10-for-10 - Grand Finale!! Rita of Red Pepper Quilts

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Here we are - the grand finale.  I can't believe we are at 10 today.  All of the interviews have been so fun, and today's is no exception.  We're starting a little early, as it's already Thursday Down Under, where our next guest lives.  It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the amazingly talented, super inspiring, and wonderfully friendly Rita from Red Pepper Quilts.

Ok - time to be honest for a second - I'm still a little giddy over this one.  Rita is my idol, my hero, you know... that "holy crow, I can't believe she's talking to little ol' me" person.   She's who I want to be when I'm finally a grown-up quilter.  She's wonderfully talented and successful, but still willing to help out when people have questions.  I've enjoyed getting to know her more over the past few weeks.

I found Rita's blog very early this year - just when I was getting back into quilting after a bit of a inspiration funk.  I was instantly mesmerized and immediately became a follower.  Her work never ceases to amaze me and I watch for new posts almost like a stalker.  And, by the way, if you've not visited her site before, you should go there now.  Right now.  You can come back here later.  Go on....I'll wait.  :)

What first struck me about Rita's blog is the completely modern feel of her quilts.  Now, I'm not about to try and define "modern" in words - it's just something I feel when I see her quilts.  They are breathtaking!





I love her use of white (I'm hooked on white as a background, now) and her fabulous use of bright, fun colors.  And I love, love, love her simple, straight-line stitching.





In fact, when I was having trouble with my first go at straight-line quilting, she came to my rescue.   With her advice and encouragement, the quilt was finished and off to my grandmother in no time.  (Thanks again, Rita!!)  Her response to my questions, genuine interest in my situation, and friendly eagerness to help made me a fan for life.

Since then, I've purchased two of her patterns, Alice and Bricks-and-Stones, and nearly finished Alice.  Next on my list after these is the Flying Geese pattern.





This one still makes my jaw drop.  Simply fabulous. 

Oh, and did you know you can buy her quilts - yes, finished quilts.  Anyone want to go Christmas shopping??





So now, here she is, ready to talk to you!  I love the answers she gave to the interview questions, and I'm sure you will, too.  Enjoy!!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? 
If I won $3000 today I would probably want to put it aside for a holiday. As a family we really enjoy traveling and have been fortunate to enjoy holidays in both the USA, Europe and England. We'd love to go again and are hoping to do so within the next 3 years. It's part of the long term plan.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? 
I am really still "stuck" on a fresh color scheme - anything with lots of contrasting white is a feast for my eyes. I have really enjoyed playing around with other colors - to the exclusion of white - but find that I end up coming back to a color scheme that includes white. It just has a classic and timeless feel about it for me.

What is one (sharable) thing from your "bucket list"? 
I would love to um ... bungee jump in New Zealand? No just joking! I am terrified of heights. But ... I would like to spend 2 to 3 months living in NYC, just to experience this amazing city as less of a tourist (a pretend local). Yes, that would be amazing!

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try? 
I'd love to make a Pickle Dish Quilt with loads of paper pieced arcs and curved piecing. I don't mind paper piecing, in fact I quite enjoy it as there is a rhythm to the process, but it is sewing together those arcs that really puts me off. I have pieced arcs/circles before and I can't say there was much joy in it for me!

What hot trends do you see coming our way? 
I see more quilts with only solid fabrics, and a continuation of traditional quilt designs being worked with modern and colorful fabrics. I would love to see more fabric collections with simple designs and each print featuring only 2 to 3 colors - much like Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite? 
I don't watch much TV and it is rare that I actually make time to go to the movies. Several weeks ago I watched the movie Australia with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman on TV (although I'd missed the start of it). I really enjoyed it and ended up purchasing the DVD. My first Movie DVD! My other all time favorites: Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized? 
When looking for inspiration I turn to magazines and books. But I find that the harder I try to find inspiration the less likely I am to succeed. Sometimes it's better to take a step back, go for a walk, take some time out from your normal routine and inspiration will find you.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter? 
I would tell a newbie quilter to have fun with it; don't sweat the small stuff, the uneven/unmatched seams, none of it matters. All you need is a rotary cutter/mat, a working sewing machine and a bundle of fabric and you are ready to go. As long as you are enjoying what you are doing you're doing it just right! Don't doubt yourself.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
This is a difficult question! I might have to go with the In A Spin Quilt - made with a combination of new and recycled fabrics: http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2010/10/in-spin.html

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do? 
I am pretty boring in that I quite enjoy my own company and would be happy to stay home and potter around. I am home on my own most week days during school hours and thoroughly enjoy this quiet time.

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Thanks so much, Rita!  If you do end up back in the USA, I hope you'll let me know.  And, fair warning - if I ever make it to Australia, you'll have to hide your quilts from me!  :)

Now, it's on to the giveaway. Today's Heirloom bundle includes a fat eighth of Blockade Blossom, Opal Gold, Marquis Garnet, and Ornate Floral Garnet.  The fabrics were generously donated by Cathy at Wondrous Woven Fabrics, so please visit her store and say hello.  (Oh - and by the way, Cathy still has Heirloom on sale for $7.99 a yard!!)





To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Rita's finished projects is your favorite.

Followers of Rita's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries. So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow.

That's three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Rita's blog, and one for following my blog.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST (USA) on Monday, October 3rd, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

I hope you've enjoyed this series - it's been a lot of fun gathering these questions and getting to know our bloggy friends a little better.  Thanks for playing along!!

