First of all, I was hopping around the other day when these two magazines hit newsstands.
Why? Well, see that cover quilt up there on Simple Quilts and Sewing? I made it!! (And it made the cover!! Wooo!)
I’ve got another quilt right at the front of this month’s Quilt Trends magazine, too. I had a ton of fun making these quilts, and I’m excited to get them back so I can show you something fun. See, these magazine opportunities came because my Big City quilt was shown in the Free Spirit booth last quilt market. Each magazine contacted me and asked if I’d do a quilt for them using the same fabric line (Grand Hotel by Jenean Morrison). So, I did. And I can’t wait to show you how different three quilts made from the same fabric line can look, just by being selective about your color and design choices.
Another reason I’m hopping around? Today (actually yesterday) two different blog hops started, which I’ll participate in later in the month. Both are super fun, so for sure follow along! A little info about each:
The Moda Sweet Celebrations Blog Tour!
Come visit the blogs of the contributors to the Moda Bake Shop’s newest book, Sweet Celebrations. We’ll answer some strange questions, talk a little about and share our favorite recipe from our chosen holiday! Also, at each stop, you can enter to win a copy of the book (not even in stores yet!) and a Moda precut! Here’s the schedule:
Blog Tour Schedule
October 1 – StashBooks and Moda Cutting Table
October 2 – Melissa Mortenson and Melissa Corry
October 3 – Mary Lane Brown and Natalia Bonner
October 4 – Lissa Alexander and Corey Yoder
October 5 – Jane Davidson and Angela Yosten
October 6 – Jo & Kelli Kramer and Stefanie Roman
October 7 – Sherri McConnell and Megan Jimenz & Heather Andrus
October 8 – Angela Mitchell and Ellie Roberts
October 9 – Katie Blakesley and Aneela Hoey
October 10 – Amy Smart and Angela Pingel
October 11 – Vanessa Christenson and April Rosenthal
October 12 – Moda Bake Shop
October 14 – Readers have until midnight on the 14th to comment on all the blogs for the giveaways.
October 19 –Winners announced on all the blogs.
The Blogger’s Bar Hop Quiltalong!
Remember last year how I did the Chevron Dreams block for the Quilt Uberfest Quiltalong? Well, this year Scott of Blue Nickel Studios is at it again, which means you get 14 more free blocks to add to your repertoire! So hop along and get your free downloadable block pattern from each of these fine blogs:
October 1 Amy Ellis
October 2 Lynn Harris
October 3 Heather Jones
October 4 Jacquie Kunkel
October 5 Ashley Jones
October 6 Emily Cier
October 7 Scott Hansen
October 8 Jan Peoples
October 9 April Rosenthal
October 10 Amy Lobsiger
October 11 Cara Quilts
October 12 Konda Luckau
October 13 Alethea Ballard
October 14 Charlie Scott
Finally, a lot more hopping happening because market is only a mere 3 weeks away, and I have an inhuman amount of work to get done. I may have to call in some reinforcements. Wish me luck (and hop along with me!)
xoxo
April
Hi friends! I caught up on my quilting bee blocks this week, and had a lot of fun doing it. This one here is for Nedra of Cactus Needle–the block she asked us to make was from Allison’s Spin Cycle pattern. I’ve owned this pattern for a while, but never had a chance to make it, so it was fun to get a little taste. Makes me want to make my own! Nedra asked each of us to sign our block, to remember the fun we’re having in our quilting bee.
The other bee block I made was for Erika of Pink Suede Shoe. She wanted an improv block with only horizontal and vertical lines. (Pardon the crazy, crazy coloring on this photo. There was some weird stuff going on with the noon day sun, smoke from the wildfires, and the half-asleep lady taking pictures.) It was fun to make this block, very relaxing. I basically just did whatever I wanted, didn’t stress about it, and I think it turned out pretty darn cute. Yay! Both blocks are going in the mail today.
Of course, I’m sure you all want to know who won the fun fabric giveaway! (Sorry for not announcing it yesterday…) My friend random.org chose out the winners for me. First, for the Simply Color Jr. Jelly Roll (Yay Ombre!) the winner is:
Sara!
She said:
I am going to guess Halloween! Ü
She guessed Halloween, which isn’t the holiday I made a project for, though rumor has it Halloween is covered in the book all the same. :)
The winner of the Marmalade Fat Eighth Bundle is:
Patricia S!
