A Winner Has Been Chosen

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I Had So Much Fun!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every person that participated in my blog hop give-away.  I truly enjoyed reading and responding to every single comment.  This has been a wonderful way to meet and communicate with other quilting enthusiasts.

Who Won!

I used Random.Org to select my lucky winner of the table topper.  The following comment # was chosen

Capture 2nd Giveaway Random.Org

This is what she had to say

Capture 2nd Giveaway WP CommentI have sent this sweet lady an email notifying her she has won.  She has until midnight (CST), March 15, 2013 to respond to my email.  If for any reason she does not respond or has decided not to accept the table topper a second name will be chosen.  Stay tuned for further updates.

Once again, thank you for participating in the blog hop!  Who knows when the next one will be?

 

Time for Another Blog Hop!

Welcome!

Welcome to In A Stitch Quilting!  As my name suggests I offer quilting services.  I use an Ansley 26 Tin Lizzie long arm quilt machine.  I would be more than happy to quilt your next project.  You may drop me a line by leaving a comment on this blog or by emailing me at cindy (at) inastitchquilting.com for further information.

In the Beginning

I entered the world of blogging in 2010 when my husband’s cancer returned.  Through that blog I chronicled our journey from discovery, through radiation and beyond.  While the blog is still up and running I typically only post when we have updates to share.  This blog has been active since May 2012.  I started this blog as a way of promoting my business and as a platform to share my love for quilting.  As you browse through my blog you will find pictures and stories of my projects and quilts. Stay long enough and you may even meet my sweet little puppy, Sadie.

I am currently participating in Freshly Pieced’s WIP Wednesday and A Lovely Year of Finishes.  Friday’s are set aside for “favorites.”  Favorite notions, shops, fabrics, food, etc. What falls in and around those days varies.  I have great ambitions to join a variety of other challenges and activities.  Nothing more can be added to my schedule though until I finish my last quilt for the Hurricane Sandy Project.  If you are curious about the first three quilts I have finished for that effort search my categories for postings.

I am a member of three quilt guilds.  There’s the Rock Valley Quilters Guild, the Rock River Modern Quilt Guild and the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.  I hold the positions of treasurer and public relations at the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about me it’s time to get this ball rolling.  Time to learn what’s going on.  Here we go . . .

Beat the Winter Blues

Michelle at Quilting Gallery has a serious case of spring-fever.  To add a spark of excitement to these long days of winter she’s organized another blog hop.  I could use a bit of excitement as well so I have decided to join in on the fun.

Last time I participated in her blog hop I made two adorable Hold Anything Bags by Dancing Crane Designs.  I purchased the pattern from Mill House Quilts in Waunakee.  While the bags were a huge success I thought it might be boring to offer the same type of item.  So this time around I’ve decided to do something different.  Just like with December’s prize this one is hand-made as well.

Garden Party Runner

One very lucky winner will receive a hand-made table topper.  The pattern I chose was the “Garden Party Runner” by Mary Cain of Cain Creations in Sun Prairie, WI.  I’ve tried without success to locate an internet address for her pattern.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy for yourself you might try contacting Mill House Quilts through their website.  They have a wonderful supply of fabric, and patterns as well as notions.

The pattern normally produces a 14″ wide x 38″ long adorable, super simple table runner.  The first time I used the pattern I followed the instructions exactly as they were printed.  Being a rebel who likes to do things her own way I decided this time to change things up a bit.

Modifications

  1. To start, I’ve made this one a table topper with measurements of 20 1/2″ wide x 27″ long.

  2. Next I changed the dimensions of the piping accent. I thought the piping on my first project was too narrow.  The pattern instructions don’t really tell you how wide to cut the piping strips so I guessed.  Obviously I guessed wrong because they were barely visible under the binding.  I was very unhappy with the appearance so I remove it.  The piping on this new table topper is 1/2″ wide.

  3. The third change I made was the order in which the components were assembled.  The pattern tells you to sew on the piping before you quilt.  With the piping already attached it made it difficult to quilt.  The only way to quilt underneath the piping was to pin it out-of-the-way.  That seemed a bit odd.

This time I added a row of stitching 1/4″ from the edge to stabilize the seams.  Next I quilted the table topper.  Once the quilting was complete I added the piping on all four sides.  I was so much happier doing it that way.  The outcome was much more pleasing.

So What Does it Look Like?

Are you curious what it looks like?  Well I won’t make you wait any longer.  Time to reveal this blog hop’s prize.

As you can see I used the  Metropolitan Fair charm pack for the body of the table topper.  You can find a link to the fabric here:  Barbara Brackman’s Metropolitan Fair .  The piping was made out of Berry Blue Spirit of the Fair and the binding and backing are Charlotte Russe Chocolate Old Curiosity.  Sandwiched between the fabric layers is a layer of Warm & Natural batting.

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So what do you think?

How Do I Register?

* * * * *  U P D A T E  * * * * *

THE GIVE-AWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Now I suppose you are wondering how to register.  Well, here’s the deal.  You have two opportunities to win.  For your first chance all you have to do is leave a comment.  To earn a second chance at winning start following my blog then post a second comment telling me that you did.  If you are already a follower tell me so in a second comment.