10-for-10 Interview #9 - Lee from Freshly Pieced

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Well, here we are folks - the final two.  That's right, we're down to our last week of 10-for-10 interviews.  Kinda makes me sad, but you're going to love these.  Today's interview is with Lee from the super-fabulous Freshly Pieced.

Lee is the mastermind behind the wonderful WIP Wednesday series (as if you didn't know that already!).  Not only do I love linking up every week - talk about fabulous accountability - I love being able to follow other people along with their projects.

Beyond WIP Wednesdays, Lee creates amazing quilts, has hosted two quilt alongs (Summer Sampler and Supernova) and has been featured in tons of websites, blogs, and magazines.  On top of all of this, Lee is also a graphic designer and is in the middle of completing her Connecting Threads fabric line... can't wait to see how this comes out. She was one of the top five finalists, so she now gets to finish her line. Here is her focus print...




I don't know about you, but I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed for her.  This print has so much potential - I hope she gets the grand prize!!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? 
Wow, tough one! An upgraded sewing machine would be high on the list. And of course, there's ALWAYS fabric. Or, if it HAD to be something unrelated to sewing, I would go on a clothes-buying spree. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so it's hard to justify cute, expensive clothes.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? 
I absolutely love Joel Dewberry's Heirloom line. I've got a whole stack of it sitting in my sewing room and I'm dying to break into it. I just need to come up with the perfect project!

What is one thing from your "bucket list"? 
Zip lining in Costa Rica. I was there a few years ago with my husband and then-2-year-old—I was 6 months pregnant at the time. So my daughter and I had to stand by and watch while my husband flew down the most amazing-looking zipline course. I promised my daughter that we would come back someday, when we could ALL do it together as a family. And we will!

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try? 
I really wish I could embroider. I've tried it a few times, with pretty lackluster results. Someday I'm going to give it a real go.

What hot trends do you see coming our way? 
I think jewel tones, especially royal blue, are coming back. We haven't seen a lot of dark/royal blues in modern quilting recently, but they're popping up now in collections like Terrain by Kate Spain.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite? 
Well, the Harry Potter movies are basically the only movies I've made an effort to see in the theaters since I had kids, so those are obviously way up there. Also, anything with Colin Firth in it. : )

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized? 
That's an easy one—I look at Flickr and my favorite blogs. No shortage of inspiration and motivation there!

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter? 
Don't be afraid to just try things. Look up how to do it online and dive in! Use scrap fabric if you can—that way if it doesn't work out, you don't have a lot invested. And don't get discouraged if it's not perfect the first time out. You should have seen my first efforts!

What is your favorite finished project to date? 
Well, that changes all the time, of course, but right now it's my Warm/Cool HST quilt. So many of my favorite prints and fabric lines are represented in that quilt. It was fun to make and it's been fun to use.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do? 
 Are you kidding me? SEWING! What else? : )

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Thanks, Lee!  I've been noticing more jewel tones, too - and I'm happy to see them.  I just love those bright, cheerful colors...and would love to see more dark/royal blues.  :)

For those just joining us, we've been giving away a four-pack bundle of fat-eighths with every interview. Each bundle is different, but all are from Joel Dewberry's newest line, Heirloom. The fabric for all the bundles was generously donated by Cathy at Wondrous Woven Fabrics - so please go visit her store and say thanks!




To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Lee's finished quilts is your favorite. (I'm torn between Urban Lattice and Supernova.)

Additionally, followers of Lee's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries. So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow.

Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Lee's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, October 1st, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

Be sure to come back on Thursday for our grand finale interview!!  You won't want to miss this one!

10-for-10 Interview #8 - Darci from Stitches and Scissors

We're up to interview #8 today - is it just me, or are these flying by??  Today's interview is with Darci from the fabulous Stitches and Scissors blog.



Darci's blog is one of my favorites because of the wide range of projects she highlights.  Quilts, of course, are prominent, but also pillows, skirts, and home decorating ideas.  I'm in awe at all of the pillows she's been making...they are so beautiful.  




Like many of us, myself included, Darci is always involved in at least one swap and her blog is a fabulous place to find inspiration.  Just a click on her Blocks label will get you posts that include wonky log cabins, strips and hearts...even an embroidered elephant!!



I'm totally in love with the elephant....

So, on with the interview....

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy?
Well I would want to spend it on new furniture for the house! I am dying for some new furniture, mainly couches. A Green couch is in my future.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
I am really loving red right now and I wish that the quilting world/designers would start to use it more. I don't love the whole line but most if it is so me is Summersault by Erin McMorris. I love the blues and greens of that line.

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
Go to Italy. I am a romantic and so many places in Europe call my name. There are so many places that I want to see and visit outside of the US.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I still have not tried a Dresden since it really isn't my style but I would still like to make one and hopefully I will soon.


What hot trends do you see coming our way?
Black is really starting to be big in the quilting world now since more and more modern quilters are using it in there quilts and I am really loving it which I never thought I would say.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
Oh goodness as I have said earlier I am a total romantic so all of the romance movies get me. I can never watch Ever After enough or any version of Pride & Prejudice. My new favorite movie though is Something Borrowed. I loved the book and loved the movie I couldn't stop laughing in the movie either. Not my typical favorite but for some reason that movie & book gets me. On a total opposite side I LOVE the new Star Trek. I can't watch it enough. It is just hilarious and brings back such great memories of growing up and watching the show on tv with my whole family.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
Sometimes just looking at fabric can get me motivated but that is sometimes. Most of the time relaxing gets me re-energized. I usually am tired from doing to much and there for have no desire to sew and get things done so I rest and enjoy my family and that always gets me wanting to sew afterwards.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Don't stress! Sewing does not equal perfection. You don't have to be a perfect sewer. Have fun the online quilting/sewing community really is fabulous! It is a great place to learn and make great friends. I sure have!!!!