She wasn’t sure on which holiday I chose, but she was pretty confident she’d win, she said:
Sew many holidays to choose from…..sew I’ll assume I guessed correctly and while we’re at it….I’ll let you choose me to win…LOL!!
Finally, I had to throw in an extra prize for the person who guessed my project holiday and inspiration exactly right, so
Jayme Christensen
wins a sweet little charm pack of Salt Air from Cosmo Cricket for Moda. She said:
I’m gonna go with your Hanukkah/Christmas tradition of celebrating both to teach your children about their heritage. I love all your creativeness so I’m sure whatever your holiday was, it’s probably the cutest project ever!!
Aw, thanks Jayme!
I’ll be back soon to give you a sneak peak of my project and tell you more about it. Great job on the guessing you guys, and congratulations to the winners!
xoxo
April
Alright people, I’ve got news. Big news. See that really cute book up there? It’s the second Moda Bake Shop book! I’m super excited about it because I loved the first Bake Shop book, but I’m even more excited because I got to contribute to it! It’s been almost a year since I submitted proposals and started sewing, and now, finally, finally, I can tell you about it!
The premise of the book is really fun. It’s all centered around holidays and celebrations, with tons of unique projects for every season and every party. It comes out this fall (October) and I can’t wait to show you more! I’d love to show you my projects, but that’s still a surprise–so instead, you get to guess what I made! Or rather, you get to guess which holiday my project is for.
And believe me, you want to guess, because here’s what’s in it for you. A Junior Jelly Roll of Simply Color Ombre strips–part of my sweet friend Vanessa Christenson’s debut line with Moda. You really, really, want to get your hands on some of this. It’s fabulous I tell you. (And if you don’t win, you can buy it in October).
So. Make a comment telling me what holiday you think my project is for. I’ll give you a hint: I’ve blogged about celebrating it here in my home. Then, tell your friends to guess too, because if there are more than 100 guesses, I’ll throw another prize into the mix.
Like I said, you’re going to want to tell your friends. Blog about it, Facebook it, Tweet it, whatever you have to do. ‘Cause you really want a chance at this Fat Eighth Bundle of Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille for Moda. If there aren’t a hundred entries, well, I’m going to keep it for myself (orange fabric!) and you’ll be the sad, sad, person waiting until October to get your hands on it.
Guess away my friends! (I’m so excited for this book, and these fabrics! October is going to be awesome!)
xoxo
April
PS You have until next Tuesday, July 31st at 11:59pm MST to enter.
EDIT: Contest closes Sunday, August 5th at 11:59pm MST.
I’m going to wait a few more days to draw winners–because I realized, I already have my own bundle of Marmalade! This one is for you guys! That gives you plenty of time to spam everyone you know into entering. ;) Winner(s) will be announced Monday, August 6th. One entry per person, please. Good luck!
PPS Did you see my post yesterday? You really should hang out with me on Instagram. Fun times.
Yay! It’s been one year since I launched Prairie Grass Patterns, and boy has it been a ride! Some of you have been here with me from the beginning, and some of you are brand new friends–and I’m so grateful to all of you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you would give a little bit of your time and caring to support me and my dream. Really, truly, it just…there aren’t words to describe it. But thank you. Sincerely.
Enough with my jibber jabber…let’s get on to the party part!
Giveaways galore this week–so let me explain. Before I show you the goodies, here’s how it’s going to work: A comment on this post will get you your first entry. Any comment you leave on other posts this week (Today, October 3 through Sunday, October 9th) will earn you additional entries. Winners will be chosen Monday, October 10th.
Here goes!
There are 3 AMAZING giveaways this week, something to suit each level of quilter–from beginner to very advanced.
Beginner Basics
A copy of Elizabeth Hartman’s The Practical Guide to Patchwork
Rotary cutter, mat and ruler (Yes, those are mine, but I’ll send you new ones, I swear!)
Charm pack: Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater for Moda
Stash Builder
Fat quarter bundle from AdornIt! in their newest line, Vintage Groove, Grey colorway.
Layer cake: Jovial by Basic Grey for Moda
Jelly Roll: Spirit by Lila Tueller for Moda
Charm Pack: Clothesline Basics by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Quilting Queen
Russian Rubix
Fat Eighth bundle: Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda
***************
There they are! The three amazing giveaways I have for you this week. To enter, tell me which of the three prizes you would LOVE to win.
And that’s not all…
“Like” Prairie Grass Patterns’ Facebook Page for a chance to win an additional Grand Prize! If the Facebook page gets to 300 followers, I will do a special Grand Prize giveaway next week, so be sure to share with your friends!
