Blog Hop Party & Giveaway! (Fabric)

Yes! It's that time of year again :) Let's make this short and sweet. First, one fun picture then onto the giveaway!

I'm giving away 6 fat quarters from my stash.
Leave a comment (read the note below, you can comment on any of my social media pages) telling me your favorite color combinations and I will put something together. My stash is so large, I'm sure I can accommodate :) I will only count one entry per person. I will announce the winner after Thanksgiving :) Have a nice Turkey Day everyone!

Don't forget to check out the other giveaways! Link in right hand sidebar at the top!

Until next time,

Mike.

I have Google+ comments activated, so you can only comment if you have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account (and don't really want one) you can comment on my Facebook page, Twitter feed, Flickr, Instagram, or Pinterest pages! ...On any of my photos or posts!!! I love getting comments! You can also email me at amateurquilter at gmail dot com! I will always respond! Thanks for stopping by! .... Mike.

Grandma's Lawn Chair Blog Hop & Giveaway!!!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Grandma's Lawn Chair Blog Hop!!! I would like to say thank you to Diane at ...from blank pages for allowing me to be a part of it, and to test out such an awesome pattern!

I want to start off by telling you how I met Diane :) I was browsing through some quilting/sewing blogs one day and came across hers :) she was giving away a zippy pouch for any commenters on her blog. I entered and I won the pouch! And, I use it everyday for my hexies on the go! Sew, I consider her officially my bloggy friend :) Hopefully someday our paths will cross in real life. After following her blog for the past two years and interacting through emails and blog comments, I can tell she is a delightful person and a good soul! I recently started following her on instagram, which I LOVE! That is where she was asking for pattern testers, sew... I volunteered (even though I was on a tight schedule)... and as you'll see, I ran with it!

On first glance, the pattern looks like it will be tricky, but in reality, it's very simple and it produces a great weave effect! It has 3 sizes, baby, toddler and lap size, but in the end it's very flexible. You can add more rows or columns and make it any size you want! There are cutting diagrams, notes on cutting from different sizes of fabric including fat quarters, fat eighths and yardage. She even goes further with tips for using directional print, plenty of diagrams and great details on construction... even a diagram you can color so you can see your layout first!

I'm so excited that I finally get to share this! I have been keeping it under wraps for the blog hop. Nothing worse than not being able to share a finish!!! At least with this one I can tell you it has already been used and it works great! ... lol. Here's my finished product:

I used some really brightly colored "batik looking" fat quarters that I found in the bargain bin at a local craft store :)

 Didn't have a lawn chair to throw it over  :)

I quilted it with a variegated rainbow colored thread in the pattern of rainbows. I also picked out the backing fabric at my local quilt shop (Joann's... lol). I had seen that "love" fabric many times and just always wanted to use it. I think I paid only $3.50 a yard for it with my coupon :) The pattern had instructions for using fat quarters, but I had enough of each color left over to make a scrappy binding! This was the first time I had ever done that!

Anyway, Diane is offering up a free pattern to one of my readers! Yay! And, I am throwing in these 5 fat quarters to get you started! All you have to do is comment on this post and say anything about lawn chairs :) I'll pick a winner after the blog hop ends.

In the meantime, check out the other blogs on the hop!

Mon 9th - Diane @ from blank pages...

Tues 10th - Julie @ Jolie Maxtin
Wed 11th - Ginny @ Fishcreek Studio
Thurs 12th - Kelleigh - guest blogging at from blank pages
Fri 13th - Sara @ Sew Sweetness

Mon 16th , Diane @ from blank pages...
Tues 17th - Hilary @ Young Texan Mama
Wed 18th - Mike @ The Amateur Quilter
Thurs 19th - Rachael @ imagine gnats
Fri 20th - Courtney @ Mon Petite Lyons

Mon 23rd - Jamie @ Sunflower Seeds
Tues 24th - Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts
Wed 25th - Krista @ Spotted Stones
Thurs 26th - Cristy @ Sew Much Like Mom
Fri 27th - Diane @ from blank pages...

Here are links to the pattern in case you want to buy your own copy:

Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/project/view/grandmas-lawn-chair---baby-size-quilt/128241

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/162213292/grandmas-lawn-chair-quilt-pattern-3

Until next time!