What is your favorite finished project to date?
Right now I am loving the pillows that I have made for me and for some friends. They have really brightened my home and it is a faster finished project to enjoy than a quilt.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
I would probably rent a movie namely a romance since those movies I can't get my husband to watch. What guy likes them, right? The other option is reading a romance novel. Really those are my favorite things to do when, if ever, I have time alone.


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Thanks, Darci, for the wonderful answers and the chance to get to know you better. I am also loving your pillows and want to start making some of my own...I need some quick projects to do!

Now, it's on to the giveaway. Today's Heirloom bundle includes a fat eighth of Chrysanthemum, Empire Weave Garnet, Ribbon Lattice Gold, and Tile Flourish Garnet.




To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Darci's finished projects is your favorite.  You may want to dig around on her blog a bit, first, because she has so many!

Followers of Darci's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries. So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow.

Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Darci's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Monday, Sept. 26th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

10-for-10 Interview #7 - Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Betsy

Today's interviewee gets my award for "Made you Snicker" blog title of the year. I love it and, yes, it's what drew me to her blog. Turns out a name can be very important! And I'm so happy that Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Betsy agreed to be interviewed!




That's right - a real photo!! She traded her quilt photo for a real photo just this week. I like to think she changed it just for me... LOL.  So glad to finally "see" her!

Elizabeth's blog is nothing short of amazing.  I'm still trying to figure out how in the world she cranks out so many quilts...I've pretty much decided she must run on two hours of sleep a night.   She has seven different tutorials, two quilt-alongs (Kaleidoscope...which I still have trouble spelling... and Sliced Coins), and enough eye-candy on her Finished Quilts page to keep you drooling for days.  She's also a fellow Summit-goer, so I'm thinking of checking her back for a hidden battery compartment when I see her.  ;o)


Some of my favorites of her quilts are...Garden Prince,



Warm-Cool Diamonds,



and Drunk Love, yet another "best name" award winner...lol!



And now... on with the interview!!


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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy?
This is totally going to be a predictable answer, but I would buy fabric. Lots of it. I think I would buy a few big rolls of batting first, though - I always get irritated when I realize I'm out of batting, so that would be handy. Then, I'd stock up on a bunch of solids, and then treat myself to some fun prints. I'd go on a fabric diet for the year after that. Or try, at least :)

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
I think that I'm really into turquoise and aqua right now, especially when paired with gray, which is why Simon + Kabuki's Juicy Blossoms collection is really calling my name at the moment. I'm also a huge fan of Joel Dewberry's latest Heirloom collection.

What is one (sharable) thing from your "bucket list"?
Write a book. My son was just asking me the other day what I wanted to be when I grew up, and "author" was the first thing that came to my mind. I've always written in various ways over the years, and blogging is the latest incarnation of my writing, but I would really love to write a book.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
Hand-sewing hexagons. I have been intending to try it since about December of last year. I have the papers, I have some fabrics cut, I just don't seem to have the gumption. I'm not a huge fan of hand-sewing, but I know I will continue to not be a fan until I improve my hand-sewing skills, which naturally takes practice. I'm hoping that when I travel to SLC in a few months for the Sewing Summit that I will finally try them out, since I'll be away from my machine!

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
That's a good question. They say that everything old will be new again, and I think the retro trend of modern quilters re-interpreting traditional quilt blocks will definitely continue for some quite time. I also think that another trend that is coming down the pike is more abstract prints. Jay McCarroll's Habitat collection felt so fresh and different from the other "modern" quilt fabrics available, and I think that there may be some other collections to follow in its very urban and uber-fashionable footsteps.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
My all-time favorite movie is probably a tie between "The Princess Bride" and "Moulin Rouge." I adore musicals - when I was growing up, my mother worked in a dinner theater, so plays and musicals are real near and dear to me. I also really enjoy good comedies, and "The Princess Bride" never fails to crack me up, even though I've seen it a million times.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
Make a new playlist for my iPod with some good, upbeat music that makes me feel inspired. I tend to make a soundtrack for pretty much everything in my life, and sewing is no exception. Right now, I have ten different sewing-related playlists on my iPod.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Don't be afraid of making mistakes. And don't knock yourself down when you make mistakes - they're learning tools. Don't hesitate to ask questions - I think most bloggers, like myself, are always happy to help!

What is your favorite finished project to date?
I think my favorite finished project at the moment is probably my Hooty Supernova quilt - it's the one I snuggle with most frequently these days, and I just adore the colors in it, they're so cheery.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
I think it depends whether I'm in the middle of a good book or a good quilt project, but the evening would definitely include some reading and a good bit of sewing. And music, definitely some good music. Whenever I get some unexpected time to myself, the first thing I do is make a playlist!

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OK - so I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm super interested in Elizabeth's playlists!  Ten...just for sewing?!  I'm amazed.  Maybe we've found her power source after all....

Now for the giveaway!  For those just joining us, we've been giving away a four-pack bundle of fat-eighths with every interview.  Each bundle is different, but all are from Joel Dewberry's newest line, Heirloom.  The fabric for all the bundles was generously donated by Cathy at Wondrous Woven Fabrics - so please go visit her store and say thanks!






