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)
You must be the most prolific quilter, crafter ever! I so admire the fact that you stick with it until it's complete - very inspiring! Helps me to "git 'er dun." Your latest project is perfect. My activity of choice is ALWAYS quilting and embroidery and that's how I'll be spending my precious spare time this fall and winter. Side note: Would probably have more time if I wasn't so hooked on reading quilting and design blogs. Can I blame you? ;-)
Your book is on my short list if items I'm wishing for this next birthday in October. Anyhoo, I'm planning on making some baby items for my granddaughter's 1st child due in the spring. I really like to knit and crochet in the winter months. How about you?
wait patiently for every post and project, my fav winter project hexes and more hexes ... an Aussie gal
What a fantastic Little Quilt. I have soo many treasures waittling to be used too> Winter projects include bindings on my big quilts and knitting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Knitting socks.
My fav winter crafting is knitting. Thanks!
Love, love,love , your new little quilt. I love to spend my winter months quilting my larger quilts. All the bulk of the quilt in my lap keeps me warm!
Hand applIque calls my name! I also love to crochet!
I just love your sweet little self portrait!! So adorable & cheery!! I would have to say my favorite winter pastime is quilting! Especially hand quilting!! I love when I am sewing the binding on by hand and I am covered with a new quilt!! I just get so excited at seeing all of the new fabrics together and it is so cozy!! This is because in the summer & fall there is so much gardening and then canning the harvest that I am so relieved to finally indulge in my quilting!!
Ok
Just loving your self portrait! I love that you have used your buttons and lace. I am such a button collector too! I start making quilts for family in July! i also love to make little purses and bags. Everything I have is in some sort of zippered case. Love your blog Kristyne!!!
Your final project is awesome! Thanks for sharing with us. My favorite winter project is making quilts to cuddle under when it's cold outside.
Love your little quilt!
I am a hand quilter so when the weather turns cool,
I have a quilt in my lap.
When the fingers get sore,
Then I am doing embroidery.
I love the little embroidery projects and can't wait to find or order this book. Your project is so cheerful Sept 23rd is my birthday. I have turned one of those years that make you wonder, "How can time fly so fast?" I guess because it is just a wonderful world!
Like everything else you have touched...this is just beautiful.......you are so very talented and creative....and with a sense of humor.....and i love the way you incorporated the measuring tape for the year and age (maybe?)...and lace and all the buttons...I also store pretty things in jars and place them in my sewing room so I can enjoy....maybe someday I will use them.....Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us.......
Forgot to add...I quilt, and crochet in the winter months.....and now I might add embroidery to the list...thanks to you......
I just love your blog, always fresh and lovely. Your wee quilt is just gorgeous. I would love to go into your gireaway, thank you very much.
Your embroidery is gorgeous. I loved your alphabet sampler you did. My favorite winter time craft is counted cross stitch and next in line is quilting. I LOVE to finish up a quilting project and sew the binding on. I get comfortable in front of the TV and hand stitch the bindings. I haven't gotten in to much embroidery but this looks like the perfect way to start!
That is so lovely! I rarely make anything just for me...this would be a great idea! If I don't win the book, I'll order it from the library. My favorite winter activities are crocheting and hand-quilting...with perhaps and little nap thrown in...teehee!
What a lovely book! I love sewing and quilting every day of the year, but especially in the wintertime. It's so nice to sit with an almost-finished quilt on my lap while I stitch the binding down.
That is a lovely quilt. I do collect some things,though i do not have much stored up. Buttons are one thing i have not started collecting, yet :)
That is so pretty. Of course it's embroidery the past year and a half or so. I'm still a newbie at it.
Very inspiring quilt that shares truly who you are. I too am learning to use my treasures and enjoy them. My favorite crafing activity in the winter is hand quilting.....snuggling under the quilt as you work.
I love winter for staying put and doing things at home. My favorites are quilting and Hand embroidery. I just started embroidery a few months ago and I love it, so I am combining it with embroidery quilts! This winter will be fantastic!
Oh this quilt is so sweet!! I love the giveaway book - a book I have been wanting since I first saw it. My winter crafting usually is finishing up hand quilting on larger projects - a double purpose - to finally finish the big project (I prefer small ones) and to keep warm while conserving my heating oil. Thank you for the chance to win the giveaway!!
I love to hand quilt in the winter. It is too cold in my sewing room to actually sew and it feels nice having a quilt over my lap to keep me warm!
I love the red binding! And good for you, for using up your pretties on something this special. I tend to hoard my favorites too. My favorite winter craft is knitting - a cozy bundle of wool in my lap, with hot chocolate by my side. Thanks for sharing all your lovely creations with us!
I love your 'self portrait'! How fun and free. I love to hand sew a quilt in winter, keeps you cosy and warm and I can do it anywhere!
your wee add on was a brilliant idea and the lace just added the right finishing touch , clever you...
