sweet! My favourite winter activity is knitting. Thank you for the generous giveaway.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterJoan

How lovely! My favorite winter crafting is making ornaments of all kinds... and I also save up my hand quilting projects for winter too.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterAmanda

In winter, knitting is my favourite! At the moment, I'm making Christmas stockings!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterKat

Have to respond to your first question, yes, yes, i not only collect vintage jars especially those turning color and also collect vintage sweet things to put in them.
Buttons, laces, trims and tatting. You have inspired me to maybe dip into them once in awhile and actually use them! Love your sweet little self portrait! Bet it was fun to work on.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterLouise

I love knitting in the winter because you can curl up under your knitting project :) There is something about making knit hats and mittens and sweaters too.

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterAshley

Love your little quilt, very sweet and very you !!!!
During the winter, I lean toward more handwork, the crochet hook usually makes an appearance and I have been seriously wanting to try a little wool applique, so I think that I will try that out this winter and embroidery, thats always on the works !!!!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterTerrie

Gorgeous..you are so inspiring, I want to dig out all my treasures and create something too ! I love knitting socks in the winter, they make a great Christmas pressie as well....

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterSam

Oh do I have to pick ONE activity. Top on the list would be quilting, followed by knitting with my Mom ( who just turned 90 this week). Then throw in a bit of crochet and I am in seasonal heaven. Oh how I love your embroidery. SEW cute!!!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commenterannelies

I have drawers full of things I have bought because I love them but don't want to use!!!
Love the self portrait, the strawberry fabric is lovely. :)
My fav winter craft would have to be the same one I love to do all year and that is crochet. I used to knit all the time but now I mostly crochet, don't know why that happened!

happy weekend Kristyne,
V xxxxxxxxxxxx

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered Commentergreenrabbitdesigns

I like to crochet in the winter months!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterGill

I love handsewing my quilt bindings all snuggled up on the couch!

Love what you did with all the embelishments :)

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterKelsey

I adore your little quilt - and being a red girl myself, am applauding your binding. My favorite winter activity is decorating Christmas trees (besides quilting, of course). Can't wait to get started! Thanks for the great giveaway!

September 21, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterKathy
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