Pick Four Winner!

We have a winner! I used random.org to pick a number and counting down the list I found the winner:

Tonya!

Congratulations Tonya! QuiltSue will be signing your book and posting it to you very soon. 

Thank you to everyone who took part in the blog hop and entered the draw. I have had great fun reading your comments over the past few days. Those of you who weren't lucky enough to win the prize please visit your local store or online retailer or go to Martingale to purchase a copy of this must have book. 

Pick Four Giveaway Update

Thank you to everyone who has entered the Pick Four Book Giveaway so far - I've been amazed at your enthusiasm and I'm sure QuiltSue has enjoyed reading your positive responses to her book.

I've been trying to send an email reply to everyone who left a comment on the Giveaway post  but I have quite a few 'No-Reply Bloggers' to whom I can't send an email. The problem is that some people have an account with blogger but it is set to 'no-reply' and they probably don't even realise! The problem could get much worse because if I draw a no-reply blogger as a winner on Monday I will have no way of contacting them to give them the good news.

Here's how to check and make sure I, and other bloggers, can contact you when you comment on a blog:

1. In blogger.com, click on Dashboard.
2. Select Edit Profile.
3. Check the box for "Show my Email Address."
4. Save changes.

If you have already commented for the Giveaway and realise you were a no-reply Blogger please email me:  click on my profile on the right of this page then click on email.

Now don't forget to visit the Pick Four Blog Hop as there is still time to win a copy of this wonderful book!

Pick Four: Final Destination!

This Giveaway is now closed

Hello! Well those of you following QuiltSue's blog hop have reached your final destination in Yorkshire, England. We're now just a few miles away from where Sue lives and around 70 miles from Trudi's home in Lincoln. It's appropriate that you've arrived from Lincoln because that's where I lived and where my daughter was born before we moved here! I'm sure Sue will be telling you a few interesting facts about this wonderful county but for now help yourself to a slice of Yorkshire curd tart and a cuppa or 'brew' and let me tell you a little more about how I know Sue.

Sue and I first met at our local quilt group 'Tuesday Quilters'. I find it hard to keep track of dates so can't tell you exactly when that was but I have found one or two photos on my computer which give some clues.

Can you spot her? Although she is trying hard to lurk in the shadows I'm pretty sure it's Sue at the back in the pink jumper. The computer has dated this 2004 when our group was showing off quilts made for Project Linus. Moving forward Sue volunteered for the committee and did a magnificent job organising our exhibition in 2005:

Even then she was designing patterns and had created a mystery quilt which lots of our members made and these were on display. How may fabrics do you think Sue used in this quilt? Here's her quilt in red, gold and cream - only three fabrics!

The mystery quilt was published in a British  quilting magazine. Only the other day someone at the group was remembering a quiz which Sue entertained us with too. She really is a multi-talented lady and very generous. She is largely responsible for getting me into blogging and buying an Accuquilt Go so she has a lot to answer for! It's always good to meet up with Sue  - she is just as funny in real life as in her blog posts.

Now onto Sue's book 'Pick Four' which shows how to make stunning quilts with a maximum of only 4 fabrics. I was so excited when my copy arrived in the post and like other bloggers on this hop flicked through to see all the projects. There are 12 lovely quilt patterns and all are beautifully photographed. 

There really is something for everyone here from complete beginners to more experienced quilters wanting a bit of a challenge. When I read the text I cold hear Sue speaking to me personally with her usual  humour shining through. The section on choosing colours is so helpful and the pattern instructions are very clear and logically set out. 

One thing I look for in a quilt pattern is illustration. Being a visual learner I think pictures really do speak a thousand words and Sue has used diagrams to show exactly how the patches and blocks go together. She also uses arrows on the diagrams to show which way to press the seams which will make a huge difference to accuracy and ease of sewing seams.

Throughout the book Sue uses up to the minute quick piecing techniques. I've seen many quilts made from the split nine patch method of making a block then cutting it into four and rearranging. Sue has done a similar thing with a churn dash block for this Rickrack quilt - I love it!

For each of the quilt projects Sue also provides alternative colourways and also gives suggestions for quilting. I truthfully can't think of anything Sue has missed out! I will definitely be recommending this book to my students.

I'm sure you would love to own a copy of 'Pick Four' and here is how you can win a copy signed by Sue herself: just leave a comment  below to go into the draw - simples!. If you are a follower of this blog or become a follower and mention this in your comment you will get a second chance. I'll draw the winner on Monday morning so you only have the weekend to join in. Remember to visit all the other blog hop venues for more chances to win. If you're unlucky this time 'Pick Four' will be available from quilt stores, online book sellers and Martingale

Good Luck everyone!

This Giveaway is now closed

Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner! As promised I have drawn the lucky number with the help of Random.org. Who is it?
Drum roll please.........................

Talin's Corner!