To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Elizabeth's finished quilts is your favorite.  Be sure to click over - she has many jaw-droppers to chose from!

Additionally, followers of Elizabeth's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries.  So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow. 

Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Elizabeth's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 11:00 am EST on Saturday, Sept. 24th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

Good luck!

10-for-10 Interview #6 - Erin from Two More Seconds

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Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a fabulous week.  We're moving right along in our interview/giveaway series and now we're up to #6 - Erin from Two More Seconds.






I've been an avid follower of Erin's blog ever since her first Mug Rug Madness and, as fate would have it, Mug Rug Madness: Holiday Edition just kicked earlier this week!  Beyond mug rugs, Erin's blog is a wealth of information and inspiration.  Her Things I've Made page alone has enough photos to make a quilter swoon!

Erin is also one part of the dynamic duo that is coordinating Sewing Summit coming up next month in Utah... next month!!  I can't wait to get on that plane.  The Summit is going to be so much fun... are you going?


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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? 
I would book a cruise for my husband and I to somewhere warm, exotic, and remote! He's in the thick of his Phd program & I've been super busy with kid stuff & sewing stuff & Sewing Summit stuff - so even a date night out is rare for us. I want him all to myself for a week or so!


What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
I am loving blues and greens lately. This combo is an old favorite of mine but I find myself coming back to it recently. Throw in some brown and grey and it's a perfect combination!

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
To run a half marathon! And hopefully, this one will be checked off my bucket list in just a few short weeks when I'm running my first half. This would be a huge accomplishment for me because I despise, no, ABHOR running! But it's good to have goals out of your comfort zone, right?

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I don't know if you'd call it a technique but I'd definitely like to try more clothing sewing. It's always intimidated me & so I'd love to learn more about that skill!

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
I see a lot of purple being used recently, so I see that as a trend that continues, and hopefully more basic, small scale prints coming out in new fabric lines. I love those and so hope to see that trend continue!

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
I love movies! I'd say my favorites are action, comedy & dramas. Although I also like documentaries - they're easy to have running on Netflix Instant on my laptop while I'm sewing & only half paying attention. My all-time favorite movie is Empire Records. (What's with today, today!?)

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
I do a complete 180 away from whatever I'm not motivated to do & go do something entirely different for awhile. I go read a book, take a walk outside, play on the floor with my kids, or bake some cookies. Usually after I disengage for awhile with something mindless, I start thinking again about whatever it was I wasn't motivated to do before with a refreshed perspective.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Sew for YOURSELF! Don't be swayed by anyone else's tastes, trends, styles, choices or opinions. If you love it, it's good enough. New sewists so often get caught up in the "not good enough, not using designer fabrics, not trendy enough" mindset and it can get really discouraging really fast!

What is your favorite finished project to date?
Favorite current project is my Cousin It pouch I made for the Pretty Little Pouch Swap. I LOVED that thing - I need to make one to keep now! I loved that it was crazy & different & everyone either adored it or hated it.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Right now I'm totally addicted to catching up on the past seasons of Mad Men & so I'd probably get an In-n-Out cheeseburger, pop some kettle corn & settle in with Don Draper for the evening. ;]

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Well, for those who don't know, since the time of this interview, Erin did finish her half-marathon... the Disney half marathon.  I'm so stinkin' proud of her for seeing it through and accomplishing her goals!!   Her medal is simply gorgeous!






And, of course, with every interview there is a giveaway.  Today's is for another gorgeous fat-eighth mini bundle of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom.  It's hard to put into words just how gorgeous these fabrics are!





To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling me which item on Erin's Things I've Made page is your favorite.

Additionally, followers of Erin's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries.  So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow. 

Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Erin's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Monday, Sept. 19th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

10-for-10 Interview #5 - Angela from Cut to Pieces

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Wow...is it true?! Number 5 already? We're halfway done! I hope you've been enjoying these interviews. Today's is with Angela from Cut to Pieces.




Angela is hands-down one of the most creative people I have "met" online.  Her blog highlights so many things she has created or redone - draperies, pouches, toy kitchens, landscaping, party decorations, and, of course...quilts!  I love her sense of style and her ability to see the beautiful things that can come out of otherwise plain, shabby areas.  Quite honestly, I never know what will pop up next on her blog, but I know it will be gorgeous.  Most recently, I've been able to work with her on a team for a secret project...and can't wait for it to be revealed.  The whole team has been wonderful and it's great to get to know people a little better.  :)

Of course, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the biggest influence Angela has had on me, and that's in my stash organization.  I've mentioned her before, when wailing about my fabric woes, but to highlight for my new followers, Angela has a wonderful fabric folding tutorial that completely revolutionized (and finally organized!) my overflowing dump of a stash pile.  If you're needing some ideas for fixing up your stash, you should head over there right away!  I can't even put into words how much I love my fabric stash now and how easy it is to search for fabrics...makes all those block bees a cinch!

Ahem - this is part of Angela's stash, not mine.  Oh how I wish...

Her other tutorials include such wonderful things as circle blocks...







swirled seams...







and a design wall.







How cool is that?  I'm all for a good quilt block or quilt top tutorial, but useful things like this are so often overlooked, I'm glad she has taken the time to write them up.

So without further delay..... the interview!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? 
Sewing related? I would probably buy a new sewing machine....I'm pretty happy with the one I have but you can always upgrade. ;) Although I'm not sure that would even be enough money for the machine I would upgrade to.