I love your quilt, and yes, I have all sorts of buttons and trims that I have tucked away. I could definitely use a book that would help me incorporate all those bits and pieces.
During the winter, in front of our wood stove, I enjoy knitting and making sock dolls.
Beautiful quilt! I do the same thing with ribbon, lace and buttons! I should use more of my things. I love to quilt during the winter months.
You are a real inspiration...I love reading your blog and
Seeing all your projects. I actually get more quilting done in the summer because, living in Tucson, we spend the summer inside, not the winter!
And, by the way, I STILL buy all those "pretty things" that I'm sure I'll use "someday"....haven't learned to stop yet...but I love all my pretty things!
Found your website earlier this year and I'm all into embroidery now....knitting, then embroidery...quilting, then embroidery. I enjoy doing them all, just not enough time.
Thanks for the inspiration and pretty little things to look at.
SC
Love your personality quilt! I like to look at old samplers/quilts that tell a story and imagine the life of the creator of such beautiful art.
Favorite winter craft-making hexies while wrapped in a quilt and sitting by a fire in the fireplace! -A little bit of embroidering would be nice too! -A cup of tea and a warm chocolate chip cookie would make the whole scene perfect!
Thank you for sharing your talent.
Oh yes...I do those things. Just today I was sorting through what the Aussies would call my "bits and bobs" while making doll clothes for my granddaughter. Some of them are very hard to part with. I have them sorted in mason jars and sitting in my window so I can enjoy them every day. And I am always looking for more. My fav winter crafts are quilting, applique, embroidery, knitting, crochet, needlepunch, etc. I never get bored!
I quilt year-round, but only knit during the winter. Thanks for the giveaway.
For the 53 winters I lived in Minnesota, knitting or embroidery were crafts of choice....but now that I am lucky enough to winter in Florida my favorite activity is shellcraft. I especially love working on sailor's valentines......but shelling up "anything" is FUN almost as fun as finding the shells!
Your quilt is adorable! My favorite winter crafting activity is any type of hand embroidery. I love to sit by the woodstove in my comfy chair and stitch away!
I love your new project, very nice!
My favorite project is just to sew with flannel and make a warm cozy quilt while watching the snow fall and the cats sitting by the window watching the birds at the feeders.
i work as a school bus driver, and am at work long hours during the winter, but i always have my embroidery with me, to work on while i am waiting! and i wait alot!
My favorite winter crafting is quilting and with all the UFO's that I have it will take me many winters to create everything I have started. BUT, my favorite thing is STARTING.
What a fun project. Yes, I buy pretty things hoping to use them someday. I enjoy so much seeing you use your creativity and follow your instincts. My winter projects quite often involve yarn. I know that this winter I will be knitting. I'm trying to learn how to knit socks and it is a slow process, but I am determined to succeed. It took many restarts to finally get it started to my satisfaction but I'm about a third of the way done with the first sock of the pair. I would be further along if I didn't spend so much time quilting. Oh, so much to do and not enough time. Thanks again for your inspiration.
In the winter I still love to work on quilts but I do a lot of knitting too. I love your wallhanging and your blog.
Winter I like making small thinks I can give at Christmas such as hot pot holders, embellishing plain dishtowels, doll quilts, pin cushions. -- anything that would make a nice small gift for a friend, hostess or grandchild. I'd be happy to send you pictures but not sure how to post them to the comment page.
hm cross stitching is definitely a favorite for winter!
I'm "guilty" of buying things and not using them--and them "losing" them for a time. Your lovely quilt sparked a use for some of your stash and sharing that with everyone gives us possibilities! Thanks! During the winter I mostly embroider all the things I traced/colored the summer before. The only thing I'll miss is whipping out my embroidery in the car at a couple of LONG stop lights and getting a few stitches done. Soon it will be too dark both am and pm to do that. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
I was trying to decide my favorite winter crafting activity....let's see, knitting, spinning, weaving, quilting, dying fibers for all if the above...and then I realized the most fun times I've had are when I'm teaching any of the mentioned crafts. So fun to be with friends exploring weaving for the first time or waiting for newly dyed fibers to show their colors!
I love it! Kristyne, this is a beautiful "self portrait". And yes, I must confess. I buy pretty things just because they are pretty and then they are soon lost amongst all the other pretty little things. Perhaps this is inspiration to gather some and do my own "self portrait". :)
During the winter months, I so enjoy snuggling under a nice quilt and working on my hand applique. I enjoying quilting and machine piecing, but having a needle in my hand is the best!
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity of the book give away.
Love, love, LOVE this quilt!! Would enjoy making my own. I have an affinity to buttons so I understand completely.
I love to quilt in the cooler months. It is hard to think of quilting and binding a quilt in the middle of summer when it is 100 degrees outside so I save that for cooler weather. Thank you so much for the chance to win.