Congratulations! Please send me your address so I can post your fabric. I wonder what you'll make with them - perhaps they'll feature in one of your wonderful bags!

Thank you to everyone who entered and left such lovely comments - I really do appreciate them.

Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I've just realised today is my second Blogiversary so I think a little celebration is in order! I've pulled these 4 lovely fat quarters from my stash for a giveaway and I'm keeping it really simple. Just leave a comment for a chance to win and if you're a follower mention it in the comment for a bonus chance. I'll draw the winner one week today on Monday 25th July.

Good luck!

Christmas Giveaway

My friend QuiltSue is holding a giveaway for this Christmas projects book from Martingale. Head over to Sue's blog Quilt Times for more details and leave a comment on her blog to enter. The book looks wonderful so I'm hoping I'll win! My quilt group Tuesday Quilters is having a Christmas in July theme for our meeting next week to encourage everyone to get started on Christmas sewing early this year - good timing Sue!  Good luck to everyone who enters.

Two Shows in One Weekend!

At the weekend my college held it's annual show of students work. Visitors admired the fantastic pieces and accompanying books which document how the makers developed their designs. My fellow students are certainly very talented embroiderers and quilters. It's a great opportunity for us to see everyone's work too. I didn't exhibit anything this year as I haven't finished my course yet - my turn will come next year. Congratulations everyone for putting on such a marvelous display, and many thanks to the tutors too!

Make a free digital slideshow

On Sunday I went to visit a village near York for the Priory Patchworkers Exhibition. Elvington is a lovely quiet village and the patchworkers had set out their quilts in the church. What a beautiful place to hold a show of work:

Bunting guided me to the church and later to the village hall for tea and traders!

From the moment I stepped through the doorway I was surrounded by beautiful quilts:

At the rear of the church were wall hangings and delightful quilted articles for every occasion:

The pews were used to drape larger quilts and window ledges displayed clocks made by group members as a mystery quilt - they were given the clock mechanism when they finished the quilt!

The group had worked on a circle challenge so there were several quilts on this theme including the one above by Glenda who was inspired by Louisa M. Smith's 'Strip and Curves' and also used the '6 minute circle' described in Dale Fleming's book 'Pieced curves so Simple'. Glenda and I attended a workshop a few years ago where Sue Propst taught us this technique.

Even the choir and altar were transformed with quilts:

Someone in the group is like me - they look at floors too!!!

Well I spent quite some time drinking in the lovely quilts and the friendly atmosphere then followed the bunting back down the lane to the village hall for a cup of tea and a bit of retail therapy. Thank you Priory Patchworked for a memorable day out!

P.S I put my name down to join the group too  ;-)

Giveaway Winners!

OK,  I've been to Random.org to get three random numbers and matched them to the 143 entries on my spreadsheet so I'm ready to announce the winners! Wait for it (drum roll please)........................


Number 143

Number 28

and Number 99

There!



Oh ...... perhaps you'd like the names too! The lucky winners are:

Joanne from splittingstitches.blogspot.com

Anna from quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com

and Anthea from antheasquiltingjourney.blogspot.com

Congratulations! Your parcels will be in the post very soon. I just hope they aren't delayed in the postal workers dispute.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I have had a great week reading your comments and emails and visiting your blogs. I'm really sorry I can't send all of my quilting friends a parcel but I just don't have time to make so many bags!

Happy Quilting!

Giveaway - Triple Treat!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

 You could win one of these!

Well It's just over 3 months since I started blogging regularly and it's time to celebrate with a little giveaway draw for my quilting friends near and far! I'm offering of one of these 3 little gift bags which will be filled with a trio of quilting goodies for three lucky winners. I'm not telling you exactly what the contents will be - that would spoil the surprise!

 I'm 'borrowing' Kim's method from Bitty Bits and Pieces for recording entries.

You can earn an entry in the draw by leaving a comment on this post but you can increase your chances of winning by collecting points and sending me an email. Here's how you earn points:

3 points for adding  a post on your blog with a link to this giveaway

3 points for having Cotton Cocktails on your blog list on your sidebar

3 points for being or becoming a follower

plus one bonus point for commenting on this post.

Now tot up your points ( I'll be checking!) then copy and paste the following into an email and complete the details. Send it to me: quilthaze (at) googlemail (dot) com

   Name

   Email Address

   Blog Address (if you have one)

   Points earned for blogpost, blog list, follower, comment (delete as appropriate)

   Total points

I'll be drawing the lucky winners in one week's time on Sunday 1st November. Good luck everyone!

Kim's Dresden Plate Giveaway

Kim is offering a new giveaway on her blog Bitty Bits and Pieces - this gorgeous Dresden Plate charger. She has just had the pattern for this, a napkin and table runner published on Moda Bake Shop - clever girl! Visit her blog to see all her lovely projects.

P.S. I am planning a giveaway of my own in a couple of weeks time so come back here soon too!