Otherwise I would probably find a great dance class or music class for my little girl that would introduce her to movement and music. She's got such a natural talent for it and I'd love for her to do what she loves...even if she's not yet two. (I promise, I'm NOT a stage mom!) I just want to be able to give her amazing opportunities.

Although...I might just book a trip to Europe for the hubby and I. Our 10th anniversary is next year and we always said that we would do that. But again...I'm not sure it is enough money. But hey...it would help!

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? 
Oh I'm so fickle. I just love so many colors and so many fabrics. At this exact moment in time, I'm in love with Storyboek by Birch fabrics, Joel Dewberry's latest line Heirloom and the last couple of Sweetwater lines, Sunkissed and Hometown. Those color schemes are all completely different... What I'm NOT in love with currently is brown. I've been out of love with it for a couple of years now... we'll see when it becomes a must have again. But for now, that is the color I have the least of.

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
Hmmm...I don't really have a bucket list. That would require sitting down and thinking about things to do other than what is already on my plate. But as mentioned above, I would love to go to Europe with my husband. He has never been there and I think that he would really enjoy it. We need to vacation in our own way (no backpacking and staying at hostels for this couple), but it could be really amazing.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I really would love to learn more about hand embroidery. I want to know all the basics and the different knots and start creating. It's like coloring in a way. I can do that. I'm very good at staying in the lines. ;)

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
I think that character filled fabrics are becoming more and more popular...very heather ross like. So I'm sure we'll see more of that. And I think that we'll see more break out designers who are discovered because they are different and new and unique. And if the success of Jay McCarroll is any indication, we may have more crossover fashion designers into the crafting world.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
Oh, I love fantasy and sci fi...a romantic comedy sometimes...But I grew up with 4 brothers, so I have a soft spot for action films as well. All time favorite? Well that might be "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy". But really...there are a lot of great films out there! It's like asking to pic a favorite fabric!

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
Boy if I had the answer to this, I'd be doing a lot more. I struggle with this often. But I do have a couple of things I like to try. One, sometimes you just need to let it all go and not worry about. Watch one of those favorite movies and forget about what you HAVE to get done. It's always difficult when it is a chore.

Two, if you really are on a deadline of any kind (we all have deadlines for one reason or another), then just put yourself in front of that machine and start sewing. I find if I make myself start a project, it is more easy to think about working on it. If I'm really unmotivated, sometimes it can help to hop over to flickr and check out all of the pieces that I have in my favorites. This can be a double edged sword though because sometimes I just get depressed about how beautiful everyone else's work is.  So you have to be a bit careful that you are being inspired and not comparing.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Pick out a fabric that you LOVE...because you'll be working with it for a bit. And then choose a project that you WILL be able to finish. There's nothing worse than starting a new craft and not being able to share what you've made because you took on something too big.

My first project was a twin sized quilt...but that is what motivated me. For others, a set of placemats or a christmas tree skirt may be the key. Make what you love. If that means making exactly what someone else has made, then go for it. And let that person know how much they inspired you.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
Oh tough question...it changes all the time. But right now, I'm pretty in love with an orange triangle quilt that I made a couple years ago. It has so many of my favorite fabrics in one place. I need to do more like that!

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Order Pizza and then SEW!!

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Thanks, Angela, for the wonderful answers and the chance to get to know you better.  I feel your pain on the $3,000 not being enough to upgrade to our "dream" machines.  Oh, wouldn't that be nice!!

Now, it's on to the giveaway.  Today's Heirloom bundle includes a fat eighth of Blockade Blossom, Ornate Floral Garnet, Marquis Garnet, and Opal Blush.

Oh...and did you see that Wondrous Woven Fabrics (our sponsor) also has this line on sale??  $7.50 a yard - not too shabby!!  I'm not sure when the sale ends, so you might want to scurry on over there.  :)

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Angela's tutorials you would most like to try.  She has more than what I've listed here, so be sure and check them out first.

Followers of Angela's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries.  So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow. 
Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Angela's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, Sept. 17th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

Good luck to all!!!

10-for-10 Interview #4 - Jennifer from That Girl...That Quilt

*giveaway closed*

Today, I want to introduce you to my friend Jennifer, who blogs at That Girl...That Quilt.




Jennifer is a wonderful blogger and great source of inspiration. I was first drawn to her blog when I saw her "I Quilt Without Obligation" button on another blog.  Intrigued, I clicked over to her site, immediately started following her, and added that same button to my blog.  (It's on the lower left.)  I really liked what she had to say about quilting without obligation and that same spirit is evident in all of her posts.  I love her honesty and her ability to just let it all go.  Be yourself and do what you love.  Amen.

Of course, on top of all that personal motivation (and reassurance!), Jennifer has fabulous quilts and an amazing eye for color.  (Pssst... she also has a couple of Moda Bake Shop projects under her belt as well.)

And, well... you know I can't let an intro go without highlighting some of my favorite quilts.  So here are my top three faves...but let me say, it was very difficult to narrow it to three.

Serendipity

Disappearing 9-patch

and

Wonky Log Cabin

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, there is a pattern available for Serendipity.  So, y'all read on while I go find my wallet.  :)

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? I'd buy a new sewing machine. I love my Singer, it's a workhorse but it doesn't have any of the fancy features I see other quilters talking about. And of course, if I had some money left over I'd buy some fabric.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? I am really loving terracotta and robin egg blue together right now. I've been slowly collecting fabric for a quilt in these two colors. Finding fabric that is terracotta and not orange is harder than I thought!