Mike.

I have Google+ comments activated, so you can only comment if you have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account (and don't really want one) you can comment on my Facebook page, Twitter feed, Flickr, Instagram, or Pinterest pages! ...On any of my photos or posts!!! I will still enter you in the drawing if you mention this giveaway! You can also email me at amateurquilter at gmail dot com! Thanks for stopping by! .... Mike.

Sew Mama Sew... Above and Beyond Creative Sewing (Giveaway!)

Sew, here's the deal... I always do the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. It' twice a year, it's fun and I get to meet a ton of cool people that love quilting!!!

Sew, I'll try to make it short an sweet. My favorite sewing shop, Above and Beyond Creative Sewing in Nanuet, NY is sponsoring me for this giveaway!

Here's the prize:

It's 10 spools of Robison Anton Embroidery thread. That's about 11,000 yards!

I discovered Above and Beyond Creative Sewing at the local quilt shows. They sell Tin Lizzie, Pfaff and Singer sewing machines. Those of you that follow me know that I have a Pfaff and I got my first long arm (Tin Lizzie) last year! They sold it to me! And let me tell you, they have been the best! They have great customer service, awesome support, and I just love my Tin Lizzie! They really, truly go "above and beyond" making sure I am happy :) As an example, if I have an issue or a question about something I can call them... even after hours! And, they are always happy to help me out :) They also have a quilting club that meets every 2 months. People come from all over the Northeast to attend the club and it's a ton o fun! We do show and tell, talk about issues we might be having, share ideas and learn something new every time!

Sew, what do you have to do to win this fabulous prize? The store has just recently launched their very own Facebook page. To help them out with "likes" all you have to do is visit their page, click like and leave them a message on their wall. Say something like "Hello from New Jersey (or wherever you are from)! Mike sent me and thanks for sponsoring the giveaway!" Come back here and leave a comment letting me know, sew I can keep track :) 

Above and Beyond Creative Sewing is located in Nanuet, NY sew if you are ever around or see them at a show, stop by and say Hi! 

Now go visit all of the other blogs that are participating in Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! The giveaway will run through Midnight EDT Saturday May 11. 

Until next time,

Mike. 

I'm on the Rag - Blog Hop Party & Giveaway!!!

Well, it's that time again. To help chase away the Winter Blues, Quilting Gallery is hosting another Quilters’ Blog Hop Party. Everyone with a quilting/sewing related blog is welcome to participate, even if it’s not Winter where you are. Sew, I'm participating :)

If you are wondering about the title of this post, well, here it goes. My Pfaff machine (Vicky) is getting serviced, et cetera, et cetera, so I needed a machine to sew on during the 3 week hiatus. I bought a sewing table a couple of years ago, a very old one, and it had a sewing machine built into it... a Singer Touch Tronic 2001 (circa 1978):

I took it out of the basement, plugged it in and lo and behold. It worked! It's loud, but a real workhorse! Anyway, I did not want to continue any projects on it, just for consistency, so I started on my first rag quilt! I already had the pieces cut (for a while). I did not have a quarter inch foot for this machine, but half inch was already indicated on the plate, so I figured this would work since generally a half inch seam allowance is used for rag quilts. I also discovered some interesting features on the machine. Bobbin winding: the bobbin winds while it's still in the machine without having to unthread the top. Cool. It also has a little red light that comes on when the bobbin is low, although you can see the bobbin through a little window while you sew. I don't like the fact that it does not have a needle up/down position. I am constantly using the dial on the right to raise and lower the needle. I thought for sure it would need oiled or something. The manual said never needs oiled (yeah, right). The answer to all the trouble shooting in the manual said "check bobbin area for lint." LOL!

Here are some pictures of my progress on the rag quilt. I love owls on fabric, so this one will be all owls with all solids on the back:

In honor of this occasion, I am giving away these rag quilt snippers (they're awesome) and some of the leftover flannel:

Ok, you are not going to win all of this :) It's probably like 8 yards of flannel. I'm going to cut up about 4 yards of it. I will give all of the owls and some of the solids. I think you could make a nice baby quilt out of it. The only catch is... if you win, print out this post... put it on your stack of fabric (like I do when I win) so that when you finally make something you LET ME KNOW!!!