You may register for my table topper until Midnight (CST) on Thursday, March 14, 2013.  One very lucky winner will be chosen by Random.Org and announced on Friday, March 15th.  If for any reason the winner does not respond within the allotted time a second name will be chosen.

Get Registered!

So what are you waiting for?  Get ready to participate in Quilting Gallery’s Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop Party.

 Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways

Register to win my table topper then slide on over to Quilting Gallery and get connected to the other wonderful participating bloggers. Who knows?  You just might be lucky!

To-Do-List

As mentioned in my post of January 3, 2013 one of my goals for this year was to establish and maintain a list of finished and unfinished projects.  Putting together such a list took quite a bit of research.  After rummaging through my stash of patterns, books and kits my scribbled notes were entered into an Excel Spreadsheet.  From that spreadsheet I put together this document.

Periodically throughout 2013 and beyond I hope to update this document.  I will use this resource to hold myself accountable.  My intention is to finish as many items on this list during 2013 as possible.  Hopefully the 2013 finished projects will far outweigh the volume of items I might add during the year.  So without saying anything more here’s the result of my research:

*Quilt Tops Ready for Quilting*

Bear’s Paw Quilt by Eleanor Burns from the TRIO of Treasured Quilts Quilt in a Day Series

Simple Times quilt by American Crib Quilts

*Fabric and Quilt Patterns Purchased For*

Autumn Quilt by Heart To Hand (added 2012)

Christmas Fun by Life’s A Stitch (added 12/2012)

First Year Log Cabin by Acorn Quilts (added 2012)

Heart & Home by Heart To Hand (added 2012)

Snowy Days by Heart To Hand (added 2012)

The Bundling Board by Primitive Pieces (added 2012)

The Log House by Washboard Quilts by Pat at Life’s A Stitch (added 9/2012)

*Quilt Pattern Purchased For*

Cathedral by Villa Rosa Designs (added 2012)

Civil War Battle Series # 2 by Clothesline Quilts

Courthouse Square # 169 by Country Threads

Family * Home * Friends by Cottage Creek Quilts

Full House by Schnibbles at Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co.  Purchased at Life’s A Stitch.  (added 2012)

In My Folk Art Garden by The Cinnamon Patch.  Purchased in Colorado Springs.  (added October 2012)

Joyful Welcome by Threads That Bind

Martin’s Pennies by Civil War Legacies

Snow Drifts by Hanging by a Thread

Sundance by Villa Rosa Designs (added 7/31/2012)

Tall * Small by Waltzing with Bears (added 2012)

*Fabric and/or Craft Pattern Purchased For*

Chelsea Tote by Lazy Girl

Elf Mittens by Button Stitch Designs.  Purchased from Life’s A Stitch.  (added 2012)

Encore Purse Insert by Studio Kat  3/19/13 Update:  Fabric purchased

Just Swell by Camille Roskelley for Thimble Blossoms.  Sewing Machine Cover (added October 2012)

Little Cupcake Tote by Penny Sturges for Quilts Illustrated.  Purchased from Nanas Quilt Cottage in Colorado Springs.  (added October 2012)

Margo Handbag by Lazy Girl.  Purchased from Life’s A Stitch.  (added 2012)

Patchwork Ironing Board Covers by Cotton Way.  Pattern purchased from Mill House Quilts (added 2012)

Penny Mats thru the Year, January, April and November by Buttermilk Basin.  Purchased from Life’s a Stitch.  (added 2012)

Sunflower Pillow by The Cottage at Cardiff Farms (added 7/31/2012)

Sunny Days Table Runner by Buttons for Hillcreek Designs.  Purchased from Backyard Quilts. (added 2012)

The Sammi Grace Bag by Fishsticks Designs

Tweety Birds by Creative Fiber Expressions (added 7/31/2012)

I also have fabric purchased to make three children’s quilts.  These quilts do not require a pattern.  (Two of these quilts are now finished.  One remains to be quilted.)

*Finished Items*

My Colorado daughter’s king sized quilt (Finished September 2012)

Garden Party Table Runner by Mary Cain.  Pattern purchased from Mill House Quilts.  (Finished 2012)

Hold Anything Bag by Dancing Crane Designs Pattern purchased from Mill House Quilts, fabric purchased from Backyard Quilts (Finished November, 2012)

Sandy Quilt # 1 (Finished January 2013)

Sandy Quilt # 2 (Finished 1/28/2013)

Sandy Quilt # 3 (Finished 2/25/2013)

Sandy Quilt # 4 (Finished 3/17/2013)

Tag Along by This & That.  Purchased from Life’s A Stitch. (added 2012) 3/19/13 Update:  Fabric ordered from Fabricworm.  Finished

May Night from the Pineapple Passion Collection by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan published by That Patchwork Place.  Finished 4/25/2013

Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl  3/19/2013 Update:  Fabric purchased 5/6/2013 Update:  Project started  Update:  Project completed 5/28/2013