What is one thing from your "bucket list"? Hmmm... I really want to go on a safari someday. I love the zoo but I think it would be amazing to see some of the same animals in their natural habitat.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try? I guess if we are talking quilt blocks, I want to finish my Dear Jane blocks. I've been working on them for nearly 3 years now and I'm pretty much down to the applique blocks. Needle turn applique scares me but I'm going to have to get over it if I'm ever going to finish the quilt!

What hot trends do you see coming our way? Hot trends... they may be more of what I like than anything else but I see two things: Less "wonky" and a return to more traditional piecing and blocks. And secondly, less color saturation {think rainbow colors} and more rich, organic colors found in nature. Design Seeds is an awesome site to find color palettes inspired by nature.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite? All time favorite, that's easy! I'm a sports nut and Hoosiers is my favorite movie. A close runner up and my bad mood cure is My Blue Heaven.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized? I walk away and engage a different part of my brain. I read, I draw, I play the piano... Sometimes I just need a change of creative scenery and then I'm ready to go back and tackle the project.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter? Finished is better than perfect because there's no such thing as a perfect quilt. Enjoy the process and your creativity. Nothing stifles creativity faster than "perfection"!

What is your favorite finished project to date? I think I'm going to have to be predictable and go with my latest finish, "Tide Pools". It was a UFO for over a year and I have no idea why. It was so satisfying to finish it and think that makes me love it even more.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do? This might sound funny if you are expecting me to say that I'd sew... but if I had an evening to myself I would probably read. I love to read almost as much as I love to quilt and peace and quiet is the perfect setting for reading. I can quilt with noise and people all around me but trying to read in that same environment is tough.

**********

Thanks for those wonderful answers, Jennifer!  I actually find it a little refreshing that you wouldn't sew on your unplanned night off.  I think that I would take a break from my machine as well, especially if I didn't have any deadlines.  Quiet time is rare in my house, so I'm not sure I'd want to pass it up.  ;o)

And now, it's giveaway time!  I'm betting most of you know the drill by now....
Today's giveaway is this fat-eighth bundle of fabrics from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom line, donated by Wondrous Woven Fabrics.




To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Jennifer's finished quilts is your favorite.

For an optional bonus entry, leave a comment telling me if you are a follower (new or not-so-new) of Jennifer's blog.

For a second optional bonus entry, leave a comment telling me if you are a new (or not-so-new) follower of my blog. That's right - two bonus entries!  

Limit three entries per person.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Monday, Sept. 12th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.  

Good luck!! Be sure to join us next Tuesday for Interview #5. See you then!

10-for -10 #3 - Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations

Hi everyone! I hope those of you in the US had a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day weekend. I guess summer is officially over now, huh? (*boo*)  I'm a summer girl, myself. Through and through. I don't mind autumn too bad - the cool is a nice break from the heat and humidity - but it only serves to remind me that cold and nasty weather are right around the corner. (*double boo*). 

Alright, alright...enough complaining.  ;o)  Our interview today is with Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations.  *waving*  Hi, Megan!

Megan is the fabulous lady behind {Sew} Modern Monday, a wonderful linky party that I try to join as often as I can.  Her blog is a constant source of inspiration for me, and I hope for you as well. (By the way - if you pop over there before about 1 this afternoon (EST), you'll still have time to link up!!)

Megan has a couple of very cute tutorials that I want to try...a reusable tote and a little Kleenex cover.  It seems I can never find the grocery totes that I have and my oldest always seems to be in need of a Kleenex.  (We call him "Snot Rod"... need I say more?)  I really need to get to work on both of these.

Along with her tutorials, her Completed Quilts page is amazing. My favorite is the Sliced Coins quilt.  I've been wanting to try one of these for a while.  They look so simple, but they are so beautiful at the same time.  Definitely on my must-do-one-day list. Megan also keeps me inspired with her posts on using solids, free motion quilting, and her swaps...especially her Pretty Little Purse swap posts.





Megan was very sweet to agree to answer my interview questions...and she's got some great answers!  So let's get to it...

**********  

If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? Fabric, fabric, and more fabric. I would love to have a HUGE stash of fabrics at my fingertips everyday. Like my own little fabric store. :]  

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? I’m totally digging the yellow, gray, and white combo right now. It’s so classy and modern—I love it! In fact, I am working on a Weekender Bag right now that uses that color palette and I can’t wait to finish it up!  

What is one thing from your "bucket list"? Quilt Market! Someday, I really want to go to Quilt Market. All the big names in quilting under one roof—swoon! I can’t even imagine. Oh, and the sample sales! I’m getting giddy just thinking about it!  

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try? I really would like to get back into garment sewing. Not just that, but I would like to actually feel comfortable with garment sewing—like my mom! :] She can look at a dress (or any garment for that matter) and just know how to make it. It seriously blows my mind some times.  

What hot trends do you see coming our way?   Hot trends, eh? Well, it might not be considered a hot trend—but I really enjoy seeing the excitement that seems to be bursting in the online sewing community when people use a traditional quilt pattern and use modern designer fabrics. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Plus, it’s reintroducing us all to the patterns and designs our mothers and grandmothers grew up with!  

