Tag: giveaways

Texas Roadtrip QAL- Hill County


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

Welcome to your next to the last stop on the Texas Roadtrip QAL. 
By now you have many of the highlights around the state and discovered many of the gems that give Texans our bragging rights. 
I was born in Kansas but as the ol’ saying goes….
 I got to Texas as fast I could. 
Really it was my mom and dad that came to Texas as soon as they could since I was only 5 years old and couldn’t drive when my family moved to Texas. We started out in Lubbock and eventually moved to Dallas when I was 8.
Both my mother and father were native Texans so when I was told about this project I knew I wanted to play along. Making the blocks and reading about many of the parts of the state have brought back many memories of family reunions, road trips, and various adventures along the way. Enough about my families antics. You can read about my roadtrip down memory lane August 17th when I post the final quilt project and link up for prizes.
So today you are here to learn a little about the Texas Hill Country.
The area that defines the Hill Country varies depending on who you ask. It does however cover 25 different counties from as far north as  West Austin and south all the way to Bandera and into San Antonio. Bandera, Texas is the Cowboy Capital of Texas. The town still has hitching posts outside many of the  stores because it is not uncommon to ride your horse into town. Bandera also has as many honky tonks as it does churches. SIDE NOTE- This weekend, July 26th is the National Day of the American Cowboy. If you happen to visit Bandera, be sure and stop at the O.S.T Restaurant and enjoy your meal in the John Wayne room.  I seriously have done this! I won’t share about the Honky Tonks we visited during the family reunion. Yes, Bandera also has a quilt store, Gone Quiltin’.


Everything is bigger in Texas except for maybe our hills, so to have an area of the state know for the  hills, granite rocks and native brush tells you we are pretty proud. So if you visit, please no comments on the size of our hills. I could go on and on and tell you about the quaint downtown streets, the antique shopping, the mega outlet malls, the inter tube rides down the river but there is not enough time. You will just have to experience the charm for your self.

Any road trip is sure to include a few stops along the way at any and all quilt shops. So I will list just a few.
You won’t want to miss Creations in Kerrville, Texas.

Julie and Kathy
They won’t mind that I borrowed this pic from their website.

Kathy and Julie are precious and have owned this shop for over 34 years so you know they are doing things right.

Another must stop is the Quilt Haus- New Braunfels
Memories by the Yard- San Antonio, Texas
Honey Bee- Austin
Las Colchas – San Antonio
Uptown Blanco Textile Studio ( I haven’t actually been to this one but I will on my next roadtrip.)

There are as many quilts shops as their are longhorns so I also wanted to include a few links that are state wide quilting events. Be sure and check them out.
http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/texas-row-by-row-experience.htm
http://www.quiltacrosstexas.com/

The fun part of this project was we were all making the quilt step by step as the blocks were posted on the QAL. We didn’t have each others quilt blocks in advance. Since I am one of the last to post, I thought I could do a HILL block to represent the hill country but that was too predictable. I choose to do a Bed and Breakfast block. 

 This area has such great memories for me because many many years ago I was a young stay at home mom. I was making and peddling my wares at various arts and craft shows. This was way before e-bay, etsy and all the other wonderful ways to be able to sell handmade items that they have now.
The Country Peddler show was coming to Fredrickburg, Texas and this was the big time kind of show. I had no idea what I was in for.  My husband told me about a gal that he had met coaching the boys t-ball team. He said, “I think the two of you would really hit it off.” 
I invited her to come with me for the weekend and to help me out at this show. There wasn’t a single hotel room in town available so we found a charming little bed and breakfast to stay in. The house was on the back side of an existing home so finding it in the dark was an adventure all by itself. We were expecting two rooms as the Inn Keeper described on the phone. When we arrived there was one bedroom, one bath, a few steps along with a small door and a tiny keyhole. Once we opened door there was the most charming small bed inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Charming is all I can say about the decorations and attention to detail. We had a wonderful weekend and like my husband said, we did hit it off and have been best friends for over 25 years.
So when visiting the Texas Hill Country please visit the bed and breakfasts so you can truly experience all the hospitality and charm this area of Texas has to offer.

BED and BREAKFAST QUILT BLOCK

Small Alice in Wonderland house

Here is a link to download the instructions.

 If you have missed out on any of the blocks and want to also win some prizes here are the complete details.

The schedule for the QAL is as follows:
June 2 Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools
June 5Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts
June 12 Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio
June 16 Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead
June 19Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish
June 23 El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts
June 26Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest
June 30 Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts
July 7Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts
July 10Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork
July 14Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin
July 17 College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama
July 21 San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place
July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at Moda Fabrics
July 28 Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

Melissa and Cristina have arranged some fabulous sponsors:

Donna’s Lavender Nest
Fat Quarter Shop
Urban Spools
Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Lily Rose Quilts
Moda


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

The schedule for the QAL is as follows:
June 2 Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools
June 5Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts
June 12 Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio
June 16 Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead
June 19Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish
June 23 El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts
June 26Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest
June 30 Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts
July 7Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts
July 10Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork
July 14Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin
July 17 College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama
July 21 San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place
July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at Moda Fabrics
July 28 Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

Melissa and Cristina have arranged some fabulous sponsors:

Donna’s Lavender Nest
Fat Quarter Shop
Urban Spools
Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Lily Rose Quilts
Moda


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

 June 1 – Quadrant 1 pattern postDownload

June 2 – Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools

June 5 – Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts

June 12 – Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio

June 15 – Quadrant 2 pattern post – Download

June 16 – Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead

June 19 – Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish

June 22 – Quadrant 3 pattern post – Download

June 23 – El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts

June 26 – Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest

June 30 – Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts

July 6 – Quadrant 4 pattern post – Download

July 7 – Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts

July 10 – Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork

July 14 – Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin

July 17 – College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama

July 21 – San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place

July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at ModaLissa

July 28 – Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

August 17th- final Link up and givewaways from Fat Quarter Shop, Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Urban Spools, Donna’s Lavender Nest, and Lily Rose Quilts,and last but not least Aurifil.

Texas Roadtrip QAL
 
Thank you to Melissa and Christina for organizing such a wonderful project. Thank you to Kay for being my best friend for all this time.

-modalissa

Quilting, sewing blog hops about to start.

September
has always been my favorite month. 
 Our family is full of September birthdays and anniversaries.
 Every day is a party! 
 I can also celebrate National Sewing Month. 
So much fun. 
So much to see and learn.
 First of all, the crew at United Notions is celebrating with 
Measure Twice, Cut Once.
 You will want to join them for daily posts, giveaways and more.
National Sewing Month 2013
Then the much anticipated Moda designer blog hop, 
SIZE MATTERS takes place, Sept. 4-16. 

Visit as many of the designers share their wit, wisdom and creativity. 
YES of course there will be chances at giveaways.
 YES there will be patterns you will want to collect and make.
To read all about it, click here
 Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. 
Hope you get lots of rest to start the 
 month of 
September Sewing Celebrations.

another BRAG

Did the title catch you?
Did you guess what BRAG stands for?
 I am not showing precious pictures of my kids and dogs.
 I am not publishing any report cards. Do they give report cards in college?
I am not telling about how I cleaned my sewing room closet.

BRAG is short for BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY. Yes there is one more post. I could go one and on and still not cover all the great stuff happening in the quilting/publishing  world.
Simply Charming Modern
Modern was certainly the buzz word at Market, so I thought it fitting to show you a few books with Modern in the title.
First of all, we have Simply Charming, Modern from Moose on the Porch. This is a continuing series of books from Konda Luckau. Each of the books  feature quilts made using charm squares. Some of the other titles are Simply Charming- Kids,  Simply Charming – Seasons, Simply Charming- Circles and Simply Charming- Fun. 
Leave a commentand include the words Simply Charming if you want a chance to win.
Modern Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman
published by Stash Books
Elizabeth has made and machine quited  each of the 12 quilts featured in this book. The big bold shapes, graphic use of  scale and additional color options for each project makes it a feast for the eyes. There are a few quilts I have my eye on to try. I think I will start with the escape artist quilt. I cant show you which quilt it is. You will have to check it out for yourself….. if you win this book. Yes I have a book for a giveaway. Leave a comment including Modern Patchwork and i will draw a a name on Sunday night and annoucne it on Monday morning.
Modern is not in the title of this book, but if a book on English Paper Piecing can
 be categorized as modern, this one certainly is.

Hexa-Go-Go by Tacha Bruecher
published by Stash Books
I am truly a hex-aholic so this review may be a bit jaded. There is something just perfect about the shape of a hexagon that I love. Tacha has created a US flag full of hexagons. How cool and dramatic. I wanted to stand up and sing the national anthem when I turned to the page. She must also have a love for the Union Jack because she has  created a hexy Union Jack quilt as well.
SIDE NOTE: Did you know moda introduced a new cut at market that is perfect for paper piecing hexagons? Moda Candy- 2 1/2″ squares will be in stores this fall. Grab some Moda Candy and Tacha’s book to get started on your Hexa go-go project.
Moving from Modern to CLASSIC books
Harriet Hardgrave and her daughter, Carrie’s newest book is Quilter’s Academy, Vol. 4- Senior Year
Quilter's Academy Vol. 4
published by C& T publishing
Harriet and Carrie truly have developed an entire encyclopedia of information, techniques and designs throughout their four books. Volume 4 covers creating designs, drafting patterns, working with angles or complex designs. Completing any of the projects in this book will assure you  a diploma in quilting.
Leave a comment and include Academy if you are interested in wining this book.
One more book that I could only describe as Classically Elegant.
Applique and Embroidery Fundamentals by Jan Vaine
Applique & Embroidery Fundamentals By Janice Vaine
I have such an appreciation for Jan’s work because I do not see how the heck she does it. I think she wrote this book just for me. It is written for a first time stitcher with step by step illustrations to master a variety of applique and embroidery techniques. There is plenty of things in this book for the experienced stitcher as well.  I had the chance to see some of the projects up-close at quilt market.
Amazing!! Look at some of the things she has created using the new ombre fabric from Vanessa Christenson’s new line, Simply Color.
You know the drill,  a couple of these books I have as a giveaway. Leave a comment to let me know which book you would like to win. I will draw the winners Sunday night and post them Monday morning. I must be able to contact you via email or the book will go to the next person’s name I draw. Be sure and folow me so you wont miss out on any future news and giveaways.