Finally, for Happy Anniversary week, use coupon code HAPPYWEEK to get 20% of your ENTIRE ORDER in my shop! Code expires 10/10, so be sure to use it quick. (And you just might notice, PDF PATTERNS ARE HERE!!)
Hooray for Prairie Grass Patterns, and for one year anniversaries! Be sure to check in all week for more fun freebies, recipes, and tutorials, plus my day to share my block for the Quilt Uberfest is coming up too. Today it is Karen Linton’s turn, with her block “South for the Winter.” Head over to get your free PDF!
They’re starting to turn red.
Blushy orange.
Plump and ripe.
Full of surprises.
I can’t wait.
Speaking of surprises, this plant (shown above) definitely surprised me. I had never seen or expected these blossoms. So, since you’re all so clever, how about you tell me what you think they are? Everyone who comments with a guess will be entered to win something fun from my stash–this is impromptu so I don’t know exactly what the prize is yet, but it will be of the fabricy variety. So tell me! Do you know what this plant is?
Good luck, and here’s to hoping you have beautiful ripening things in your gardens, too.
I’ve been in a cave for the last 2 weeks. Well, that’s how it feels, anyway. I’ve been finalizing things for quilt market, and believe me when I tell you that as a first timer exhibiting, I’m in WAY over my head. Seriously, there are so many things I had never considered. Makes me respect the people who do this twice a year so. much. more. It’s been a learning process, for sure.
It’s been fun, too, though. I’ve had a great time helping my mom, who is new to quilting, learn how to make a simple project from one of the new patterns.
What’s that?
Oh! You want to see the new patterns?
I know, I know, I told you’d I’d start showing off (last) Monday.
Remember how I said I was in over my head?
Yeah. Hence the no posting this week.
Next week? New patterns galore. (I mean it this time.)
Thanks for all the love and encouragement, guys.
Makes all this cave dwelling worth it.
Mwa!
PS: The winner of the awesome Just Dandy bundle is Sharon, who said
Right now I am crazy for any browns and blues or pinks. I love the browns and all the fabric in this line.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! Email me with your address at april@prairiegrasspatterns.com (And if you’re looking for a project to use it on, I happen to know a beautiful throw can be made using it. Check back on Monday!)
There’s not much to explain, really. There are people who need help, and warmth. I know how to help that.
Saturday, March 19th
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1075 W 1100 N (church building)
Orem, UT
Come tie quilts to be donated to Japan. If you have twin or larger sheets, batting, or yarn you can donate, bring those as well.
Cookies provided. :)
Anyone who comes to help for at least an hour, or who donates materials will be entered to win a prize.
Please, if you’re in the Utah valley area, consider coming to help, if you’re not in the area, please donate as you are able to whatever relief effort you can.
Comment with any questions. Pass the word along to anyone who is willing to help.
Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Hello friends! It’s been too long since we’ve chatted, and it’s completely my fault. Thing is, production is in full swing over here for my Spring 2011 patterns so things are busy, busy, busy! I’m officially signed up to exhibit at International Quilt Market this spring (and I couldn’t be more nervous, or excited!) so I’ve got a deadline looming.
All this excitement of course doesn’t keep me entirely focused on work. See that picture above? That wall was just screaming for some Valentine’s Day love, and I had to oblige. So, I took a little page out of Quilt Dad’s book, and made myself a little wonky block wall hanging out of some fabulous scraps. Of course, he uses a square to start off with, but since I was working with a heart, and it was more rectangular, I opted to try out the wonkiness (is that a word?) with a triangle instead. I am happy to say it worked out just lovely. A little Bleached White Moda Bella Solid, and some raw edge applique, and voila! I just threw it in a frame I had laying around, and things are just a little more festive around here.
Now, on to the giveaway! My cute little mom over at Gracious Rain is trying out her hand at quilting for the first time (with a little bit of threatening encouragement from her quilty daughter) and I’ve decided to celebrate by sponsoring a giveaway on her blog! So head on over, because 2 kits for my All Boxed Up table runner are up for grabs–perfect for spring in Kate Spain’s first line, Verna.
I’ll be back soon with some other fun stuff, promise!
Let’s Socialize!
Hello!
My name is April. I'm a quilt pattern designer, twin-mama, and color lover. Welcome to my little space, where I blog about all the things going on in my studio and creative life. Relax, and stay a while!My Cute Quilting Bee
Bees and Blog Hops