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite? To be honest, I’m not a huge movie buff. In fact I’ve probably never seen most of the movies you all would consider big hits. Like Harry Potter—I’ve maybe seen two. :] Gasp! I’m more of TV series kinda gal—Bones, Law & Order SVU, and CSI. I could watch those shows for hours!  

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized? When I need a jolt of inspiration (which happens quite frequently!) I grab my laptop and check out what’s happening in the online sewing community. There is so much inspiration out there—it’s wonderful! Places like flickr, pinterest, blogs, and even Twitter offer so much inspiration and sewing advice, plus they are a great place to connect with other sewists!  

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter? Just do it! Read blogs and look for inspiration but at the end of the day, just go for it. Sometimes the only way you can learn is by making mistakes, and some of the biggest mistakes make great new things! :] Oh, and make sure you own a seam ripper—it will quickly become your best friend!  

What is your favorite finished project to date? Hmm….a favorite. It would probably be a tie between my Crazy 9 Patch Quilt and the pouch I recently made for Round 2 of The Pretty {little} Pouch Swap. Oh, oh! I really like the little mini quilt I made for a bloggy friend, too! Honestly, it’s so hard to pick just one. :]
You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do? Turn on the iTunes, throw on some sweat pants, grab a glass of wine and sew, sew, sew! :]

**********

Awesome, Megan!  Thanks for taking the time to share with us.   I for one would also love to try garment sewing.  I think it's funny that people think I can sew garments just because I can quilt.  It really is two different talents!

And now....for today's giveaway bundle.  For those of you just now joining us, we are giving away a mini-bundle of fat eighths with every interview.  Each of the fabrics will be from Joel Dewberry's new Heirloom line, generously donated by Wondrous Woven Fabrics.




To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Megan's finished quilts is your favorite.

For an optional bonus entry, leave a comment telling me if you are a follower (new or not-so-new) of Megan's blog.

For a second optional bonus entry, leave a comment telling me if you are a new (or not-so-new) follower of my blog. That's right - two bonus entries this time!  

Limit three entries per person.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, Sept. 10th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.  

Good luck!! Be sure to join us Thursday for interview #4. See you then!

10 for 10 #2 - Cara from Me? A Mom?

giveaway closed

Time for Interview #2!  Today, we'll be talking with Cara from Me? A Mom?




I started following Cara earlier this spring - about the same time she started back to work.  As a fellow working mom, her posts truly resonated with me.  There is something to be said for the balance struggle that exists between work and home, and Cara puts it all out there with a style and grace that leaves me both snickering and pondering at the same time.  A quick glance at her Labels Cloud will show you her fabulous sense of humor...my favorite?  If it's not one thing it's another.  That's a daily saying around my house.  Of course, the I'm losing my mind label isn't too far behind because, well... I am.

In the on-line blogging and quilting world, there aren't many of us who have an outside job, kids, and the ability to find more than five minutes of down time.  So it's nice to see Cara doing all the things I try to do and succeed.  I mean, really... her Finished Quilts page puts mine to shame!  Have you seen these?

Folky Flannel Double-sided Quilt

Raspberry Delight

The Wonky Quilt

So, maybe there's still hope for me.  She's also going to the Sewing Summit and I hope to meet her in person there.  Perhaps I can talk her into a cup of coffee so we can swap stories on kids, work, staving off insanity...and enjoy some laughs.

So, without further ado...on with the interview!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy?
Hands down, I'd buy the nicest Bernina sewing machine I could get. I sew on a very basic Janome that I've completely outgrown.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
Oh my goodness, I seem to have a new favorite every day. But right now I love all the crosshatch prints that have recently been released. I also have crushed pretty hard on Joel Dewberry's latest line Heirloom. And, of course, I love just about anything Anna Maria Horner puts out.

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
I don't even have a bucket list. Is that bad? Most days I'm just trying to make it to bedtime. That said, I would love to some day have the financial freedom to pursue quilting with reckless abandon, but I'd probably file that under "Pipe Dream" rather than "Bucket List."

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I've been extremely intrigued by paper piecing ever since I conquered the Flying Geese block. Cathedral windows have also long been on my list to try.

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
In terms of trends for modern quilting, I think we're going to see a shift to a "what's old is new" trend. We're already seeing some of this from the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along. I'm also noticing bloggers who are making more traditional blocks but with modern fabrics.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
These days I like the kind of movies that involve a theater and a babysitter. Before kids, I loved a good independent film. These days just about anything will do as long as it isn't violent, scary or subtitled.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
My inspiration comes in spurts so I've learned to just wait it out. My sewing mojo always returns and with a vengeance!

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Just start sewing. Don't worry about making mistakes or the "right way" of doing things. Just do. It'll all work itself out. Quilting is a journey, not a destination.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
This changes like the weather for me but right now I'm loving my Birdy quilt. It was the result of a modern quilt guild challenge. Without that challenge, I don't think I ever would have put those fabrics together on my own. I love the unexpected combination of colors and fabrics.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Hands down I'm the most boring person on the planet (but I'm also the mother of three small girls so maybe you'll cut me some slack). I would soak in the tub and slip into some comfy pajamas. Then I'd cuddle under a quilt and order some fabric online, catch up on blogs, flickr, and pinterest, and then hit the sack early and get some sleep. See?  Boring.  Boring, but true. :)


**********

Well, Cara, boring or not, I have a feeling most of us would do the same with an evening alone.  It sure sounded fabulous to me!

I also think it's pretty cool that we're giving away fabrics from Cara's current "crush" - Joel Dewberry's Heirloom.  Believe it or not, that wasn't planned!