Here's a photo of my latest quilt I'm working on too (not rag). And a photo of some inspiration:

The rag quilt snippers were on my Christmas wish list last year and two people got me a pair. So, in turn, one of you got lucky :)

The giveaway rules say make it simple, so here goes. You don't have to be a follower, but feel free to check out where you can follow me on the right side bar and go ahead and do so if you desire :) Leave a comment on this post. I would like to know how you make rag quilts. What size square do you use? Do you use batting in the sandwich squares or flannel or nothing? Do you always use flannel, maybe minky, regular cotton? Do you always sew the X in the middle or do something else? What size seam allowance do you use? If you have never made one, let me know how you envision you might do it, or why you would never make one.

You don't have to answer all of these questions. These are just some ideas. Write something that might be a good tip, trick, idea.... something I and my readers might want to know. Make sure I can contact you so I don't have to pick another winner! The giveaway will go until midnight Eastern Time, Sunday, March 17th!!!

Be sure to go to the Quilters’ Blog Hop Party and visit the other bloggers that are participating.

Until next time,

Mike.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that it is time for Sew Mama Sew's semi-annual giveaway day. Hundreds of bloggers will be participating including myself! I know, I already have a giveaway going on right now! But, I did not realize it would coincide with SMS's! Sew, I am having another! And, I'm giving away a nice load of leftovers from the two Christmas quilts I made. That's right, including 3/4 of a yard of each of the mouth watering boot fabrics (Holly Jolly, Robert Kaufman). In total I have about 2 1/2 yards of fabric here:

I blogged about these quilts here in case you want to take a peek at how I used the fabrics:

1. Christmas in New Jersey

2. I'm here. I'm alive. I'm having a giveaway! Christmas in New Jersey (part 2)

3. It's finished! Christmas in New Jersey (part 3)

Feel free to enter my already going giveaway (the number 2 link above).

So what do you have to do to win? I've been trying to build up my Facebook page, so all you have to do is like The Amateur Quilter on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you did or that you already have. In the SAME comment if you want to also tell me your favorite color or type of fabric, I might be inclined to throw in another nugget of fabric. I've been known to do that :) For example, "I liked your facebook page, and I love fun prints and the color green!"

The giveaways will be open until Friday, December 7, 8 p.m. EST. I will ship internationally :)

Also, go check out all the other giveaways here.

Until next time,

Mike.

I'm here. I'm alive. I'm having a giveaway! Christmas in New Jersey (part 2)

I know it's been almost 2 months since my last post "Christmas in New Jersey." You can probably figure out why. We were bombarded by Aunt Hurricane Sandy. Well, we got power back about 2 weeks ago and we got internet last week! We were very happy about that! I thought maybe it is time to start sharing again :) I've been working on the twin sister Christmas quilt with the boot fabric. I have finished the top:

I've also been working on the back:

It's mostly fabrics that were given to me and I was only trying to just sew a bunch of fat quarters together to make it. The twin sister boot Christmas quilt is a gift for some very good friends of mine. The backing fabrics were some leftover scraps from a mutual friend that lives in Massachusetts. She likes to sew, but doesn't quilt. So, I thought it was appropriate to put her fabrics on the back and give it to our friends.

On another note, I have not been honest with everyone. I have been hiding a very important piece of information. In September I went to a quilt show in Pennsylvania. I bought a long arm quilting machine :) It was supposed to arrive during the hurricane. It's now arriving on Sunday (after Thanksgiving). I'm stoked. I love quilting on my home machine, but as you all know, I work too much and have very little time to sew. So, now I have a great time saver (and muscle saver), especially since most of my projects are larger quilts. I will still be creating my own quilting designs (I did not get the automatic/computerized thing). I already have these 2 Christmas quilts in the "almost ready to quilt" stage, so they will be my firsts.