Today's giveaway -- courtesy of Cathy at Wondrous Woven Fabrics -- is a bundle of fat-eighths from the line; one each of Ornate Floral Garnet, Blockade Blossom Crimson, Opal Blush, and Paisley Garnet.









I'm going to make you work for today's entry - bwahahahaa!  It's time to start talking.  :)

For your first entry, tell me which of Cara's quilts is your favorite, and one (G-rated) item from your bucket list. 

In addition to that comment, followers of both Cara's blog and my blog get an optional bonus entry - so comment to let me know if you follow both blogs (either new followers or not-so-new!)

Limit two comments per person.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Monday, September 5th and I'll draw a winner that day.

Good luck!

10 for 10 #1 - Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts

***giveaway closed***

Hooray!!! It's finally here - time to start our 10-for-10 series. I hope you all are as excited as I am - we're gonna have fun!





Starting us off is the inspiration behind this series, my friend Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts. Jennifer recently did a similar series called "Big 5 Blog Party" and I loved the idea of getting to know other bloggers. I asked if I could steal her idea and she was very quick to agree, so it only seems right to have her lead us off!





Jennifer is the president of the Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild, which just started in June. In fact, the CLTMQG is what brought us together and we actually got to meet face to face at their first meeting. She's just as wonderful in person as she is on her blog.  She's been very encouraging, too, as I have been working through starting an MQG a little further north - the Triad Modern Quilt Guild.

If you haven't seen Jennifer's blog, you need to take a bit of time to visit.  She's currently in the middle of a Quilt Along - Across the Sea - with Fairy Face Quilts, and I'm sure there is still time to join up!  She has amazing projects showcased on her Finished Quilts page, and I'm always finding inspiration there.  Some of my favorites are:

Dreaming Under Dresdens

Rainbow Cabins

and

Running in Circles

I love Jennifer's bright and colorful fabric choices and the Dresden is high on my "need to try soon" list.  Be sure to go and visit her blog for even more inspiration!

And now....on to the interview.  Jennifer had some wonderful answers to my questions and it was a lot of fun getting to know her better.

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy?
I'd book a vacation for my husband and me. Just something for us - somewhere fun, maybe beachy, maybe a big city. It would be great to have a getaway just us!

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
Right now it is the Taza line by Dena Designs. I love those medalions. I just bought a bunch of Hope Valley after admiring it for a while (finally) and love it too. My fabric wish list would  be to have some Munki Munki gold fish, add some Echino to my stash, Flea Market Fancy (love!) and a stack of Liberty of London {sigh.} I am trying to build my stash by only buying prints that I love instead of whole lines.


What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
I want to see more of the US: New England in the fall, Montana in the summer, Chicago in the Spring, San Diego anytime! I've been really fortunate to have traveled in Europe but there are a lot of places in the good old USA that I want to see.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I really want to learn to paper piece. I am so inspired by Ayumi and Penny and everything everyone does in the Ringo Pie Bee. Seriously amazing stuff. I am determined to learn and hopefully one day, make things as amazing as theirs.

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
Goodness me, I'm pretty certain I am not an expert here but it seems that hand sewing is gaining popularity. I think it adds a special touch to something modern. I also love that modern quilting is growing and embraces personal preferences and free form styles and a more improvisational look. While I haven't made a quilt that looks like that yet, there are many in my head waiting their turn.


What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
Chick Flicks! I am such a girl. :) My favorites are You've Got Mail, The Notebook, A Lot Like Love and yes, Twilight (although I like the books better- they are fabulous).

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
I take some time off, from sewing or blogging. I blog when I want to, and I sew when I want to. Trying a new project- something fresh that requires me to think in a different way is also helpful. I've found that I like having a couple of projects going at one time is helpful because I get burned out working on only the same one.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
It's not that long ago that I was a new quilter so my advice would be to just jump in and do it! Creating a quilt is such a wonderful accomplishment and the finished product something you can enjoy for years after you've completed it. Also, don't be too hard on yourself if things don't line up perfectly or your straight line quilting isn't all that straight. You are making something handmade, something personal, something creative. Most likely, others will never notice and learning is all part of the process.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
My Dreaming Under Dresdens quilt.  It took 6 months to complete (with lots of starts and stops,) and I used my favorite fabrics.  I love how it turned out and that it will go on my daughter's big girl bed. It is definitely made with lots of love.


You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Sew a little, play on the Internet a little and go to bed early. I still have a baby that gets up in the middle of the night. Sleep is precious!

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Thanks Jennifer, for your wonderful answers and allowing us get to know you better!  I'm glad to see there's another Twilight fan out there (and I prefer the books, too!).  I'm also going to have to check out the Ringo Pie Bee a little more - you're right, gorgeous stuff!

Now, for our first giveaway!  Wondrous Woven Fabrics is sponsoring our interview series and all of our giveaways.  We'll be giving mini-bundles of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom fabrics in the Ruby colorway.  Today's bundle includes four fat-eighths - one each of Marbled Stripe Gold, Paisley Garnet, Ribbon Lattice Gold, and Marquis Garnet.






To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Jennifer's finished quilts is your favorite.  

For an optional bonus entry, leave a comment telling me that you are a new (or not-so-new) follower of both Jennifer's blog and my blog. 

Limit two entries per person.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, and I will draw a random winner at that time. 

Good luck!! Be sure to join us Thursday for interview #2.... Cara from Me? A Mom?.  See you then!