I've decided to have a giveaway too. I was waiting until I had 200 followers, but I figured "why not just go ahead?" I'm alive, still here, the sewing machine has power now :) I am giving away a couple of bundles of fat quarters, 10 in all. They are not your fancy "quilting quality" fabrics. They are just some that I picked up at Joann's (my LQS). I hope you like them. I don't have sponsors, so I paid for them with my hard earned money :)

I took the ribbons off so you could see the prints. I will put them back on before I send them.

So, what do you have to do to try to win them, you ask?

Sign up for "following by email" in the upper right hand corner of my blog. That's it. If you are already signed up, you're entered.

If you want to leave a comment, that's up to you. I love them. In fact, if you leave a comment telling me what your favorite color/type of print fabric is, I might throw something else in the package :) For example, "I like green and I like medium to large prints" or "I like blue and anything solid or with a small print." You don't have to leave a comment. It will just possibly add to the prize.

Also, I am excluding my close friends and family that already follow me through email. But all you quilt bloggers out there. Don't fret. We may be online friends, but you are still in the game :)

The giveaway is open internationally. (Thank you to all I have won that was shipped that way.) You also have 2 weeks: it ends Friday December 7th (east coast time) at midnight.

I'm linking up at Richard and Tanya Quilts link a finish Friday. Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

Mike.

Ellie at Color My World is having a giveaway...

Become a follower of Ellie's and mention that I sent you so I get an extra entry :)

Click here to enter: Color My World: Hooray for 50 Posts Giveaway!: "I realized while on vacation last week that I had written my 50th post. In my mind, that calls for a celebration, otherwise known as a give..."

Giveaway ends Friday July 27, at 5pm EST.

Farm Girl Transplanted: Giveaway! and Stash Report Week 26

There's a nice giveaway of a fat eighth bundle :) Click here:Farm Girl Transplanted: Giveaway! and Stash Report Week 26: "Last week's stash report passed me by while I was back in Indiana.  In anticipation of the task of going through yet more of Grandma's thi..."

All you have to do is leave a comment about your latest project you are working on. Also, if you could comment on this post (not part of the contest on her blog) I would like to know if you have any ideas on how to quilt over a hexagon flower (see my last post).

Here's what you could win:

The giveaway will end on 6/29/2012 at midnight (Friday) Central time. Good luck!

Make me happy and become a follower (of me and the giveaway sponsor).

Remember this is not my giveaway so you don't have to leave a comment here. But, it is fun to read them :)

Mike.

Color My World: The Big 5-0! and Giveaway

Ellie at Color My World hit 50 followers. She is having a giveaway of a Moda Charm Pack. The giveaway ends Sunday June 17th at 5pm Eastern.

Link here: Color My World: The Big 5-0! and Giveaway: Woo hoo! I hit the big 5-0! (No, not in age...I've got a few years yet!) Thanks to old friends and new, virtual and real-life, my blog now ...

Shape Moth: Giveaway from Patchwork-Oase: 10 Prizes!!!!!!

The Shape Moth blog is giving away a ton of prizes from their sponsor Patchwork-Oase (in Germany). They are celebrating the opening of their new online store. Soon there will be the launch of their new shop with a new design, new features and completely new fabrics!

The blog post is here to enter the contest:

Shape Moth: Giveaway from Patchwork-Oase


The giveaway ends on July 7th at midnight (CEST) - not sure of that time zone! Probably Germany.

Until next time,

Mike.



One-Flower Wednesday and 200th Post Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to share this giveaway. It is not my giveaway. Head over to Hilachas to enter. There are some fabulous fabric bundles! It ends June 6th at midnight! I'm still sewing Hexagons these days, so I haven't had much to blog about (that is new) ... ;) and... it doesn't help to have a broken foot!

Click here to enter!

Mike.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Winner!

The winner of my giveaway was Tanya who said:

I just started following, but have been a lurker in past. I like pinks and blues and fun prints. Thanks for the giveaway. 


Her blogs are here (I think one is her husband's):

http://juliadawnhealey.blogspot.com/

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/


She won a $20 gift certificate to fabric.com and a little something-something that I have yet to put together!


Thanks to everyone who participated!

Mike.

Nice little giveaway here: Having Fun Quilting!!!: AWKWARD

Having Fun Quilting!!!: AWKWARD

Give her some following love :) Her last giveaway did not go so well!

It's an entire kit!!!!



Mike.